FERC Account 390 – Structures and Improvements
FERC Account 390 records the cost of structures and improvements used for general utility purposes not assigned to a specific operating department.
Definition
Record in this account the cost of structures and improvements used for general administrative and service purposes.
Account 390 captures the cost of general purpose buildings and improvements that serve the utility as a whole rather than a specific operational function like generation, transmission, or distribution. This includes office buildings, warehouses, garages, service buildings, and improvements to leased space. Buildings dedicated to specific functions are recorded in the appropriate functional accounts.
What is typically included
- General office buildings and administrative facilities
- Warehouses and material storage buildings
- Vehicle maintenance garages and service buildings
- Improvements to leased space used for general utility purposes
- Parking structures and facilities serving general utility operations
What is generally not included
- Transmission substation structures (Account 352)
- Distribution substation structures (Account 362)
- Generation plant structures (recorded in generation accounts)
- Land under general plant structures (Account 389)
- Office furniture and equipment within the structures (Account 391)
Why this account matters
- Captures general infrastructure investment not attributable to a specific utility function
- Supports allocation of general plant costs to operating departments in cost-of-service studies
- Enables proper depreciation of general purpose buildings
- Required for FERC Form 1 general plant-in-service reporting
- Provides the basis for allocating overhead costs to generation, transmission, and distribution
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Disclaimer: The material in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or accounting advice provided by Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC. You should seek formal advice on this topic from your accounting or legal advisor.