SUBCHAPTER III—LICENSEES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
§825. Accounts and records
(a) Duty to keep
Every licensee and public utility shall make, keep, and preserve for such periods, such accounts, records of cost-accounting procedures, correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, and other records as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe as necessary or appropriate for purposes of the administration of this chapter, including accounts, records, and memoranda of the generation, transmission, distribution, delivery, or sale of electric energy, the furnishing of services or facilities in connection therewith, and receipts and expenditures with respect to any of the foregoing: Provided, however, That nothing in this chapter shall relieve any public utility from keeping any accounts, memoranda, or records which such public utility may be required to keep by or under authority of the laws of any State. The Commission may prescribe a system of accounts to be kept by licensees and public utilities and may classify such licensees and public utilities and prescribe a system of accounts for each class. The Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may determine by order the accounts in which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered, charged, or credited. The burden of proof to justify every accounting entry questioned by the Commission shall be on the person making, authorizing, or requiring such entry, and the Commission may suspend a charge or credit pending submission of satisfactory proof in support thereof.
(b) Access to and examination by the Commission
The Commission shall at all times have access to and the right to inspect and examine all accounts, records, and memoranda of licensees and public utilities, and it shall be the duty of such licensees and public utilities to furnish to the Commission, within such reasonable time as the Commission may order, any information with respect thereto which the Commission may by order require, including copies of maps, contracts, reports of engineers, and other data, records, and papers, and to grant to all agents of the Commission free access to its property and its accounts, records, and memoranda when requested so to do. No member, officer, or employee of the Commission shall divulge any fact or information which may come to his knowledge during the course of examination of books or other accounts, as hereinbefore provided, except insofar as he may be directed by the Commission or by a court.
(c) Controlling individual
The books, accounts, memoranda, and records of any person who controls, directly or indirectly, a licensee or public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and of any other company controlled by such person, insofar as they relate to transactions with or the business of such licensee or public utility, shall be subject to examination on the order of the Commission.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §301, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825a. Rates of depreciation; notice to State authorities before fixing
(a) The Commission may, after hearing, require licensees and public utilities to carry a proper and adequate depreciation account in accordance with such rules, regulations, and forms of account as the Commission may prescribe. The Commission may, from time to time, ascertain and determine, and by order fix, the proper and adequate rates of depreciation of the several classes of property of each licensee and public utility. Each licensee and public utility shall conform its depreciation accounts to the rates so ascertained, determined, and fixed. The licensees and public utilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall not charge to operating expenses any depreciation charges on classes of property other than those prescribed by the Commission, or charge with respect to any class of property a percentage of depreciation other than that prescribed therefor by the Commission. No such licensee or public utility shall in any case include in any form under its operating or other expenses any depreciation or other charge or expenditure included elsewhere as a depreciation charge or otherwise under its operating or other expenses. Nothing in this section shall limit the power of a State commission to determine in the exercise of its jurisdiction, with respect to any public utility, the percentage rate of depreciation to be allowed, as to any class of property of such public utility, or the composite depreciation rate, for the purpose of determining rates or charges.
(b) The Commission, before prescribing any rules or requirements as to accounts, records, or memoranda, or as to depreciation rates, shall notify each State commission having jurisdiction with respect to any public utility involved, and shall give reasonable opportunity to each such commission to present its views, and shall receive and consider such views and recommendations.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §302, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825b. Requirements applicable to agencies of United States
All agencies of the United States engaged in the generation and sale of electric energy for ultimate distribution to the public shall be subject, as to all facilities used for such generation and sale, and as to the electric energy sold by such agency, to the provisions of
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §303, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825c. Periodic and special reports; obstructing filing reports or keeping accounts, etc.
