A cooperative utility s transition plan shall be approved by its governing body and provide for full competition by July 1, 2002. The transition plan must be consistent with the provisions of the law as they affect investor-owned utilities. The Commission cannot regulate cooperative utilities except to review certification filings for compliance. If a utility s customer does not choose an alternate supplier, the utility, or an entity designated by the utility, shall provide power supply service. A cooperative utility can recover transition costs, through a transition charge, as approved by its governing body.
Costs can include revenue necessary to meet debt service requirements.
A Montana Power Authority is established to offer cost-based electricity to consumers. All references are to SB 390 except where noted. The PSC shall establish electric supply rates that reflect the full level of electricity supply costs that the default supplier incurs on behalf of its customers. A customer can meet this requirement if its load aggregates to at least 1,000 KWs from individual meters with loads of more than 300 KWs. All customers must be allowed to choose by July 1, 2007.