Gore hints at support of TVA keeping nonpower programs

Gore hints at support of TVA keeping nonpower programs
By Rebecca Ferrar
News-Sentinel Nashville bureau

NASHVILLE — Vice President Al Gore partly sidestepped the question Tuesday of TVA turning over non-power programs to other federal agencies, but indicated he might prefer TVA retain control of some of those responsibilities.

Gore, who along with his wife Tipper is in Nashville for the Family Reunion 6 conference today at Vanderbilt University, told reporters the proposal by TVA Chairman Craven Crowell to rid TVA of the nonpower programs has not yet been resolved.

"I want to make sure that whatever happens, TVA has the ability to handle its environmental programs and flood control programs and to do so very well," Gore said.

That arena falls under the non-power programs that receive funding from Congress and is not funded by ratepayer revenue.

Crowell has proposed that all federal funding for the non-power programs end, that "essential services" be maintained by TVA and that other federal agencies take over the programs, said Barbara Martocci, TVA spokeswoman.

Gore said he will "reserve judgment" on the "debate" on the non-power programs.

Gore also commented on the one-year commission proposed by the Tennessee Valley Energy Reform Coalition and backed in Congress by U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, D-Nashville, to provide more oversight of the agency, to study it and determine its readiness for deregulation.

"I want to reserve judgment on the commission idea until it has been studied and analyzed," Gore said. "I formed the TVA Congressional Caucus many years ago when I was a member of the House of Representatives, and I've always advocated full involvement by the Tennessee delegation and overseeing the activities of TVA."

Critics of the TVA caucus and Congress have said that there has been very little oversight by Congress and that the TVA congressional delegation has protected the agency for years from congressional cuts.

President Clinton will make an important "policy" announcement today, Gore said, about families and education. The conference will also feature a speech by Gore, a major technology announcement involving the family and a new national survey about the family and education.