In that y2k is considered mostly a "management problem", these criticisms of TVA's management, and Sen. Thompson's comments about it, renew my concern ... - Judy

http://www.tennessean.com/sii/99/10/07/tva07.shtml

Published by The Tennessean Thursday, 10/7/99

APPOINTMENTS

Clinton's TVA nominees survive Senate hearings

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton's nominees for two vacancies on the three-member Tennessee Valley Authority board sailed through their confirmation hearings yesterday, with Senate Republican leaders promising a quick vote by the full Senate.

The nominees, Tupelo, Miss., Mayor Glenn McCullough and Skila Harris, a Department of Energy administrator, won endorsements from key senators who nevertheless showed no reluctance in criticizing TVA, its multimillion-dollar debt and its history of "extravagances" by top officials. . . .

Chafee [Chairman, Sen. Environment & Pub. Works Comm.] criticized TVA for bypassing his panel last year to win congressional approval of a plan allowing the agency to refinance its federally backed debt, a move he said cost the taxpayers $1 billion in lost interest. Chafee extracted promises from both McCullough and Harris to ensure that such legislative maneuvering doesn't happen again.

Chafee also criticized "extravagances" in the use of private planes and expensive hotels by TVA officials.

He said serving on the TVA board is a public service, and directors "should act in that fashion."

Sen. Max Bachus, D-Mont., the senior Democrat on the committee, urged the two nominees to work to restore TVA's reputation.

Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., said the criticisms of the agency made him feel like the father of a wayward child, who "knows he needs a good spanking but hates to see anybody else jump on him." . . .

) Copyright 1999 The Tennessean

-- Anonymous, October 07, 1999