Ashwander v. Tennessee Valley Authority
United States Supreme Court
297 U.S. 288 (1936)
Relevant factsFree
The federally-authorized Wilson Dam, originally justified by wartime munitions and navigation needs, generated surplus electricity the TVA (defendant) sold after acquiring adjacent private power-distribution infrastructure; utility shareholders (plaintiffs) sued to enjoin the acquisition and sales, arguing the federal government lacked constitutional authority for this commercial activity.
IssueFree
Whether courts avoid deciding constitutional questions absent standing, a justiciable controversy, and actual injury.