(a) Every licensee and every public utility shall file with the Commission such annual and other periodic or special reports as the Commission may by rules and regulations or order prescribe as necessary or appropriate to assist the Commission in the proper administration of this chapter. The Commission may prescribe the manner and form in which such reports shall be made, and require from such persons specific answers to all questions upon which the Commission may need information. The Commission may require that such reports shall include, among other things, full information as to assets and liabilities, capitalization, net investment, and reduction thereof, gross receipts, interest due and paid, depreciation, and other reserves, cost of project and other facilities, cost of maintenance and operation of the project and other facilities, cost of renewals and replacement of the project works and other facilities, depreciation, generation, transmission, distribution, delivery, use, and sale of electric energy. The Commission may require any such person to make adequate provision for currently determining such costs and other facts. Such reports shall be made under oath unless the Commission otherwise specifies.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to hinder, delay, or obstruct the making, filing, or keeping of any information, document, report, memorandum, record, or account required to be made, filed, or kept under this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §304, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825d. Officials dealing in securities
(a) Benefits; making or declaring dividends out of capital account
It shall be unlawful for any officer or director of any public utility to receive for his own benefit, directly or indirectly, any money or thing of value in respect of the negotiation, hypothecation, or sale by such public utility of any security issued or to be issued by such public utility, or to share in any of the proceeds thereof, or to participate in the making or paying of any dividends of such public utility from any funds properly included in capital account.
(b) Interlocking directorates
(1) In general
After 6 months from August 26, 1935, it shall be unlawful for any person to hold the position of officer or director of more than one public utility or to hold the position of officer or director of a public utility and the position of officer or director of any bank, trust company, banking association, or firm that is authorized by law to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of a public utility, or officer or director of any company supplying electrical equipment to such public utility, unless the holding of such positions shall have been authorized by order of the Commission, upon due showing in form and manner prescribed by the Commission, that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected thereby. The Commission shall not grant any such authorization in respect of such positions held on August 26, 1935, unless application for such authorization is filed with the Commission within sixty days after that date.
(2) Applicability
(A) In general
In the circumstances described in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person that holds or proposes to hold the positions of—
(i) officer or director of a public utility; and
(ii) officer or director of a bank, trust company, banking association, or firm authorized by law to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of a public utility.
(B) Circumstances
The circumstances described in this subparagraph are that—
(i) a person described in subparagraph (A) does not participate in any deliberations or decisions of the public utility regarding the selection of a bank, trust company, banking association, or firm to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of the public utility, if the person serves as an officer or director of a bank, trust company, banking association, or firm that is under consideration in the deliberation process;
(ii) the bank, trust company, banking association, or firm of which the person is an officer or director does not engage in the underwriting of, or participate in the marketing of, securities of the public utility of which the person holds the position of officer or director;
(iii) the public utility for which the person serves or proposes to serve as an officer or director selects underwriters by competitive procedures; or
(iv) the issuance of securities of the public utility for which the person serves or proposes to serve as an officer or director has been approved by all Federal and State regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the issuance.
(c) Statement of prior positions; definitions
(1) On or before April 30 of each year, any person, who, during the calendar year preceding the filing date under this subsection, was an officer or director of a public utility and who held, during such calendar year, the position of officer, director, partner, appointee, or representative of any other entity listed in paragraph (2) shall file with the Commission, in such form and manner as the Commission shall by rule prescribe, a written statement concerning such positions held by such person. Such statement shall be available to the public.
(2) The entities listed for purposes of paragraph (1) are as follows—
(A) any investment bank, bank holding company, foreign bank or subsidiary thereof doing business in the United States, insurance company, or any other organization primarily engaged in the business of providing financial services or credit, a mutual savings bank, or a savings and loan association;
(B) any company, firm, or organization which is authorized by law to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of a public utility;
(C) any company, firm, or organization which produces or supplies electrical equipment or coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear fuel, or other fuel, for the use of any public utility;
(D) any company, firm, or organization which during any one of the 3 calendar years immediately preceding the filing date was one of the 20 purchasers of electric energy which purchased (for purposes other than for resale) one of the 20 largest annual amounts of electric energy sold by such public utility (or by any public utility which is part of the same holding company system) during any one of such three calendar years;
(E) any entity referred to in subsection (b); and
(F) any company, firm, or organization which is controlled by any company, firm, or organization referred to in this paragraph.
On or before January 31 of each calendar year, each public utility shall publish a list, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Commission, of the purchasers to which subparagraph (D) applies, for purposes of any filing under paragraph (1) of such calendar year.
(3) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) The term "public utility" includes any company which is a part of a holding company system which includes a registered holding company, unless no company in such system is an electric utility.
(B) The terms "holding company", "registered holding company", and "holding company system" have the same meaning as when used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.1
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §305, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687,
Amendments
1999—Subsec. (b).
