News Archives - Greeneville Energy Authority

GEA Connect Is Coming: Fiber Is Arriving as We Build All of Greene County

dhall@mygea.net — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:28:35 +0000

Fiber is arriving at GEA, construction bids are open, and we’re working to bring GEA Connect to every corner of Greene County.

If you’ve talked to a neighbor at the grocery store, a friend after church, or a coworker over lunch lately, you may have heard the question we hear every day: “When is GEA Connect coming to me?”

We get it. Waiting on fiber internet has been frustrating for a lot of folks around here. Whether you’re running a business, helping your kids with homework, working from home, or just trying to stream a ballgame without the buffering wheel, reliable internet matters.

We want you to hear it straight from your hometown utility: we are committed to bringing GEA Connect to the entire Greene County community within our electric service territory. It’s a big job, and it takes time to build the network needed to reach thousands of additional homes and businesses. But we’re moving forward, and we’re building for the whole county.

Fiber Is Arriving at GEA

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Fiber cable is beginning to arrive and is being staged at our warehouse, ready for construction.

We’ve also opened requests for pricing so construction crews can bid on the work to expand our network. Bids are open, too, for seven hardened buildings, called headends, that will support our growing fiber network.

Think of a headend like an electric substation. A substation helps deliver power across the county, and a headend helps deliver internet service across the fiber network. These are the building blocks that will carry GEA Connect to more of our neighbors.

Our Goal: All of Greene County Within Three Years

GEA has committed to making GEA Connect fiber internet available throughout our entire electric service territory in Greene County within the next three years. We’re working hard to finish in two years if we can.

Some areas will be ready before others, depending on existing infrastructure, construction needs, and what it takes to reach each community. But our promise doesn’t change: we’re not building in just a few select neighborhoods. We’re working toward a countywide network that reaches the communities we call home.

We’ll keep you posted as construction moves along and new areas open up.

Check the Map and Let Us Know You’re Interested

The best way to stay in the loop is our GEA Connect availability map.

Green Area – Fiber service is available today!

Red Area – Fiber is coming soon; preregister now!

BLUE Area – Fiber Build in progress; Show your interest today!

Check the GEA Connect map here

On the map, you can:

Check availability: See if GEA Connect is available at your address today.
Sign up for service: If you’re in a service area, take the next step toward getting connected.
Register your interest: Not available at your address yet? Tell us you want GEA Connect.

Please don’t skip that last one. Registering your interest gives us a way to reach out the moment service is available at your address. It also shows us where our neighbors are waiting, which helps us as we plan upcoming construction. If your address isn’t ready yet, check back often as the network grows.

What Makes GEA Connect Different?

GEA Connect is a 100% fiber internet provider. We run fiber all the way to your home’s designated connection point, where our technicians install an optical network terminal (ONT), or a combined ONT and router, depending on your installation.

That means fast, dependable internet for streaming, working from home, online classes, gaming, video calls with family far away, and all the connected devices in today’s households.

Every customer also gets the GEA Connect app at no additional cost. It includes tools to manage your home network, including parental controls, device profiles, screen time management, and website blocking.

GEA Connect serves both residential and business customers with fiber internet and analog phone service. Residential customers can see current package options in the pricing graphic below.

Local businesses can reach our team about solutions and a free site survey:

Call 423-636-6200 or email bizsales@mygea.net

Thank You for Supporting Local

Greeneville Energy Authority has been serving this community since 1945. We’re locally owned and operated, which means the folks managing your fiber network live here too. We shop at the same stores, cheer at the same ballgames, and drive the same roads.

We know many of you are eager to make the switch, and we appreciate your patience while we do this the right way. Thank you for supporting your local utility and for investing in the community we all call home.

GEA Connect is coming, Greene County. We can’t wait to connect you, one community at a time.

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GEA Participates in 5th Grade Conservation Camp at Hardin Park

dhall@mygea.net — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:51:45 +0000

GEA representatives had the opportunity today to participate in the 5th Grade Conservation Camp at Hardin Park, where approximately 200 fifth-grade students from across the Greene County school system, along with several homeschool students, gathered to learn about conservation and the ways they can make a difference in their community.

During the event, GEA talked with students about simple conservation practices they can use every day to help conserve electricity, support the power grid, and even save money on their monthly electric bills.

Students learned how electricity is generated and distributed to our community through the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). We also discussed the many ways GEA works to protect wildlife and reduce wildlife-related outages on our electric system.

