Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) convened its Board of Directors for its quarterly business meeting in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. During the meeting, the Board announced plans to extend coal plant operations to generate reliable energy for local power companies in the TVA service area.
In response to the TVA decision, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:
“The American electric grid faces serious pressures in delivering needed power for American families. These pressures demand that we use all sources of power available.
“Meanwhile, our grid continues to be tested, most recently by Winter Storm Fern. This extreme weather event threatened blackouts in the TVA region.
“Therefore, it is essential to keep reliable forms of baseload power online. This TVA announcement to extend coal plant operations reflects the urgent need to bolster our electric grid.
“I will continue my work in Washington, DC, to fight against harmful coal plant retirements, highlight a reliable, affordable energy solution and advocate for communities in Virginia’s Ninth District.”
BACKGROUND
The TVA is a federally owned public power corporation that operates four active coal-fired fossil plants with a combined net output of 5,944 megawatts.
The electricity generated and transmitted from TVA plants is sold to local power companies such as Powell Valley Electric Cooperative and the Bristol Virginia Utilities Board, which serve Southwest Virginia communities.
Congressman Griffith is Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.
In April 2025, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event where President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry.
Later in 2025, Congressman Griffith voted to codify one of these executive measures to reestablish the National Coal Council.
In May 2025, Congressman Griffith celebrated the Department of Energy’s announcement to designate metallurgical coal as a critical material.
In June 2025, Congressman Griffith penned an op-ed on federal policies that can help bolster America’s electric grid.
Coal continues to play an essential role in meeting domestic energy demands. During Winter Storm Fern, a 31% jump in coal generation helped the electric grid meet peak demand. For PJM Interconnection, which serves Virginia and 12 other states, coal accounted for a major portion of the energy generation mix.
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