(Originally published on Clarksville Online)

The nominations of Beth Harwell and Brian Noland to serve on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors were approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Harwell previously served as Tennessee’s Speaker of the House, while Noland serves as East Tennessee State University’s President.

Senator Lamar Alexander released the following statement: “TVA is a big and important institution. It is a $10 billion a year business. It serves the residents of seven states by providing cheap, reliable electricity,” Senator Alexander said.

“In my opinion, TVA has been on a good track for the last few years. The scoreboard for TVA is in rates, and according to TVA, its residential rates are in the cheapest 25 percent of residential rates and its business rates are in the cheapest 10 percent of business rates in the country.,” stated Senator Alexander.

“I’m especially delighted that these two individuals – Beth Harwell and Brian Noland – have been nominated to serve. They’re two of our state’s most distinguished citizens, and they will make outstanding TVA Board Members. I’m glad their nominations were approved today, and I look forward to them being confirmed by the full Senate.”

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works also approved the nomination of Knoxville native Katherine Crytzer, who has been nominated by the president to serve as Inspector General of TVA.