Wildlife is the second most common cause of outages on the GEA system. Students were able to see examples of some of the protective devices GEA uses on the electric system to help deter wildlife and protect both the animals and our equipment.

We also shared some simple ways students and their families can conserve electricity at home, including:

Using LED light bulbs
Closing blinds or curtains to help manage indoor temperatures
Turning off lights and electronics when they are not needed
Keeping doors closed when heating or cooling the home
Taking shorter showers to reduce the energy needed to heat water

While conservation often makes us think about electricity, we also talked about conservation when it comes to GEA Connect and our fiber internet network.

Calling 811 before digging is one important way customers, contractors, and property owners can help protect underground infrastructure. Properly calling in locates helps prevent underground fiber lines from being damaged, which can result in costly repairs, service interruptions, and additional truck rolls. Protecting existing infrastructure also helps conserve the time, fuel and resources required to make those repairs.

We also took the opportunity to discuss an issue we have seen increase since dove hunting season opened: damage to fiber lines caused by gunfire. We reminded students about the importance of practicing safe hunting habits and being aware of utility infrastructure when out in the field. Damaged fiber lines can result in costly repairs and service interruptions, making awareness and safety important for everyone.

The students were engaged, asked great questions, and were a pleasure to spend time with throughout the event. We appreciate the opportunity to help educate the next generation about conservation, electricity, wildlife protection, and the infrastructure that helps keep our community connected.

A special thank you to Jessie Beth Miller, Director of Keep Greene Beautiful, Leadership, Youth, and Community Programs at the Greene County Partnership, for inviting GEA to participate, as well as everyone who helped organize and make the 5th Grade Conservation Camp possible.

We enjoyed spending time with the students and look forward to continuing to support educational opportunities throughout our community.

The post GEA Participates in 5th Grade Conservation Camp at Hardin Park appeared first on Greeneville Energy Authority.

GEA Team Honors 9/11 with Flag Remembrance

ghensley@mygea.net — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:42:30 +0000

At 9:03 a.m. on September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center — a moment that, twenty-five years later, remains etched into the memory of our nation.

Today, the GEA Team flag flies in the Greene County Health Department parking lot, across from the GEA warehouse, as we pause to remember that moment and the countless lives forever changed that day.

The flag will remain aloft until noon in remembrance of the victims, the first responders and heroes who rushed toward danger, the families who carry the loss, and everyone whose life was altered on September 11, 2001.

Never Forget.

https://www.mygea.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Flag-lowering-ceremony.mp4

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GEA Connect Business Solutions: Internet Built for Your Business

dhall@mygea.net — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:15:46 +0000

Today, a reliable internet connection is essential to almost every business. From processing transactions and communicating with customers to running cloud based applications, managing security systems, supporting employees, and connecting with customers, your business depends on staying connected.

That is where GEA Connect comes in.

We offer business internet and communication solutions designed to meet the needs of businesses throughout our community. Whether you are a small local business, a growing company or an organization with more advanced networking and communication needs, our team is ready to build a solution around you.

And while the technology matters, we believe the people behind the service matter just as much.

Business Solutions Built Around Your Needs

Every business is different.

A small business may need reliable fiber internet, a guest network for customers, and a couple of phone lines. Another business may need multiple static IP addresses, advanced phone solutions, and additional network capabilities.

GEA Connect can provide solutions for both.

Our business services can include:

Reliable fiber internet
Guest networking at no additional cost
Static IP address options
Business phone solutions
Multiple phone lines
Advanced communication solutions
Enterprise-level solutions
Service Level Agreements
Enterprise escalation support

Our goal is simple: understand what your business needs and build a solution that works for you.

Enterprise Solutions With Enterprise Support

For organizations with more demanding connectivity requirements, GEA Connect offers enterprise solutions designed to provide additional support and accountability.

Businesses that require a Service Level Agreement can have an SLA provided as part of their service. Enterprise customers can also have access to an escalation list, providing a defined path for addressing service needs when they arise.

From multiple static IP addresses to more advanced phone and communication solutions, we can work with your organization to determine what makes sense for your operation.

You do not have to be a huge corporation to expect dependable service and support.

Your Local Business Representative

One of the biggest differences between GEA Connect and a national provider is simple: you have a local person who knows you and your business.

When you choose GEA Connect, you have a local business representative who can help guide you through the process.

