DOE Needs To Improve Timeliness of Third Annual Reports on Title I of PURPA

Title I of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act establishes three purposes: end-use conservation, utility efficiency, and equitable rates. To achieve the purposes, State regulatory authorities and nonregulated electric utilities must consider five regulatory standards and determine if such standards should be adopted for each electric utility for which it has ratemaking authority. States and nonregulated electric utilities must also begin considering six ratemaking standards and determine if such ratemaking standards should be implemented. States and nonregulated electric utilities are required to report to the Department of Energy (DOE) on their consideration and determination progress of the 11 standards. DOE must prepare a report to the President and Congress containing a summary and analysis of the reports submitted by States and nonregulated utilities, and recommendations for Federal actions to carry out the purposes of title I. The annual reports are expected to be a vehicle for accurately measuring the progress of these entities in order to provide a basis for legislative oversight by Congress.