69-8-102. Legislative findings and policy. The legislature finds and declares the following:
     (1) The generation and sale of electricity is becoming a competitive industry.
     (2) Montana customers should have the freedom to choose their supplier of electricity and related services in a competitive market as soon as administratively feasible. Affording this opportunity serves the public interest.
     (3) The interests of Montana consumers should be protected and the financial integrity of electrical utilities should be fostered.
     (4) The public interest requires the continued protection of consumers through:
     (a) licensure of electricity suppliers;
     (b) provision of information to consumers regarding electricity supply service;
     (c) provision of a process for investigating and resolving complaints;
     (d) continued funding for public purpose programs for:
     (i) cost-effective local energy conservation;
     (ii) low-income customer weatherization;
     (iii) renewable resource projects and applications;
     (iv) research and development programs related to energy conservation and renewables;
     (v) market transformation; and
     (vi) low-income energy assistance;
     (e) assurance of service reliability and quality; and
     (f) prevention of anticompetitive and abusive activities.
     (5) A utility in the state of Montana may not be advantaged or disadvantaged in the competitive electricity supply market, including the consideration of the existence of universal system benefits programs and the comparable level of funding for those programs throughout the regions neighboring Montana.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 505, L. 1997.