President Trump fires TVA board member
President Donald Trump has directed the firing of Michelle Moore, a board member of the Tennessee Valley Authority, as reported by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moore’s tenure on the board concluded recently, as stated in the report. She joined the board following her nomination by former President Joe Biden in January 2022 and subsequent confirmation by the U.S. Senate in December 2022, with her term set to run until May 18, 2026.
The decision to remove Moore comes on the heels of a critical op-ed penned by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who expressed doubt in TVA’s leadership’s ability to meet expectations in nuclear technology. The senators urged Trump to intervene, citing the significant role TVA plays in the nation’s energy security, especially with its plans for the construction of a potential groundbreaking small modular reactor.
The move to dismiss Moore has sparked widespread condemnation, with one energy justice campaigner denouncing the decision as “ludicrous” and warning of potential consequences for the utility’s ability to provide reliable, affordable energy to millions of people. Similarly, the executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy voiced disappointment over what he characterized as President Trump’s partisan action, highlighting concerns over the financial impact on ratepayers across the region.
In response to inquiries, a TVA spokesman reiterated that the president appoints board members, with their service contingent on the president’s satisfaction. Moore, the CEO of Groundswell—a nonprofit focused on community solar projects and clean energy initiatives—brings a wealth of experience to her role, as evidenced by her past achievements in reducing government energy costs and implementing renewable energy projects during the Obama administration.
Her notable accomplishments include a significant reduction in the government’s energy expenditures by $11 billion and the deployment of 3.2 gigawatts of renewable energy. Additionally, Moore is the author of “Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America’s Hometowns Through Clean Power,” further demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and community empowerment. The removal of such a dedicated and accomplished individual from the TVA board raises concerns about the future direction of the nation’s largest public power provider and its ability to advance clean energy initiatives.