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With Congress’s Inaction On Nominees, Trump Could Reshape TVA Board

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The nine-member board that leads the Tennessee Valley Authority is appointed by the president and confirmed by Congress. Credit: courtesy TVA
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President-elect Donald Trump will get an immediate opportunity to reshape the panel that governs Tennessee’s power utility. Congress adjourned without confirming President Obama’s nominees to the TVA board, and those Democratic appointees probably won’t get another chance.

Obama had 
re-nominated three people for second terms: the chairman, attorney Joe Ritch of Huntsville; a former candidate for Tennessee governor, Mike McWherter; and Peter Mahurin of Bowling Green.

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Bios for the nine-member TVA board of directors

Despite being the largest public utility in the country, TVA’s board has rarely been a priority for any administration. Still, the makeup of the board is entirely up to the White House.

“It certainly is a political process,” says TVA spokesman Scott Brooks. “But regardless of the bent of the administration at the time, the board has always been challenged to make the best decision for the rate-payers.”

TVA’s CEO
has said he doesn’t intend to change course under the Trump administration, including decreasing the utility’s reliance on coal-fired power plants.

Even with three vacancies, TVA’s six remaining board members will still be able to make decisions until the new administration’s picks are confirmed.

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Blake Farmer, Host, This Is Nashville

Blake Farmer is the host of “This Is Nashville,” the flagship weekday show of Nashville Public Radio. Previously, Blake spent 16 years at WPLN News, serving as host, editor and news director. Before a two-year radio hiatus with a Nashville-based healthcare company, Blake was one of the country’s most prolific healthcare audio journalists. He produced stories for both local and national programs, extending the reach of his reporting through a partnership with KFF Health News. Outside of work, Blake can be found running or biking on roads that other Nashvillians consider too busy for such activities. So far, he has always made it home to his wife of 20 years and two children.

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