1978—Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
1 See References in Text note below.
§825e. Complaints
Any person, electric utility, State, municipality, or State commission complaining of anything done or omitted to be done by any licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility in contravention of the provisions of this chapter may apply to the Commission by petition which shall briefly state the facts, whereupon a statement of the complaint thus made shall be forwarded by the Commission to such licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility, who shall be called upon to satisfy the complaint or to answer the same in writing within a reasonable time to be specified by the Commission. If such licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility shall not satisfy the complaint within the time specified or there shall appear to be any reasonable ground for investigating such complaint, it shall be the duty of the Commission to investigate the matters complained of in such manner and by such means as it shall find proper.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §306, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—
§825f. Investigations by Commission
(a) Scope
The Commission may investigate any facts, conditions, practices, or matters which it may find necessary or proper in order to determine whether any person, electric utility, transmitting utility, or other entity has violated or is about to violate any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter or in prescribing rules or regulations thereunder, or in obtaining information to serve as a basis for recommending further legislation concerning the matters to which this chapter relates, or in obtaining information about the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce and the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce. The Commission may permit any person, electric utility, transmitting utility, or other entity to file with it a statement in writing under oath or otherwise, as it shall determine, as to any or all facts and circumstances concerning a matter which may be the subject of investigation. The Commission, in its discretion, may publish or make available to State commissions information concerning any such subject.
(b) Attendance of witnesses and production of documents
For the purpose of any investigation or any other proceeding under this chapter, any member of the Commission, or any officer designated by it, is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records which the Commission finds relevant or material to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States at any designated place of hearing. Witnesses summoned by the Commission to appear before it shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.
(c) Resort to courts of United States for failure to obey subpena; punishment
In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, the Commission may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, and other records. Such court may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Commission or member or officer designated by the Commission, there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial district whereof such person is an inhabitant or wherever he may be found or may be doing business. Any person who willfully shall fail or refuse to attend and testify or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records, if in his or its power so to do, in obedience to the subpena of the Commission, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both.
(d) Testimony by deposition
The testimony of any witness may be taken, at the instance of a party, in any proceeding or investigation pending before the Commission, by deposition, at any time after the proceeding is at issue. The Commission may also order testimony to be taken by deposition in any proceeding or investigation pending before it, at any stage of such proceeding or investigation. Such depositions may be taken before any person authorized to administer oaths not being of counsel or attorney to either of the parties, nor interested in the proceeding or investigation. Reasonable notice must first be given in writing by the party or his attorney proposing to take such deposition to the opposite party or his attorney of record, as either may be nearest, which notice shall state the name of the witness and the time and place of the taking of his deposition. Any person may be compelled to appear and depose, and to produce documentary evidence, in the same manner as witnesses may be compelled to appear and testify and produce documentary evidence before the Commission, as hereinbefore provided. Such testimony shall be reduced to writing by the person taking the deposition, or under his direction, and shall, after it has been reduced to writing, be subscribed by the deponent.
(e) Deposition of witness in a foreign country
If a witness whose testimony may be desired to be taken by deposition be in a foreign country, the deposition may be taken before an officer or person designated by the Commission, or agreed upon by the parties by stipulation in writing to be filed with the Commission. All depositions must be promptly filed with the Commission.
(f) Deposition fees
Witnesses whose depositions are taken as authorized in this chapter, and the person or officer taking the same, shall be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in the courts of the United States.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §307, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (a).
1970—Subsec. (g).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Amendment by
§825g. Hearings; rules of procedure
(a) Hearings under this chapter may be held before the Commission, any member or members thereof or any representative of the Commission designated by it, and appropriate records thereof shall be kept. In any proceeding before it, the Commission, in accordance with such rules and regulations as it may prescribe, may admit as a party any interested State, State commission, municipality, or any representative of interested consumers or security holders, or any competitor of a party to such proceeding, or any other person whose participation in the proceeding may be in the public interest.
