Electric Program >> Service

Program and Customer Service

The RUS Electric Program makes insured loans and guarantees of loans to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of facilities for the distribution of electric power in rural areas. The guaranteed loan program has been expanded and is now available to finance generation, transmission, and distribution facilities in rural areas. 

RUS maintains a staff of general field representatives (GFR) stationed around the country, an outreach-type program delivery system which has been part and parcel of the program since its inception. These representatives meet regularly with borrowers at the borrowers’ locations. In addition to assisting in the development of loan applications and handling other loan related matters, they frequently discuss matters of interest to borrowers - all on a one-to-one basis - and provide assistance as requested. RUS also has a staff of field accountants for electric and telecommunications borrowers who provide accounting advice one-to-one and other assistance at the borrower’s site.

The Electric Program is making even greater use of its GFRs in this new era of heightened competition and pending deregulation. With so much activity at the state and Federal level on deregulation of the electric industry, it is difficult for borrowers to stay current on issues which will profoundly impact their business.  This is why the flow of information to electric borrowers is critical in this area.

The electric field staff serves as an information gathering point and conduit for the borrowers. They are in touch with their borrowers and state regulatory commissions to gather information on local activities to inform headquarters staff, who, in turn keep the GFRs informed of Federal actions and industry-wide trends. Borrowers also have access to any RUS headquarters personnel at any time. This two-way flow of information is enhancing RUS’ relationship with its local contacts and consequently improving its outreach impact.

Copies of all RUS proposed and final rules are available to all borrowers. Borrowers are actively encouraged to comment on these rules. Compliance guides in the form of Bulletins are provided to all borrowers. Topics range from instructions on completing informational requests to specifications for constructing an electric system.

It is RUS' policy to make all information requests as convenient for the borrowers to respond to as possible. In many cases RUS will accept information in whatever form the borrower has it in rather than requiring a specific form. In the few cases where a specific form is required, such as the annual financial report, borrowers have the option of filing the information electronically. RUS provides all necessary materials including computer disks and instructions. RUS staff is available to answer questions by phone, FAX or e-mail.

RUS maintains close contact with industry trade associations such as the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to obtain additional borrower feedback and exchange information on industry developments. This past year, RUS participated in the seven NRECA regional meetings and NRECA's Annual Meeting. At each meeting a presentation was given on current Agency activities and industry developments. RUS personnel were available for individual consultation with borrowers.

RUS field and headquarters staff also participate with borrowers and their statewide association in meetings and workshops covering topics such as work orders and financial forecasting.

Progress

Track our progress throughout the Fiscal Year by looking at the latest "BoxScore," a document which displays the loanmaking details of the various RUS Electric Program loan offerings.

Examine some of the RUS electric borrower success stories, particularly in the area of community and economic development, and  job creation.

People

Responsibility for carrying out the operation of the Electric Program are as follows:

The RUS Administrator directs and coordinates the Electric Program, as well as the RUS Telecommunications, Water and Environmental programs.  The Administrator sets overall policy for the Agency, reviews policies and stimulates change for improvements.

The Assistant Administrator - Electric, JAMES R. NEWBY, directs and coordinates the Electric Program, working with the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator in planning and formulating the programs and activities of RUS.

The two Regional Offices, directed by NIVIN A. ELGOHARY (Northern Regional Division) and ROBERT O. ELLINGER (Southern Regional Division), are the primary points of contact between RUS and electric distribution borrowers. Each office administers the rural Electric Program for an assigned geographical area with the assistance of field representatives located in areas assigned to them. (See the Staff-by-state page to determine the personnel in the area in which you have an interest).

The regional offices provide guidance to borrowers on RUS loan policies and procedures and receive, evaluate, and process insured and guaranteed loan packages and other requests for financial assistance.

The staff in the regional offices ensure that distribution and transmission systems and facilities are designed and constructed in accordance with the terms of the loan and proper engineering practices and specifications. They provide guidance to borrowers on supplemental power resources, load and energy management; and the environmental aspect of the design, construction, and operation of their systems.

The Power Supply Division (PSD), directed by VICTOR T. VU, administers the rural Electric Program for, and is the primary point of contact between, RUS and power supply borrowers. PSD provides guidance to borrowers on RUS loan policies and procedures and receives, evaluates, and processes insured and guaranteed loan packages and other requests for financial assistance from power supply borrowers.

The PSD staff develops and administers engineering and construction functions related to planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance for power supply borrowers. They maintain a continuing financial and management overview of power supply borrowers to ensure that their operations are consistent with sound fiscal policies and procedures, loan security, and with RUS loan contracts, mortgages, and regulatory requirements. They also provide guidance to borrowers on supplemental power resources, load and energy management; and the environmental aspects of the design, construction, and operation of their systems.

The Electric Staff Division (ESD), directed by GEORGE J. BAGNALL, is responsible for engineering aspects of RUS's standards, specifications, and other requirements with respect to design, construction, and technical operation and maintenance of power-plant, distribution, and transmission systems and facilities, including load management, energy conservation, and communications.

The staff in ESD develops engineering practices, policies, standards, and guidelines for RUS relating to electric borrowers systems; conducts analyses and provides guidance on matters relating to fuels for electric generating stations; and develops related policies and procedures for RUS. They develop criteria, procedures, and analyses for improvement of the operating performance of Electric Borrowers and for the forecasting of borrowers' power requirements.

The Technical Standards Committee "A" in ESD also maintains and publishes a continuously updated List of Materials compatible with current RUS standards.