[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 183 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48870-48882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23380]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1717


Investments, Loans, and Guarantees by Electric Borrowers

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby revises its policies 
and requirements governing restrictions on investments, loans and 
guarantees made by electric borrowers. This rule is intended to clarify 
RUS's policies and requirements, reduce uncertainty by borrowers, and 
improve compliance.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective October 23, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Alex M. Cockey, Jr., Deputy 
Assistant Administrator--Electric, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Rural Utilities Service, room 4037-S, Ag Box 1560, 14th Street & 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1500. Telephone: 202-
720-9547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule has been determined to be not 
significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866, and therefore 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The 
Administrator of RUS has determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) does not apply to this rule. The Administrator 
of RUS has determined that this rule will not significantly affect the 
quality of the human environment as defined by the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Therefore, 
this action does not require an environmental impact statement or 
assessment. This rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation 
with State and local officials. A Notice of Final Rule titled 
Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372 
(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS electric loans and loan guarantees from 
coverage under this Order. This rule has been reviewed under Executive 
Order 12778, Civil Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Will not preempt any 
State or local laws, regulations, or policies, unless they present an 
irreconcilable conflict with this rule; (2) Will not have any 
retroactive effect; and (3) Will not require administrative proceedings 
before any parties may file suit challenging the provisions of this 
rule.
    The program described by this rule is listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under number 10.850 Rural 
Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees. This catalog is available on 
a subscription basis from the Superintendent of Documents, the United 
States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    The existing recordkeeping and reporting burdens contained in this 
rule were approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), under control number 0572-0032.
    Send questions or comments regarding these burdens or any other 
aspect of these collections of information, including suggestions for 
reducing the burden, to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, room 10102, NEOB, Washington, 
DC 20503. Attention: Desk Officer for USDA.

Background

    On December 22, 1987, section 312 was added to the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936. This section allows electric borrowers to 
invest their own funds or make loans or guarantees, not in excess

[[Page 48871]]

of 15 percent of their total utility plant, without restriction or 
prior approval of the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS). On June 29, 1989, RUS issued a final rule codifying this 
provision in 7 CFR part 1717, subpart N (at 54 FR 27325). Mortgages 
executed prior to that date contained a provision granting the 
Administrator the right to approve investments, loans and guarantees by 
the borrower once the aggregate of such investments, loans and 
guarantees reached 3 percent of total utility plant.
    On February 16, 1995, at 60 FR 8981, RUS published a proposed rule 
to clarify RUS's policies and requirements regarding restrictions on 
borrower investments, loans and guarantees. Over the years borrowers 
had raised a number of questions about such issues as: which 
investments, loans or guarantees are subject to RUS approval and which 
are excluded; the criteria used by RUS in approving an investment, loan 
or guarantee; whether RUS approval of an investment, loan or guarantee 
means that it is no longer counted in determining the ratio to total 
utility plant; whether RUS will approve an investment, loan or 
guarantee if the borrower is under the 15 percent limit; whether a 
borrower will be in default under its mortgage because net profits 
earned on its investments pushed its total above the 15 percent limit. 
This final rule resolves such questions.
    RUS is also in the process of updating its mortgage and loan 
contract used with electric borrowers. RUS published a proposed 
mortgage for electric distribution borrowers on September 29, 1994 at 
59 FR 49594. In that rule it was proposed that RUS controls over 
borrower investments, loans and guarantees be moved from the mortgage 
to the RUS loan contract. Such a move would have no effect on RUS's 
controls or their enforceability under the RUS mortgage. On July 18, 
1995 RUS published the final rule for the distribution mortgage and a 
proposed rule for the distribution loan contract, at FR 36882 and FR 
36904, respectively.
    Comments on the proposed changes to RUS investment controls 
contained in 7 CFR part 1717, subpart N were received from 26 
commenters, including the National Rural Electric Cooperative 
Association, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance 
Corporation (CFC), the Saint Paul Bank for Cooperatives, and 23 
borrowers or regional borrower associations. All comments were 
considered in preparing this final rule. The more significant or more 
frequently made comments are discussed below.

Section 1717.651  Policy

    Questions were raised about the second part of the statement: ``RUS 
electric borrowers are encouraged to utilize their own funds to 
participate in the economic development of rural areas, provided that 
such activity does not in any way put government funds at risk or 
impair a borrower's ability to repay its indebtedness to RUS and other 
lenders.'' RUS did not propose any change in this statement, which is 
contained in the existing rule.
    It was suggested that this policy is unworkable since any 
investment involves some risk. RUS recognizes that most investments 
involve some risk, but continues to believe that it is only prudent 
that borrowers avoid those investments having risks of a magnitude that 
would in any way put government funds at risk or impair loan repayment. 
We continue to believe that this is the correct interpretation of the 
intent of section 312.

Section 1717.652  Definitions

    The term ``own funds'' was defined as ``money belonging to the 
borrower other than the proceeds of loans made or guaranteed by RUS.'' 
Such proceeds include, but are not limited to, all funds on deposit in 
the cash-construction fund-trustee account. A commenter pointed out 
that requests for loan advances commonly occur after general funds have 
already been expended for loan purposes, and that it would be difficult 
to separate general funds into cash generated by operations and that 
derived from loan advances. This was not the agency's intent, nor is 
such separation required under the existing rule. To make this clear, 
the definition has been revised as follows: ``Own funds means money 
belonging to the borrower other than funds on deposit in the cash-
construction fund-trustee account.''
    One commenter stated that Operating TIER and Operating DSC, used as 
part of the criteria in proposed Sec. 1717.655 to determine eligibility 
for an exemption from controls, appeared to be the same as standard 
TIER and DSC. They are not, since they measure interest and debt 
coverage only for the borrower's electric utility operations. Margins 
used in the calculation are operating margins rather than total 
margins. A few technical changes have been made to the definitions in 
this final rule to make it clearer that Operating TIER and Operating 
DSC apply only to the borrower's electric system and do not apply to 
any other utility operations of the borrower, such as a water and waste 
disposal system owned by the borrower.
    One commenter asked whether margins earned by subsidiaries 
controlled by a borrower would be included in operating margins used in 
calculating Operating TIER and DSC. Since such subsidiaries are 
separate business entities outside the borrower's core electric utility 
business, as indicated above their profits or losses will not be 
included in calculating Operating TIER and DSC. They are, however, 
included in the calculation of standard TIER and DSC contained in the 
rate covenant of the typical mortgage or loan contract.
    A question was asked about whether ``telecommunication and other 
electronic communication system'' includes satellite and direct 
broadcast television service. The answer is yes, provided that ``the 
service'' includes providing a continuing service to customers, such as 
television programming, rather than just a one-time sale of equipment, 
and as set forth in the definition, such services ``are available by 
design to all or a substantial portion of the members of the 
community.''

Section 1717.653  Borrowers in Default

    This section has been added to clarify the point that if a borrower 
in not in compliance with all provisions of its mortgage, loan 
contract, or any other agreements with RUS, the borrower must obtain 
prior written approval from the Administrator to invest its own funds 
or to make loans or guarantees, unless such loan document or other 
agreement specifically provides otherwise. This was implicit in 
proposed section 1717.653(a) (renumbered 1717.654(a)), and is now 
spelled out for greater clarity.

