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Show 295 though the costs of preliminary examinations and surveys are not so included.218 The 1944 statute specifies that rate schedules shall become effective upon "confirmation and approval" by the Federal Power Commission. But the Commission is given neither con- tinuing supervision over such rates, nor authority to require changes if it deems proposed rates too high or too low. Pro- ceeds from sales of power from Army dams are deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. In the case of reclamation projects, the marketing of power is also under the control of the Secretary of the Interior. He is generally authorized under the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to enter into contracts for not exceeding 40 years for the sale of power, or the lease of power privileges.214 But no power contract may be made if the Secretary deems that it will "impair the efficiency of the project for irrigation pur- poses." 215 The statutory power-rate standard requires rates to be set so as to produce power revenues at least sufficient to cover "an appropriate share" of the operation and maintenance costs, 3% per annum on "an appropriate share" of the con- struction investment, and "such other fixed charges as the Secretary deems proper."216 The general practice of the Secre- tary is to set power rates so as to return annual operation, maintenance and replacement costs, plus amortization of the power investment in not to exceed 50 years, with interest at the rate of 3% per annum on the unamortized balance of the power investment.217 Also, costs incurred in investigating a potential reclamation project which are directly attributable to that project, generally become a part of the costs included MS See, e. g., The Definite Project Report of the Army Cobps of Engi- neers, Buqgs Island Bam and Reservoib, Roanoke River, North Carolina and Virginia, pp. 30-31, App. XII-3 (February 1, 1946). 214 Act of August 4,1939, § 9(c), 53 Stat. 1187,1194, 43 U. S. 0. 485h(c). 215 Id. ™Id. 117 See, e. g., Average Rate and Repayment Studies for Power Systems on Bubeau of Reciamation Pbojects, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, pp. 1-5 (January 1950). |