Memphis Light, Gas and Water and TVA were founded on a mission to serve — through reliable and affordable energy, a safe and protected environment and thriving economic development.

The team at Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) enjoys supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities for local students.

Each year MLGW and TVA join forces to host a robotics showcase for participating area students. Sponsored by MLGW’s Junior Engineer/Professional Engineer Program (JEPE) and TVA, the event is held in the lobby of the MLGW building. The showcase promotes STEM education, giving participating teams a chance to demonstrate their robotics creations. Tamara Nolen, manager, corporate communications for MLGW, said, “It’s a lot of fun when the robotics program comes to the office. It’s a feel-good event for all of us.”

MLGW strives to support all its customers, including the most vulnerable. As part of this mission, MLGW participates in the TVA EnergyRight Home Uplift program.

Over 400 customers in the service area have participated in the Home Uplift program. In May 2021, TVA awarded MLGW $750,000 to provide weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades to qualified, limited-income homeowners. TVA also donated an additional $75,000 toward needed health and safety repairs to enable the installation of energy efficiency upgrades. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) also contributed a matching $750,000 grant toward the repairs.

The goal of the Home Uplift program is to make homes healthier, safer and more energy-efficient, which then will help to lower the homeowner’s power bill. Recipients of these latest awards were pre-selected from a waitlist by the City of Memphis, Department of Housing and Community Development.

Once an assessment is made of the participant’s home, energy efficiency upgrades may include air sealing, attic insulation, wall insulation, water heater and pipe insulation, HVAC replacement, windows and door replacement, heat pump water heater, refrigerator, LED bulbs and low flow showerheads.

These upgrades not only help to make homes more energy-efficient, but they allow neighbors, many of whom are seniors, to remain safely and comfortably in their homes among family and their local community.

Supporting customers in need took on a new sense of urgency in 2020 due to financial struggles during the pandemic.

MLGW and TVA each provided matching donations of $200,000 for a combined total of $400,000 through the TVA Community Care Fund. The funds were distributed to four Memphis-area nonprofit organizations.

The Plus-1 program of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association received $150,000 to provide utility bill assistance for individuals and families in financial crisis. Mid-South Food Bank received $150,000 to provide food for children, families and seniors in need. The United Way of the Mid-South received $50,000 for its COVID-19 Economic Relief Fund, which contributes funding to community-based organizations that provide essential services and support to those in need.

The remaining $50,000 was contributed to The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis for its Mid-South COVID Regional Response Fund to distribute to organizations that served people impacted by the pandemic.

As MLGW and TVA continue to partner together on both new and existing initiatives, Nolen said, “We appreciate TVA making an extra effort to be visible.”