69-5-112. Commission jurisdiction over agreements. - Montana Statutes

     69-5-112. Commission jurisdiction over agreements. (1) All agreements between electric facilities providers must be submitted to the commission for approval. Each agreement must clearly identify the geographical area to be served by each electric facilities provider. The submission must include:
     (a) a map and a written description of the area; and
     (b) the terms and conditions pertaining to the implementation of the agreement.
     (2) Whenever an agreement involves the exchange or transfer of customers within service territories, the following must also be included with the agreement submission:
     (a) the number and class of customers to be transferred;
     (b) assurance that the affected customers have been contacted and have received a written explanation of the difference in rates; and
     (c) information with respect to the degree of acceptance by affected customers, such as the number in favor of and those opposed to the transfer.
     (3) In approving agreements, the commission shall consider but is not limited to consideration of:
     (a) the reasonable likelihood that the agreement, in and of itself, will not cause a decrease in the reliability of electric service to the existing or future ratepayers of any electric facilities provider party of the agreement; and
     (b) the reasonable likelihood that the agreement will eliminate existing or potentially uneconomic duplication of electric service facilities.
     (4) An agreement approved by the commission is valid and enforceable, and except as provided in 69-5-106, an electric facilities provider may not offer, construct, or extend electric service facilities into an exclusive territory.
     (5) The commission shall state its findings and conclusions for approving or disapproving an agreement and shall render a decision within 90 days of receipt of the agreement. The electric facilities providers submitting the agreement to the commission shall act according to the agreement until a decision is rendered.
     (6) Upon approval of the agreement, any modification, changes, or corrections to this agreement must be approved by the commission.
     (7) The commission may promulgate rules to administer this part consistent with the requirements of this part.

     History: En. Sec. 44, Ch. 505, L. 1997.