### Question
How is the "system cost" defined?


### Answer
The term **system cost** is defined in *16 U.S.C. § 831m* as follows -

> all direct and quantifiable net costs for an energy resource over its available life, including the cost of production, transportation, utilization, waste management, environmental compliance, and, in the case of imported energy resources, maintaining access to foreign sources of supply

#### Citation:
  - *16 U.S.C. § 831m*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 12A-TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY**

