§832m Sale of excess Federal power; fish and wildlife conservation within Federal Columbia River Power System; residential exchange; personnel flexibility

Summary

The head of the Bonneville Power Administration can sell or otherwise dispose of extra federal electricity. "Extra federal power" means power that is more than BPA must supply because customers bought power from others compared to how much BPA had to supply on January 1, 1995, or power produced mainly to help fish and wildlife. Before selling that extra power outside the Pacific Northwest on a firm basis for up to 7 years, BPA must first offer it for a fair time at the same basic rates and terms to Pacific Northwest public, cooperative, and investor-owned utilities and certain industrial customers. BPA may also sell in places that do not have a ban on resale. Within 180 days after November 13, 1995, the Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council must review and report to Congress on the best regional governance for fish and wildlife work in the Federal Columbia River Power System. The Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, through the Corps’ North Pacific Division, may order goods and services for power plants and fish and wildlife mitigation from or through BPA using BPA’s authorities. For fiscal year 1997, the total cost benefit for eligible utilities is set at $145,000,000, and each utility’s share is that amount times its percentage of the net benefits paid by BPA in 1995. BPA may offer voluntary separation payments up to $25,000, but anyone who accepts U.S. government employment within five years must repay the full amount. Unless Congress changes it, the authority here continues beyond the fiscal year.