(b) All hearings, investigations, and proceedings under this chapter shall be governed by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the Commission, and in the conduct thereof the technical rules of evidence need not be applied. No informality in any hearing, investigation, or proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony shall invalidate any order, decision, rule, or regulation issued under the authority of this chapter.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §308, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825h. Administrative powers of Commission; rules, regulations, and orders
The Commission shall have power to perform any and all acts, and to prescribe, issue, make, amend, and rescind such orders, rules, and regulations as it may find necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Among other things, such rules and regulations may define accounting, technical, and trade terms used in this chapter; and may prescribe the form or forms of all statements, declarations, applications, and reports to be filed with the Commission, the information which they shall contain, and the time within which they shall be filed. Unless a different date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the Commission shall be effective thirty days after publication in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. Orders of the Commission shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. For the purposes of its rules and regulations, the Commission may classify persons and matters within its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons or matters. All rules and regulations of the Commission shall be filed with its secretary and shall be kept open in convenient form for public inspection and examination during reasonable business hours.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §309, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Commission Review
§825i. Appointment of officers and employees; compensation
The Commission is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers, attorneys, examiners, and experts as may be necessary for carrying out its functions under this chapter; and the Commission may, subject to civil-service laws, appoint such other officers and employees as are necessary for carrying out such functions and fix their salaries in accordance with
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §310, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Provisions that authorized the Commission to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers, attorneys, examiners, and experts as may be necessary for carrying out its functions under this chapter "without regard to the provisions of other laws applicable to the employment and compensation of officers and employees of the United States" have been omitted as obsolete and superseded.
Such appointments are subject to the civil service laws unless specifically excepted by those laws or by laws enacted subsequent to Executive Order No. 8743, Apr. 23, 1941, issued by the President pursuant to the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, ch. 919, title I, §1,
As to the compensation of such personnel, sections 1202 and 1204 of the Classification Act of 1949,
"
Amendments
1949—Act Oct. 28, 1949, substituted "Classification Act of 1949" for "Classification Act of 1923".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Repeals
Act Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed (subject to a savings clause) by
§825j. Investigations relating to electric energy; reports to Congress
In order to secure information necessary or appropriate as a basis for recommending legislation, the Commission is authorized and directed to conduct investigations regarding the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy, however produced, throughout the United States and its possessions, whether or not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, including the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy by any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any State or municipality or other political subdivision of a State. It shall, so far as practicable, secure and keep current information regarding the ownership, operation, management, and control of all facilities for such generation, transmission, distribution, and sale; the capacity and output thereof and the relationship between the two; the cost of generation, transmission, and distribution; the rates, charges, and contracts in respect of the sale of electric energy and its service to residential, rural, commercial, and industrial consumers and other purchasers by private and public agencies; and the relation of any or all such facts to the development of navigation, industry, commerce, and the national defense. The Commission shall report to Congress the results of investigations made under authority of this section.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §311, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825k. Publication and sale of reports
The Commission may provide for the publication of its reports and decisions in such form and manner as may be best adapted for public information and use, and is authorized to sell at reasonable prices copies of all maps, atlases, and reports as it may from time to time publish. Such reasonable prices may include the cost of compilation, composition, and reproduction. The Commission is also authorized to make such charges as it deems reasonable for special statistical services and other special or periodic services. The amounts collected under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts. All printing for the Federal Power Commission making use of engraving, lithography, and photolithography, together with the plates for the same, shall be contracted for and performed under the direction of the Commission, under such limitations and conditions as the Joint Committee on Printing may from time to time prescribe, and all other printing for the Commission shall be done by the Director of the Government Publishing Office under such limitations and conditions as the Joint Committee on Printing may from time to time prescribe. The entire work may be done at, or ordered through, the Government Publishing Office whenever, in the judgment of the Joint Committee on Printing, the same would be to the interest of the Government: Provided, That when the exigencies of the public service so require, the Joint Committee on Printing may authorize the Commission to make immediate contracts for engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, without advertisement for proposals: Provided further, That nothing contained in this chapter or any other Act shall prevent the Federal Power Commission from placing orders with other departments or establishments for engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, in accordance with the provisions of
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §312, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Codification
"
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
"Director of the Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Public Printer" in text on authority of section 1301(d) of
"Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Government Printing Office" in text on authority of section 1301(b) of
§825l. Review of orders
(a) Application for rehearing; time periods; modification of order
Any person, electric utility, State, municipality, or State commission aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in a proceeding under this chapter to which such person, electric utility, State, municipality, or State commission is a party may apply for a rehearing within thirty days after the issuance of such order. The application for rehearing shall set forth specifically the ground or grounds upon which such application is based. Upon such application the Commission shall have power to grant or deny rehearing or to abrogate or modify its order without further hearing. Unless the Commission acts upon the application for rehearing within thirty days after it is filed, such application may be deemed to have been denied. No proceeding to review any order of the Commission shall be brought by any entity unless such entity shall have made application to the Commission for a rehearing thereon. Until the record in a proceeding shall have been filed in a court of appeals, as provided in subsection (b), the Commission may at any time, upon reasonable notice and in such manner as it shall deem proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any finding or order made or issued by it under the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Judicial review
Any party to a proceeding under this chapter aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in such proceeding may obtain a review of such order in the United States court of appeals for any circuit wherein the licensee or public utility to which the order relates is located or has its principal place of business, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, by filing in such court, within sixty days after the order of the Commission upon the application for rehearing, a written petition praying that the order of the Commission be modified or set aside in whole or in part. A copy of such petition shall forthwith be transmitted by the clerk of the court to any member of the Commission and thereupon the Commission shall file with the court the record upon which the order complained of was entered, as provided in
(c) Stay of Commission's order
The filing of an application for rehearing under subsection (a) shall not, unless specifically ordered by the Commission, operate as a stay of the Commission's order. The commencement of proceedings under subsection (b) of this section shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the Commission's order.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §313, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Codification
In subsec. (b), "
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (a).
