RUS Technical Publications

RUS has issued a number of technical publications recently. These publications include:

RULES:

  • 7 CFR 1710, Subpart E, "Load Forecasts and Market Analysis." This proposed rule, published July 7, 1999, will change the existing load forecasting regulations. The proposed changes are intended to reduce the overall administrative burden of reporting load forecasts to RUS. The proposed changes will also allow RUS to accept less detailed analysis for smaller borrowers.

  • 7 CFR 1724, "Electric Engineering, Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures." This rule, published on June 29, 1998, contains RUS requirements on engineering and architectural services and system design. This rule simplifies RUS requirements relating to architectural and engineering services and the planning and design of electric distribution, transmission, and generation systems and facilities owned by RUS borrowers, and substantially reduces the number of engineering documents that must be submitted to RUS. These policies and procedures were contained in seven RUS bulletins, which have been rescinded.

  • Bulletin 1728F-803, "Specifications & Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction" (incorporated by reference). The final rule covering the revision of this bulletin was published on December 31, 1998. The revision includes a new drawing assembly designation system as well as a number of clarifications, modifications, and updates to these drawings. This bulletin was formerly known as RUS Bulletin 50-3.

  • Bulletin 1728F-806, "Specifications & Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution" (incorporated by reference). The proposed rule covering the revision of this bulletin was published on April 8. 1998. The proposed revision includes a number of clarifications, modifications, and updates to these drawings. Public comments on this proposed rule have been received and are now being incorporated into the final rule.

GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS:

  • Bulletin 1726C-115, "Checking Sag in a Conductor by the Return Wave Method," dated September 24, 1998. This bulletin presents a convenient and practical method for checking sag in a conductor regardless of span length, tension, size or type of conductor.

  • Bulletin 1728F-800, "Assembly Unit Numbers and Standard Format," dated December 16, 1998. This bulletin explains and documents the RUS construction unit numbering scheme and the new numbering format used in new and revised RUS construction drawings.

  • IP 202-1, "List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of RUS Electrification Borrowers," published in July 1999, and its quarterly supplements. This document provides a convenient listing of the materials and equipment that have been accepted by RUS.

If you need any of these publications, please contact RUS' Program Development and Regulatory Analysis staff at (202) 720-8674. Many RUS publications are also available via the Internet at:

http://www.usda.gov/rus/regs.shtml

PUBLICATIONS IN PROGRESS

Timber Specifications: RUS is in the process of revising the following three bulletins that cover pressure treating poles and crossarms, and their respective quality control:

  • 1728F-700, "RUS Specification for Wood Poles, Stubs and Anchor Logs,"
  • 1728H-701, "RUS Specification for Wood Crossarms (Solid and Laminated) Transmission Timbers and Pole Keys" (7 CFR 1728.201), and
  • 1728H-702, "RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products" (7 CFR 1728.202).

Topics currently being considered for revision include:

    1. Elimination of the requirement for borrowers to notify RUS of their timber product purchases during the previous year,

    2. Reinstatement of the acceptance and listing of inspection agencies in the RUS List of Materials,

    3. Requirement for a heat sterilization during kiln drying or steam conditioning of poles,

    4. Requirement for inspection agencies to have their company designation branded or tagged on the pole face,

    5. Elimination of the 10 percent allowance of preservative retention reduction after shipment to the borrower,

    6. Requirement for all independent inspectors and plant quality control personnel to be trained and certified by x-ray fluorescence instrument manufacturer,

    7. Requirement for treating plants and inspection agencies to maintain certain levels of liability insurance and errors and omission insurance, and

    8. Include butt treating of cedar poles as an acceptable method of treatment for poles.

RUS is hereby soliciting input from electric borrowers and others as to necessary changes to the aforementioned bulletins. Comments or suggestions should be sent to H. Robert Lash, Chief, Transmission Branch, RUS, Stop 1569, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250-1569, E-mail: blash@rus.usda.gov. All comments are welcome.

RUS is also working on the following publications:

  • 7 CFR 1710, Subpart H, "Demand Side Management and Renewable Energy Systems." This proposed rule will reflect the changes in the electric utility industry and provide borrowers with more flexibility in obtaining RUS financing for demand side management and renewable energy projects. Criteria for an integrated resource plan acceptable to RUS will also be reduced. For further information, please contact Georg Shultz at (202) 720-1920.

  • RUS Bulletin 1724D-101B, "System Planning Guide, Construction Work Plans." This bulletin provides guidance to borrowers and engineers in the preparation of Construction Work Plans (CWP). This revision will update and simplify this document. For further information, please contact Jim Bohlk at (202) 720-1967.

  • RUS Bulletin 1724D-112, "The Application of Shunt Capacitors to the Rural Electric System." This bulletin will examine the application of shunt capacitors on rural distribution systems and serve as a general guide for capacitor applications to RUS borrowers and others. The System Planning Subcommittee of NRECA’s T&D Committee has been instrumental in the development of this bulletin. For further information, please contact Chris Tuttle at (202) 205-3655.

  • RUS Bulletin 1724D-114, "Voltage Regulator Application on Rural Distribution Systems." This bulletin will examine the application of voltage regulators on rural distribution systems and serve as a general guide for voltage regulator applications to RUS borrowers and others. For further information, please contact Harvey Bowles at (202) 720-5082.

 

[Abbreviations] [Return to Table of Contents]