Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Bond Redemption On January 15, 2012, TVA redeemed all of its 2008 4.75 percent electronotes ® due January 15, 2028, CUSIP number 88059TEE7. The notes were redeemed at 100 percent of par value for a total of $39 million. John Sevier Combined Cycle Transaction On January 17, 2012, TVA entered into a $1.0 billion leasing transaction with John Sevier Combined Cycle Generation LLC (“JSCCG”), a newly formed entity. In connection with this transaction, TVA and the United States of America agreed to lease the John Sevier Combined Cycle Facility (“John Sevier CCF”) located in Hawkins County, Tennessee, to JSCCG for a term of fifty years (the “Head Lease”). TVA also entered into a construction management agreement (“CMA”) with JSCCG under which TVA is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the John Sevier CCF to achieve substantial completion by January 14, 2013, or as soon thereafter as commercially practicable. On January 17, 2012, JSCCG raised $1.0 billion through a secured note issuance and an equity investment and, in accordance with the terms of the Head Lease and CMA, paid approximately $970 million to TVA on January 17, 2012. In addition, JSCCG deposited approximately $30 million with a lease indenture trustee to fund JSCCG's first debt service payment and payment of return on equity investment from January 17, 2012 through the first debt service payment date. TVA intends to use the proceeds from the transaction for the benefit of its power program. TVA continues to expect the John Sevier CCF to commence commercial operations by June 2012. Also on January 17, 2012, TVA and JSCCG entered into an agreement under which TVA will lease the John Sevier CCF from JSCCG (the “Facility Lease”) through January 15, 2042. In accordance with the Facility Lease, TVA will make rental payments to JSCCG on each January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2012 and ending on January 15, 2042. The rental payments are equal to JSCCG's semi-annual debt service payments and payments of return on equity and return of equity to the equity investor and range from approximately $30 million to approximately $44 million. Throughout the term of the Facility Lease, TVA will operate and maintain (and improve to the extent required by applicable law) John Sevier CCF and will take all power generated by the facility. As long as all payments are made as prescribed by the Facility Lease and there is no significant lease event of default with respect to which JSCCG has exercised dispossessory remedies, the Head Lease will expire on January 17, 2042 and TVA will own John Sevier CCF at no additional cost to TVA. Certain agreements related to this transaction contain default and acceleration provisions. JSCCG is a special single purpose limited liability company formed to finance the John Sevier CCF through a $900 million secured note issuance and a $100 million equity investment, both of which are secured by TVA's rental payments. The secured notes bear interest at a rate of 4.626 percent and mature on January 15, 2042. Due to its participation in the design, business conduct and financial support of JSCCG, TVA is deemed to have a variable interest in JSCCG. Accordingly, TVA has made a qualitative evaluation of which interest holders have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of JSCCG and have the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to JSCCG. Based on its analysis, TVA has determined for accounting purposes that it is the primary beneficiary of JSCCG and, as such, is required to account for the variable interest entity on a consolidated basis.

Subsequent Events

Bond Redemption

On January 15, 2012, TVA redeemed all of its 2008 4.75 percent electronotes ® due January 15, 2028, CUSIP number 88059TEE7. The notes were redeemed at 100 percent of par value for a total of $39 million.

John Sevier Combined Cycle Transaction

On January 17, 2012, TVA entered into a $1.0 billion leasing transaction with John Sevier Combined Cycle Generation LLC (“JSCCG”), a newly formed entity. In connection with this transaction, TVA and the United States of America agreed to lease the John Sevier Combined Cycle Facility (“John Sevier CCF”) located in Hawkins County, Tennessee, to JSCCG for a term of fifty years (the “Head Lease”). TVA also entered into a construction management agreement (“CMA”) with JSCCG under which TVA is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the John Sevier CCF to achieve substantial completion by January 14, 2013, or as soon thereafter as commercially practicable. On January 17, 2012, JSCCG raised $1.0 billion through a secured note issuance and an equity investment and, in accordance with the terms of the Head Lease and CMA, paid approximately $970 million to TVA on January 17, 2012. In addition, JSCCG deposited approximately $30 million with a lease indenture trustee to fund JSCCG's first debt service payment and payment of return on equity investment from January 17, 2012 through the first debt service payment date. TVA intends to use the proceeds from the transaction for the benefit of its power program. TVA continues to expect the John Sevier CCF to commence commercial operations by June 2012.

Also on January 17, 2012, TVA and JSCCG entered into an agreement under which TVA will lease the John Sevier CCF from JSCCG (the “Facility Lease”) through January 15, 2042. In accordance with the Facility Lease, TVA will make rental payments to JSCCG on each January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2012 and ending on January 15, 2042. The rental payments are equal to JSCCG's semi-annual debt service payments and payments of return on equity and return of equity to the equity investor and range from approximately $30 million to approximately $44 million. Throughout the term of the Facility Lease, TVA will operate and maintain (and improve to the extent required by applicable law) John Sevier CCF and will take all power generated by the facility. As long as all payments are made as prescribed by the Facility Lease and there is no significant lease event of default with respect to which JSCCG has exercised dispossessory remedies, the Head Lease will expire on January 17, 2042 and TVA will own John Sevier CCF at no additional cost to TVA. Certain agreements related to this transaction contain default and acceleration provisions.

JSCCG is a special single purpose limited liability company formed to finance the John Sevier CCF through a $900 million secured note issuance and a $100 million equity investment, both of which are secured by TVA's rental payments. The secured notes bear interest at a rate of 4.626 percent and mature on January 15, 2042. Due to its participation in the design, business conduct and financial support of JSCCG, TVA is deemed to have a variable interest in JSCCG. Accordingly, TVA has made a qualitative evaluation of which interest holders have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of JSCCG and have the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to JSCCG. Based on its analysis, TVA has determined for accounting purposes that it is the primary beneficiary of JSCCG and, as such, is required to account for the variable interest entity on a consolidated basis.