Appalachian Electric Cooperative is facing an $8,000 fine following the electrocution of lineman Nathan Potter, who died while working on power lines in Grainger County back in July. Potter had been with the company for over six years and his passing left behind a wife and three young children. The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) cited the company for not ensuring the use of proper safety equipment, which contributed directly to Potter's death.

The incident occurred on July 23 near Cherokee Dam, where Potter was fatally electrocuted while installing a transformer. A WVLT report details how Potter, in a bucket truck, came into contact with an energized switch while not wearing insulated gloves and sleeves. His immediate crew provided life-saving measures before he was transported to Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, sadly, he did not survive.

Further investigation by TOSHA exposed serious violations in safety procedures that could have prevented this tragedy. A total of four serious citations were issued against Appalachian Electric, two of which carried a penalty of $4,000 each, as reported by WATE. The citations pointed out the lack of necessary insulation used by Potter while he was near a 7620-volt switch, a measure deemed critical given the proximity to high voltage.