S. David Freeman

S. David Freeman
S. David Freeman
Born	14 January 1926 (age 100); Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	12 May 2020 (aged 94); Reston, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Engineer, lawyer, writer
Known for	Energy policy, leadership in public utilities, environmental advocacy

Simon David Freeman (January 14, 1926 – May 12, 2020) was a prominent American engineer, lawyer, and writer who played a significant role in shaping energy policy. Beginning his professional journey at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as an engineer and later transitioning to legal roles, he was selected by Lyndon Johnson in 1967 to serve on various energy committees. Freeman contributed to the United States Environmental Protection Agency before resuming leadership at TVA as chairman during the Jimmy Carter administration. He also held executive positions at multiple public utility organizations, including the New York Power Authority, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Early life and education

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Lena and Morris Freeman, who worked as an umbrella repairman, Freeman descended from Lithuanian and Russian Jewish immigrants who arrived through Ellis Island. He completed a degree in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech in 1948. After spending five years with TVA, he pursued a Juris Doctor at the University of Tennessee College of Law, graduating in 1956 before returning to TVA to serve as legal counsel.

Career

In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Freeman to serve on energy-related committees. During President Richard Nixon's term, he was involved with the EPA. He provided guidance to the Senate Commerce Committee on fuel efficiency regulations and oversaw the 1974 Ford Foundation study titled 'A Time to Choose'. Freeman played a key role in halting several nuclear power initiatives, which impacted TVA's rate structures. By 2020, TVA's energy generation mix included 39% nuclear, 19% coal, 26% natural gas, 11% hydroelectric power, 3% wind and solar combined, and 1% from energy efficiency measures. Freeman also led major utilities such as the New York Power Authority and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), where he served as general manager from 1997 until 2001. Following this period, he presided over the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, leading efforts to reduce pollution in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

LCRA

From 1986 to 1990, Freeman acted as general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority, brought in to restore trust after controversies involving conflicts of interest and mismanagement. He promptly dismissed implicated personnel and recruited skilled professionals to rehabilitate the utility’s standing, including Mark Rose, who later succeeded him as LCRA general manager. Despite political opposition, Freeman terminated a major mining project and championed conservation strategies over building new centralized power plants—an approach considered ahead of its era. His environmental stewardship during his time in Austin earned him the nickname "Green Cowboy."

SMUD

Freeman earned recognition as an "eco-pioneer" for his environmentally driven leadership at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). Taking on the role of general manager in 1990 amid challenges such as rate increases, budget overruns, operational setbacks, and management difficulties, he remained until 1994.

Since its commissioning in 1971, the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station faced multiple emergencies and incidents. In 1989, voters in Sacramento opted to shut down Rancho Seco. Subsequently, SMUD’s Board appointed Freeman—a strong advocate for public power—to guide a strategic reorientation toward energy efficiency and renewable resource investments.

To offset Rancho Seco’s lost capacity, Freeman initiated one of the era’s most ambitious energy efficiency programs starting in 1990. The following year, he recruited Donald Osborn from the University of Arizona to establish a solar energy initiative. Under Freeman’s direction, SMUD’s PV Pioneer Program advanced large-scale commercialization of grid-connected rooftop solar systems; by 2002 these accounted for half of all U.S. grid-tied photovoltaic capacity. This pioneering effort directly influenced both the California Million Solar Roofs Program and the California Solar Initiative—cornerstones supporting today’s growing American solar industry.

Death

Freeman passed away on May 12, 2020, at a medical facility in Reston, Virginia, due to complications from a heart attack. He was 94 years old.

Books

Freeman wrote multiple publications centered on energy and environmental sustainability. Among his works are Energy: The New Era (1974), Winning Our Energy Independence (2007), An All-Electric America: A Climate Solution and the Hopeful Future (2016), as well as his memoir, The Green Cowboy: An Energetic Life (2016). His perspectives are also documented in titles such as Oral History of the Tennessee Valley Authority: Interview with S. David Freeman, March 30, 1984 and Speeches by S. David Freeman (1997).

In his book Winning Our Energy Independence, Freeman highlighted the promise of renewable energy sources to diminish dependence on imported oil, coal, and nuclear power. He drew upon his leadership experience at the Tennessee Valley Authority, which oversaw significant coal operations.

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