TVA logoInstead of privatizing TVA, perhaps we should look at privatizing Congress.
In today’s clamor for smaller government, shouted by politicians who seem increasingly owned by PAC money and corporate campaign donations, comes a call from the Obama Administration to look at the feasibility of selling the Tennessee Valley Authority.
That’s the same TVA that was established by Congress in 1933 to make electricity from the Tennessee River while also addressing flooding, economic and navigation issues in the 80,000-square-mile Tennessee River basin that covers portions of seven Southeastern states.
Thursday, one of Tennessee’s U.S. senators, traditionally a defender of TVA’s public ownership, said TVA might be better off severed from Uncle Sam. That senator was Republican Bob Corker, who prides himself as a money man.
Maybe Corker is just floating this bad idea for positioning, because while TVA could use some improving, it remains one of the region’s — and public’s — best assets.