20,000 NES customers may have overdue storm bills, but December isn't a mass-shutoff deadline

Nashville Electric Service estimates that roughly 20,000 customers may still owe money on bills tied to the January 2026 winter storm. While those unpaid bills could put households at risk of losing electricity, December is not a mass-shutoff deadline.

Here's what to know

Customers in default on storm-related payment plans could lose service, NES has warned in targeted notices, according to WZTV. The utility also uses those notices to direct recipients to assistance and its Customer Relations team.

Before introducing the payment arrangements, NES paused shutoffs for nonpayment and began waiving late fees on Jan. 28.

NES then enrolled eligible overdue balances in six-month plans after the shutoff pause ended. Payments began with July bills, WZTV reported.

Disconnection risk varies by household, and payment schedules differ across accounts. Many participants have their final plan payment due in December.

More background

NES bases shutoff decisions on individual account reviews. Those reviews consider payment history and existing arrangements, along with the account's status and billing cycle.

The utility also factors applicable weather protections and its operational capacity into those reviews.

NES gives customers who fall behind advance notice of a scheduled disconnection.

What's being done?

NES is directing customers struggling with January storm bills to Customer Relations to explore assistance and payment options, WZTV reported.

The utility's outreach to customers and community partners also highlights financial assistance.

That support includes an additional $500,000 partnership with NeedLink, a nonprofit that helps customers.

Where can I learn more?

Customers outside Nashville are also dealing with overdue utility bills, payment deadlines, and possible shutoffs. These stories cover gas and water shutoffs, confusing billing timelines, and assistance for electricity customers.

• In Philadelphia, 29,388 households lost gas service by August as unpaid bills reached $161.7 million.

• Beaumont, Texas, residents received water bills with one-day deadlines, but officials said shutoffs weren't imminent.

• In Illinois, Ameren customers facing shutoffs may qualify for up to $500 in bill assistance.

• Richmond, Virginia, utility customers have five fewer days to pay as officials address billing issues.

• Phoenix says 7,000 overdue water accounts owe $24 million, with shutoffs possible next month.

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