§ 209.141 Coordination of hydroelectric power operations with power marketing agencies.

(a) Purpose. This regulation establishes policies and procedures for coordinating the operation of the Corps of Engineers' hydroelectric generating facilities with the power marketing agencies.

(b) Applicability. This regulation applies to all civil works field operating agencies (FOA) having generating facilities producing marketable electric power.

(c) References.

(1) Section 5, Pub. L. 534, 78th Congress, Flood Control Act of 1944, December 22, 1944 (58 Stat. 889).

(2) Section 302, Pub. L. 95–91, 95th Congress, Department of Energy Organization Act, August 4, 1977 (91 Stat. 565).

(d) Background. Section 5 of the Act of December 22, 1944 (Pub. L. 534, 78th Congress), provides that electric power and energy generated at reservoir projects under the control of the Department of the Army and in the opinion of the Secretary of Army not required in the operation of such projects shall be delivered to the Secretary of Interior for transmittal and disposal in a manner to encourage the most widespread use thereof at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent with sound business principles. Section 302 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–91) transfers all functions of the Secretary of Interior under section 5 of the 1944 Act to the Secretary of Energy together with all other functions of the Secretary of Interior, and officers and components of the Department of the Interior, with respect to the Southeastern Power Administration; the Southwestern Power Administration; the Alaska Power Administration; the Bonneville Power Administration; and the power marketing functions of the Bureau of Reclamation.

(e) Policies.

(1) The Corps is responsible for operating the hydroelectric power projects and providing information affecting cost and availability of power to the power marketing agencies. Marketing the generated power declared excess to the needs of the projects and recovering Federal investment are the responsibilities of the power marketing agencies.

(2) All FOA Commanders will develop, in coordination with their respective power marketing agency, a system for exchanging operating information. The system will include general operating information and information on conditions that could substantially affect costs or power availability.

(f) Delegation. Responsibility for coordinating the exchange of information may be delegated to the District Engineer at the discretion of the Division Engineer.

(g) Procedures —

(1) Specific requirements —

(i) Continuing. Prompt written notification will be provided to the appropriate power marketing agency each time a change in power operations or conditions which could substantially affect costs or power availability is anticipated.

(ii) Annual. Annually, when no changes in power operations or costs are expected for the succeeding 12-month period, the marketing agency will be notified of that fact in writing.

(2) FOA responsibility. The FOA directly responsible for communicating with the marketing agency will develop appropriate reporting procedures in coordination with that agency.

[43 FR 8258, Mar. 1, 1978]