Section 1717.654  (Proposed 1717.653) Transactions Below the 15 Percent 
Level

    Clarification was requested of the statement that ``funds necessary 
to make timely payments of principal and interest on loans secured by 
the RUS mortgage remain subject to RUS controls. * * *'' The purpose of 
this statement is to make it clear that while RUS controls on 
investments, loans and guarantees by the borrower do not ordinarily 
apply below the 15 percent level, RUS may impose such controls case-by-
case in those circumstances where they are necessary to ensure 
reasonably adequate loan security or to ensure the repayment of loans 
secured under the mortgage. Such instances presumably would be 
relatively rare, and the borrower would be notified in advance that the 
controls were being imposed. 

[[Page 48872]]

    One commenter stated that the apparent effect of paragraph (b) of 
this section is to restrict the limitations on investments contained in 
the rule to loan contracts or mortgages executed after the effect date 
of the final rule. That is not correct. Proposed paragraph (b) 
described language to be included in the loan contract or mortgage 
regarding investment controls, and proposed certain changes in the 
prescribed language for these documents contained in Sec. 1717.654(b) 
of the existing rule. In the final rule, this prescribed language has 
been further revised to conform with the approach used in the new 
mortgage and proposed loan contract for distribution borrowers: namely, 
the provision is expressed in more general terms, relying on RUS 
regulations to flesh out the interpretation and specific requirements 
of the provision. Revised paragraph (b) has been moved to 
Sec. 1717.659.
    The provisions of existing subpart N have applied to all borrowers 
since the date it became effective, July 31, 1989, regardless of when 
their loan contracts or mortgages were executed. Changes to subpart N 
contained in this final rule will also apply to all borrowers 
regardless of when their loan documents were executed. This has been 
clarified in Sec. 1717.650. RUS believes that borrowers who qualify for 
an outright exemption from investment controls should not have to wait 
until new loan documents are executed before becoming eligible. Nor 
should other reforms be delayed, such as excluding rural community 
infrastructure from the 15 percent calculation.

Section 1717.655 (Proposed 1717.654)  Exclusion of Certain Investments, 
Loans, and Guarantees

    The Saint Paul Bank for Cooperatives recommended that investments 
in it be excluded, as are investments in CFC and CoBank. This has been 
done.
    A commenter pointed out that investments made in a trust fund 
dedicated to pay the decommissioning costs of nuclear generating 
facilities was not listed in this section as an excluded investment, 
but is excluded under RUS Bulletin 1717B-3. Failure to list such 
investments as excluded under this section was inadvertent, and this 
has been corrected.
    One commenter noted that several generation and transmission 
borrowers (G&Ts) have invested in fuel supply subsidiaries in an effort 
to control fuel costs, and argued that such investments should be 
excluded. This recommendation has not been adopted.
    Such subsidiaries often have other lines of business and often 
provide services to other utilities or other companies, making it 
difficult to determine to what extent the subsidiary is involved in 
providing services in direct support of the borrower's electric utility 
business. If fuel supply subsidiaries were excluded, then there would 
be pressure to exclude other subsidiaries that might provide some 
services to the borrower, such as warehousing, barge service, railroad 
or truck service, insurance, engineering services, etc. Moreover, the 
property of a subsidiary generally is not subject to the lien of the 
government's mortgage, and the property and operations of the 
subsidiary are not subject to RUS operational controls and approval 
rights. This often can present serious problems with respect to the 
agency's programmatic and security interests.
    A commenter recommended that patronage capital allocated to a G&T 
by its distribution members be excluded. Such allocations often occur 
when a G&T buys power from its members for headquarters, warehouses, 
and metering points located in the members' territory. This 
recommendation has been adopted.
    Another commenter stated that the exclusion of community 
infrastructure in paragraph (c)(3) should not be based on whether the 
infrastructure is located within the borrower's service territory, but 
whether the infrastructure serves consumers located in rural areas. RUS 
agrees with the recommendation for the purposes of this rule, and has 
so revised the paragraph.
    Proposed paragraph (c)(1) excluded investments or loans made by a 
borrower derived from funds obtained from grants or loans received from 
a USDA agency. Such grants and loans from a USDA agency normally would 
be for purposes supporting rural economic development. A commenter 
recommended that the source of the grant or loan be expanded to include 
any Federal, State or local government agency. RUS agrees with this 
recommendation provided that such loan funds are designated to promote 
rural economic development and the borrower uses the funds for that 
purpose. Grant funds that the borrower is not obligated to repay may be 
for any purpose since there would be little or no risk to RUS loan 
security. In reality, most such grants likely would be for rural 
economic development.
    A co-mortgagee suggested that it be granted what it described as 
the same preapproval of credit enhancement in paragraph (d) as granted 
USDA agencies in cases where a borrower is required to make an 
investment, loan, or guarantee, for example, as a condition of 
obtaining financial assistance from the agency. The intent of this 
provision is to support rural economic development, for example, in 
instances where a borrower is required to invest some of its own funds 
in order to qualify for a rural development grant or loan, which 
usually will be on subsidized terms. Investments in the co-mortgagee in 
question are excluded under paragraph (b) of this section.

Section 1717.656 (Proposed 1717.655)  Exemption of Certain Borrowers 
From Controls

    A number of comments were received about the criteria for 
qualifying for an exemption from investment controls set forth in 
paragraph (a).
    One borrower asked whether patronage capital earned or refunded 
would be subtracted from the average residential rate of borrowers in 
making the comparison with the average residential rate for all 
utilities serving a state. The answer is, no. This adjustment would not 
be significant enough to make a difference among borrowers or to 
justify the additional complexity. Borrowers are reminded that if they 
fail to qualify for an exemption based solely on the rate disparity 
criterion, upon request the Administrator may grant the exemption if he 
or she determines that the borrowers' strengths in the other criteria 
outweigh their weakness on rate disparity.
    Several borrowers suggested that it would be more ``prudent'' to 
use a standard TIER of 1.05 for G&Ts rather than the proposed Operating 
TIER and Operating DSC of 1.0. RUS disagrees that that would be more 
``prudent'' from the standpoint of loan security. In addition to 
Operating TIER and DSC, a borrower would have to meet the TIER and DSC 
requirements in its mortgage (the first criterion under paragraph (a)), 
which for most G&Ts is a standard DSC of 1.0 and standard TIER of 1.0 
or 1.05. The advantage of requiring a minimum Operating TIER and DSC of 
1.0 is that it will ensure that a borrower is at least breaking even on 
its main business, its electric operations, and does not need to rely 
on income from investments and other non-core activities to meet its 
debt service and other expenses of its core business.
    Several G&Ts argued that the minimum equity required to qualify for 
an exemption should be set lower for G&Ts than for distribution 
systems. RUS disagrees since it is not apparent that giving G&T's wider 
latitude to make investments without RUS approval would involve less 
risk to loan security than in the case of distribution borrowers. 

