Tim Rausch, the Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), has announced his resignation, marking the end of his tenure overseeing the agency’s nuclear operations. Rausch, who joined TVA in 2018, was responsible for managing seven reactors across three nuclear sites: Sequoyah, Watts Bar, and Browns Ferry.

His departure follows a challenging year for TVA’s nuclear program, characterized by unexpected outages at all three plants, which likely strained operations and drew scrutiny to the agency’s performance. On July 14, 2025, Rausch notified TVA’s CEO of his intent to step down no later than March 1, 2026, formalizing the decision through a separation and release agreement documented in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

With over 30 years of experience in the nuclear industry, Rausch brought extensive expertise to TVA, having held various nuclear management roles prior to his tenure. His resignation comes at a time when TVA, a major federal utility serving millions in the Southeast, may face increased pressure to address reliability concerns and transition leadership to maintain operational stability at its nuclear facilities.