MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Don't look now, but the TVA is joining forces with not just MLGW, but now the Greater Memphis Chamber trying to fight efforts to examine if leaving the TVA in favor of another power source is in Shelby County's best interests.
Right now, MLGW is the TVA's number one customer. A lot is at stake, especially if we could get $400 million in savings by leaving the TVA.
About 20 companies have offered bids on why they'd be a better choice than the TVA, but that's all we know, raising these questions after all this time:
- Why won't MLGW talk about the other bids? Why the secrecy?
- Why hasn't Memphis City Council or Mayor Jim Strickland required they at least be involved in the bidding process if they truly had Memphians' best interest at heart?
- If the chamber truly has Memphis' best interest at heart, why would it be taking MLGW and TVA's side and not want a transparent process? Unless, perhaps, it gets a lot of money from both? Which it does.
The public deserves an open process. It's too important not to and it's a shame the Chamber has proven it, too, can be bought.
I'd love to hear what you think. Join the conversation by email (rransom@abc24.com), or my Facebook and Twitter pages.