[[Page 48873]]

    Several borrowers opposed the netting out of regulatory created 
assets when calculating equity as a percent of total assets. RUS 
disagrees since these assets represent current period expenses that 
should have been expensed, rather than capitalized, in order to reflect 
the true operating performance of the borrower. Deferring these 
expenses overstates both equity and total assets. RUS has followed this 
practice for the past several years, codifying it in the lien 
accommodation rule (7 CFR part 1717, subparts R and S), the 110 percent 
rule (7 CFR 1710.7 and 7 CFR 1717.860), and the distribution mortgage 
(7 CFR part 1718, subpart B).
    Under paragraph (c), a borrower that has lost its exemption may 
regain it if it once again meets the exemption criteria. One commenter 
recommended that restoration of the exemption ought to be automatic, 
rather than contingent upon written notice from RUS. RUS believes that 
notice is required in order for the borrower and RUS to have the same 
understanding about the exemption status of the borrower. Without 
requiring notification, disputes and associated administrative costs 
and delays would likely occur. Requiring written notice to restore an 
exemption is consistent with the written notice required to terminate 
an exemption.
    Under paragraph (d), a borrower that has lost its exemption and has 
exceeded the 15 percent limit would be required to reduce or 
restructure its investment portfolio to come within the 15 percent 
limit. If the borrower failed to come within the 15 percent limit 
within a reasonable period of time determined by the Administrator, the 
borrower could be given notice of default.
    The proposed paragraph implicitly assumed the borrower was in 
compliance with all other provisions of its mortgage, loan contract, 
and any other agreements with RUS. This has now been made explicit, and 
it has been reiterated that if the borrower is not in compliance with 
such provisions it may be required to reduce its investment portfolio 
below the 15 percent level, if not prohibited by the explicit terms of 
the borrower's mortgage, loan contract, or other agreement with RUS.
    One commenter argued that RUS should not be able to call a default 
if the investments that exceeded the 15 percent limit were made while 
the borrower was exempt. RUS disagrees, since without the right to call 
a default there would be less leverage to reduce loan security risks in 
cases where a borrower had a high-risk investment portfolio that 
substantially exceeded the 15 percent limit. There would also be less 
incentive for borrowers to maintain the performance levels required for 
an exemption if there were no penalty for failing to maintain these 
levels.
    However, it may not be necessary in all cases to require a formerly 
exempt borrower to reduce its investment portfolio to the 15 percent 
limit. Paragraph (d) has therefore been revised to give the 
Administrator the flexibility to allow a formerly exempt borrower not 
in default to remain above the 15 percent limit if the Administrator 
determines that reducing or restructuring the investment portfolio to 
come within the limit would not be in the financial interest of the 
government from the standpoint of loan security and/or repayment.

Section 1717.657 (Proposed 1717.656)  Investments Above the 15 Percent 
Level by Certain Borrowers not Exempt Under Sec. 1717.656(a)

    A commenter recommended that G&Ts not meeting the minimum criteria 
in paragraph (c) for requesting RUS approval of investments above the 
15 percent level should nevertheless be given a chance to have their 
requests considered. RUS disagrees. The criteria are very minimal: no 
default, no financial workout or restructured debt, and a minimum 
equity of 5 percent. G&Ts (as well as distribution borrowers) that are 
in default do not in the first place qualify under Sec. 1717.654(a) to 
make investments, loans and guarantees up to the 15 percent level 
without RUS approval. Section 1717.657 does not apply to them. Other 
G&Ts that are not in default but have equity of less than 5 percent, or 
are in financial workout, or have had their debt restructured, ought to 
confine investments above the 15 percent level to excluded investments.
    Another commenter recommended that distribution borrowers not 
meeting the criteria for an outright exemption from investment controls 
(Sec. 1717.656(a)) ought to be able to seek approval from RUS for 
investments above the 15 percent level. RUS believes such borrowers 
should restrict their investments above the 15 percent level to 
excluded investments. Some 84 percent of distribution borrowers qualify 
for an outright exemption. Many of the remaining borrowers could make 
changes in their operations and qualify for an exemption.
    A co-mortgagee argued that it would be more prudent to relate the 
maximum limit on investments by G&Ts to equity, rather than 20 percent 
of total utility plant (see Sec. 1717.657(c)). RUS agrees that it would 
be more logical to use equity, one of the criteria used to determine 
eligibility for an exemption from investment controls. However, setting 
the maximum investment limit at even 100 percent of equity would result 
in a limit for most G&Ts lower than the 15 percent of total utility 
plant mandated by section 312 of the RE Act.
    A commenter asked whether the 10-year look-back on net profits on 
investments in paragraph (d) is a rolling or one-time calculation. It 
is a rolling calculation done at the time RUS is asked by a borrower to 
exclude all or a portion of net profits that have resulted in 
investments exceeding the 15 percent limit.

Section 1717.658 (Proposed 1717.657)  Records, Reports and Audits

    One commenter recommended changing current practice which requires 
guarantees and lines of credit to be counted in full against the 15 
percent limit whether or not there is a loan outstanding or any 
likelihood the guarantee will be called upon. RUS does not believe 
current practice should be changed. A line of credit could be drawn 
upon at any time and RUS would have no way of anticipating when that 
time might come. Presumably borrowers would not want their ability to 
make good on a line of credit commitment to another party to be subject 
to subsequent approval by RUS. As to excluding guarantee obligations of 
the borrower that are unlikely to be called upon, in most cases it 
would be very difficult and time-consuming for RUS to assess the 
probability that the borrower will be required to perform under the 
guarantee.
    One commenter stated that the balance sheet method used by RUS to 
count investments is not consistent with section 312. RUS disagrees 
with that view, and notes that Sec. 1717.657(d) of the rule addresses 
the main concern that has been raised over the years: namely, that net 
profits on investments may cause a borrower to exceed the 15 percent 
limit and possibly be in default. Section 1717.657(d) provides that 
such circumstances would not necessarily result in a default, and at a 
borrower's request, the Administrator could exclude up to the amount of 
net profit earned over the past 10 years if such exclusion would not 
increase loan security risks.

Section 1717.659 (Proposed 1717.658)  Effect on RUS Loan Contract and 
Mortgage

    Section 1717.656(c) of the existing regulation explicitly states 
that, ``Nothing in this subpart authorizes a borrower to make 
extensions or improvements to its electric system without prior 
approval of RUS.'' That 

[[Page 48874]]
provision was subsumed under a more comprehensive provision in proposed 
Sec. 1717.658(a), which in the final rule has been clarified by adding 
the specific reference to RUS approval rights over system extensions 
and additions. Similar changes have been made to sections 1717.654 and 
1717.656.

Borrowers Exempt From Investment Controls

    The distribution and power supply borrowers listed below meet the 
criteria in Sec. 1717.656(a) and are exempt from RUS approval of any 
investment, loan, or guarantee made on or after September 21, 1995. 
Borrowers are reminded that, under Sec. 1717.656(c), if they 
subsequently cease to meet the exemption criteria, upon written notice 
from RUS they will no longer be exempt from RUS investment controls.
    Borrowers that do not meet the criteria for exemption will be 
notified individually in writing by RUS and will be advised of the 
reasons they fail to qualify.