1958—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "court of appeals" for "circuit court of appeals".
§825m. Enforcement provisions
(a) Enjoining and restraining violations
Whenever it shall appear to the Commission that any person is engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this chapter, or of any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, it may in its discretion bring an action in the proper District Court of the United States or the United States courts of any Territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to enjoin such acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, and upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary injunction or decree or restraining order shall be granted without bond. The Commission may transmit such evidence as may be available concerning such acts or practices to the Attorney General, who, in his discretion, may institute the necessary criminal proceedings under this chapter.
(b) Writs of mandamus
Upon application of the Commission the district courts of the United States and the United States courts of any Territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States shall have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus commanding any person to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder.
(c) Employment of attorneys
The Commission may employ such attorneys as it finds necessary for proper legal aid and service of the Commission or its members in the conduct of their work, or for proper representation of the public interests in investigations made by it or cases or proceedings pending before it, whether at the Commission's own instance or upon complaint, or to appear for or represent the Commission in any case in court; and the expenses of such employment shall be paid out of the appropriation for the Commission.
(d) Prohibitions on violators
In any proceedings under subsection (a), the court may prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, and permanently or for such period of time as the court determines, any individual who is engaged or has engaged in practices constituting a violation of
(1) acting as an officer or director of an electric utility; or
(2) engaging in the business of purchasing or selling—
(A) electric energy; or
(B) transmission services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §314, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Codification
As originally enacted subsecs. (a) and (b) contained references to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted "the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia" for "the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia", and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" for "district court of the United States for the District of Columbia". However, the words "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (d).
§825n. Forfeiture for violations; recovery; applicability
(a) Forfeiture
Any licensee or public utility which willfully fails, within the time prescribed by the Commission, to comply with any order of the Commission, to file any report required under this chapter or any rule or regulation of the Commission thereunder, to submit any information or document required by the Commission in the course of an investigation conducted under this chapter, or to appear by an officer or agent at any hearing or investigation in response to a subpena issued under this chapter, shall forfeit to the United States an amount not exceeding $1,000 to be fixed by the Commission after notice and opportunity for hearing. The imposition or payment of any such forfeiture shall not bar or affect any penalty prescribed in this chapter but such forfeiture shall be in addition to any such penalty.
(b) Recovery
The forfeitures provided for in this chapter shall be payable into the Treasury of the United States and shall be recoverable in a civil suit in the name of the United States, brought in the district where the person is an inhabitant or has his principal place of business, or if a licensee or public utility, in any district in which such licensee or public utility transacts business. It shall be the duty of the various United States attorneys, under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States, to prosecute for the recovery of forfeitures under this chapter. The costs and expenses of such prosecution shall be paid from the appropriations for the expenses of the courts of the United States.
(c) Applicability
This section shall not apply in the case of any provision of
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §315, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (c).
