Memorials, Recognition - TVA-affiliated distributors -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ed Butler

A memorial commends TVA-affiliated distributors for adding up to 10% local, on-site generation to boost grid reliability and local jobs; symbolic, not law.

Received from House, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., & Natural Resources Committee

#memorials #recognition

Purpose and intent

HJR 77 is a non‑binding joint resolution that formally commends efforts to enable additional local power generation capacity by distributors that purchase wholesale electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The resolution highlights lessons from Winter Storm Elliott (December 23–24, 2022) and encourages continued steps to strengthen local generation options to improve grid reliability and local economic activity.

Key provisions and findings

Recites background about TVA (created in 1933) as the wholesale power provider for 154 local power companies across seven states and for virtually all of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

Notes that in Tennessee TVA power is delivered by 22 electric membership cooperatives and 60 municipal power companies serving approximately 2.9 million households and 487,000 commercial and industrial customers.

References Winter Storm Elliott (Dec. 23–24, 2022), when record cold and generation shortfalls led TVA to require local power providers to interrupt service to preserve grid stability.

States that distributors that purchase their power from TVA may deploy on‑site or local energy resources producing up to 10% of the distributor’s energy demand (as described in the resolution).

Commends ongoing efforts to facilitate additional generation capacity by TVA‑affiliated distributors as a way to boost reliability and local economic activity (jobs).

Directs that a certified copy of the resolution be transmitted to the TVA Board of Directors.

Who is affected

Symbolically addresses TVA, its Board of Directors, and the 154 TVA‑affiliated local distributors (including the 22 co‑ops and 60 municipal utilities in Tennessee).

Indirectly relevant to residential, commercial, and industrial customers served by those distributors, and local economies where additional generation investments could occur.

Impact and limitations

HJR 77 is a memorial/recognition resolution — it does not create new legal requirements, regulatory changes, or funding.

Its primary effect is symbolic: expressing the Tennessee General Assembly’s support for policies and initiatives that enable distributors to add limited local generation capacity (up to 10% of demand), which proponents argue could improve reliability and create local jobs.

May be used to signal legislative priorities to TVA and influence future administrative or policy decisions.

Procedural status & timeline (selected actions)

Introduced/Filing dates: Filed Nov. 12, 2024 (additional filings listed Dec. 27, 2024; Jan. 28, 2025).

House action: Adopted by the House on Feb. 5, 2025 (Ayes 91, Nays 0); engrossed and ready for transmission to the Senate the same day.

Senate action: Received from House and referred to the Senate Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee (Feb. 10, 2025). Later read first time and referred to Ways & Means (Mar. 7, 2025).

Sponsor: Representative Butler.

This resolution functions as an official commendation and communication to TVA rather than binding state law.

Bill