william jennings randolph was a member of congress during the roosevelt administration. tennessee valley authority was a product of the new deal. it was not doling out money here and there. it was the planning of an area in the united states where there would be a development. hydroelectric power was a part of it. the plan to provide economic development to the appalachian region began with the construction of the norris dam on the clinch river. the tva plan was ambitious. the regional economies could be improved if the waters were made navigible. the tva constructed housing, began a malaria control project, worked on agricultural development, and provided electrical power to this depressed region. some thought the government was going too far. along with the utilities, others who feared economic loss joined in the opposition. coal miners feared hydroelectric power would reduce the demand for coal. the coal operators of west virginia came to washington, d.c. they were very angry at me because i was an open supporter of the legislation to create the tennessee valley autho