Utility industry descends on Washington with an ax to grind

A large swath of the utility industry is facing a familiar fight with the federal government over the Trump administration’s proposed sell-off and privatization of federally owned utility companies such as the massive Tennessee Valley Authority.

The idea has spanned both Democratic and Republican administrations for three decades and is being rebooted by the Trump administration, said Sue Kelly, president and CEO of the American Public Power Association, representing 2,000 public utilities that provide energy to 49 million people across 49 states.