All load forecasts submitted by power supply borrowers and by distribution borrowers must satisfy the following criteria:

(a) The borrower objectively analyzed all known relevant factors that influence the consumption of electricity and the known number of customers served at the time the study was developed;

(b) The borrower considered and identified all loads on its system of RE Act beneficiaries and non-RE Act beneficiaries;

(c) The borrower developed an adequate supporting database and analyzed a reasonable range of relevant assumptions and alternative futures;

(d) The borrower adopted methods and procedures in general use by the electric utility industry to develop its load forecast;

(e) The borrower used valid and verifiable analytical techniques and models;

(f) The borrower provided RUS with adequate documentation and assistance to allow for a thorough and independent review; and

[65 FR 14786, Mar. 20, 2000, as amended at 84 FR 32611, July 9, 2019]