1992—Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, substituted "United States attorney" for "district attorney". See
State Authorities; Construction
Nothing in amendment by
§825o. Penalties for violations; applicability of section
(a) Statutory violations
Any person who willfully and knowingly does or causes or suffers to be done any act, matter, or thing in this chapter prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or who willfully and knowingly omits or fails to do any act, matter, or thing in this chapter required to be done, or willfully and knowingly causes or suffers such omission or failure, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Rules violations
Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any rule, regulation, restriction, condition, or order made or imposed by the Commission under authority of this chapter, or any rule or regulation imposed by the Secretary of the Army under authority of subchapter I of this chapter shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be punished upon conviction thereof by a fine of not exceeding $25,000 for each and every day during which such offense occurs.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §316, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
1992—Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II,
State Authorities; Construction
Nothing in amendment by
§825o–1. Enforcement of certain provisions
(a) Violations
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of subchapter II or any rule or order issued under any such provision.
(b) Civil penalties
Any person who violates any provision of subchapter II or any provision of any rule or order thereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each day that such violation continues. Such penalty shall be assessed by the Commission, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, in accordance with the same provisions as are applicable under
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §316A, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
State Authorities; Construction
Nothing in this section to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of
§825p. Jurisdiction of offenses; enforcement of liabilities and duties
The District Courts of the United States, and the United States courts of any Territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction of violations of this chapter or the rules, regulations, and orders thereunder, and of all suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability or duty created by, or to enjoin any violation of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder. Any criminal proceeding shall be brought in the district wherein any act or transaction constituting the violation occurred. Any suit or action to enforce any liability or duty created by, or to enjoin any violation of, this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder may be brought in any such district or in the district wherein the defendant is an inhabitant, and process in such cases may be served wherever the defendant may be found. Judgments and decrees so rendered shall be subject to review as provided in
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §317, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Editorial Notes
Codification
As originally enacted, this section contained reference to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted "the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia" for "the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia", and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" for "district court of the United States for the District of Columbia". However, the words "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of
"
§825q. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1277(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 978
Section, act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §318, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective 6 months after Aug. 8, 2005, with provisions relating to effect of compliance with certain regulations approved and made effective prior to such date, see section 1274 of
§825q–1. Office of Public Participation
(a)(1) There shall be an office in the Commission to be known as the Office of Public Participation (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Office").
(2)(A) The Office shall be administered by a Director. The Director shall be appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the Commission.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the discharge of the functions and duties of the Office. The Director shall be compensated at a rate of pay not greater than the maximum rate of pay prescribed for a senior executive in the Senior Executive Service under
(3) The Director may appoint, and assign the duties of, employees of such Office, and with the concurrence of the Commission he may fix the compensation of such employees and procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized under
(b)(1) The Director shall coordinate assistance to the public with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission. The Director shall also coordinate assistance available to persons intervening or participating or proposing to intervene or participate in proceedings before the Commission.
(2) The Commission may, under rules promulgated by it, provide compensation for reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs of intervening or participating in any proceeding before the Commission to any person whose intervention or participation substantially contributed to the approval, in whole or in part, of a position advocated by such person. Such compensation may be paid only if the Commission has determined that—
(A) the proceeding is significant, and
(B) such person's intervention or participation in such proceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes a significant financial hardship to him.
