Rural Electrification Act

Law

7 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.  | (1936)

established a program, overseen by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), aimed at raising the standard of rural living and slowing the extensive migration of rural Americans to urban centers. More than 98 percent of U.S. farms were equipped with electric power under the program. The REA provided low-interest loans to farm cooperatives for the construction and operation of power plants and power lines in rural areas. Rural electrification brought city conveniences, such as electric lighting and radio, to areas of low population density and allowed for the automation of many farm operations.