Legal Definitions - TVA

The TVA, which stands for the Tennessee Valley Authority, is a federally owned corporation in the United States. Established in 1933, its primary mission is to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, and economic development for the Tennessee Valley region, which spans parts of seven southeastern states. It operates a large system of dams and power plants, serving millions of customers and managing natural resources across its service area.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the TVA:

• Imagine a family living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who receives their monthly electricity bill. The bill is issued by the TVA, which is responsible for generating and distributing the power that lights their home and runs their appliances. This demonstrates the TVA's core function as a major public power provider, supplying electricity to residents and businesses within its designated service region.

• A local government in northern Mississippi is planning to attract new manufacturing businesses to its area. They collaborate with the TVA to ensure a stable and affordable power supply for the new facilities and to receive guidance on regional infrastructure development. This example highlights the TVA's broader mandate for economic development, showing how it supports regional growth and industrial expansion beyond just providing electricity.

• During a period of heavy rainfall, the TVA strategically manages the water levels at its dams along the Tennessee River system, such as Norris Dam, to prevent widespread flooding in downstream communities. This action illustrates the TVA's crucial role in flood control and its responsibility for managing the river system to protect public safety and property across the valley.