Borrowers Exempt From RUS Investment Controls

AL 9
AL 18
AL 19
AL 20
AL 21
AL 23
AL 25
AL 26
AL 27
AL 28
AL 29
AL 30
AL 32
AL 35
AL 36
AL 37
AL 39
AL 44
AL 46
AL 47
AL 48
AK 2
AK 5
AK 6
AK 11
AZ 13
AZ 20
AZ 23
AZ 27
AZ 30
AR 9
AR 10
AR 11
AR 12
AR 13
AR 15
AR 18
AR 21
AR 22
AR 23
AR 24
AR 26
AR 27
AR 28
AR 29
AR 33
CA 6
CA 16
CO 7
CO 14
CO 15
CO 16
CO 18
CO 20
CO 22
CO 29
CO 31
CO 32
CO 33
CO 34
CO 37
CO 38
CO 39
CO 40
CO 42
DE 2
FL 14
FL 15
FL 16
FL 17
FL 22
FL 23
FL 24
FL 28
FL 29
FL 30
FL 33
FL 34
FL 35
GA 7
GA 8
GA 17
GA 20
GA 22
GA 31
GA 34
GA 35
GA 37
GA 39
GA 42
GA 45
GA 58
GA 65
GA 66
GA 67
GA 68
GA 69
GA 73
GA 74
GA 75
GA 77
GA 78
GA 81
GA 83
GA 84
GA 86
GA 87
GA 88
GA 90
GA 91
GA 92
GA 94
GA 95
GA 96
GA 97
GA 98
GA 99
GA 103
GA 108
ID 4
ID 11
ID 16
ID 19
ID 23
IL 2
IL 7
IL 8
IL 18
IL 21
IL 23
IL 30
IL 31
IL 32
IL 33
IL 34
IL 37
IL 38
IL 41
IL 43
IL 44
IL 45
IL 46
IL 48
IL 54
IN 1
IN 6
IN 7
IN 8
IN 14
IN 18
IN 26
IN 27
IN 29
IN 32
IN 35
IN 37
IN 38
IN 40
IN 42
IN 46
IN 47
IN 52
IN 53
IN 55
IN 60
IN 70
IN 80
IN 81
IN 83
IN 87
IN 88
IN 89
IN 92
IN 99
IN 100
IN 108
IN 109

[[Page 48875]]

IA 2
IA 3
IA 5
IA 7
IA 9
IA 14
IA 15
IA 16
IA 23
IA 26
IA 30
IA 31
IA 32
IA 33
IA 34
IA 36
IA 39
IA 40
IA 41
IA 50
IA 51
IA 52
IA 53
IA 56
IA 57
IA 59
IA 62
IA 67
IA 69
IA 70
IA 71
IA 74
IA 75
IA 77
IA 82
IA 92
IA 93
KS 7
KS 13
KS 15
KS 18
KS 21
KS 22
KS 24
KS 27
KS 30
KS 31
KS 33
KS 41
KS 42
KS 47
KS 48
KS 56
KY 3
KY 18
KY 20
KY 21
KY 23
KY 26
KY 27
KY 30
KY 33
KY 34
KY 35
KY 37
KY 38
KY 40
KY 45
KY 50
KY 51
KY 52
KY 54
KY 55
KY 56
KY 57
KY 58
KY 61
LA 6
LA 7
LA 8
LA 9
LA 12
LA 17
LA 19
LA 20
MD 7
MI 5
MI 26
MI 33
MI 37
MI 40
MI 41
MI 43
MI 44
MI 45
MN 1
MN 3
MN 4
MN 9
MN 10
MN 12
MN 18
MN 25
MN 32
MN 34
MN 35
MN 37
MN 39
MN 48
MN 53
MN 55
MN 56
MN 57
MN 58
MN 59
MN 60
MN 61
MN 62
MN 63
MN 65
MN 66
MN 72
MN 73
MN 74
MN 75
MN 79
MN 80
MN 81
MN 82
MN 83
MN 84
MN 85
MN 87
MN 95
MN 96
MN 97
MN 101
MN 108
MS 1
MS 21
MS 22
MS 23
MS 24
MS 26
MS 28
MS 29
MS 30
MS 31
MS 34
MS 36
MS 39
MS 40
MS 41
MS 43
MS 45
MS 48
MS 49
MS 50
MO 12
MO 18
MO 19
MO 20
MO 22
MO 23
MO 24
MO 26
MO 27
MO 28
MO 30
MO 31
MO 32
MO 33
MO 34
MO 36
MO 37
MO 38
MO 40
MO 41
MO 42
MO 43
MO 44
MO 45
MO 46
MO 47
MO 48
MO 49
MO 50
MO 51
MO 53
MO 54
MO 55
MO 58
MO 66
MO 67
MO 68
MO 69
MO 70
MO 71
MO 72
MT 1
MT 2
MT 9
MT 10
MT 12
MT 13
MT 15
MT 17

[[Page 48876]]

MT 19
MT 21
MT 24
MT 25
MT 26
MT 27
MT 30
MT 31
MT 33
MT 36
NE 3
NE 4
NE 51
NE 59
NE 62
NE 63
NE 65
NE 66
NE 77
NE 78
NE 84
NE 85
NE 97
NE 98
NV 4
NV 15
NV 18
NJ 6
NM 4
NM 8
NM 9
NM 11
NM 20
NM 21
NM 22
NM 23
NM 28
NY 19
NY 20
NY 21
NY 24
NC 10
NC 14
NC 16
NC 21
NC 23
NC 25
NC 31
NC 32
NC 33
NC 34
NC 35
NC 36
NC 38
NC 39
NC 40
NC 43
NC 46
NC 49
NC 50
NC 51
NC 52
NC 55
NC 58
NC 59
NC 64
NC 66
NC 68
ND 8
ND 21
ND 28
ND 31
ND 32
ND 33
ND 34
ND 35
ND 38
OH 1
OH 24
OH 30
OH 31
OH 33
OH 39
OH 42
OH 50
OH 55
OH 56
OH 59
OH 60
OH 65
OH 71
OH 74
OH 75
OH 83
OH 84
OH 85
OH 86
OH 87
OH 88
OH 93
OH 94
OK 1
OK 6
OK 12
OK 14
OK 15
OK 18
OK 19
OK 20
OK 21
OK 22
OK 23
OK 24
OK 25
OK 27
OK 28
OK 29
OK 30
OK 31
OK 33
OK 34
OK 35
OK 37
OR 2
OR 4
OR 14
OR 18
OR 21
OR 25
OR 26
OR 39
OR 41
PA 4
PA 6
PA 12
PA 15
PA 17
PA 19
PA 20
PA 21
PA 24
PA 25
PA 28
SC 14
SC 19
SC 21
SC 22
SC 23
SC 26
SC 27
SC 28
SC 29
SC 30
SC 31
SC 32
SC 33
SC 34
SC 35
SC 38
SC 40
SC 41
SD 3
SD 6
SD 7
SD 11
SD 13
SD 16
SD 17
SD 18
SD 19
SD 21
SD 23
SD 25
SD 26
SD 27
SD 28
SD 29
SD 30
SD 31
SD 32
SD 33
SD 35
SD 36
SD 39
SD 40
SD 41
SD 42
TN 1
TN 9
TN 16
TN 17
TN 19
TN 20
TN 21
TN 23
TN 24
TN 25
TN 26
TN 31
TN 32
TN 34
TN 35
TN 36
TN 37
TN 38
TN 45
TN 46

[[Page 48877]]