From your first conversation, we can discuss your current services, understand what your business needs, and help determine the right solution. Your representative can stay involved throughout the process and serve as a point of contact as your business gets connected.

You are not just another account number.

We want to know your business, understand your needs, and be there when you need us.

Start With a Free Business Site Survey

We believe a successful installation starts before the installation truck ever arrives.

That is why GEA Connect offers free business site surveys.

A GEA representative can visit your business, look over the location, and discuss your needs. This gives us an opportunity to understand the property, review the installation requirements, and identify potential challenges before construction begins.

That information is then used to help our local technical team prepare for the installation.

The goal is a white-glove experience from start to finish.

You tell us what your business needs. We look at the location. Our team prepares the installation. Then our local technicians get you connected.

Local Technicians. Local Support. Local Accountability.

When your business depends on the internet, you need to know someone is there when you need help.

GEA Connect provides 24/7 support, and when a service issue requires a technician at your location, we provide truck rolls at no additional charge.

Our technicians are local. Our representatives are local. Our support team is local. And the businesses we serve are our neighbors.

That matters.

When you call GEA, you are not dealing with a provider that is hundreds or thousands of miles away trying to understand our community from a different market.

We live here. We work here. We serve here.

Do Not Just Take Our Word For It

We are proud of the businesses that have chosen GEA Connect, but we also understand that choosing an internet provider is a big decision.

So ask them.

Want to talk to a local business owner who already has GEA Connect? We can help make that connection. We can put you in touch with a local business that uses our service so you can hear about their experience directly.

Because sometimes the best way to understand what it is like to work with a company is to talk to someone who already does.

One of the many: Lauren Burns, owner of Uptown Real Estate Group

Hear directly from a local business owner about their experience with GEA Connect.

We Know This Market Because We Are Part of It

GEA has been part of the Greeneville community for generations.

We understand the businesses here because we are here, too.

We understand the importance of local relationships. We understand that when a business has a problem, it needs someone who can respond. And we understand that businesses want more than a low introductory price or a promise from a national provider.

They want a partner.

No one knows this market like we do.

GEA Connect brings the reliability of fiber technology together with the local service and support that businesses deserve.

Whether you operate a small local business or manage an organization with more advanced connectivity needs, our team is ready to sit down with you, learn about your operation and find the right solution.

Ready to Connect Your Business?

If you are considering a new internet provider, opening a new business, expanding your current operation, or simply want to see what GEA Connect can offer, Lets talk.

Our team can help you explore your options, schedule a free business site survey, and walk you through the process from beginning to end.

Visit mygea.net/business-internet or call 423-636-6200 to speak with our team.

GEA Connect. Local service. Local support. Built for your business.

Making The Connection.

The post GEA Connect Business Solutions: Internet Built for Your Business appeared first on Greeneville Energy Authority.

When Your Lights Blink, Your Electric System May Be Doing Its Job

dhall@mygea.net — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:53:06 +0000

Have you ever noticed your lights blink for just a moment and then come right back on?

It can be frustrating, especially when you have to reset a digital clock or another electronic device. But that quick interruption may actually be a sign that GEA’s electric system is working as designed.

A “blink” occurs when there is a momentary interruption or fault on the electric system. These interruptions can be caused by a variety of things, including lightning, a vehicle striking a utility pole, a tree limb contacting a power line, or an animal coming into contact with energized equipment.

When something causes a fault on an electric line, GEA uses special switchgear like reclosers and circuit breakers to help protect the system; one such type of recloser is an OCR

What Is an OCR?

An OCR is essentially an automatic breaker for the electric distribution system. Similar to the breaker panel in your home, it is designed to interrupt the flow of electricity when a fault occurs.

The difference is that an OCR can automatically attempt to restore power after a temporary fault.

For example, if a tree limb briefly touches a power line, the OCR can open the circuit and stop the flow of electricity. After a short period, it can automatically close the circuit and restore power.

If the fault has cleared, electricity continues flowing normally, and customers may only experience a brief blink instead of a prolonged outage.

Why Do Lights Sometimes Blink More Than Once?

If a fault is still present, the OCR can open and close the circuit again in an attempt to determine whether the problem is temporary.

This is why you may sometimes notice multiple blinks close together before an outage.

If the fault clears, the OCR can restore power without requiring a crew to respond. That can prevent a temporary problem from becoming a longer outage.

