Press Mention The Jackson Sun March 31, 2013
SACE Quoted
Administration again advances Brown for TVA board; GOP angry
In this mention
The Obama administration has nominated energy-efficiency expert Marilyn Brown for a full term on the TVA board, angering Tennessee's Republican senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker who previously blocked her confirmation. Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, told the Tennessean that the senators' opposition signals they will again attempt to block her nomination and called for them to provide specific reasons rather than engage in 'petty politics.'
I think it was a pretty clear signal
Stephen A. Smith
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Administration again advances Brown for TVA board; GOP angry
Written by The Associated Press
Apr. 01
NASHVILLE — The Obama administration has angered Tennessee's U.S. senators by again
nominating energy-efficiency expert Marilyn Brown for a full term on the Tennessee Valley
Authority board.
The nomination, sent to the Senate on Thursday night, comes two months after Sens. Lamar
Alexander and Bob Corker procedurally blocked a previous attempt by President Barack Obama to
gain confirmation of Brown to a six-year term.
Brown was appointed to the TVA Board of Directors in 2010 to fill out an unexpired term until
2012.
Both Alexander and Corker expressed irritation at the nomination.
"This is another example of the Obama White House not listening," Alexander said in a statement
Friday. "I told the White House in advance that the TVA board needs a nominee with a better
understanding of the relationship between low electricity rates and better jobs in the Tennessee
Valley."
Fellow Republican Bob Corker's response was also sharp.
"TVA needs leaders who enthusiastically support the mission of producing economical electricity
and have an abiding appreciation of its important economic development role and impact on the
well-being of Valley residents," Corker said.
"Unfortunately, during my discussions with Dr. Brown, it was clear she does not share that point of
view."
While neither senator specifically said he would again try to block Brown's nomination, Stephen
Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, told the Tennessean that such a
move is expected.
"I think it was a pretty clear signal," he said in an interview with the newspaper's Washington
reporter.
Smith also said that Alexander and Corker should be specific about why they don't like Brown's
qualifications.
"We reject petty politics and personality differences as legitimate reasons for blocking her
confirmation," he said.
Brown teaches at Georgia Tech's School of Public Policy.
She formerly worked for the Department of Energy at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Kateri Callahan, of the Washington-based Alliance to Save Energy, said she disagreed with Alexander's contention that Brown is not familiar enough with the Tennessee Valley.
"She knows the region. She knows the people. She served the TVA extremely well in her first term," Callahan said.