New Bookkeeping Rules Hit Rural Electric Borrowers Starting 2025
Published Date: 9/24/2025
Rule
Summary
If you borrow money from the Rural Utilities Service to run an electric utility, new accounting rules are here to make your record-keeping clearer and more consistent. These changes add new categories, remove old ones, and explain everything better, helping you stay on track. The final rules took effect July 18, 2025, so it’s time to update your books and keep things smooth!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
RUS Electric Borrowers Must Revise Accounting
If you borrow money from the Rural Utilities Service to run an electric utility, you must update your accounting records to match a new Uniform System of Accounts that took effect July 18, 2025. The rule adds new utility plant categories and new accounts, deletes obsolete accounts, and provides clarified instructions and definitions so all RUS awardees use consistent records.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18980, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is inviting rural electric cooperatives to apply for loans through the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program for 2026. This year’s application process kicks off with a call for Letters of Interest, and future announcements will move online only—no more Federal Register notices! If you’re a rural utility looking for funding, now’s the time to act and get your paperwork in on time.
2026-18173, Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OMB No. 0570-0069 Rural Development Loan Modernization Initiative
The USDA is updating how it collects info for the Rural Development Loan Modernization Initiative, which helps rural businesses and communities get loans. They want your thoughts on making the process easier and clearer, with comments due by November 3, 2026. This update aims to keep things smooth without adding extra hassle or costs for folks involved.
2026-15795, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program 2026
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for loan Applications, announcing the Application process for those loans, and providing deadlines for Applications from eligible entities under the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program for fiscal year (FY) 2026. In future years this funding opportunity will only be announced on the Agency website and grants.gov, without a Federal Register notice. Therefore, in future years, neither the funding opportunity nor reference to the funding opportunity in grants.gov will appear in the Federal Register. Please make note of this change in location of the funding announcement in your records.
2026-13622, 60-Day Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OneRD Loan Guarantee Program
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is updating the paperwork for the OneRD Loan Guarantee Program, which helps folks get loans for rural projects. They want your thoughts on the changes by September 4, 2026. If you’re involved in rural loans, this update could affect how you apply and share info, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10247, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Section 313A Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is now accepting applications for the 2026 program that helps guarantee bonds and notes to improve utility infrastructure in rural areas. Starting next year, this funding opportunity will only be posted on the agency’s website, not in the Federal Register, so keep an eye online! If you’re involved in rural utilities, this is your chance to secure financial support for important projects.
2026-09555, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is opening up the Community Connect Grant Program for 2026 to help rural communities get better internet and tech access. Starting next year, all funding info will only be online, not in the Federal Register, so keep an eye on their website and grants.gov. If you’re part of a rural community looking for funding, now’s the time to apply and get connected!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-18525, Amendment of Class E4 Airspace Over Elmira, NY
The FAA fixed a small but important mistake in the Elmira, NY airspace rules. They corrected the official docket number for the Class E4 airspace around Elmira/Corning Regional Airport. This change doesn’t affect flying rules or costs—just the paperwork to keep things clear and official.
Next: 2025-18561, Rescission of Expired 1-Year Grace Period for Data Extensions; Corrections
Starting August 12, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ended the 1-year grace period for data extensions, so no more extra time will be given. This update fixes some accidental mistakes in the original rule to keep everything clear and fair. If you work with BOEM data, get ready for the new deadlines—no more freebies!