Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HJR0626 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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4	4	HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 626
5	5	By Vital
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8	8	HJR0626
9	9	007291
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12	12	A RESOLUTION to urge the appointment of highly qualified
13	13	individuals to the board of directors of the
14	14	Tennessee Valley Authority who understand the
15	15	growing energy needs of Tennessee and the
16	16	importance of reliable, affordable power for the
17	17	State's economic future.
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19	19	WHEREAS, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is the largest public power provider in
20	20	the United States, serving 153 local power company partners who then provide energy to more
21	21	than ten million people across seven states, including a substantial majority of Tennessee's
22	22	homes, businesses, industries, and farms; and
23	23	WHEREAS, TVA was created to deliver reliable and affordable electricity, foster
24	24	economic development, and manage the natural resources of the Tennessee Valley, all of
25	25	which remain critical to the region's quality of life and economic competitiveness; and
26	26	WHEREAS, Tennessee and the broader TVA service area are experiencing historic
27	27	levels of growth, placing new demands on energy generation, transmission, and delivery
28	28	infrastructure; and
29	29	WHEREAS, meeting these needs will require sustained investments in new generating
30	30	capacity, a forward-looking and customer-focused energy strategy, and a continued focus on
31	31	reliability and affordability; and
32	32	WHEREAS, the TVA board of directors plays a central role in guiding the direction of the
33	33	Authority by setting policies and priorities related to generation planning, power supply, rates,
34	34	and long-term capital investment; and
35	35	WHEREAS, five current vacancies on the TVA board present a timely and significant
36	36	opportunity to appoint individuals who are well-prepared to meet the moment and lead TVA into
37	37	its next chapter of service; and
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42	42	WHEREAS, individuals appointed to the board should bring deep experience in the
43	43	electric power industry, sound business judgment, and a clear understanding of TVA's unique
44	44	mission; and
45	45	WHEREAS, TVA's 153 local power company customers—including electric
46	46	cooperatives—are essential to meeting this challenge, working every day to deliver power to the
47	47	homes and businesses that rely on them; and
48	48	WHEREAS, serious consideration should be given to leaders leading electric
49	49	cooperatives or other local power companies who possess real-world knowledge of the region's
50	50	energy needs and a strong commitment to delivering value to the ratepayers they serve; and
51	51	WHEREAS, TVA will benefit from board members who possess firsthand knowledge of
52	52	the daily challenges and responsibilities of delivering power twenty-four hours a day, seven
53	53	days a week, 365 days a year and who understand the critical link between robust power supply
54	54	and economic development throughout the Tennessee Valley; and
55	55	WHEREAS, the governance structure of cooperatively owned generation and
56	56	transmission utilities (G&Ts) serves as a relevant model for TVA, where 100 percent of the
57	57	board members of a G&T are customers of the utility, who are also the only owners, ensuring
58	58	strong customer-focused leadership and accountability; and
59	59	WHEREAS, representation of rural and suburban Tennesseans—who depend on TVA
60	60	for power and opportunity—should be a meaningful factor in the selection of new board
61	61	members, ensuring that the diverse needs of the entire Tennessee Valley are reflected in TVA's
62	62	leadership; now, therefore,
63	63	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
64	64	FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
65	65	CONCURRING, that we respectfully urge the President of the United States to appoint
66	66	individuals to the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors who possess proven experience
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71	71	in the electric utility industry, infrastructure development, or utility governance, particularly those
72	72	whose experience comes through service at one of the 153 local power company customers;
73	73	understand the energy demands of the Tennessee Valley and the importance of adequate
74	74	generation to meet those needs; are committed to the principles of affordable, reliable power for
75	75	all ratepayers; recognize that robust power supply is essential to economic growth and job
76	76	creation; and bring voices and perspectives from rural and suburban Tennessee and local
77	77	power companies to the board's deliberations.
78	78	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this General Assembly calls for filling the existing
79	79	vacancies on the TVA board of directors with individuals who will uphold TVA's mission and
80	80	help position the Authority to meet the future with strength and purpose.
81	81	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to
82	82	the President of the United States and each member of Tennessee's congressional delegation.
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