How was the Tennessee Valley Authority established?

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program. It was created to tackle the challenges faced by the Tennessee Valley region, which suffered from poverty, flooding, and lack of electricity. The TVA was formed through the passing of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act by the U.S. Congress. This act gave the TVA jurisdiction over the Tennessee River and its tributaries, granting it the authority to improve navigation, provide flood control, promote agriculture and industry, and generate hydroelectric power. The TVA's establishment aimed to boost economic development, provide electricity to rural areas, and improve the overall living conditions in the Tennessee Valley. Today, the TVA continues to serve as a federally-owned corporation that balances environmental stewardship, economic growth, and regional development in the Tennessee Valley.