As we reflect on the future of energy in the Tennessee Valley, we also pause to celebrate the remarkable foundation you helped lay. Your dedication, innovation, and service were instrumental in shaping TVA into the modern-day leader it is, serving more than 10 million people across seven states with affordable, reliable electricity and environmental stewardship.
Today, we’d like to share a few facts that underscore the impact of your contributions:
Economic Engine for the Region
Over the past five years alone, TVA’s work has:
- Contributed to more than 326,000 jobs in the region.
- Supported more than $45.9 billion in capital investment.
- Helped manage public lands and waters that contribute $12 billion in annual economic activity and support over 130,500 jobs.
Environmental Stewardship and Innovation
- TVA manages over 16,000 miles of transmission lines and the Tennessee River system, providing flood control, water quality, navigation, and recreational opportunities.
- Flood management efforts help prevent an estimated $300 million in damages each year.
- Nearly 60% of TVA’s generation today comes from carbon-free sources, and TVA is actively investing in 6,200 megawatts of new generation capacity to meet future demand.
The Power of Public Power
- TVA is a federally owned corporation that operates entirely on revenue from power sales, not taxpayer dollars. Federal appropriations for TVA’s power program ended in 1999, and today TVA even returns dividend-like payments to the U.S. Treasury each year.
- Integrated power and non-power activities enable TVA to serve as a steward of the region.
- This model continues to deliver results: TVA maintains some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation.
- Retail rates are lower than those paid by over 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities.
- Industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% retail customers.
- Thanks to TVA’s lower-than-average rates, residential households in the Valley save an estimated $200–$300 per year compared to the national average.
A Legacy of Leadership
Your role in building and sustaining TVA’s mission, from energy reliability to environmental care, continues to serve as the backbone for everything TVA is doing today. Your efforts have ensured that our region benefits not just from power, but from resilience, stewardship, and engagement.
We hope you’ll continue to take pride in the role you played in these accomplishments. You helped build a better future, and that is something worth celebrating.