Document: 415 U.S. 345 94 S.Ct. 1151 39 L.Ed.2d 383 FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION, Petitioner,v.NEW ENGLAND COMPANY et al. No. 72—1162. Argued Dec. 3, 1973. Decided March 4, 1974. Syllabus The Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1952 (the Act), authorizes each federal agency to prescribe a fee, charge, or price for services provided by the 'to any person (including groups . .),' determined be fair and equitable consideration being taken of 'direct indirect cost Government, value recipient, public policy interest served, other pertinent facts ..' Pursuant Federal Power Commission imposed an annual assessment against all jurisdictional electric utilities in proportion their wholesale sales interchange electricity, natural gas companies with operating revenues $1,000,000 more deliveries interstate commerce. On petitions review, Court Appeals set aside these charges, holding that whole industries are not category those who may assessed under thrust which reaches only specific charges individuals companies. Held: 1. While Act includes rendered since is construed cover 'fees' 'taxes,' National Cable Television Ass'n v. United States, 336, 1146, 370, 'fee' presupposes application agency's services, whether single company group receipt beneficial service. P. 349. 2. as authorizing reasonable charge 'each identifiable recipient measurable unit amount Government service property from he derives special benefit,' precluding 'when identification ultimate beneficiary obscure can primarily considered benefitting broadly general public.' Pp. 349—351. 151 U.S.App.D.C. 371, 467 F.2d 425, affirmed. Keith A. Jones, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Stanley M. Morley Thomas Debevoise, respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 This case, companion raises another important problem construction provisions 1952, Tit. 5, 65 Stat. 290, 31 U.S.C. § 483a. established filing fees Natural Gas Act. These have been challenged. What was challenged were assessments both Acts, levied effort recoup some remaining costs two Acts. 2 With respect utilities, determines year administering associated Commission's efforts promote coordination reliability nonjurisdictional systems included. also deducts administration subject jurisdiction received during fees. balance utilities1 proporation electricity. In 1971 had gross $21 billion net income nearly $4 billion. here involved 1973 such $5 million 0.024% revenue 0.14% income. 3 As respects companies, pipeline programs 52 821, 15 717 seq. costs, after deducting amounts fees, addition, required file report on total supply (18 CRF 260.7) one-tenth mill thousand cubic feet new reserves certificated support producer certificate program. 4 its report, 45 F.P.C. 440 964, said eletric regulations 'the foundation sound financial condition achieved.' Id., at 445. It mentioned 'industry-wide recognition benefits accruing one facet activities—the adoption uniform accounting system.' 445 n. 5. Commission, while noting regulatory activities consumers, added actions 5 'have redounded benefit creating economic climate greater usage regulated turn further strengthened stability ability sell debt equity securities capital additions meet ever-increasing demands.' 6 it noted regime 'system wide beneficial' 966. pipelines listed them: 7 issuance temporary certificates expedite deliveries, elimination indefinite escalation provisions, control over quality length period supplies where advance payments made pipelines.' 967. 8 review portion order establishing 425. case petition certiorari, 411 981, 93 2267, 36 957. 9 question, 483a head 'fee, price' 'benefit, privilege, license, permit, certificate, registration similar thing (the) groups, corporations .)' taking into direct 10 held assessed, reaching We agree Appeals. 11 H.R.Rep.No.384, 82d Cong., 1st Sess., 2, states '(t)he Committee concerned receiving full return many renders beneficiaries' (emphasis added). true .).' But if we construe 'taxes'—as should done ante, p. 1146—the Office Management Budget (then known Bureau Budget) issued circular 19592 construing That stated 'should benefit.'3 (Emphasis added.) no rendered, public.'4 12 believe proper Though greatly narrows dimensions urged keeps within parameters system away domain 'taxes' toward 'economic climate' argument would lead. Some formula proceedings before question. 'identifiable recipient' 'he quote Budget, does describe members industry neither asked nor A blanket ruling say practices, result application. member adopt could charged indeed industry. There well variations like nature warrant fixing rendered. what scope Hence judgment 13 Affirmed. 14 BLACKMUN POWELL took part decision this case. Part I covering licenses hydroelectric see 16 797 seq., litigation, Parts II, 49 847, 824 III, 854, 825 Moreover, 'jurisdictional' aspect utility's refers, inter alia, transmission energy commerce sale contained 201 provision filled gap created Public Utilities Comm'n Attleboro Steam & Electric Co., 273 83, 47 294, 71 L.Ed. 549. See States Comm'n, 295, 73 706, 97 1020. Circular A—25, Sept. 23, 1959. goes state include action 'provides above beyond accrue large .. For example, will when Government-rendered service: '(a) Enables obtain immediate substantial gains values (which monetary terms) than (e.g., patent, crop insurance, license carry business); '(b) Provides business assures confidence activity necessity convenience airline routes, safety inspections craft); '(c) Is performed request regularly same group, passport, visa, airman's inspection regular duty hours).' Since oral advised Solicitor General agencies 'having industry-wide authority' there two, Communications impose 'annual analogous' instant summarizes follows: 'The fee schedule Atomic Energy forth C.F.R. (ss) 170.21 170.31 last revised October 29, (38 Fed.Reg. 30254—30255). Under schedule, operators nuclear power reactors minimum $20,000 facilities ranging $8,500 $215,000. Holders materials up $27,000. estimates approximately $7 recovered fiscal including first adopted 1968. Securities Exchange imposes $100 1100 investment advisers registered Investment Advisors 1940, (s) 80b—1 17 275.203—3(b). 1972.' statement covers 483a, authorized, 'under grants statutory authority.'

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