2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 69. Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 5. Power and Energy Companies › Part 1. Territorial Integrity for Electric Suppliers › 69-5-123. Review and selection of contractor

69-5-123. Review and selection of contractor.
(1) (a) After an electric utility provides a cost estimate to a small customer for an extension on the small customer's property to a residential, commercial, or added structure, the small customer may request a contractor to provide an alternative cost estimate.
(b) If the small customer requesting an alternative cost estimate is served by an electric utility as defined in 69-5-121(4)(a), the small customer shall pay a $25 fee to the public service commission and file a copy of the cost estimate and alternative cost estimate with the commission.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (2)(b), after receiving an alternative cost estimate, the small customer may hire the contractor to complete the extension on the small customer's property to the residential, commercial, or added structure.
(b) At least 20 days prior to the contractor beginning work on the extension, the small customer shall notify the electric utility that will be providing service to the small customer. The notification must be in writing.
(3) (a) Subject to subsections (3)(b) through (3)(d), if a contractor is selected, the extension must be built on the small customer's property to meet the same standards proposed by the electric utility that will be providing service to the small customer.
(b) Throughout construction and as the electric utility considers appropriate, the electric utility shall inspect the extension and be onsite. The contractor shall notify the electric utility of construction progress as needed for inspection.
(c) If a contractor is selected, the contract for an extension must require the payment of the standard prevailing wage rate in effect and applicable to the work being performed.
(d) Either the contractor selected in accordance with subsection (3)(a) or the person selected by the electric utility completing inspections onsite in accordance with subsection (3)(b) must be a journeyman lineman or professional engineer.
(4) (a) When the extension is completed by the contractor, the electric utility that will be providing service to the small customer shall complete a final inspection. After the final inspection and following the correction of deficiencies, if any, the electric utility shall provide the small customer a written statement that construction is complete.
(b) After the written statement is issued in accordance with subsection (4)(a), the electric utility shall connect the extension to the electric utility's system.
(5) Construction and completion of an extension by a contractor does not:
(a) affect the location of a vector, a capacity decision, or any other agreement made in accordance with 69-5-101 through 69-5-114;
(b) allow the contractor to connect an extension to an electric utility without the electric utility's written statement and final inspection in accordance with subsection (4); or
(c) affect the rights and duties of a rural electric cooperative organized in accordance with Title 35, chapter 18, to adopt policies or to implement the provisions of this section.
(6) (a) If a contractor is hired in accordance with this section, the cost of engineering, construction, and other services must be paid by the small customer who sought the alternative cost estimate and hired the contractor.
(b) The small customer is also responsible for costs incurred by an electric utility while onsite during construction and inspections in accordance with subsections (3) and (4).
(7) If a contractor is hired in accordance with this section, when construction is complete the customer and the electric utility may negotiate ownership and maintenance of the extension.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 440, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 3, L. 2019.