If the fault does not clear, the OCR will remain open and stop the flow of electricity. This helps protect power lines, transformers, and other electrical equipment from additional damage until GEA crews can safely locate and repair the problem.

In other words, that frustrating blink may have prevented you from sitting in the dark for much longer.

Why Do I Have to Reset My Clock?

Although a blink may last only a fraction of a second, the interruption can be enough to cause some electronic devices to lose their stored settings or memory.

You may notice that you have to reset:

Digital clocks
Microwaves
Ovens
Other appliances with digital displays
Certain electronic equipment

There are a few ways you can reduce the inconvenience caused by momentary power interruptions.

Consider these tips:

When purchasing digital clocks or small appliances, consider models with a battery backup or automatic reset capability.
Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for computers and other sensitive electronics that need continuous power or could lose important data during an interruption.
Consider using quality surge protection for electronic equipment to help protect against electrical surges.

The Next Time Your Lights Blink…

A blink can certainly be annoying, but it can also be a sign that GEA’s protective equipment responded to a problem on the electric system and worked to keep a temporary fault from becoming a longer outage.

So the next time your lights blink, remember: your electric system may have just blinked to keep you from sitting in the dark.

The post When Your Lights Blink, Your Electric System May Be Doing Its Job appeared first on Greeneville Energy Authority.

Avoid Electrical and Fiber Lines While Dove Hunting

dhall@mygea.net — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:12:22 +0000

September marks the beginning of dove season in Tennessee, and Greeneville Energy Authority wants to remind hunters to be mindful of electrical and fiber infrastructure while enjoying the season.

Doves are often attracted to power and utility lines because the elevated perch gives them a clear view of corn, wheat, and other crops in the fields below. While this may make utility lines a common sight in hunting areas, it is important to never shoot at or near electrical or fiber lines.

A projectile can cause significant damage to utility infrastructure. Damage to an electrical line can lead to power outages and costly repairs, while damage to a fiber cable can leave homes and businesses without internet, phone, and other critical services.

At GEA, each fiber cable incident caused by gunfire can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to repair, depending on the extent and location of the damage. Those responsible for intentionally damaging GEA’s electric or fiber infrastructure may face prosecution and could be held responsible for the resulting repair costs. The photos below show examples of fiber cables that have been damaged by gunfire, requiring costly repairs to restore service.

The photos shown above were taken by Greeneville Energy Authority on September 2, 2026, and show examples of fiber cable damage caused by gunfire.

Keep These Safety Tips in Mind This Hunting Season

Keep clear of electrical and fiber equipment.
Do not shoot at or near power or fiber lines.
Know where utility lines are located before you hunt.
Stay especially vigilant in areas where lines may be less visible.
Never place deer stands on utility poles.
Never place decoys on power lines or utility equipment.

Taking a few moments to identify utility infrastructure before hunting can help prevent expensive damage and avoid unnecessary interruptions to electric, internet, and phone service for the community.

We appreciate everyone’s efforts to hunt safely and help protect the electrical and fiber infrastructure that serves Greeneville and Greene County this dove season.

The post Avoid Electrical and Fiber Lines While Dove Hunting appeared first on Greeneville Energy Authority.

Going to Fiber? Here’s How You Can Still Watch TV

dhall@mygea.net — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:26:26 +0000

One of the questions we hear most often when customers consider switching to GEA Fiber is:

“If I get rid of cable, how am I going to watch TV?”

The good news is that switching to fiber does not mean giving up the TV you enjoy. Instead of receiving television through a traditional cable TV service, you can use your fiber internet connection to stream your favorite live channels, shows, movies and sports directly to your TV.

There are several popular streaming services available, and the best option depends on what you like to watch and how you prefer to use your TV.

You Can Still Watch Live TV

Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DIRECTV Stream offer live television over your internet connection. You simply connect your smart TV or streaming device to your GEA Fiber internet and use the streaming service’s app.

For many customers, this can provide a very similar experience to traditional cable TV, without having to have a traditional cable television package.

Want Something That Feels More Like Cable?

If you’re concerned about learning an entirely new way to watch TV, DIRECTV Stream may be worth considering.

While DIRECTV Stream can be a little more expensive than some other streaming options, one of its advantages is that it can provide a more familiar television experience. You can use a remote control and channel numbers, and its channel lineup is designed to feel much more like the traditional cable TV experience many customers are accustomed to today.

For someone who is comfortable turning on the TV, picking up the remote and going to a familiar channel, this can make the transition from cable to streaming much easier.

