Memphis Residents Strongly Support Leaving TVA, New Poll Finds
MEMPHIS – A majority of Memphis residents would like to see Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water leave TVA for cheaper, greener power according to a recent poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth.
The poll, conducted by the nationally renowned polling firm Public Policy Polling, found Memphis residents supported leaving TVA for a lower-cost power provider at a ratio of more than two-to-one; 57 percent supported leaving TVA and only 20 percent opposed leaving TVA.
A letter from Friends of the Earth Vice President of Programs Michelle Chan to elected officials summarizing the poll concluded that “Although 63 percent of respondents said they would be less likely to vote for a city council member who voted to allow MLGW to increase its rates, 59 percent said they would be more likely to vote for a council member who supported leaving TVA for a greener and cleaner power source while 64 percent said they would be more likely to support a council member who voted to leave TVA for a lower-cost power source.”
This new poll affirmed the findings of a separate poll, by a different organization and reported in January, that found broad support among Memphis residents for MLGW to leave the TVA.
The Memphis Power Supply Advisory Team, the Memphis City Council, the Mayor, and MLGW leadership are reviewing multiple independent studies on the advantages of leaving TVA for an alternative power supply. The city’s elected officials are expected to decide this year.
Contact: Erin Jensen, (202) 222-0722, [email protected]