Natural Gas Monitoring

While, generally, TVA effectively monitors gas and pipeline transportation costs and efficiently manages storage capacity, the OIG identified opportunities to improve the monitoring of natural gas and transportation costs. Specifically, we determined TVA did not (1) track the financial impact of penalties, (2) consistently witness pipeline meter testing, and (3) verify the accuracy of the variable cost portion of pipeline transportation invoices. We also determined TVA's reconciliation process addressed the risk of overpayments to natural gas suppliers; however, we identified a $20,000 credit provided to TVA by a natural gas supplier that management determined was credited in error. Additionally, TVA was efficiently managing storage capacity; however, TVA did not actively manage pipeline transportation capacity due to a strategic decision to base firm transportation capacity needs on a percentage of the plants' capacities to ensure reliability. We recommended the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, perform a periodic assessment of gas pipeline penalties and require meter tests be consistently witnessed by appropriately trained personnel. We recommended the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, in collaboration with the Vice President and Controller, Corporate Accounting, implement a process to verify the accuracy of transportation invoices and take action to reimburse the $20,000 mistakenly credited to TVA.