USDA Rural Development's Electric Programs

Electric Programs Bulletins and Informational Publications

The publications are available in a variety of formats, depending on the publication. Available formats include html format for viewing in your browser and in Adobe Acrobat pdf format for downloading and printing, as well as Microsoft Word.

Webmaster note: Due to technical difficulties with viewing Word documents (.doc) in some browsers, we recommend that you download the PDF versions of these files only. If you require the Word (.doc) version, you may save the file to your PC and then open the file locally.

Informational Publication	Size (.doc)	Text	MS Word	PDF	Description
100-1	1M	N/A	N/A	.pdf	Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 901-950b (as of 1/23/2004)
200-3	17K	.txt	.doc	.pdf	Index of Electric Program Issuances (updated 5/12/98)
201-1	-	N/A	N/A	.pdf	2006 Statistical Report - Rural Electric Borrowers - Order Form (Available from US Government Printing Office)
202-1	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of USDA Rural Development Electrification Borrowers. Visit the List of Materials page to download the latest copy in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
202-2	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Small Photovoltaic Electricity Generating Systems. Visit the Photovoltaic Systems page to download the latest copy in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
250-B6	104K	N/A	N/A	.pdf	Electric Program Directory (February 2006)
250-B10	219K	N/A	N/A	.pdf	Electric and Telecommunications Programs - General Field Representatives (GFR); Program Accounting and Regulatory Analysis - Field Accountants (FA) (May 2005)

