Connecting the TVA Region Through Energy, Environment and Economic Development (continued)

The most important measures of TVA’s success are reflected in its strategic objectives — those measures that directly reflect the impact of TVA’s work on its customers, environment, and neighbors.

The industry often recognizes this dedication with public praise, and the past year has been no different. Included among the accolades TVA has recently received:

• Nucleonics Week named Sequoyah Nuclear Plant the most efficient generator in the nation over a three-year period (2000-2002). Browns Ferry came in second, and Watts Bar placed 12th. TVA is the only utility listed with three plants in the top 15 for the three-year period.
• In February 2003, TVA Nuclear (TVAN) received the Tennessee Quality Excellence Award, presented to organizations that have demonstrated excellence in their practices and achievements and serve as world-class models.
• TVAN received the Top Industry Practices (TIP) “Best of the Best” award for the strategic planning programs and processes at its nuclear power plants. TVAN was also presented a TIP Management Configuration Process Award for the permanent drywell shielding installed at Browns Ferry.

After several years of drought, above-normal rainfall in 2003 put the TVA system of dams and reservoirs to a test. A major rainfall in May resulted in the second-highest flood stage in Chattanooga in TVA’s history and caused considerable property damage, but it could have been much worse. Without upstream flood storage space, the river would have risen much higher and could have caused more than $400 million in estimated damage to the Chattanooga area alone. Over the years, TVA’s flood control operations have helped avert more than $5 billion in damages.

It’s not just about protecting homes and businesses in the TVA region. TVA waterways serve as major transportation arteries, linking the region to ports in 20 states and to the world. Use of the river as a commercial waterway means savings for local industries, lower consumer prices, and an overall benefit for the economic competitiveness of the region.

With economic development assistance from TVA and Jackson Energy Authority, the state of Tennessee’s economic development team and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce were able to convince Bodine Aluminum (a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota) to locate a new aluminum die-casting facility in Jackson, Tennessee. The plant is expected to bring an investment of $124 million to the community and approximately 200 jobs with an average salary of over $50,000.

The Bodine development was part of TVA’s new Valley Advantage Program, announced in October 2002, which provides financial incentives to large relocation or expansion projects in the TVA region. The financial and technical investments provided by the program require that participants achieve established milestones that will have a significant impact on the area’s economy.