“But What About Channel 18?”

This is another question we hear.

If you’re used to turning to Channel 18 on Xfinity to listen to WGRV, you won’t have that same cable channel number once you move away from cable television.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up WGRV.

You can download the TuneIn app on many smart TVs and streaming devices. From there, search for WGRV and listen just as you would through the cable system.

TuneIn also gives you access to thousands of radio stations from around the world, along with music, news, sports and more.

The Bottom Line

Moving to GEA Fiber doesn’t mean you have to give up television or your favorite programming.

Fiber provides the fast, reliable internet connection. You choose how you want to use that connection for TV.

Whether you want a traditional live-TV experience, a large selection of streaming content, or simply want to watch your favorite shows and listen to WGRV, there are options available.

And if you’re not sure which option is right for you, we’re happy to help explain how streaming works and what you’ll need to get started.

The post Going to Fiber? Here’s How You Can Still Watch TV appeared first on Greeneville Energy Authority.

99.960% Electric System Availability in July

dhall@mygea.net — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:18:24 +0000

Reliable power is something you should be able to count on.

At GEA, we work every day to provide safe, reliable electric service to the communities we serve. One way we measure how well we are doing that is through system availability, which looks at how much of the time our electric system was available to serve customers.

For July, our average system availability was 99.960%.

That means that, across the entire month, our system was available to supply power to the average customer 99.960% of the time.

What does 99.960% actually mean?

July has 744 hours. At 99.960% availability, that translates to approximately 17 minutes and 51 seconds of downtime for the average customer during the entire month.

And there is an important distinction to make: that does not mean every customer was without power for 17 minutes and 51 seconds.

This is a systemwide average. Some customers experienced an outage during July, while many customers experienced no outage at all.

Electric utilities commonly use reliability measurements to evaluate how frequently and how long customers experience interruptions. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, for example, uses industry reliability metrics such as SAIDI and SAIFI to measure interruption duration and frequency.

Why we share this number

Reliability can sometimes be something you don’t think about until the power goes out. Behind the scenes, our crews and system operators are constantly working to maintain equipment, respond to problems and keep our electrical system operating reliably.

Our July availability of 99.960% is one way we can show our customers how our system performed during the month.

We know that even a short outage can be an inconvenience, and our goal is always to provide the most reliable service possible.

Thank you for trusting GEA to power your home, business and community.

System availability is an average systemwide measurement and does not represent the outage experience of every individual customer. Individual outage times can vary based on location, cause and circumstances of an interruption.

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SCAM ALERT: GEA Customers Targeted by Fake Budget Billing Offer

dhall@mygea.net — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:11:37 +0000

Greeneville Energy Authority is warning customers about a utility scam reported at our office today.

A customer came into the GEA office while she was still on the phone with someone claiming to represent GEA. The caller told her that if she paid $900 upfront, her electric bill would be only $75 per month for the next 12 months.

The caller claimed this was part of a GEA budget program and instructed the customer to go to CVS or Dollar General to purchase a debit card and provide the card information over the phone.

This was a scam.

GEA does not ask for payment over the phone.

If someone contacts you claiming to be from GEA and asks you to make a payment over the phone, especially using a prepaid or debit card…do not provide your payment information.

Instead:

Verify your account status through the GEA SmartHub app or online.
If you’re unsure about a call, text, or message, contact GEA directly before sharing any information or making a payment.
Never purchase a prepaid or debit card at the direction of someone claiming to represent GEA.
Do not provide card numbers, PINs, passwords, or other sensitive information to an unsolicited caller.

Scammers may use convincing stories, special offers, and a sense of urgency to pressure customers into acting before they have time to verify the information.

When in doubt, stop and verify.

A few minutes of verification could save you hundreds of dollars.

Please share this warning with your friends, family, and neighbors to help spread the word about this scam.

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TVA Transmission Fault Causes Brief Power Interruption

dhall@mygea.net — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:04:02 +0000

At approximately 12:20 a.m. this morning, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) experienced a fault on a transmission feed serving Greeneville Energy Authority (GEA).

The fault caused a large portion of GEA’s electric system to experience a brief power interruption, or “blink.” Power was restored quickly, and our team is continuing to monitor the system.

We are working with TVA to gather additional information about the cause of the transmission fault. We will share more information as it becomes available.

We apologize for any inconvenience this interruption may have caused and appreciate your patience and understanding.

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