Leaseback Obligations	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Leaseback Obligations [Abstract]
Leaseback Obligations	Leaseback Obligations Lease/Leasebacks Prior to 2004, TVA received approximately $945 million in proceeds by entering into leaseback transactions for 24 new peaking combustion turbine units ("CTs"). TVA also received approximately $389 million in proceeds by entering into a leaseback transaction for qualified technological equipment and software ("QTE") in 2003. Due to TVA's continuing involvement in the operation and maintenance of the leased units and equipment and its control over the distribution of power produced by the combustion turbine facilities during the leaseback term, TVA accounted for the lease proceeds as financing obligations. At September 30, 2013, and September 30, 2012, the outstanding leaseback obligations related to CTs and QTE were $761 million and $825 million, respectively. In 2008, TVA acquired the Southaven CCF pursuant to an agreement under which Seven States had an option to purchase a 90 percent undivided interest in the facility, which option Seven States subsequently exercised through its subsidiary, SSSL. SSSL financed the purchase of its undivided interest in the facility with funds received from a credit agreement with a third-party lender. SSSL leased its undivided interest in the facility back to TVA, and TVA continued to operate the facility. TVA accounted for the leaseback obligation under the financing method. On August 6, 2013, TVA and the United States of America entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement involving the Southaven CCF, underlying real property, and related assets, whereby TVA (as agent for the United States of America with respect to real property) re-acquired the undivided 90 percent interest in the facility from SSSL. In exchange for SSSL’s undivided interest in the facility, TVA paid the recorded amount of the buy-back obligation as of the date of closing of approximately $364 million. SSSL used these proceeds to repay the amounts outstanding under its credit agreement. The credit agreement was closed upon repayment. Also, as a condition to the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, TVA was required to enter into the Southaven Head Lease and Southaven Facility Lease through which SSSL will receive semi-annual payments over 20 years each February 15 and August 15, beginning February 15, 2014, with the final payment due on August 15, 2033. These payments, totaling approximately $9 million, will be funded by TVA as part of the lease payments to SCCG that will be paid to SHLLC. The payments to be made to SSSL are included in a schedule to SHLLC's formation documents. SSSL has no equity or debt investment in, and has made no contribution to, SHLLC. TVA entered into the Southaven Head Lease and the Southaven Facility Lease on August 9, 2013. See Note 8 and Note 10 — Membership Interests of VIE Subject to Mandatory Redemption. Lease Ratings Downgrade On November 29, 2011, one credit rating agency downgraded its ratings on various long-term leases backed by obligations of TVA from AA+ to AA-, and set the outlook on the ratings to stable. The downgrades include leaseback obligations related to CTs and QTE. According to the rating agency, the downgrade reflects the application of new criteria to the leases, rather than any TVA action, event, or change in business conditions. While the downgrades do not change TVA's obligations under the leases, they may affect the cost to TVA of similar future financings.

Leaseback Obligations

Lease/Leasebacks

Prior to 2004, TVA received approximately $945 million in proceeds by entering into leaseback transactions for 24 new peaking combustion turbine units ("CTs"). TVA also received approximately $389 million in proceeds by entering into a leaseback transaction for qualified technological equipment and software ("QTE") in 2003. Due to TVA's continuing involvement in the operation and maintenance of the leased units and equipment and its control over the distribution of power produced by the combustion turbine facilities during the leaseback term, TVA accounted for the lease proceeds as financing obligations. At September 30, 2013, and September 30, 2012, the outstanding leaseback obligations related to CTs and QTE were $761 million and $825 million, respectively.

In 2008, TVA acquired the Southaven CCF pursuant to an agreement under which Seven States had an option to purchase a 90 percent undivided interest in the facility, which option Seven States subsequently exercised through its subsidiary, SSSL. SSSL financed the purchase of its undivided interest in the facility with funds received from a credit agreement with a third-party lender. SSSL leased its undivided interest in the facility back to TVA, and TVA continued to operate the facility. TVA accounted for the leaseback obligation under the financing method.

On August 6, 2013, TVA and the United States of America entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement involving the Southaven CCF, underlying real property, and related assets, whereby TVA (as agent for the United States of America with respect to real property) re-acquired the undivided 90 percent interest in the facility from SSSL. In exchange for SSSL’s undivided interest in the facility, TVA paid the recorded amount of the buy-back obligation as of the date of closing of approximately $364 million. SSSL used these proceeds to repay the amounts outstanding under its credit agreement. The credit agreement was closed upon repayment.

Also, as a condition to the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, TVA was required to enter into the Southaven Head Lease and Southaven Facility Lease through which SSSL will receive semi-annual payments over 20 years each February 15 and August 15, beginning February 15, 2014, with the final payment due on August 15, 2033. These payments, totaling approximately $9 million, will be funded by TVA as part of the lease payments to SCCG that will be paid to SHLLC. The payments to be made to SSSL are included in a schedule to SHLLC's formation documents. SSSL has no equity or debt investment in, and has made no contribution to, SHLLC. TVA entered into the Southaven Head Lease and the Southaven Facility Lease on August 9, 2013. See Note 8 and Note 10 — Membership Interests of VIE Subject to Mandatory Redemption.

Lease Ratings Downgrade

On November 29, 2011, one credit rating agency downgraded its ratings on various long-term leases backed by obligations of TVA from AA+ to AA-, and set the outlook on the ratings to stable. The downgrades include leaseback obligations related to CTs and QTE. According to the rating agency, the downgrade reflects the application of new criteria to the leases, rather than any TVA action, event, or change in business conditions. While the downgrades do not change TVA's obligations under the leases, they may affect the cost to TVA of similar future financings.