Business Programs  |  Cooperative Development Programs  |  Homeownership Programs  |  Rental Housing Programs  |  Community Facilities Programs  |  Water and Waste Program  |  Telecommunications Program  |  Electric Program  |  Management Initiatives  |  Resource Summaries

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND INDICATORS	FY 1998 ACTUAL	FY 1999 ACTUAL	FY 2000 TARGET	FY 2001 TARGET
Provide modern, affordable electric service to rural residents and communities.
Jobs created as a result of facilities constructed with electric funds	21,275	36,018	48,600	35,600
Number of rural electric systems upgraded	160	179	200	180
Number of consumers benefitting from system improvements (in millions)	2.7	2.8	3.1	2.8
Direct program resources to those rural communities with the greatest need.
Electric loans (number and amount) to clients serving persistent poverty counties (RUS-financed electric systems provide service in 523 of the 540 identified persistent poverty counties) (Dollars in millions)	74 $539	72 $538	84 $889	83 $715
Electric loans (number and amount) to clients serving persistent out- migration counties (RUS-financed electric systems provide service to 655 of the 700 counties identified as having net out-migration) (Dollars in millions)	72 $286	83 $379	84 $889	88 $758
Maximize the leveraging of loan funds to increase the number of rural residents assisted.
Leveraging of rural electric financial assistance (private investment to RUS funding)	$2.60: 1	$2.70: 1	$2.73: 1	$2.87: 1

Discussion of Performance Goals: The availability of an adequate supply of electricity is critical to achieving the Departmental goal to “Expand economic and trade opportunities for agricultural producers and other rural residents.”

The electric industry is rapidly moving toward a new era of deregulation and intense competition. As more states move toward deregulation, opening up the electric infrastructure to retailing and driving the forces of competition, the rural consumer and the rural provider faces particular challenges. For example, RUS electric borrowers average only 6 consumers per mile compared to 35 consumers per mile for investor-owned electric utility systems. As the competitive nature of the industry heightens, it will be extremely important to rural electric consumers that rural electric providers have access to reasonably priced capital. The electric program fulfills the continuing purpose of ensuring that rural residents continue to be served with reliable and affordable electricity.

The performance goals for the electric program fall into three major categories. One set of goals reflects the impact of RUS on rural residents by measuring the number of rural individuals, families, businesses, and communities whose quality of life has been enhanced with improved electric and telecommunications services, distance learning and telemedicine programs, and improved access to clean water and waste water disposal. Since most of the loans are for construction purposes, a second set measures the impact of the projects on the community through the creation of jobs. The third category of goals reflect the agency’s success in implementing two key themes of the Rural Development mission area strategic plan, directing resources to the neediest communities and leveraging of financial resources.

Top

<< Page 28  |  Page 30 >>