Tennessee Valley Electric System Advisory Committee
Terms of Reference

Objectives and Scope of Activities:

To provide advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board on a legislative proposal to establish the role of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in a restructured competitive electric industry.

Background:

The President has announced his intention to pursue a bold plan for electricity restructuring legislation. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to restructure the electric industry. Several states have passed legislation or regulatory initiatives to institute competition in the electric industry at the retail level. Proposals to restructure TVA raise unique issues because of its statutory status as a government-owned corporation.

The purpose of the Tennessee Valley Electric System Advisory Committee is to encourage citizens of the region to develop a consensus-based proposal that would define the role of TVA in a restructured electric industry. This process will provide information to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board and will be valuable to the Administration and Congress for use in development of legislative proposals to restructure TVA to assure residents and businesses of the Tennessee Valley the right to choose their own electric service suppliers.

Description of the Committee's Duties:

The Committee will prepare a report that will include a proposal for TVA restructuring legislation and will identify areas of agreement, and disagreement (if any) among stakeholders.

Reporting:

The Committee shall report to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board.

Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:

The Committee is expected to meet two to three times. Meetings will be scheduled as the Committee chair deems necessary for the Committee to accomplish its duties and purposes.

Members:

The Committee's membership will reflect a balance of expertise and viewpoints from the Tennessee Valley region. Members will include a representative from the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, as well as representatives from TVA, municipal and cooperative distributors, regional industrial customers, retail and residential consumers, public interest groups, surrounding utilities, independent power producers, electricity marketers and state government representatives.

Chairperson:

The Secretary of Energy shall designate a chair for the Committee.

Working Groups:

To facilitate the functioning of the Committee, the Committee may establish working groups on its own initiative. The objective of a working group would be to undertake fact findings, drafting and analysis of matters within the scope of the Committee.

Duration and Termination Date:

This Charter will expire five months from the date of the Committee's establishment, subject to extension or dissolution by the Chairman of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board.

Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
U.S. Department of Energy, AB-1
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585
(202) 586-7092