For more than eight decades, the Tennessee Valley Authority has provided affordable electricity, environmental stewardship and economic development opportunities to the Tennessee Valley. TVA was established by Congress in 1933 to address a wide range of environmental, economic and technological issues, including the need for low-cost electricity, and navigation and flood control along the Tennessee River system. TVA is fully self-financing, funding virtually all operations through electricity sales and power system bond financing. TVA makes no profit and receives no tax money. TVA's power service territory includes most off Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia, covering 80,000 square miles and providing electricity to more than 9 million people at prices below the national average, TVA sales electricity to 155 local power companies and 57 directly served industries and federal facilities. Mission: TVA was built for the people – to improve the quality of life in a seven-state region through the integrated management of the region's resources. The mission focuses on three key areas: • Energy – To provide reliable, affordable electric power throughout the Tennessee Valley. • Environment – To be a steward of the region's natural resources. • Economic Development – To serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic development. ENERGY: As the nation's largest government-owned power provider, TVA delivers reliable, competitively priced electricity local power companies and major industrial customers and federal installations. ENVIRONMENT: The Tennessee Valley Authority is committed to limiting the environmental impact of its operations and protecting the natural resources of the region. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: TVA helps strengthen the regional economy by building partnerships with communities and the business sector to foster job growth and retention.