69-3-1408. Universal system benefits programs -- establishing nonbypassable rate. (1) A natural gas utility shall implement, upon commission approval, a universal system benefits program that considers existing universal system benefits programs in the state.
     (2) The commission shall establish a universal system benefits charge that either all natural gas transmission services providers or all distribution services providers, or both, in the state of Montana shall charge to all end-use customers, taking into consideration the current level of expenditure by the natural gas utility, cost-effectiveness, and similar costs imposed in other states. The method of assessing those rates may not disproportionately burden a large transmission services provider's customers. Within the universal system benefits charge, a natural gas utility's annual funding requirement for low-income weatherization and low-income energy bill assistance is established at 0.42% of a natural gas utility's annual revenue. A natural gas utility must receive credit for its internal programs or activities that qualify as universal system benefits programs.
     (3) On or before July 1, 2002, the commission shall conduct a reevaluation of the ongoing need for universal system benefits programs and annual funding requirements and shall make recommendations to the 58th legislature regarding the future need for universal system benefits programs. The determination should focus specifically on the existence of markets to provide for any of the universal system benefits programs or on whether other means for funding those universal system benefits programs have developed. These recommendations may also address how future reevaluations will be provided, if necessary.

     History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 506, L. 1997.