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Today in History: Tellico Dam Project Completed Despite Supreme Court Ruling

11/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On November 29, 1979, the Tennessee Valley Authority completed the Tellico Dam project, despite a Supreme Court ruling in Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill that ordered its halt due to environmental concerns. This marked the last dam built by the TVA, which operates as a federally-owned utility without taxpayer funding.

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Story summary

On November 29, 1979, the Tennessee Valley Authority completed the Tellico Dam project, despite a Supreme Court ruling in Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill that ordered its halt due to environmental concerns. This marked the last dam built by the TVA, which operates as a federally-owned utility without taxpayer funding.