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Some Tennessee Valley leaders scratch heads at Trump’s TVA firings

Staff photo / The TVA board of directors listens to speakers at a public listening session in 2023 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. President Donald Trump has fired three former President Joe Biden appointees from the board so far in his second term. Staff photo / The TVA board of directors listens to speakers at a public listening session in 2023 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. President Donald Trump has fired three former President Joe Biden appointees from the board so far in his second term.

By Daniel Dassow June 14, 2025 9 min read

In any future book on the history of the Tennessee Valley Authority, there could be a chapter devoted to 2025. And we’re not even halfway through the year.

One thing the chapter wouldn’t include, at least not yet, is an explanation from President Donald Trump for why he has directed his staff to fire three TVA board members. The regulator of the nation’s largest public power provider could be without enough members to approve new projects or policies for many months.

Leaders across the Tennessee Valley said they are unsure why Trump fired another director from the board at a crucial moment for the federal utility, which supplies electricity to 10 million people. The White House has not responded to a request for comment.

“I was every bit as surprised by the dismissal of Beth Geer I think as anybody,” said Doug Peters, president and CEO of the Chattanooga-based Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, in a phone interview. “I am confused as to what is driving that.”