TVA Chief Expects Tough Time

TVA Chief Expects Tough Time

Tennessee Valley Authority Chairman Craven Crowell -- who has been shuttling repeatedly to Capitol Hill this year -- is slated to address the TVA Caucus Tuesday for the first time since January, when he proposed phasing out the TVA's appropriations for land management and economic development by 1999.

It may not be an easy ride, National Journal reports today. Crowell's proposal has been popular in non-TVA states, but it faces resistance from many members of Congress representing the TVA's service area, who worry about what could happen if the TVA cedes its historical non-power-generating role.

An aide to a TVA-state member said Crowell has been warned to expect "tough questioning," and added that members are trying to arrange a pre- caucus meeting "to prevent it from turning into a shouting match."

Last week, Crowell told the Knoxville News-Sentinel he wanted to use the TVA Caucus session to "clear the air" and "ask for their help" in getting full appropriations for the next fiscal year.

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