Bulletin	Size (.doc)	PDF	Description
43-9	-	.pdf	"Buy American" Requirement with related Federal Register Notices (7/28/1955) (also available in html)
65-1	-	-	Design Guide for Rural Substations - No Longer Available - Replaced by Bulletin 1724E-300
180-2	217K	.pdf	Record Retention Recommendations for RUS Electric Borrowers (6/26/03)
1717B-2	-	.pdf	Guide for Preparing Financial and Statistical Reports for Electric Distribution Borrowers (files located on DCS website)
1717B-3	217K	.pdf	Guide For Preparing Financial and Statistical Reports For Power Supply Borrowers and Electric Distribution Borrowers with Generating Facilities (5/12/2006)
1717M-2	199K	.pdf	Sale or Transfer of Capital Assets by Electric Borrower (2/9/2005)
1717-Y	85K	.pdf	Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric Borrowers (9/26/97)
1724D-101A	72K	.pdf	Electric system long-range planning guide (Note: Appendix IV does not appear in the copies of the bulletin available on this website. This appendix contains a sample form which is identical to Form 261. This form is available on the Forms page.)
1724D-101B	65K	.pdf	System Planning Guide - Construction Work Plans (2000)
1724D-103	2K	.pdf	System planning guide, system mapping guide {revised 7/19/93}
1724D-104	2K	.pdf	Engineering Economics Computer Workbook Procedure - Also available: Economic Analysis Worksheet (.xls format) (This worksheet was revised in July 2007.)
1724D-106	32K	.pdf	Considerations For Replacing Storm-Damaged Conductors (6/1/05)
1724D-112	736K	.pdf	The Application of Capacitors on Rural Electric Systems (Replaces Bulletin 169-1) (4/27/01)
1724E-104	102K	.pdf	Reduced Size Neutral Conductors for Overhead Rural Distribution Lines (Supersedes REA Bull. 61-4) {revised September 23, 1999}
1724E-150	249K	.pdf	Unguyed Distribution Poles - Strength Requirements (7/30/03)
1724E-151	511K	.pdf	Mechanical Loading on Distribution Crossarms (11/21/02)
1724E-152	225K	.pdf	The Mechanics of Overhead Distribution Line Conductors (7/30/03)
1724E-153	345K	.pdf	Electric Distribution Line Guys and Anchors (4/25/01)
1724E-154	317K	.pdf	Distribution Conductor Clearances and Span Limitations (7/30/03)
1724E-200	7.6M	.pdf	Design Manual for High Voltage Transmission Lines (9/23/04) (with May 2005 revisions) May 2005 Revisions (pdf format)
1724E-202	52K	.pdf	An overview of transmission system studies
1724E-203	34K	.pdf	Guide for upgrading transmission lines
1724E-204	991K	.pdf	Guide Specifications for Steel Single Pole and H-Frame Structures {revised 4/2008}
1724E-205	1456K	.pdf	Design guide: Embedment depths for concrete and steel poles {revised 8/22/95}
1724E-206	3.1M	.pdf	Guide Specification for Spun, Prestressed Concrete Poles and Concrete Pole Structures (2008)
1724E-214	434K	.pdf	Guide Specification for Standard Class Steel Transmission Poles (2/18/2009)
1724E-216	2.2M	.pdf	Guide Specification for Standard Class Spun, Prestressed Concrete Transmission Poles (2000) (also available in html format)
1724E-220	478K	.pdf	Procurement and Application Guide for Non-Ceramic Composite Insulators, Voltage Class 34.5 kV and Above (3/17/2005)
1724E-224	92K	.pdf	Electric Transmission Guide Specifications and Drawings for Steel Pole Construction - 34.5 to 230 kV {issued April 2007}
1724E-226	186K	.pdf	Electric Transmission Guide Specifications and Drawings for Concrete Pole Construction - 34.5 to 230 kV {issued April 2007}
1724E-300	10M	.pdf	Design Guide for Rural Substations {issued June 2001} - replaces Bulletin 65-1
1724E-301	241K	.pdf	Guide for the Evaluation of Large Power Transformer Losses {revised 12/17/97}
1724E-302	7.8M	.pdf	Design Guide for Oil Spill Prevention and Control at Substations {revised 1/2008}
1724E-400	25K	.pdf	Building plans and specifications
1726-601	55K	.pdf	Electric System Construction Policies and Procedures - Interpretations {revised 7/27/2004}
1726A-125	4K	.pdf	Joint use agreements with CATV companies (This file contains scanned images of the pages in the Appendix.)
1726C-115	4K	.pdf	Checking sag in a conductor using the return wave method
1726I-602	1.18M	.pdf	Attachments to Electric Program Standard Contract Forms (2/19/04)
1728F-700	4101K	.pdf	Specification for Wood Poles, Stubs and Anchor Logs
1728F-800	112K	.pdf	Construction Assembly Unit Numbers and Standard Format
1728F-803	10.6M	.pdf	Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction
1728F-803 Notice	22K	.pdf	Compliance with Bulletin 50-5 or 1728F-803. Also available in html format. See also letter dated March 7, 2001, letter concerning assembly numbering (PDF)(HTML).
1728F-804	12.8M	.pdf	Specifications and Drawings for 12.5/7.2 kV Line Construction (4/21/2005)
1728F-806	4.2M	.pdf	Specifications and Drawings for Underground Electric Distribution
1728F-810	3M	.pdf	Electric Transmission Specifications and Drawings, 34.5kV Through 69kV (4/9/1999)
1728F-811	3M	.pdf	Electric Transmission Specifications and Drawings, 115kV Through 230kV (4/9/1999)
1728H-701	30K	.pdf	Specifications for wood crossarms, transmission timbers, and pole keys
1728H-702	24K	.pdf	Specifications for quality control and inspection of timber products
1730B-2	195K	.pdf	Guide for Electric System Emergency Restoration Plan (1/7/2005) (includes revised page 20 - 3/1/2005)
1730B-121	2247K	.pdf	Pole Inspection and Maintenance (4/15/96)
1730-1	32K	.pdf	Electric System Operation and Maintenance (O&M) (1/26/98)
1767B-1	1M	.pdf	Uniform System of Accounts - Electric Program
1767B-2	5M	.pdf	Work Order Procedures - Electric Program (See also January 15, 2002 addendum and June 7, 2007 addendum)
1767B-3	2K	.pdf	Preparation and use of the RUS Form 254, Construction Inventory
1794A-600	232K	.pdf	Guide for Preparing an Environmental Report for Categorically Excluded Projects {revised 12/15/98}
1794A-601	210K	.pdf	Guide for Preparing an Environmental Report for Electric Projects Requiring an Environmental Assessment {revised 12/9/98}
1794A-603	260K	.pdf	Scoping Guide for RUS Funded Projects Requiring Environmental Assessments with Scoping and Environmental Impact Statements

For regulations, see the Electric Programs Regulations page.

For RUS Accounting Bulletins, see the Program Accounting Services Division Regulations and Bulletins page.

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RUS Electric Program borrowers will be notified of new and revised publications by memo or hard copy. RUS borrowers should notify their business associates of the availability of these publications. All new and revised RUS Electric Program publications will be available here upon issuance. If you have any questions regarding these documents or documents not included here, call (202) 720-8674 or fax (202) 720-4120.

For other RUS publications, visit the main RUS Publications and Directives Page.