Press Mention The Knoxville News-Sentinel July 25, 2001
SACE Referenced
Environmentalists say TVA pays for lobbying
In this mention
Eleven environmental and health groups, including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, urged TVA to resign its $15,000-per-month paid membership in a utility coalition that employs Republican lobbyist Haley Barbour to influence clean-air law changes. TVA defended the membership as purely for technical information exchange and stated none of its payments fund lobbying. The groups contend TVA is indirectly supporting lobbying against pollution control regulations.
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Full transcript
Environmentalists say
TVA pays for lobbying
By Richard Powelson
News-Sentinel Washington bureau
WASHINGTON - Eleven environmental, health or other groups Wednesday urged TVA to resign its paid membership in a coalition of utilities using a high-profile Republican lobbyist to deal with proposed changes in clean-air laws.
Three of the groups appeared in Nashville Wednesday to release a copy of a letter asking TVA's board to stop paying $15,000 a month to the National Electric Reliability Coordinating Council in Washington. The council employs former Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour as a lobbyist.
The TVA board is reviewing the groups' request, TVA spokesman John Moulton said, but he emphasized that TVA has mandated that none of its payments to the coalition go to lobbying. He said TVA joined the group to exchange technical information about clean-air proposals.
TVA has spent about $2.5 billion since 1969 on pollution controls at its 59 coal-fired power units and plans to spend about $850 million more in the five years ending in 2005, Moulton said.
Separately, TVA has been challenging the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court for its new interpretation of old clean air laws. A hearing is set for Sept. 19. Complying with that EPA proposal would cost TVA "over $3 billion," TVA said Wednesday.
The groups say TVA is paying an organization lobbying against changes in pollution laws.
Signing the letter were the American Lung Association of Tennessee, Tennessee Environmental Council, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, Memphis Audubon Society, Foundation for Global Sustainability, Black Children's Institute, Tennessee Solar Energy Association, United Church of Christ Network for Environmental and Economic Responsibility, Cumberland Counties for Peace and Justice and Obad Watershed Association.
Richard Powelson may be reached at 202-408-2727 or powelsonr@shns.com.