Congressional Investigation of Tennessee Valley Authority

A formal investigation of the operating practices of the Tennessee Valley Authority is desperately needed at this time. Electric rates are unreasonably high and we fear they will go higher when TVA attempts to force customers to foot the bill for the expenses involved in cleaning up the mess and repairing the damage done by the THREE toxic waste spills that have occured since December 22, 2008. TVA is a Federal Corporation. Let the Federal government pay for their own carelessness.

A formal investigation of the operating practices of the Tennessee Valley Authority is desperately needed at this time. Electric rates are unreasonably high and we fear they will go higher when TVA attempts to force customers to foot the bill for the expenses involved in cleaning up the mess and repairing the damage done by the THREE toxic waste spills that have occured since December 22, 2008. TVA is a Federal Corporation. Let the Federal government pay for their own carelessness.

1) We, the undersigned people, respectfully request your attention and consideration regarding the questionable activities of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as stated below and request that a decision be made by Congress to prevent the TVA from creating further undue financial burden to the customers of it%u2019s multiple distributors by granting a cease and desist order to charging unjustified usage rates, service charges and fuel surcharges.

 2) We also ask for a thorough investigation of the operating practices of the TVA and the current environmental regulations relating to hazardous waste containment, storage and disposition. We believe that the TVA acted irresponsibly which led to the recent disasters at the Kingston Fossil Plant, the Widows Creek gypsum pond and the release of hazardous waste pollution to the Ocoee River.

We believe the responsibility of hazardous waste control, disposition and clean-up of %u2018accidents%u2019 belongs to the TVA and the expense for such should not be passed on to electric customers or, their distributors.

3) We request that the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) take action by using the Superfund which has %u2018Over the past 20 years, located and analyzed tens of thousands of hazardous waste sites, protected people and the environment from contamination at the worst sites and involved others in clean-up.%u2019

This request is made according to the following facts of the TVA By-laws:

1) The TVA was created %u2018for the purpose of maintaining and operating the properties now owned by the United States in the vicinity of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in the interest of the national defense and for agricultural and industrial development, and to improve navigation in the Tennessee River and to control the destructive flood water in the Tennessee River and Mississippi River Basins.%u2019

2) Sec 2 (b) (5) of the TVA Act: The TVA %u2018shall affirm support for the objectives and missions, of the Corporation, including being a national leader in technological innovation, low-cost power, and environmental stewardship.%u2019

3) Sec. 15d: (f) The Corporation shall charge rates for power which will produce gross revenues sufficient to provide funds for operation, maintenance, and administration of its power system; payments to States and counties in lieu of taxes; debt service on outstanding bonds, including provision and maintenance of reserve funds and other funds established in connection therewith; payments to the Treasury as a return on the appropriation investment pursuant to subsection (e) hereof; payment to the Treasury of the repayment sums specified in subsection (e) hereof; and such additional margin as the Board may consider desirable for investment in power system assets, retirement of outstanding bonds in advance of maturity, additional reduction of appropriation investment, and other purposes connected with the Corporation%u2019s power business having due regard for the primary objectives of the Act, including the objective that power shall be sold at rates as low as are feasible.

Thank you for your consideration.