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Show Chapter 7 Value of the Tennessee Valley Development Experience No documentation need be provided to show that the development of the Tennessee Valley, and par- ticularly the place of the TVA in it, is one of the best known experiments in the improvement of re- source use undertaken in the United States. It has helped to shape the course of resource development policy in this country, even though its effects are only slowly becoming evident, and their origin obscure to most people. Not only is it widely known and discussed in this country, but it has pro- vided inspiration and guidance for water, land, and hydroelectric development elsewhere in the world. Influence of the Tennessee Experience on Foreign Basin Development Missions from over 60 countries have visited the Tennessee Valley to study the comprehensive pro- gram. Among them have been Government offi- cials, educators, economists, engineers, agricultural experts, and technicians in many other fields. What these foreign groups have learned has been responsible for the world-wide dissemination of the valley experience. As similar water resources pro- grams have been planned in many foreign lands, engineers trained by TVA in the new science of river system use have gone to these countries as consultants and administrators to supervise plan- ning, construction, and other phases of multiple- purpose programs. Some 30 foreign projects or programs approach to some degree the concept of stream resources use which is characteristic of the valley. Responsible national leaders have publicly acknowledged that they were influenced by the program in the Tennessee Basin. Influence of the Valley Experience on Water Resources Development in the United States The experience of the Tennessee Valley has im- pressed many American citizens. Aside from the volume of discussion which has appeared in print, evidence is further given in the number of bills which have been introduced in Congress to estab- lish river basin development organizations. The development of the Tennessee Valley has been an experience which merits study for the light which it casts on the economic and social results of a well-integrated water resources development; and to illustrate means of solving the wide variety of problems embracing almost every phase of hu- man endeavor encountered in man's search for a better life. Economic and Social Results of Water Resources Development Among the benefits which have come from water resources development in the Tennessee Valley are the following: The people of the Tennessee Valley region have become the owners of utility enterprises in the form of urban and rural electrical distribution systems with total assets of 285 million dollars and serving 1,099,500 consumers-homes, farms, business, and industry. The people of the region obtain electricity for their 957,000 homes in greater abundance and at lower cost than can the average home elsewhere in the country. Average cost per kilowatt-hour is less than 1.5 cents compared with 2.9 cents in the Nation. The people of the region are saving 911610-51- 795 |