TVIC came together as an informal group in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the result of TVA rate increases. The group was interested in creating and maintaining jobs that support local economies throughout the TVA service area. In 1979, TVIC added part-time staff and consultants and began to actively engage TVA in an effort to halt the rise in electric rates. An inflationary economy and the rise in coal prices had pushed electricity prices ever higher--to the point that several major industries, including aluminum producers and chemical manufacturers, simply ceased operations in the Tennessee Valley.

In the face of these electricity cost issues in the early-to-mid 1980s, TVIC worked closely with TVA to develop electric rates that would help some industries survive, through interruptible rates and the sale of surplus power at very competitive prices.



Many large industrial customers were able to use these innovative products to control electricity costs from the mid-1980s through most of the 1990s. But the precipitous drop in industrial production was extraordinarily steep in the early 1980s, and sales did not reach 1979 levels until 20 years later.


In recent years, TVIC has remained focused on advocating for a reliable supply of competitively priced electricity from TVA. Our current strategic priorities support keeping TVA on track within those areas that are key to us, their Direct Serve customers. Those efforts include:

• Provide meaningful guidance on key TVA decisions through representation on TVA stakeholder groups such as RERC, RRSC, IRPWG, and the Valley Vision 2035 Collaborative.

• Continue to interact with the TVA Congressional Delegation including visits to Washington, DC to ensure they understand and support initiatives that support TVA’s Direct Served customers.

• Continue to engage with TVA Board members to increase their understanding of the importance of industry in the Valley.

• Work with TVA to continue to build on TVA’s customer-facing effectiveness in meeting their mission within their Regional Relations organization.