Lott backs McCullough as TVA chair

By Nancy Zuckerbrod · The Knoxville News-Sentinel

In this mention

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott endorses Glenn McCullough, a TVA board member and former mayor of Tupelo, Mississippi, to become the next chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The article reports on the upcoming vacancy created by current chairman Craven Crowell's planned departure in April. Stephen Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy comments that watchdog groups have been impressed by McCullough's intelligence and dedication despite his limited prior energy experience.

watchdog groups have been pleasantly surprised by his intelligence and dedication
Stephen A. Smith

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Lott backs McCullough as TVA chair
By Nancy Zuckerbrod
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority
Leader Trent Lott says he won't get
involved in a debate between Alabama
and Tennessee officials over who
should fill an upcoming vacancy on the
Tennessee Valley Authority board, but
he is certain about who should become
the next chairman.
"I think Glenn McCullough is the
best man for it," Lott said Tuesday of
the TVA board member. "... I think he
will be chairman."
McCullough is a former mayor of
Tupelo, Miss., and the only Republican
on the three-person TVA board. He
was appointed to that post two years
ago by former President Clinton with
Tennessee, Alabama senators not
saying who might fill vacancy
the strong backing of Lott,
who also is from Mississippi.
"I appreciate Sen. Lott's
confidence," McCullough said
Tuesday.
TVA's current chairman,
Democrat Craven Crowell,
plans to step down from the
public utility in April - a year
before his term expires.
It will be up to President
Bush to nominate a candidate
for the vacant seat. That nomi-
nation will be subject to Senate confir-
mation, but Bush alone can
decide which board member
will be chairman. Lott said he
had not yet discussed the
chairmanship with Bush.
As for the vacancy, Lott
said he would try to avoid the
conflict between Alabama and
Tennessee senators seeking a
home-state appointment.
"I'm going to try to stay out
of the direct line of fire and
concentrate on Glenn McCul-
lough to be chairman." Lott said.
So far, the senators who represent
Tennessee and Alabama have not said
publicly who they feel would make
good candidates for the vacancy.
"There are a few people being dis-
cussed," Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.,
said Tuesday.
Besides McCullough, Kentucky
Democrat Skila Harris remains on the
board. Members serve staggered, nine-
year terms. Hers expires in 2008.
McCullough did not have much en-
ergy-related experience prior to his ap-
pointment, but Stephen Smith, execu-
tive director of the Knoxville-based
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy,
said watchdog groups have been
pleasantly surprised by his intelligence
and dedication.