TN 48
TN 49
TN 51
TN 60
TX 7
TX 11
TX 21
TX 23
TX 30
TX 38
TX 40
TX 41
TX 48
TX 50
TX 52
TX 53
TX 54
TX 55
TX 56
TX 58
TX 59
TX 60
TX 62
TX 63
TX 64
TX 65
TX 67
TX 69
TX 70
TX 71
TX 72
TX 75
TX 77
TX 78
TX 83
TX 85
TX 86
TX 87
TX 88
TX 91
TX 93
TX 95
TX 96
TX 97
TX 99
TX 102
TX 106
TX 108
TX 113
TX 114
TX 118
TX 122
TX 123
TX 124
TX 125
TX 135
TX 145
TX 149
UT 6
UT 8
UT 11
UT 20
VT 8
VA 2
VA 11
VA 27
VA 28
VA 29
VA 30
VA 31
VA 34
VA 36
VA 37
VA 39
VA 54
VA 55
WA 8
WA 17
WA 20
WA 28
WA 32
WA 36
WA 39
WA 46
WA 47
WA 48
WI 14
WI 19
WI 21
WI 25
WI 27
WI 29
WI 32
WI 35
WI 37
WI 38
WI 40
WI 41
WI 43
WI 47
WI 49
WI 51
WI 52
WI 53
WI 54
WI 55
WI 66
WY 3
WY 5
WY 6
WY 10
WY 11
WY 12
WY 14
WY 25

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1717

    Administrative practice and procedure, Electric power, Electric 
power rates, Electric utilities, Intergovernmental relations, 
Investments, Loan programs-energy, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rural areas.
    For the reasons stated, subpart N of 7 CFR part 1717 is revised to 
read as follows:

PART 1717--POST-LOAN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES COMMON TO INSURED AND 
GUARANTEED ELECTRIC LOANS

Subpart N--Investments, Loans, and Guarantees by Electric Borrowers

Sec.
1717.650  Purpose.
1717.651  General.
1717.652  Definitions.
1717.653  Borrowers in default.
1717.654  Transactions below the 15 percent level.
1717.655  Exclusion of certain investments, loans, and guarantees.
1717.656  Exemption of certain borrowers from controls.
1717.657  Investments above the 15 percent level by certain 
borrowers not exempt under Sec. 1717.656(a).
1717.658  Records, reports and audits.
1717.659  Effect of this subpart on RUS loan contract and mortgage.

Subpart N--Investments, Loans, and Guarantees by Electric Borrowers

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901-950b; Pub.L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178 (7 
U.S.C. 6941 et seq.); Title I, Subtitle D, Pub.L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 
1330.


Sec. 1717.650  Purpose.

    This subpart sets forth general regulations for implementing and 
interpreting provisions of the RUS mortgage and loan contract regarding 
investments, loans, and guarantees made by electric borrowers, as well 
as the provisions of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, 
including section 312 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (RE Act), permitting, in 
certain circumstances, that electric borrowers under the RE Act may, 
without restriction or prior approval of the Administrator of the Rural 
Utilities Service (RUS), invest their own funds and make loans or 
guarantees.


Sec. 1717.651  General.

    (a) Policy. RUS electric borrowers are encouraged to utilize their 
own funds to participate in the economic development of rural areas, 
provided that such activity does not in any way put government funds at 
risk or impair a borrower's ability to repay its indebtedness to RUS 
and other lenders. In considering whether to make loans, investments, 
or guarantees, borrowers are expected to act in accordance with prudent 
business practices and in conformity with the laws of the jurisdictions 
in which they serve. RUS assumes that borrowers will use the latitude 
afforded them by section 312 of the RE Act primarily to make needed 
investments in rural community infrastructure projects (such as water 
and waste systems, garbage collection services, etc.) and in job 
creation activities (such as providing technical, financial, and 
managerial assistance) and other activities to promote business 
development and economic diversification in rural communities. 
Nonetheless, RUS believes that borrowers should continue to give 
primary consideration to safety and 

[[Page 48878]]
liquidity in the management of their funds.
    (b) Applicability of this subpart. This subpart applies to all 
distribution and power supply borrowers regardless of when their loan 
contract or mortgage was executed.


Sec. 1717.652  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart:
    Borrower means any organization that has an outstanding loan made 
or guaranteed by RUS for rural electrification.
    Cash-construction fund-trustee account means the account described 
in the Uniform System of Accounts as one to which funds are deposited 
for financing the construction or purchase of electric facilities.
    Distribution borrower means a Distribution Borrower as defined in 7 
CFR 1710.2.
    Electric system means all of the borrower's interests in all 
electric production, transmission, distribution, conservation, load 
management, general plant and other related facilities, equipment or 
property and in any mine, well, pipeline, plant, structure or other 
facility for the development, production, manufacture, storage, 
fabrication or processing of fossil, nuclear, or other fuel or in any 
facility or rights with respect to the supply of water, in each case 
for use, in whole or in major part, in any of the borrower's generating 
plants, including any interest or participation of the borrower in any 
such facilities or any rights to the output or capacity thereof, 
together with all lands, easements, rights-of-way, other works, 
property, structures, contract rights and other tangible and intangible 
assets of the borrower in each case used or useful in such electric 
system.
    Equity means the Margins and Equities of the borrower as defined in 
the Uniform System of Accounts, less regulatory created assets.
    Guarantee means to undertake collaterally to answer for the payment 
of another's debt or the performance of another's duty, liability, or 
obligation, including, without limitation, the obligations of 
subsidiaries. Some examples of such guarantees include guarantees of 
payment or collection on a note or other debt instrument (assuring 
returns on investments); issuing performance bonds or completion bonds; 
or cosigning leases or other obligations of third parties.
    Invest means to commit money in order to earn a financial return on 
assets, including, without limitation, all investments properly 
recorded on the borrower's books and records in investment accounts as 
those accounts are used in the Uniform System of Accounts for RUS 
Borrowers. Borrowers may submit any proposed transaction to RUS for an 
interpretation of whether the action is an investment for the purposes 
of this definition.
    Make loans means to lend out money for temporary use on condition 
of repayment, usually with interest.
    Mortgaged property means any asset of the borrower which is pledged 
in the RUS mortgage.
    Natural gas distribution system means any system of community 
infrastructure that distributes natural gas and whose services are 
available by design to all or a substantial portion of the members of 
the community.
    Operating DSC means Operating Debt Service Coverage (ODSC) of the 
borrower's electric system calculated as:
[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TR21SE95.001

where:

    All amounts are for the same year and are based on the RUS 
system of accounts;

A=Depreciation and Amortization Expense of the electric system;
B=Interest on Long-term Debt of the electric system, except that 
Interest on Long-term Debt shall be increased by \1/3\ of the 
amount, if any, by which the rentals of Restricted Property of the 
electric system exceed 2 percent of Total Margins and Equities;
C=Patronage Capital & Operating Margins of the electric system 
(distribution borrowers) or Operating Margins of the electric system 
(power supply borrowers); and
D=Debt Service Billed (RUS + other) which equals all interest and 
principal billed or billable during the calendar year for long-term 
debt of the electric system plus \1/3\ of the amount, if any, by 
which the rentals of Restricted Property of the electric system 
exceed 2 percent of Total Margins and Equities. Unless otherwise 
indicated, all terms used in defining ODSC and OTIER are as defined 
in RUS Bulletin 1717B-2 Instructions for the Preparation of the 
Financial and Statistical Report for Electric Distribution 
Borrowers, and RUS Bulletin 1717B-3 Instructions for the Preparation 
of the Operating Report for Power Supply Borrowers and for 
Distribution Borrowers with Generating Facilities, or the successors 
to these bulletins.

