Memphis Light, Gas and Water is working with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to complete inspections of utility poles, and utility pole equipment in the Orange Mound neighborhood. Inspections are set to begin Monday, January 6 and are expected to last through the summer.

Inspectors will use drones to fly over utility poles and check for maintenance issues not visible from the ground. Issues they will look for include damaged poles, fuses, transformers and other equipment. They will also report any vegetation overgrowth that could interfere with electric infrastructure.

Inspectors from TVA will inspect roughly 9,000 poles in the Orange Mound area. Data collected will be used to prioritize maintenance and assign work orders.

Drone inspections will take place Monday through Friday during business hours. Customers with concerns can call MLGW at 544-6549 to verify if an inspector is in their neighborhood.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned business a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.