Actions by the Bonneville Power Administration to Implement the Long- Term Contracting Provisions of P.L. 96-501
Abstract
P.L. 96-501, which provides for regional electric power planning and development in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizes the use of conservation and renewable resources, preservation of the region's fish and wildlife, and protection of the environment. The Act requires the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to keep the cognizant congressional committees fully and currently informed of actions taken and to be taken by the Administrator under this Act. Based on limited review, it appears that BPA has latitude in how it could implement section 5(g)(1). The statute says that, within 9 months of the Act's effective date, BPA has to (1) begin necessary negotiations which would lead to initial long-term contracts and (2) make valid offers to its customers. Under section 5(g)(1), BPA had several options it could choose regarding offers and negotiations. BPA made the management decision to enter into negotiations for more than 8 months in an effort to draft contracts based on information obtained during the negotiating process. While the Act allows for negotiations for a period of 1 year after the offering of contracts, it appears that BPA management decided it would be better to complete as much of the negotiation phase as possible prior to offering the contracts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 04, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108933
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office