(3) Nothing in this subsection affects or restricts any rights of any intervenor or participant under any other applicable law or rule of law.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §319, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a)(2)(A).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Wage Rate Requirements
For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of
References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of
§825r. Separability
If any provision of this chapter, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, and the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §320, formerly §319, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213,
§825s. Sale of electric power from reservoir projects; rate schedules; preference in sale; construction of transmission lines; disposition of moneys
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 the Army not required in the operation of such projects shall be delivered to the Secretary of Energy who shall transmit and dispose of such power and energy in such manner as to encourage the most widespread use thereof at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent with sound business principles, the rate schedules to become effective upon confirmation and approval by the Secretary of Energy. Rate schedules shall be drawn having regard to the recovery (upon the basis of the application of such rate schedules to the capacity of the electric facilities of the projects) of the cost of producing and transmitting such electric energy, including the amortization of the capital investment allocated to power over a reasonable period of years. Preference in the sale of such power and energy shall be given to public bodies and cooperatives. The Secretary of Energy is authorized, from funds to be appropriated by the Congress, to construct or acquire, by purchase or other agreement, only such transmission lines and related facilities as may be necessary in order to make the power and energy generated at said projects available in wholesale quantities for sale on fair and reasonable terms and conditions to facilities owned by the Federal Government, public bodies, cooperatives, and privately owned companies. All moneys received from such sales shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
(Dec. 22, 1944, ch. 665, §5,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II,
Transfer of Functions
"Secretary of Energy" substituted in text for "Secretary of the Interior" in two places and for "Federal Power Commission" pursuant to
Functions of Secretary of the Interior under this section transferred to Secretary of Energy by
The Federal Power Commission was terminated, and its functions, personnel, property, funds, etc., were transferred to the Secretary of Energy (except for certain functions which were transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) by
Section as Unaffected by Submerged Lands Act
Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act [
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Executive and administrative functions of Federal Power Commission, with certain reservations, transferred to Chairman of such Commission, with authority vested in him to authorize their performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction, by Reorg. Plan No. 9 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
§825s–1. Southwestern area sale and transmission of electric power; disposition of receipts; creation of continuing fund; use of fund
All receipts from the transmission and sale of electric power and energy under the provisions of
(Oct. 12, 1949, ch. 680, title I, §101,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The First Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act, 1944, referred to in text, was act Dec. 23, 1943, ch. 380, title I, §101,
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
Section as originally enacted contained a provision relating to maximum expenditures for the fiscal year 1952.
Amendments
1951—Act Aug. 31, 1951, inserted proviso.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Use of Fund To Pay for Purchase Power and Wheeling Expenses To Meet Contractual Obligations During Periods of Below-Average Hydropower Generation
§825s–2. Southeastern area sale and transmission of electric power; disposition of receipts; creation of continuing funds; use of fund
All receipts from the transmission and sale of electric power and energy under the provisions of
(Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 375, title I, §101,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
§825s–3. Southwestern area sale at uniform systemwide rates of electric power over transmission lines constructed with appropriated funds or used under contractual arrangements
Power and energy marketed by the Southwestern Power Administration pursuant to
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
§825s–4. Southwestern Power Administration; deposit and availability of advance payments
Notwithstanding
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2005, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter. Section is based on the proviso in the paragraph under the headings "POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS" and "
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in the following prior appropriation act:
§825s–5. Southeastern Power Administration; deposit and availability of advance payments
Notwithstanding the provisions of
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
§825s–6. Southeastern Power Administration; deposit and availability of discretionary offsetting collections
Notwithstanding the provisions of
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This fiscal year, referred to in text, is the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010.
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
§825s–7. Southwestern Power Administration; deposit and availability of discretionary offsetting collections
Notwithstanding
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This fiscal year, referred to in text, is the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010.
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
§825s–8. Southeastern Power Administration: rates of basic and premium pay
During fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, notwithstanding any provision of title 5 relating to classification or rates of pay, the Southeastern Power Administration shall pay any power system dispatcher employed by the Administration a rate of basic pay and premium pay based on those prevailing for similar occupations in the electric power industry. Basic pay and premium pay may not be paid under this section to any individual during a calendar year so as to result in a total rate in excess of the rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule (section 5316 of such title).
(
§825t. Utilization of power revenues
No power revenues on any project shall be distributed as profits, before or after retirement of the project debt, and nothing contained in any previous appropriation Act shall be deemed to have authorized such distribution: Provided, That the application of such revenues to the cost of operation, maintenance, and debt service of the irrigation system of the project, or to other purposes in aid of such irrigation system, shall not be construed to be such a distribution.
(July 1, 1946, ch. 529, §1,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
§825u. Interest rate on power bonds held by Administrator of General Services
The Administrator of General Services or his successor in interest is authorized to reduce the rate of interest to 2½ per centum on all power bonds held by such Agency issued by States, public authorities, counties, municipalities, and other subdivisions of State governments for power projects financed by the Public Works Administration.
(July 31, 1946, ch. 710, §6,
Editorial Notes
Codification
This section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Federal Works Agency and of all agencies thereof, together with functions of Federal Works Administrator, transferred to Administrator of General Services by section 103(a) of act June 30, 1949. Both Federal Works Agency and office of Federal Works Administrator abolished by section 103(b) of said act. See Historical and Revision Notes under
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Public Works Administration transferred to Federal Works Administrator by Ex. Ord. No. 9357, June 30, 1943, 8 F.R. 9041.