Nashville Electric Service (NES) is one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation, distributing energy to more than 400,000 customers over a 700 square mile area in Middle Tennessee. NES was founded in 1939 with the mission to provide safe, reliable and affordable power. NES has no generating capacity and purchases power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). NES is overseen by a five-member board, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council. Electric Power Board members serve five-year staggered terms without pay.