99% Invisible – Valley So Low

What happens when a visionary public institution shifts from serving the public good to acting like a private corporation?

This episode explores the fascinating story of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which began as a groundbreaking effort to bring sustainable infrastructure and community-driven change to rural America. On paper, the TVA was exactly the kind of initiative we need more of today—an ambitious, government-backed project tackling energy, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

But over time, its mission drifted. As World War II ramped up, the TVA was repurposed for industrial output, and it never quite returned to its original ideals. What could have been achieved if the TVA had stayed true to its founding purpose? Could it have set a precedent for large-scale, sustainable public infrastructure today? This episode offers crucial lessons about the tension between public good and corporate influence—lessons that remain deeply relevant as we navigate the future of energy and infrastructure.

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