Renewable energy champion and former TVA chairman, S. David Freeman has passed away –

S. David Freeman passed away at
94 on May 13, 2020. He was a giant in the clean energy field with a stellar
career over 50 years. I spoke with Dave routinely every few months. I began
working with him in the mid-1970’s when I worked in the US Senate.

Freeman was on the vanguard of
renewable energy, a fighter, advocate — and definitely thought ‘outside the
box’. As a Jewish engineer and lawyer from Tennessee he rose to the
highest ranks of government service and electric utility leadership.  He
was a chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from 1977-1984, and left
his mark by emphasizing renewable energy and retiring TVA’s nuclear power
plants.

Freeman had a hand in creating
auto efficiency (CAFÉ) standards when he was on the Senate Commerce Committee.
He was a confidante to President Carter’s staff in setting up the US Department
of Energy and establishing the energy efficiency and renewable energy RD&D
programs.

He served as President of three
public utilities including the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD),
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power from
1997 to 2001, and the New York Power Authority and established early utility
energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

He had a colorful life well
lived, and most recently helped negotiate the closure of PG&E’s Palos Verde
nuclear power plant…Dave was in his 90s but unstoppable.  He wore his
signature cowboy hat and cowboy boots, and was an avid public speaker,
networker, and thought leader.  A seminal giant in the start of the clean
energy movement, who we all owe respect to his leadership.

Scott Sklar, Energy Director, The George Washington Environment & Energy Management Institute, President of The Stella Group, Ltd, Washington, DC  [email protected]