Memphis Light, Gas and Water - Roadmap To Reliability

Renewal/Replacement of Infrastructure

We are committed to making our electric system better.

Tree Trimming – Other than storms, trees are the leading cause of MLGW outages. To reduce the number of tree-related outages MLGW hired three tree-service companies, increasing the number of tree-trimming crews from 52 to 90. Visit mlgw.com/treetrimming to track our progress and see which neighborhoods crews will trim next.

Replacing Outdated Infrastructure – MLGW is improving the reliability of the electrical grid by replacing outdated infrastructure. That includes transformers, wooden poles, underground cable, and substation circuit breakers. MLGW is also re-engineering how electricity is delivered to customers.

Modernizing the Grid – MLGW is bringing the electric grid up to a modern standard. A “smart grid” is a system of technology and equipment that works with the electric system. It can sense an issue along the powerline and react automatically.

MLGW customers can keep track of where we are on the Roadmap to Reliability. Performance metrics are updated monthly and available online at mlgw.com/4M. The section titled Infrastructure Improvements shows details about tree trimming, the replacement of outdated infrastructure, and what MLGW is doing to modernize the electrical grid.

In the past 35 years, MLGW has effectively had one rate increase. Utility President and CEO Doug McGowen explains in an episode of WKNO's "Behind the Headlines."

Without sufficient funding, equipment has not been replaced on a regular recurring basis. Power outages are twice as frequent and three times as long as they were in 2000. MLGW customers deserve better and we will deliver.

The rate increase approved in 2023 will allow MLGW to reinvest in the electrical system and make it more dependable.

Details In Depth

Here's a link to the 2025 Preliminary Budget presented to the board of Commissioners on October 2, 2024. Click a year below to see previous budget plans, presentations and communications from MLGW leadership.

Jan. 7, 2020
Five-Year Service Improvement Plan

Jan. 21, 2020
Electric Budget and Rate Plan

Feb. 5, 2020
Cost Savings/Projects Report

Feb. 19, 2020
State of MLGW Presentation

April 21, 2020
MLGW Committee Cost Savings/Projects Report

May 19, 2020
MLGW Committee Cost Savings/Projects Reportz

Sept. 24, 2020
2021 Budget Presentation

Oct. 9, 2020
2021 Budget and Service Improvement Plan

Feb. 3, 2021
State of MLGW Presentation

Feb. 2, 2022
State of MLGW Presentation

Feb. 16, 2022
2022 Winter Storm Action Update

March 2022
2022 Budget Book

August 2022
Five-Year Service Improvement Plan

Oct. 2022
2023 Preliminary Budget

June 2023
Way Forward Infrastructure and Reliability Improvement Plan

Aug. 2023
5-Year Reliability and Resiliency Work Plan

Oct. 4, 2023
2024 Preliminary Budget Highlights

Oct. 18, 2023
Budget and Resiliency Roadmap Presentation

2024 Budget Book

2023 President’s First Six Months Report

2023 President’s End of Year Report

April 3, 2024
Board of Commissioners Presentation

Tree Trimming Goals

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Line Clearance Policy Brochure

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Efficiency Study/Research

MLGW engaged Baker Tilly to perform an operational and organizational review of overall operations and structure. The study examined procedures, policies, processes, and asset infrastructure investment plans to identify area of improvement.
Click here to view the study

MLGW customers can track the utility’s progress online. Roadmap to Reliability performance metrics are updated monthly and available at mlgw.com/4M. The section titled Infrastructure Improvements shows details about tree trimming, the replacement of outdated infrastructure and what MLGW is doing to modernize the electrical grid.