Mayor Freddie O'Connell Executive Order Number 058

I, Freddie O'Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim, direct, and order the following:

1. On January 24-25, 2026, a significant winter storm struck Nashville and surrounding areas, causing widespread property and infrastructure damage, power outages, business closures, and displacement of residents in Davidson County. At its height, 230,000 customers were without power, and as of the morning of February 2, 2026, more than 25,000 homes and businesses are still without power as temperatures have generally remained below freezing.
2. Safeguarding the lives of its residents is a fundamental responsibility of the Metropolitan Government, and Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-9-102, Tennessee Code Annotated § 58-8-104, and Metropolitan Code of Laws §2.08.060 authorize the Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to proclaim in writing when there exists a state of emergency within the area of Nashville and Davidson County.
3. Via the aforementioned authority, a State of Emergency was declared via Executive Order 56 on January 25, 2026, and extended via Executive Order 57 on February 1, 2026.
4. Widespread questions have emerged regarding Nashville Electric Service’s actions related to protecting infrastructure and restoring power.
5. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is committed to transparency in storm preparation and response and identifying areas of potential improvement in policies, practices, and procedures.
6. Therefore, there is hereby created and established a 2026 Winter Storm Response Commission (“Commission”) for the Metropolitan Government.
   1. Composition of the Commission.
      The Commission shall consist of nine members. Seven (7) members shall be community leaders or individuals with expertise in utility infrastructure, emergency response, crisis communications, human services, government operations, or other relevant areas. One (1) member shall be the Vice Mayor. One (1) member shall be the Metropolitan Councilmember who holds the position of Metropolitan Council President Pro Tempore at the time the Commission is constituted. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor, and the Mayor shall appoint from among the members a Chair.
   2. Powers and Duties of the Commission.
      1. The Commission is empowered to review and investigate the Nashville Electric Services’ preparation for and response to the storm as well as that of Metropolitan Government and related agencies; to make recommendations regarding possible changes to policies, practices, and procedures to reduce the likelihood of significant delays in power restoration; and to improve response to similar emergencies in the future.
      2. The Commission is granted the authority, but not the obligation, to conduct its own investigation, hold hearings, request the services of the Metropolitan Auditor, and, upon adoption of a resolution by the Council, engage the services of outside entities. Further, by virtue of the investigatory authority granted herein, the Commission shall have the right pursuant to Section 18.10 of the Metropolitan Charter to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and records pertinent to the investigation or any hearing and to administer oaths to witnesses.
      3. The Commission shall issue its initial findings to the Mayor and Metropolitan Council within six months from the date of the first meeting of the Commission.
      4. The Commission shall issue a report containing its findings and recommendations (“its Report”) within one year of the date of the first meeting of the Commission, or sooner as determined by the Commission Chair.
   3. Meetings and Operations of the Commission.
      1. The Commission shall meet within fourteen (14) days following the expiration of the State of Emergency.
      2. The Commission shall meet on a regular basis until its Report is issued.
      3. The Commission shall terminate upon its submission of its Report.
      4. Staff from Nashville Electric Service, the Office of Emergency Management, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, the Department of Law, and other Metro and affiliated entities as appropriate will be available at Commission meetings.

Ordered, Effective, and Issued: February 2, 2026

Freddie O’Connell

Metropolitan County Mayor