NASHVILLE - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam does not intend to reappoint two Tennessee Regulatory Authority directors whose terms expire Tuesday, Haslam spokesman David Smith said.
But TRA Chairman Mary Freeman, the agency's lone black member, and Director Eddie Roberson, who grew up in Chattanooga, will continue serving for now, according to the administration.
Freeman and Roberson, both Democratic appointees, are serving on the three-member panel that is holding hearings starting today on Tennessee American Water's proposed rate increase.
Administration officials say the expiration of their terms won't affect the case because they will continue serving for now.
The agency has four directors. Freeman's position is filled jointly by the governor and the House and Senate speakers. The seat held by Roberson is filled by the governor. Haslam recently asked General Assembly to consider abolishing the seat held by Freeman as part of his "top to bottom" review of state government.
Smith said Haslam "is committed to maintaining diversity in the group" even if one seat is abolished in the name of efficiency.