[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3809]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 18, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. FA92-15-000]
Southwestern Public Service Co.; Order Establishing Hearing
Procedures
February 14, 1994.
On December 23, 1993, the Chief Accountant issued a letter under
delegated authority noting Southwestern Public Service Company's (SPS)
disagreement with the Division of Audits with respect to Exception No.
2, in Part I of the audit report.\1\ SPS was requested to advise
whether it would agree to the disposition of the contested issue under
the shortened procedures provided for by part 41 of the Commission's
Regulations. 18 CFR part 41.
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\1\``2. Accounting for Pension Costs.
The Company did not determine the appropriate amount of pension
cost to assign to construction, retirement, and other accounts.''
The Division of Audits recommended the Company:
``(1) Revise procedures to ensure that it properly assigns
pension cost to construction, retirement and operating expense based
upon net periodic pension costs determined consistent with SFAS 87;
(2) Record the necessary correcting entries to adjust
construction, retirement and operating expense to reflect the proper
assignment of pension costs for each year beginning with 1988; and
(3) Record the necessary correcting entries to adjust the amount
of AFUDC accrued on pension costs improperly assigned to
construction beginning with 1988.''
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By letter dated January 25, 1994, SPS responded that it did not
consent to the shortened procedures. Section 41.7 of the Commission's
Regulations provides that in case consent to the shortened procedures
is not given, the proceeding will be assigned for hearing. Accordingly,
the Secretary, under authority delegated by the Commission, will set
the issue for hearing.
Any interested person seeking to participate in this docket shall
file a protest or motion to intervene pursuant to Rules 211 and 214 of
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) no later than 15 days after the date of publication of this
order in the Federal Register.
It is ordered:
(A) Pursuant to the authority contained in and subject to the
jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by
section 402(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, the
provisions of the Federal Power Act, particularly sections 205, 206,
and 301 thereof, and pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedures (18 CFR Chapter I), a public hearing shall be held
concerning the appropriateness of SPS's practices as discussed above.
(B) A Presiding Administrative Law Judge, to be designated by the
Chief Administrative Law Judge, shall convene a prehearing conference
in this proceeding, to be held within 45 days of the date of this
order, in a hearing room of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
810 First Street, NE., Washington, D.C. 20426. The Presiding Judge is
authorized to establish procedural dates and to rule on all motions
(except motions to dismiss) as provided in the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure.
(C) This order shall be published in the Federal Register.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-3809 Filed 2-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
