Survey Ranks Environmental Protection, Power Production Top Priorities
August 16, 2002
Residents of the Tennessee Valley believe TVA should make environmental protection and electricity production its highest priorities as it manages the Tennessee River system, according to a telephone survey.
Thirty-two percent of those responding to the survey ranked protecting the natural environment as the highest priority for TVA’s operation of the river system, and 28 percent said electricity production should be the top priority.
TVA conducted the survey of 3,600 citizens in the seven-state region in the spring as part of its Reservoir Operations Study, a comprehensive look at how TVA manages the Tennessee River system and reservoirs. Survey results will be considered along with public comments during the two-year study.
The purpose of the study is to see if changes in TVA’s operating policies would produce greater public value.
Local residents were asked about their quality of life, TVA’s management of the river system, and their priorities for how water in the Tennessee River and its tributaries should be allocated to provide a variety of benefits. Benefits include flood control, navigation, electricity, water quality, economic growth, water supply, recreation, and land use.
Water supply and flood control rated 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, with recreation and navigation coming in at 5 percent and 2 percent.
“The people in the region who have a vested interest in wanting to change or keep the current balance of TVA’s reservoir operations are already in communication with TVA,” said Hopkinsville Electric system General Manager Austin Carroll, an adviser to the study’s project manager. “It’s important to understand the priorities of the silent majority, so TVA’s obligations to the greater population are fully understood by decision-makers.”
Austin Peay State University professor Dr. Vicky Langston, also an adviser to the study, encouraged Reservoir Operations Study leader David Nye of TVA to conduct the telephone survey to validate what is heard from citizens at TVA public meetings.
“TVA is a regional development agency that unifies watershed management across seven states,” she said. “Those who don’t get involved with TVA issues need a voice in the Reservoir Operations Study. A scientific survey is an excellent way to understand how TVA impacts the general public.”
Data from the survey are being used to validate the values and opinions expressed by the public in 21 community workshops TVA conducted this spring. TVA also received public comments by mail, e-mail, and other sources.
The survey was conducted by Davis, Hibbitts & McCaig, a research firm specializing in natural resource and energy issues. The survey carries a 95 percent confidence level that the views expressed by those responding to the survey represent the views of citizens throughout the region.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power producer and a resource development agency, and its power system is self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 million consumers.
Media Contact:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville (865-632-8632) or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)
