Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 38 - PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATION › Chapter 38.5 - UTILITY DIVISION › Subchapter 38.5.25 - Privately Owned Water Utilities › Rule 38.5.2528 - STANDARD RATE TARIFF

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) A small water
				or sewer utility may file an application to establish its initial
				commission-approved standard rates for small water or sewer utilities or by
				adopting its own rates if they are lower than the applicable standard rates. If
				the utility has previously had rates on file with the commission it is not
				eligible for initial standard rates. The standard rate application and tariff
				forms to be submitted for commission review are available from the commission
				upon request or by obtaining them from the commission's web site at
www.psc.mt.gov
.
(2) The standard rates for small water and
				sewer utilities set pursuant to ARM
				38.5.2527(1)(b),
				as calculated by the commission staff.
(3) Other terms and conditions of service are
				those provided in the commission's standard rate tariff forms and in ARM
				38.5.2501,
				et seq.
(4) Within ten days of
				filing its application with the commission, a small water or sewer utility that
				files standard rate application must notify every customer in writing and file
				a copy of the customer notification with the commission.
(5) The customer notification must be mailed
				to each customer's billing address. The notification must inform customers of
				the proposed rates, provide information that shows the typical bill impact of
				the proposed rates to the utility's average level of customer usage, and
				provide contact information for the utility, the Montana Consumer Counsel, and
				the commission.
(6) If either the
				Montana Consumer Counsel or 20 percent of the utility's customers protest the
				application, the commission will make a decision on the application following
				any additional process established by the commission.
(7) A standard rate tariff approved by the
				commission expires three calendar years after its initial effective date, which
				begins at the time the commission grants any portion of the standard rate, even
				if the rate is implemented in increments pursuant to ARM
				38.5.2527(3).
				At least three months prior to the expiration of the standard rate tariff, the
				utility must a rate application in accordance with the minimum rate case filing
				standards of ARM
				38.5.101,
				et seq., or an application in accordance with the operating ratio methodology
				pursuant to ARM
				38.5.2529.
				A utility may request an extension of the standard rate in limited
				circumstances and for good cause shown, including for an extension of time to
				allow the utility to meet its annual report requirements under these
				rules.
(8) Standard rates shall be
				considered interim or temporary rates subject to rebate or surcharge pending a
				decision made in a rate application in accordance with the minimum rate case
				filing standards of ARM 38.5.101, et seq. or in accordance with the operating
				ratio methodology pursuant to ARM 38.5.2529.
AUTH:
					 69-2-101,
					 69-3-103,
					 69-3-301,
					 MCA