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Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] 
Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

The following accounting standards and interpretations became effective for TVA during the presented periods.

Noncontrolling Interests.  In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that introduces significant changes in the accounting for noncontrolling interests (formerly minority interests) in a partially-owned consolidated subsidiary.  The guidance also changed the accounting for and reporting for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  The guidance requires that noncontrolling interests in a consolidated subsidiary be displayed in the consolidated statement of financial position as a separate component of equity.  The guidance also requires that earnings attributed to noncontrolling interests be reported as part of consolidated earnings, and requires disclosure of the attribution of consolidated earnings to the controlling and noncontrolling interests on the face of the consolidated income statement.  These changes became effective for TVA as of October 1, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance did not materially impact TVA’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows but will impact the accounting for any future noncontrolling interests.

Transfers of Financial Assets.  In June 2009, FASB issued guidance regarding accounting for transfers of financial assets.  This guidance eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”) and subjects those entities to the same consolidation guidance as other variable interest entity ("VIEs").  The guidance changes the eligibility criteria for certain transactions to qualify for sale accounting and the accounting for certain transfers.  The guidance also establishes broad disclosure objectives and requires extensive specific disclosure requirements related to the transfers.  These changes became effective for TVA for any transfers of financial assets occurring on or after October 1, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not materially affect TVA’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Variable Interest Entities.  In June 2009, FASB issued guidance that changes the consolidation guidance for VIEs.  The guidance eliminates the consolidation scope exception for QSPEs.  The statement amends the triggering events to determine if an entity is a VIE, establishes a primarily qualitative model for determining the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and requires on-going assessment of whether the reporting entity is the primary beneficiary.  These changes became effective for TVA on October 1, 2010, and apply to all entities determined to be VIEs as of and subsequent to the date of adoption.  The adoption of this guidance did not materially affect TVA’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard that creates consistency between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) on the definition of fair value and on the guidance on how to measure fair value and on what to disclose about fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for TVA on October 1, 2012.   Although this standard may require additional disclosure, TVA does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In June 2011, FASB issued guidance that will require adjustments to the presentation of TVA’s financial information. The guidance eliminates the current option to report comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in proprietary capital.  The guidance allows for presentation of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separated, but consecutive statements.  These changes become effective for TVA on October 1, 2012.