On Tuesday, a coalition of 43 Alabama organizations released a joint letter calling on state and federal lawmakers to speak out and oppose any efforts to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The coalition includes labor unions, civic organizations, faith communities and nonprofits, warning that privatization would raise electricity costs, eliminate jobs and weaken current environmental protections.
“TVA has been one of the most transformative public investments in our state’s history,” the letter reads. “Privatization would put that at risk, leading to higher energy bills, fewer protections for consumers, loss of good union jobs and more pressure to cut corners on safety and environmental stewardship.”
“While we come from different sectors and perspectives, we are united in calling for action to protect our communities,” the joint letter states.
Adam Keller, Alabama Arise’s Worker Power Campaign director, underscored the importance of TVA’s public ownership for ensuring accountability and affordability.
“At Alabama Arise, we believe in public systems that are transparent, accountable and responsive to everyday people,” said Keller. “Public power through TVA has kept energy reliable, affordable and accountable to Alabamians for generations, reducing poverty and expanding opportunity across the region. The public deserves a voice in decisions about our energy and environment, and we stand united in opposing any threats to this vital lifeline for our communities.”
Supporters argue that TVA’s public, nonprofit structure has kept energy affordable for households and small businesses while reinvesting in local economies.
Founded in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider. It serves nearly 10 million people across seven southeastern states, including much of northern Alabama. The agency also plays a central role in economic development, environmental stewardship, flood control and disaster response.
“TVA is more than a power provider. It is a cornerstone of our economy and quality of life,” the letter states. “Its skilled, unionized workforce sustains families and communities across Alabama. Its low rates and dependable service help small businesses grow and attract new industry. Its stewardship of our rivers, lands and recreational areas protects our health and supports our way of life. These are benefits worth protecting, regardless of political affiliation or background.”
Daniel Tait, executive director of Energy Alabama, said that privatization would undo the very purpose for which TVA was created.
“TVA was originally created because the private sector failed rural America,” said Tait. “Turning TVA over to private, for-profit interests would mean higher electricity rates, destruction and loss of access to outdoor recreation areas, and other devastating consequences for families and businesses across the Tennessee Valley.”
Proposals to privatize TVA have surfaced repeatedly in Washington over the past several decades, often framed as cost-cutting measures. Most recently, some federal budget proposals have floated the idea of selling TVA’s assets to private companies. Costs of privatization would fall hardest on working families and vulnerable communities.
“Privatization would put higher profits for investors over the needs of families in Alabama and across the region,” the letter warns. “That is unacceptable.”
Ray Dawson, business manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 366, said TVA’s unionized workforce is an asset that cannot be lost.
“TVA’s union workforce is the backbone of our energy system, providing safe, skilled jobs that support families and communities,” said Dawson. “Privatization would wreck those jobs and the local economies they sustain.”
The coalition is urging Alabama’s congressional delegation and state-elected leaders to issue clear, public statements opposing privatization. The groups also pledged to continue organizing across the state to ensure TVA remains publicly owned and accountable to the people it serves.
“Our coalition reflects the diverse voices of workers, community members, faith groups and environmental advocates across the state,” the letter reads. “We urge you, as Alabama’s elected leaders, to speak out clearly and unequivocally against any proposal to privatize TVA in whole or in part. The people of Alabama deserve to keep this vital public asset in public hands, where it can continue to serve the public good for generations to come.”
