Abstract
With the amazing advances made in the production and distribution of electrical energy during the past decade, it is of interest to examine the part played by the Federal Government. This is particularly true of the water-power field where, through vast land holdings and constitutional authority in respect to navigation, the National Government exercises control over a large portion of the country’s potential resources. During this period the administration of the law regulating the utilization of power sites involving Government interest has reposed with the Federal Power Commission. Although developments of many of the large rivers have been delayed by legislative embargoes and political controversy, the Commission has authorized the construction of many important projects, and about 2,600,000 horsepower of capacity is now operating under license from the Commission. The proper division of authority between the Government and the states has raised some complex problems which are pressing for solution.