    Operating TIER means Operating Times Interest Earned Ratio (OTIER) 
of the borrower's electric system calculated as:
[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TR21SE95.002

where:

    All amounts are for the same year and are based on the RUS 
system of accounts;

A=Interest on Long-term Debt of the electric system, except that 
Interest on Long-term Debt shall be increased by 1/3 of the amount, 
if any, by which the rentals of Restricted Property of the electric 
system exceed 2 percent of Total Margins and Equities; and
B=Patronage Capital & Operating Margins of the electric system 
(distribution borrowers) or Operating Margins of the electric system 
(power supply borrowers).

    Own funds means money belonging to the borrower other than funds on 
deposit in the cash-construction fund-trustee account.
    Power supply borrower means a Power Supply Borrower as defined in 7 
CFR 1710.2.
    Regulatory created assets means the sum of the amounts properly 
recordable in Account 182.2 Unrecovered Plant and Regulatory Study 
Costs, and Account 182.3 Other Regulatory Assets of the Uniform System 
of Accounts.
    RUS means the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture established pursuant to Section 232 of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 
6941 et seq.) and, for purposes of this subpart, includes its 
predecessor, the Rural Electrification Administration.
    RUS loan contract means the loan contract between the borrower and 
RUS.
    RUS mortgage means any and all instruments creating a lien on or 
security interest in the borrower's assets in connection with loans or 
guarantees under the RE Act.
    Solid waste disposal system means any system of community 
infrastructure that provides collection and/or disposal of solid waste 
and whose services are available by design to all or a substantial 
portion of the members of the community.
    Subsidiary means a company which is controlled by the borrower 
through ownership of voting stock, and is further defined in 7 CFR 
1767.10.
    Supplemental lender means a lender that has provided a supplemental 
source of financing that is secured by the RUS mortgage.
    Telecommunication and other electronic communication system means 
any community infrastructure that provides telecommunication or other 
electronic communication services and whose services are available by 
design to all or a substantial portion of the members of the community.
    Total assets means the total assets of the borrower as calculated 
according to 

[[Page 48879]]
the Uniform System of Accounts, less regulatory created assets.
    Total utility plant means the sum of the borrower's Electric Plant 
Accounts and Construction Work in Progress--Electric Accounts, as such 
terms are used in the Uniform System of Accounts.
    Uniform System of Accounts means the system of accounts prescribed 
for RUS borrowers in 7 CFR part 1767.
    Water and waste disposal system means any system of community 
infrastructure that supplies water and/or collects and treats waste 
water and whose services are available by design to all or a 
substantial portion of the members of the community.


Sec. 1717.653  Borrowers in default.

    Any borrower not in compliance with all provisions of its mortgage, 
loan contract, or any other agreements with RUS must, unless the 
borrower's mortgage, loan contract, or other agreement with RUS 
specifically provides otherwise with respect to such a borrower:
    (a) Obtain prior written approval from the Administrator to invest 
its own funds or to make loans or guarantees regardless of the 
aggregate amount of such investments, loans, or guarantees; and
    (b) If requested by the Administrator, restructure or reduce the 
amount of its investments, loans, and guarantees to a level determined 
by the Administrator, in his or her sole discretion, to be in the 
financial interest of the government with respect to loan security and/
or repayment. If the borrower does not so restructure or reduce its 
portfolio within a reasonable period of time determined by the 
Administrator, which shall not exceed 12 months from the date the 
borrower was notified of the required action, then, upon written notice 
from RUS, the borrower shall be in default of its RUS loan contract and 
mortgage.


Sec. 1717.654  Transactions below the 15 percent level.

    (a) A borrower in compliance with all provisions of its RUS 
mortgage, RUS loan contract, and any other agreements with RUS may, 
without prior written approval of the Administrator, invest its own 
funds or make loans or guarantees not in excess of 15 percent of its 
total utility plant without regard to any provision contained in any 
RUS mortgage or RUS loan contract to the effect that the borrower must 
obtain prior approval from RUS, provided, however, that the borrower 
may not, without the prior written approval of the Administrator, make 
such investments, loans, and guarantees to extend, add to, or modify 
its electric system. Moreover, funds necessary to make timely payments 
of principal and interest on loans secured by the RUS mortgage remain 
subject to RUS controls on borrower investments, loans and guarantees.
    (b) RUS will not consider requests from borrowers to exclude 
investments, loans, or guarantees made below the 15 percent level. 
(Categorical exclusions are set forth in Sec. 1717.655.)


Sec. 1717.655  Exclusion of certain investments, loans, and guarantees.

    (a) In calculating the amount of investments, loans and guarantees 
permitted under this subpart, there is excluded from the computation 
any investment, loan or guarantee of the type which by the terms of the 
borrower's RUS mortgage or RUS loan contract the borrower may make in 
unlimited amounts without RUS approval.
    (b) Furthermore, the borrower may make unlimited investments, 
without prior approval of the Administrator, in:
    (1) Securities or deposits issued, guaranteed or fully insured as 
to payment by the United States Government or any agency thereof;
    (2) Capital term certificates, bank stock, or other similar 
securities of the supplemental lender which have been purchased as a 
condition of membership in the supplemental lender, or as a condition 
of receiving financial assistance from such lender, as well as any 
other investment made in, or loans made to, the National Rural 
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the Saint Paul Bank for 
Cooperatives, and CoBank, ACB;
    (3) Patronage capital allocated from an electric power supply 
cooperative of which the borrower is a member; and
    (4) Patronage capital allocated from an electric distribution 
cooperative to a power supply borrower.
    (c) Without prior approval of the Administrator, the borrower may 
also:
    (1) Invest or lend funds derived directly from:
    (i) Grants which the borrower in not obligated to repay, regardless 
of the source or purpose of the grant; and
    (ii) Loans received from or guaranteed by any Federal, State or 
local government program designed to promote rural economic 
development, provided that the borrower uses the loan proceeds for such 
purpose;
    (2) Make loans guaranteed by an agency of USDA, up to the amount of 
principal whose repayment, with interest, is fully guaranteed; and
    (3) (i) Make unlimited investments in and unlimited loans to 
finance the following community infrastructure that serves primarily 
consumers located in rural areas as defined in 7 CFR 1710.2, and 
guarantee debt issued for the construction or acquisition of such 
infrastructure, up to an aggregate amount of such guarantees not to 
exceed 20 percent of the borrower's equity:
    (A) Water and waste disposal systems;
    (B) Solid waste disposal systems;
    (C) Telecommunication and other electronic communication systems; 
and
    (D) Natural gas distribution systems.
    (ii) In each of the four cases in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
section, if the system is a component of a larger organization other 
than the borrower itself (e.g., if it is a component of a subsidiary of 
the borrower or a corporation independent of the borrower), to be 
eligible for the exemption the borrower must certify annually that a 
majority of the gross revenues of the larger organization during the 
most recent fiscal year came from customers of said system who were 
located in a rural area.
    (d) Also excluded from the calculation of investments, loans and 
guarantees made by the borrower are:
    (1) Amounts properly recordable in Account 142 Customer Accounts 
Receivable, and Account 143 Other Accounts Receivable;
    (2) Any investment, loan, or guarantee that the borrower is 
required to make by an agency of USDA, for example, as a condition of 
obtaining financial assistance for itself or any other person or 
organization;
    (3) Investments included in an irrevocable trust for the purpose of 
funding post-retirement benefits of the borrower's employees;
    (4) Reserves required by a reserve bond agreement or other 
agreement legally binding on the borrower, that are dedicated to making 
required payments on debt secured under the RUS mortgage, not to exceed 
the amount of reserves specifically required by such agreements; and
    (5) Investments included in an irrevocable trust approved by RUS 
and dedicated to the payment of decommissioning costs of nuclear 
facilities of the borrower.
    (e) Grandfathered exclusions. All amounts of individual 
investments, loans, and guarantees excluded by RUS as of February 16, 
1995 shall remain excluded. Such exclusions must have been based on the 
RUS mortgage, RUS loan contract, regulations, bulletins, memoranda, or 
other written notice from RUS. Profits, interest, and other returns 
earned (regardless of whether or not they are reinvested) on such 
investments, loans and guarantees after 

