skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 11, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump talked to Putin, told Russian leader not to escalate in Ukraine; AZ passes abortion measure, advocates still concerned about a Trump presidency; Environmental advocates sue Montana over public documents; Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A former Harris aide calls for Biden to resign so Harris can briefly take the presidency. Trump wins Arizona, but so does Democrat Ruben Gallego. And AI experts warn that recent election fraud videos were Russian deep fakes.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

TN bill would boost public's role in TVA decision-making process

play audio
Play

Friday, March 22, 2024   

Tennesseans want more say in how the Tennessee Valley Authority plans for their future electricity needs and a bill now in Congress could give the public more influence.

The "TVA Increase Rate of Participation Act," would require a more open decision-making process for the utility.

Brianna Knisley, director of public power campaigns for Appalachian Voices, said the TVA is currently developing its new Integrated Resource Plan to meet future energy demands. The bill would require more public participation in the plan's proceedings.

"Right now the stakeholders who get to provide input early on in the IRP process are all hand-selected by TVA," Knisley pointed out. "You can't choose to be in that IRP working group. And those are the only folks who get substantial input in the architecture of the IRP, as it's being designed."

The utility serves more than 10 million people across six states. The TVA said it is reviewing the legislation. A draft of the plan will be published at a later date. The TVA said it already has a "robust stakeholder engagement plan."

After the plan is released, Knisley noted public input happens during what's known as the scoping phase of the National Environmental Policy Act. Open houses are set up, where the TVA answers questions from the public. Knisley encouraged Tennesseans to raise any of their concerns during the public and virtual hearings.

"I think additional public input into our region's long-term energy plan is only going to strengthen outcomes," Knisley contended. "And make that long-term energy plan better meet the needs of the Tennessee Valley, as a whole."

She added it is important for Tennesseans to work with Congress on the best way to improve public input in the TVA decision-making process.

Disclosure: Appalachian Voices contributes to our fund for reporting on Energy Policy, Environment, Environmental Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The Santana Family of Shrewsbury adopted their then 19-year-old daughter Marisol last year after she spent about 15 years in the foster care system. Marisol calls her adoption a "dream come true." (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Social Issues

play sound

Advocates for foster children in Massachusetts are encouraging people to open their homes and hearts to adoption. More than 8,000 children in the …


Environment

play sound

Scientists are sounding the alarm about growing dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Dead zones are areas of water with hypoxia, or …

Environment

play sound

Native grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem in North America. A South Dakota advocacy group hopes its educational campaign will reach a …


President-elect Donald Trump's plan for mass deportation of immigrants means the U.S. loses out on $22.6 billion and $5.7 billion in Social Security and Medicare contributions, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As the dust settles from the 2024 election, immigrant New Yorkers fear how Donald Trump's second term will impact them. Many still recall the …

Social Issues

play sound

A proposition on the ballot to change the way voting works in Idaho failed in last week's election. Proposition One would have opened up primaries …

School districts in 29 states banned books during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the latest PEN America report. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Book bans are on the rise in Maryland, according to a new report from PEN America. The nonprofit that tracks issues of free expression says …

Social Issues

play sound

A champion of rights for older LGBTQ+ people has received recognition for her volunteer work in Oregon. Liz James is the winner of the AARP Andrus …

Social Issues

play sound

President Joe Biden's recent apology on behalf of the federal government for harms done to generations of Native American children and their families …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021