Memphians Urge City Council to Move MLGW RFP Process Forward
Over 80 MLGW customers and community leaders sign letter to City Council in support of sourcing more affordable, cleaner energy
Amy Rawe | October 1, 2020 | Position StatementsDownload a pdf of the community letter here.
Dear Memphis Community Leaders,
We, the undersigned concerned Memphians, are requesting that MLGW issue a request for proposals (RFP) in order to determine how much money Memphians could save by switching to a cheaper and cleaner supply of energy.
As we work together as a community under COVID-19, with a projected rise in extreme poverty that will further impact our energy burden, it is more important now than ever to choose clean, affordable, and renewable options that provide positive opportunities for job creation and economic development as we move forward with our energy future.
Memphis and Shelby County could save at least 120 million dollars, with several studies suggesting higher amounts of savings if MLGW purchased its power from a new supply, but the only way to know for sure what the savings would be is to get actual proposals from alternate power suppliers. An RFP will give concrete numbers for how much Memphians can save by moving to another power provider.
Because energy affects so many areas of our lives, we believe energy equity is among the top human rights issues of the 21st century. Moreover, it is imperative that decision makers in this process like you are exposed to clear choices, multiple options, and firm data with the most up to date information available regarding our energy future. We judge that an RFP will help equip you with just that before you make this historic decision that will impact us, our children, and our children’s children.
Thank you for your consideration, and we are looking forward to a positive decision that will help us move towards a cleaner, more affordable, and equitable energy future.
Sincerely,
Aaron Lewis, Memphis Coalition of Concerned Citizens
Angelo Earl
Anthony Fisher
Anya Parker, Community Organizer
Arna Gunn-Denton
Bala Tounkara, Bala’s Bistro
Bobbie Hawkins
Bob Winbush, Winbush Promotions
Calvest Sallie
Carl C. Taylor
Carolyn Goodman
Carter Bass
Catherine Lewis, Inward Journey, Inc
Charles Casey, Casey’s Custom Cuts
Christopher Forest, Producer, Broadcast Music, Inc
Clifford Stockton III, Community Leader, Director TN, INC
Cloyzell Williams, President, Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc
Cynthia Wilkins-Wortham
Dan Cleaborn
Danetria James
Danye Echtinaw
DeJuan Whitmore, Nail Swagg
Deborah Taylor
Debra Plunket
Deke Pope, Doing Group
Delia Koen, Enthrone Records Ent LLC
Denise Anthony
Dominique Nelson
Dr. Brenda Hardy
Dr. Darel Butler, MD
Dr.Gail Walker
Dr. L. Sha Fanion
Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols, Pastor, Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church
Everette Jones
Faith Faser, President, SGT. Presley’s G.I. Blues Fan Club
F. Johnson
Guido Lewis
Harland Shaw
Ivy Hall
Janet E. Parker
Jett Lucas, Host, Java Justice & Jazz Talk Show
Julian Hudson
Karen Jackson
Karl A. Rivers
Kemberly Toney, PKWY Bar-B-Que
Ken Taylor
Kirby Dukes
Lady J Swift, I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood Association
Larry Jackson
Larry O’Kelly
Lula Barnes, Treasurer, Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc
Mallory Morrison
Maxine Taylor, Polar Tropical Shaved Ice & Sweet
Mente Butts, Smooth Living Restaurant
M.D. Cooper
Myron Mays, The What’s Happening Network
Nini Brimley, Good Vybes Hair Studio
Nyne Walker
Omar Baruti, Parent Resource Center
Pearl Walker, Organizer, Memphis Has The Power
Percy F. Jones Jr.
Phee Robinson
Rami Abdoch, Memphis Dawah Association
Rev. Clifford Stockton Jr.
Rev. Dr. K Andre Brooks
Richie Domino
Rick Middlebrook
Rico Rivers.
Robert Bain, Joysmith Gallery
Ruben Barnes, Mid-South Kwanzaa
Sah Ankh Sa Maat
Sandra Upchurch, NAACP-ECJ Regional 5 Lead
Shun Watkins
Sidney Thurman
Stanley Taylor, Motherland Gallery
Teketa Hines
Towanna Murphy, Owner & CEO, WDEMRADIO.COM and 98.5 FM
Tracey Gales
Trina Clemmons, The African Place
Ms. Parks
Valencia Baymon
Wallace Redd, The Love Power Show
Yvette Granger, Natural Divinity
Yvette Juarez
Yvonne Nelson, President, DI’MANS, Inc
Zenobia McCoy