Most people in the Southeast don’t know that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has a Board of Directors - a group of nine presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed members tasked with steering the nation’s largest public power utility. But here’s the kicker: right now, TVA only has three members serving. That’s because the Trump administration recently removed most of the Board, and while five new members have been nominated, the Senate hasn’t confirmed them yet.

Even with that short bench, TVA’s three-member Board met in Knoxville last week. The themes were clear: clean energy, growth, and economic development.

TVA’s Public Power Mission & A Region on the Rise

TVA leaders started by grounding the meeting in history. In the 1930s, private utilities refused to serve much of the South because it wasn’t profitable. Congress stepped in and created TVA: a public utility “built to serve, not to maximize returns.” That core idea - purpose over profits - still guides TVA today.

The Valley is booming. TVA reported that demand is surging, with 11 days this summer topping 30,000 megawatts of peak power use. Nearly every asset in TVA’s diverse fleet - nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydro, and renewables - was called into service.

Growth isn’t just about keeping the lights on. TVA is actively supporting new industries, AI data centers, and advanced manufacturing across the region. They describe this as “powering future technologies,” and it’s directly tied to job creation and economic development.

Clean Energy Innovation and Strong Financials

On the clean energy front, TVA is investing in grid modernization, advanced nuclear, and renewables. A centerpiece of the discussion was TVA’s leadership in developing small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Clinch River site - technology they say puts TVA “years ahead of the field.” These reactors, paired with renewables, could redefine how the Southeast powers its economy in the decades ahead.

The financial update was just as striking. TVA reported that in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025:

• Net income was $661 million above budget.
• Cash flow from operations was $773 million stronger than planned.
• TVA’s overall financing obligations were $1.6 billion below budget.

Even with record growth and billions in capital investment, TVA is keeping rates low. Residential electricity remains the 5th lowest among regional peers, while industrial rates are the lowest in the region and top-quartile nationally.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, the Board approved an expenditures plan that includes $3.7 billion in strategic capital projects, but, of greater importance, no base rate increase.

So why does TVA matter to me? TVA isn’t just another utility - it’s the backbone of the Southeast’s economy. With 10 million people depending on its power, TVA is navigating explosive growth, record-breaking demand, and the clean energy transition, all while its Board is operating at one-third strength.

The fact that TVA can hit financial targets, keep rates competitive, and invest in new technologies while short-staffed is a testament to its workforce. But the decisions that lie ahead - on nuclear, renewables, and debt management - make it even more urgent that the Senate confirm new Board members.

Bottom line: TVA is showing resilience and ambition. It’s delivering affordable, reliable electricity today while planning for the technologies of tomorrow. But if the Valley is going to keep thriving, we need a full TVA Board at the helm.