[Views on BPA Authority To Finance WPPSS Construction From Ratepayer Revenues]

In response to a congressional request, GAO presented its views concerning the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) authority to finance, from BPA ratepayer revenues, the completion of construction of a Washington Public Power Supply System project. BPA has agreed to pay project construction costs as they are incurred through net billing or by direct disbursements. GAO concluded that such payments are within the statutory authority of BPA. While direct construction payments by BPA represent a departure from the bond financing arrangement originally presented to Congress, the departure does not materially undercut the basis for congressional approval. In the absence of a specific limitation in the appropriation, GAO would not question such payments either by net billing or by direct disbursement from the BPA fund.