TVA Invests in Local Communities

As the nation’s largest supplier of public power and one of the top producers of electricity, the Tennessee Valley Authority provides low-cost, reliable, and clean electricity for 10 million people across the seven-state service area.

But TVA’s unique, long-standing mission of service focuses on much more than just energy. TVA and its more than 10,000 employees are committed – each and every day – to improving the quality of life for communities and people across the Tennessee Valley.

Here are some of the ways TVA and its employees made a difference for Valley communities in the past year:

• More than 800,000 meals were provided to those in need through TVA’s partnership with the Feeding America program.
• TVA employees volunteered 4,500 hours of service to 200 charitable organizations, working in partnership with local power companies and communities.
• TVA invested more than $1.1 million in STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math), and sponsored more than 350 robotics teams and 200 competitions, helping to build the workforce of the future.
• An additional $3 million was invested with Valley charitable and community organizations to support education, human services and community enrichment.
• Employees in TVA’s new Generating Justice Pro Bono program have volunteered the equivalent of up to $110,000 in legal services so far. This benefits people who need help with civil issues such as domestic violence, eviction, and debt relief but cannot afford legal fees.

“Our commitment to the communities and people we serve is at the foundation of public power, and it is integral to our mission of service,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “Now, more than ever, these programs have a profound impact across the Valley,” said Mills. “From food banks to schools and legal advice, we are putting people first, prioritizing health, wellness, and security where there’s a need.” 

These efforts are in addition to actions taken by TVA to help customers and communities address the unique impacts of COVID-19 conditions. TVA established the Community Care Fund to partner with local power companies and provide matching dollars to meet local needs. The fund generated $4.8 million in combined contributions from April-September 2020, and TVA has committed an additional $2 million to the fund.

TVA is reducing its wholesale energy costs to local power companies by 2.5% during fiscal year 2021, providing them with savings of $200 million in a Pandemic Relief Credit.

It also offers credit support to help local power companies address economic uncertainty caused by pandemic conditions, and it has provided more than $8.2 million in Back-to-Business incentives to help large commercial and industrial customers return to full operation.