Press Mention The Knoxville News-Sentinel February 23, 1988
SACE Quoted
TVA to schedule meetings for public
In this mention
TVA Chairman Marvin Runyon announces that the agency's top managers will hold weekly public meetings in response to criticism over changes to board meeting formats. Charlie Blair, researcher for the Tennessee Valley Energy Coalition, applauds the move as a step toward greater transparency, noting that TVEC members have been active in questioning TVA management, particularly on nuclear finances.
It is a step. We're encouraged that, after some deliberation, Mr. Runyon has decided to open management up to the people of the valley.
Charles Blair
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Full transcript
The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Feb 24 1988
TVA to schedule
meetings for public
By REBECCA FERRAR
News-Sentinel staff writer
TVA Chairman Marvin Runyon, apparently responding to public criticism, says the agency's top managers will set aside an hour each week to meet with the public and the press.
Runyon was criticized for changing the format of TVA board meetings to exclude questions of the managers.
"I think it is important that TVA has mechanisms in place to meet with the public and news media," Runyon said Tuesday.
Eleven top managers, including nuclear chief Steven White, who is under fire at the federal utility because of the nuclear problems, will hold the meetings.
TVA top officials declined to comment Tuesday if the action was taken as a result of the criticism from several groups.
Charlie Blair, researcher for the Tennessee Valley Energy Coalition, applauded the move. TVEC members often attend TVA board meetings and question the managers, especially on nuclear finances.
"It is a step," said Blair, also chairman of the TVA Board Appointment Coalition of 42 public interest groups, which has questioned Runyon's openness for months. "We're encouraged that, after some deliberation, Mr. Runyon has decided to open management up to the people of the valley."
At the Feb. 10 board meeting, Runyon instituted a new format in which citizens are allowed to comment on items being considered before the board votes. But no questions, a departure from the previous meetings, were allowed. After the meeting, after the managers had left, TVA began holding "Listening Sessions" for the public to ask questions.
Runyon said he and the other board members, Charles H. Dean Jr. and John Waters, also will be available to meet with the public.
"I think it is important for TVA's principal managers to provide access to the public, in addition to what the board is doing," he said. "The office managers are already accessible to the public through public appearances, media interviews and personal appointments. This is an added measure to ensure that a specific time is available each week."