Members of Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation Seek Greater Transparency Within the Tennessee Valley Authority

 

U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) on Wednesday reintroduced a bill that aims to improve transparency within the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

The legislation, known as the Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act, received bipartisan support among members of the Tennessee congressional delegation, as Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and Mark Green (R-TN-07) cosponsored the measure.

“I give TVA credit for improving its transparency in recent years, but my fellow colleagues from Tennessee’s congressional delegation and I want to make sure that transparency continues,” Representative Burchett said. “TVA should always allow the folks in communities it serves to look under the hood.”

If fully enacted, the legislation would mandate the TVA to hold all Board of Directors meetings in public, and the group would be required to give adequate notice beforehand — at least six calendar days.

Officials would also have to publish minutes and summaries of the meetings.

“I have found the TVA’s lack of transparency in matters of public interest very troubling, so I am proud to cosponsor my friend Tim Burchett’s legislation. This is a commonsense and overdue reform that will give TVA’s customers better insight into its operations,” Congressman Cohen added.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

“As Tennesseans, we understand the impactful work conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority. I’m proud to join Representatives Burchett and Cohen in an effort to ensure transparency across the TVA organization as a public utility,” Representative Green said.

Transparency has remained a key focus of Burchett. In fact, the Tennessee lawmaker and Cohen teamed up early in his first term. He introduced the same bill in 2019, his first piece of legislation after being elected to the position.

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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tim Burchett” by U.S. House of Representatives. Photo “Steve Cohen” by Congressman Steve Cohen. Photo “Mark Green” by Rep. Mark Green. Background Photo “Tennessee State Capitol” by Kaldari.