Skip to main content
Monday, November 9, 2026Nov 9

This story is exclusive to subscribers.

What did TVA pay executives in 2025? Compensation reflects year of upheaval

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / TVA Chief Nuclear Officer Matt Rasmussen talks during a tour of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Soddy-Daisy on Aug. 26, 2025. Rasmussen officially took on the title in October 2025.
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / TVA Chief Nuclear Officer Matt Rasmussen talks during a tour of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Soddy-Daisy on Aug. 26, 2025. Rasmussen officially took on the title in October 2025. Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / TVA Chief Nuclear Officer Matt Rasmussen talks during a tour of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Soddy-Daisy on Aug. 26, 2025. Rasmussen officially took on the title in October 2025.

The Tennessee Valley Authority included total compensation for nine executives, including four who departed the federal utility during a year of leadership changes, in an annual report published Thursday.

All but one of the executives had salaries that did not reflect a full year in their current position, as they either left their roles or entered their roles midway through the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. Former Chief Nuclear Officer Tim Rausch retired the day the fiscal year ended.

The report includes annual stipends for five former members of the board of directors, two nominated by President Donald Trump during his first term whose terms expired and three Trump fired this year who were nominated by former President Joe Biden.

The annual filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission typically includes compensation for TVA’s top five managers, which have recently been the CEO, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel and chief nuclear officer.

But four of those executives retired or left TVA this year as former CEO Jeff Lyash announced in January he would retire as soon as the board chose his successor.