New Giant

The Tennessee Valley Authority, which is regarded (outside the U.S.) as one of the wonders of the world, during 1945 burgeoned into the biggest integrated utilties system in the U.S. In its twelfth annual report, TVA told Congress that last year it had produced nearly 12 billion kilowatt-hours of electric power, more than any other single company in the U.S. TVA's nearest competitor: Niagara Hudson Power Corp.

For TVA's power, TVA collected $39,000,000. Its net income after deductions or operating expenses and depreciation was $18,000,000, up 27% over 1944. Its 600,000 consumers used 48% more power for 21% less money than the average U.S. consumer (1.85-c- per kwh. v. the national average of 3.47-c-), thanks to the fact that TVA can spread its operating costs over more projects. Example: dam building can be charged off to malaria and flood control, etc., instead of power production.

TVA virtually completed its flood control and navigation projects in 1945. It closed the mile-and-a-half-long Kentucky Dam near the mouth of the Tennessee River and 480-ft.-high Fontana Dam on he Little Tennessee. With these and the 24 other dams in the system, TVA now has a navigation channel on the Tennessee some 650 miles long; and 13,000,000 acre-feet of water storage space for flood control, navigation and power.

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