NOTE 7 – OTHER DEFERRED CHARGES

The following other deferred charges are reflected on our consolidated statements of financial position (dollars in thousands):


	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Preliminary surveys and investigations	$	22,167	$	21,261
Advances to operating agents of jointly owned facilities		10,197		3,917
Operating lease right-of-use assets		8,327		7,622
Other		15,431		9,872
Total other deferred charges	$	56,122	$	42,672

We make expenditures for preliminary surveys and investigations for the purpose of determining the feasibility of contemplated generation and transmission projects. If construction results, the preliminary survey and investigation expenditures will be reclassified to electric plant ‑ construction work in progress. If the work is abandoned, the related preliminary survey and investigation expenditures will be charged to the appropriate operating expense account or the expense could be deferred as a regulatory asset to be recovered from our Utility Members through rates subject to approval by our Board and FERC.

We make advance payments to the operating agents of jointly owned facilities to fund our share of costs expected to be incurred under each project including MBPP – Laramie River Station, and Yampa Project – Craig Generating Station Units 1 and 2. We also make advance payments to the operating agent of Springerville Unit 3.

A right-of-use asset represents a lessee’s right to control the use of the underlying asset for the lease term. Right-of-use assets are included in other deferred charges and presented net of accumulated amortization. See Note 15 – Leases.