[[Page 48880]]
February 16, 1995 shall be excluded only if they are eligible for 
exclusion under paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. Any new 
commitments of money to such investments, loans and guarantees shall 
likewise be excluded only if they are eligible under paragraphs (a) 
through (d) of this section.
    (f) Any investment, loan or guarantee made by a borrower that is 
not excluded under this section or under Sec. 1717.657(d) shall be 
included in the aggregate amount of investments, loans and guarantees 
made by the borrower, regardless of whether RUS has specifically 
approved the investment, loan or guarantee under Sec. 1717.657(c), or 
has approved a related transaction (e.g., a lien accommodation).


Sec. 1717.656  Exemption of certain borrowers from controls.

    (a) Any distribution or power supply borrower that meets all of the 
following criteria is exempted from the provisions of the RUS mortgage 
and loan contract that require RUS approval of investments, loans, and 
guarantees, except investments, loans, and guarantees made to extend, 
add to, or modify the borrower's electric system:
    (1) The borrower is in compliance with all provisions of its RUS 
mortgage, RUS loan contract, and any other agreements with RUS;
    (2) The average revenue per kWh for residential service received by 
the borrower during the two most recent calendar years does not exceed 
130 percent of the average revenue per kWh for residential service 
during the same period for all residential consumers located in the 
state or states served by the borrower. This criterion applies only to 
distribution borrowers and does not apply to power supply borrowers. If 
a borrower serves customers in more than one state, the state average 
revenue per kWh will be based on a weighted average using the kWh sales 
by the borrower in each state as the weight. The calculation will be 
based on the two most recent calendar years for which both borrower and 
state-wide data are available. If a borrower fails to qualify for an 
exemption based solely on its failure to meet this criterion on rate 
disparity, at the borrower's request the Administrator may, at his or 
her sole discretion, exempt the borrower if he or she finds that the 
borrower's strengths with respect to the other criteria are sufficient 
to offset any weakness due to rate disparity;
    (3) In the most recent calendar year for which data are available, 
the borrower achieved an operating TIER of at least 1.0 and an 
operating DSC of at least 1.0, in each case based on the average of the 
two highest ratios achieved in the three most recent calendar years;
    (4) The borrower's ratio of net utility plant to long-term debt is 
at least 1.1, based on year-end data for the most recent calendar year 
for which data are available; and
    (5) The borrower's equity is equal to at least 27 percent of its 
total assets, based on year-end data for the most recent calendar year 
for which data are available.
    (b) While borrowers meeting the criteria in paragraph (a) of this 
section are exempt from RUS approval of investments, loans and 
guarantees, they are nevertheless subject to the record-keeping, 
reporting, and other requirements of Sec. 1717.658.
    (c) Any borrower exempt under paragraph (a) of this section that 
ceases to meet the criteria for exemption shall, upon written notice 
from RUS, no longer be exempt and shall be subject to the provisions of 
this subpart applicable to non-exempt borrowers. A borrower may regain 
its exemption if it subsequently meets the criteria in paragraph (a) of 
this section, and is so notified in writing by RUS.
    (d)(1) A borrower that loses its exemption and is not in compliance 
with all provisions of its mortgage, loan contract, or any other 
agreement with RUS may be required to restructure or reduce its 
portfolio of investments, loans and guarantees as provided in 
Sec. 1717.653(b). If the borrower's portfolio exceeds the 15 percent 
level, the borrower will be required to restructure or reduce its 
portfolio to the 15 percent level or below. For example, if the 
borrower's mortgage or loan contract has an approval threshold, the 
borrower may be required to reduce its portfolio to that level, which 
in many cases is 3 percent of total utility plant.
    (2) A borrower that loses its exemption but is in compliance with 
all provisions of its mortgage, loan contract, and any other agreements 
with RUS will be required, if its investments, loans and guarantees 
exceed the 15 percent level, to restructure or reduce its portfolio to 
the 15 percent level, unless the Administrator, in his or her sole 
discretion, determines that such action would not be in the financial 
interest of the government with respect to loan security and/or 
repayment. (Such borrower is eligible to ask RUS to exclude a portion 
of its investments under the conditions set forth in Sec. 1717.657(d).)
    (3) If a borrower required to reduce or restructure its portfolio 
does not fully comply within a reasonable period of time determined by 
the Administrator, which shall not exceed 12 months from the date the 
borrower was notified of its loss of exemption, then, upon written 
notice from RUS, the borrower shall be in default of its RUS loan 
contract and/or RUS mortgage.
    (e) By no later than July 1 of each year, RUS will provide written 
notice to any borrowers whose exemption status has changed as a result 
of more recent data being available for the qualification criteria set 
forth in paragraph (a) of this section, or as a result of other 
reasons, such as corrections in the available data. An explanation of 
the reasons for any changes in exemption status will also be provided 
to the borrowers affected.


Sec. 1717.657  Investments above the 15 percent level by certain 
borrowers not exempt under Sec. 1717.656(a).

    (a) General. (1) This section applies only to borrowers that are in 
compliance with all provisions of their mortgage, loan contract, and 
any other agreements with RUS and that do not qualify for an exemption 
from RUS investment controls under Sec. 1717.656(a).
    (2) Nothing in this section shall in any way affect the 
Administrator's authority to exercise approval rights over investments, 
loans, and guarantees made by a borrower that is not in compliance with 
all provisions of its mortgage, loan contract and any other agreements 
with RUS.
    (b) Distribution borrowers. Distribution borrowers not exempt from 
RUS investment controls under Sec. 1717.656(a) may not make 
investments, loans and guarantees in an aggregate amount in excess of 
15 percent of total utility plant. Above the 15 percent level, such 
borrowers will be restricted to excluded investments, loans and 
guarantees as defined in Sec. 1717.655. (However, they are eligible to 
ask RUS to exclude a portion of their investments under the conditions 
set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.)
    (c) Power supply borrowers. (1) Power supply borrowers not exempt 
from RUS investment controls under Sec. 1717.656(a) may request 
approval to exceed the 15 percent level if all of the following 
criteria are met:
    (i) Satisfactory evidence has been provided that the borrower is in 
compliance with all provisions of its RUS mortgage, RUS loan contract, 
and any other agreements with RUS;
    (ii) The borrower is not in financial workout and has not had its 
government debt restructured;
    (iii) The borrower has equity equal to at least 5 percent of its 
total assets; and
    (iv) After approval of the investment, loan or guarantee, the 
aggregate of the 

