§832m Sale of Excess Federal Power; Fish and Wildlife Conservation Within Federal Columbia River Power System; Residential Exchange; Personnel Flexibility

Summary

Lets the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration sell extra federal power outside the Pacific Northwest on firm contracts lasting no more than 7 years. Before selling outside the region, the extra power must first be offered for a fair time and on the same basic rates and terms to local public, cooperative, and investor-owned utilities and certain large industrial customers. Sales are allowed in places that do not have a ban on resale. Defines three terms in brief: Administrator — the head of the Bonneville Power Administration; Council — the Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council; excess Federal power — power that is surplus because customers bought power elsewhere compared to January 1, 1995 levels or power used mainly for fish and wildlife operations. Within 180 days after November 13, 1995, the 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 can place orders for goods and services for power facilities and fish and wildlife mitigation through the Administrator. For fiscal year 1997, total cost benefits for eligible utilities are fixed at $145,000,000, and each utility’s share equals $145,000,000 times the percentage of net benefits it received in fiscal year 1995. The Administrator may offer voluntary separation payments up to $25,000; anyone who takes a U.S. government job within five years must repay the full amount. The authority here is meant to continue beyond the fiscal year unless Congress changes it.