Rate of Compensation for Officers of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the rate of compensation allowed by law for officers of the Pacific Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council. The law states that compensation of the officers shall not exceed the rate prescribed for Federal employees at step 1 of level GS-18 of the General Schedule. The rate for a GS-18 is $71,734. GAO believes, however, that this rate is further limited by the pay comparability provisions of the U.S. Code. The applicable provision states that the payment may not be at a rate in excess of the rate of basic pay for level 5 of the Executive Schedule. Currently, level 5 of the Executive Schedule is limited to $50,112.50. GAO concluded that members of the Council are not entitled to any salary in excess of that amount.