Don Moul Appointed as New CEO of Tennessee Valley Authority Amidst Political Shifts

On April 1, 2025, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest public utility, announced the appointment of Don Moul as its new Chief Executive Officer. Moul, who has served as TVA's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2021, will succeed Jeff Lyash, who is set to retire by September. Moul is scheduled to assume his new role on April 9.

Moul brings nearly 35 years of experience in power generation and operations. Prior to joining TVA, he held leadership positions at several energy companies, including NextEra Energy, Inc., where he served as Executive Vice President of the Nuclear Division and Chief Nuclear Officer, overseeing the operation of NextEra's nuclear fleet. He also held various leadership roles at FirstEnergy Corporation from 2004 to 2019, including leading the nuclear and fossil generation, transmission and distribution, commodity operations, and environmental compliance functions. Moul earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Moul's appointment follows recent developments within TVA's leadership and governance. Less than a week before his appointment, President Donald Trump removed TVA board member Michelle Moore, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, without providing a specific reason. This action left the TVA board with five members and four vacancies. Tennessee's Republican U.S. Senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, had advocated for the selection of an interim CEO trusted by the president before appointing a long-term leader. They expressed concerns about the pace of TVA's nuclear technology projects and the utility's reliance on fossil fuels.

In the news release announcing his selection, Moul emphasized his commitment to building on TVA's existing momentum. He stated, "I will build on the momentum that Jeff and our team have created—making sure we continue to invest in new generation, strengthen our grid, and enhance system reliability."

Moul's appointment has sparked debate among various stakeholders. Advocates for nuclear energy support TVA's plans to develop small modular reactors to meet increasing energy demands, particularly from industries like artificial intelligence, while reducing carbon emissions. However, clean energy advocates, such as Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, have criticized the push for rapid nuclear technology deployment, citing economic and safety risks. They also express concerns over TVA's plans to replace aging coal plants with natural gas facilities, which still contribute to carbon emissions.

This is not the first time TVA's leadership has been influenced by presidential actions. In 2020, during his first term, President Trump fired the former TVA board chairman and another board member, criticized the hiring of foreign labor for information technology jobs, and called for the replacement of then-CEO Jeff Lyash, proposing a salary cap of $500,000 for the position. Lyash's total compensation in the 2024 budget year exceeded $10.5 million, including various pension and performance incentives.

The Tennessee Valley Authority provides electricity to approximately 10 million people across seven Southern states. It operates as a federally owned corporation but is funded by electricity customers and does not receive federal taxpayer money.

Don Moul's appointment as CEO of TVA marks a significant transition for the utility, occurring amidst political interventions and debates over its energy strategies. His extensive experience in power generation and operations positions him to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing TVA as it continues to serve a growing population across the Southern United States.