[[Page 48881]]
borrower's investments, loans and guarantees will not exceed 20 percent 
of the borrower's total utility plant.
    (2) Borrower requests for approval to exceed the 15 percent level 
will be considered on a case by case basis. The requests must be made 
in writing.
    (3) In considering borrower requests, the Administrator will take 
the following factors into consideration:
    (i) The repayment of all loans secured under the RUS mortgage will 
continue to be assured, and loan security must continue to be 
reasonably adequate, even if the entire investment or loan is lost or 
the borrower is required to perform for the entire amount of the 
guarantee. These risks will be considered along with all other risks 
facing the borrower, whether or not related to the investment, loan or 
guarantee;
    (ii) In the case of investments, the investment must be made in an 
entity separate from the borrower, such as a subsidiary, whereby the 
borrower is protected from any liabilities incurred by the separate 
entity, unless the borrower demonstrates to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator that making the investment directly rather than through a 
separate entity will present no substantial risk to the borrower in 
addition to the possibility of losing all or part of the original 
investment;
    (iii) The borrower must be economically and financially sound as 
indicated by its costs of operation, competitiveness, operating TIER 
and operating DSC, physical condition of the plant, ratio of equity to 
total assets, ratio of net utility plant to long-term debt, and other 
factors; and
    (iv) Other factors affecting the security and repayment of 
government debt, as determined by the Administrator on a case by case 
basis.
    (4) If the Administrator approves an investment, loan or guarantee, 
such investment, loan or guarantee will continue to be included when 
calculating the borrower's ratio of aggregate investments, loans and 
guarantees to total utility plant.
    (d) Distribution and power supply borrowers. If the aggregate of 
the investments, loans and guarantees of a distribution or power supply 
borrower exceeds 15 percent of the borrower's total utility plant as a 
result of the cumulative profits or margins, net of losses, earned on 
said transactions over the past 10 calendar years (i.e., the sum of all 
profits earned during the 10 years on all transactions--including 
interest earned on cash accounts, loans, and similar transactions--less 
the sum of all losses experienced on all transactions during the 10 
years) then:
    (1) The borrower will not be in default of the RUS loan contract or 
RUS mortgage with respect to required approval of investments, loans 
and guarantees, provided that the borrower had not made additional net 
investments, loans or guarantees without approval after reaching the 15 
percent level; and
    (2) At the request of the borrower, the Administrator in his or her 
sole discretion may decide to exclude up to the amount of net profits 
or margins earned on the borrower's investments, loans and guarantees 
during the past 10 calendar years, if the Administrator determines that 
such exclusion will not increase loan security risks. The borrower must 
provide documentation satisfactory to the Administrator as to the 
current status of its investments, loans and guarantees and the net 
profits earned during the past 10 years. Any exclusion approved by the 
Administrator may or may not reduce the level of investments, loans and 
guarantees to or below the 15 percent level. If such exclusion does not 
reduce the level to or below the 15 percent level, RUS will notify the 
borrower in writing that it must reduce or restructure its investments, 
loans and guarantees to a level of not more than 15 percent of total 
utility plant. If the borrower does not come within the 15 percent 
level within a reasonable period of time determined by the 
Administrator, which shall not exceed 12 months from the date the 
borrower was notified of the required action, then, upon written notice 
from RUS, the borrower shall be in default of its RUS loan contract and 
mortgage.


Sec. 1717.658  Records, reports and audits.

    (a) Every borrower shall maintain accurate records concerning all 
investments, loans and guarantees made by it. Such records shall be 
kept in a manner that will enable RUS to readily determine:
    (1) The nature and source of all income, expenses and losses 
generated from the borrower's loans, guarantees and investments;
    (2) The location, identity and lien priority of any loan collateral 
resulting from activities permitted by this subpart; and
    (3) The effects, if any, which such activities may have on the 
feasibility of loans made, guaranteed or lien accommodated by RUS.
    (b) In determining the aggregate amount of investments, loans and 
guarantees made by a borrower, the borrower shall use the recorded 
value of each investment, loan or guarantee as reflected on its books 
and records for the next preceding end-of-month, except for the end-of-
year report which shall be based on December 31 information. Every 
borrower shall also report annually to RUS, in the manner and on the 
form specified by the Administrator, the current status of each 
investment, outstanding loan and outstanding guarantee which it has 
made pursuant to this subpart.
    (c) The records of borrowers shall be subject to the auditing 
procedures prescribed in part 1773 of this chapter. RUS reserves the 
right to review the financial records of any subsidiaries of the 
borrower to determine if the borrower is in compliance with this 
subpart, and to ascertain if the debts, guarantees (as defined in this 
subpart), or other obligations of the subsidiaries could adversely 
affect the ability of the borrower to repay its debts to the 
Government.
    (d) RUS will monitor borrower compliance with this subpart based 
primarily on the annual financial and statistical report submitted by 
the borrower to RUS and the annual auditor's report on the borrower's 
operations. However, RUS may inspect the borrower's records at any time 
during the year to determine borrower compliance. If a borrower's most 
recent annual financial and statistical report shows the aggregate of 
the borrower's investments, loans and guarantees to be below the 15 
percent level, that in no way relieves the borrower of its obligation 
to comply with its RUS mortgage, RUS loan contract, and this subpart 
with respect to Administrator approval of any additional investment, 
loan or guarantee that would cause the aggregate to exceed the 15 
percent level.


Sec. 1717.659  Effect of this subpart on RUS loan contract and 
mortgage.

    (a) Nothing in this subpart shall affect any provision, covenant, 
or requirement in the RUS mortgage, RUS loan contract, or any other 
agreement between a borrower and RUS with respect to any matter other 
than the prior approval by RUS of investments, loans, and guarantees by 
the borrower, such matters including, without limitation, extensions, 
additions, and modifications of the borrower's electric system. Also, 
nothing in this subpart shall affect any rights which supplemental 
lenders have under the RUS mortgage, or under their loan contracts or 
other agreements with their borrowers, to limit investments, loans and 
guarantees by their borrowers to levels below 15 percent of total 
utility plant. 

[[Page 48882]]

    (b) RUS will require that any electric loan made or guaranteed by 
RUS after October 23, 1995 shall be subject to a provision in the loan 
contract or mortgage restricting investments, loans and guarantees by 
the borrower substantially as follows: The borrower shall not make any 
loan or advance to, or make any investment in, or purchase or make any 
commitment to purchase any stock, bonds, notes or other securities of, 
or guaranty, assume or otherwise become obligated or liable with 
respect to the obligations of, any other person, firm or corporation, 
except as permitted by the RE Act and RUS regulations.
    (c) RUS reserves the right to change the provisions of the RUS 
mortgage and loan contract relating to RUS approval of investments, 
loans and guarantees made by the borrower, on a case-by-case basis, in 
connection with providing additional financial assistance to a borrower 
after October 23, 1995.

    Dated: September 15, 1995.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Economic and Community Development.
[FR Doc. 95-23380 Filed 9-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P