69-3-1207. Competitive solicitation process -- Montana consumer counsel role. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5), a public utility that intends to seek approval by the commission pursuant to 69-8-421 for the acquisition, construction, or purchase of an electricity supply resource shall conduct a competitive solicitation process.

(b) A public utility may not prohibit a qualifying small power production facility as defined in 69-3-601 or another utility or supplier that owns an electricity supply resource or intends to construct an electricity supply resource from participating in a competitive solicitation process.

(c) A competitive solicitation process that is open to bids that would result in the ownership of an electricity supply resource by the public utility issuing the solicitation must include the use of a third-party administrator selected by the public utility to open, consider, and evaluate bids submitted pursuant to a solicitation.

(2) A public utility that plans to conduct a competitive solicitation process shall submit the following information to the commission:

(a) a description of the competitive solicitation process that the public utility will use and proof of compliance with subsections (1)(b) and (1)(c), if applicable; and

(b) a complete draft of the proposal soliciting electricity supply resources, citing the need for resources.

(3) The commission may accept public comment on the information.

(4) (a) The Montana consumer counsel may request, select, and retain a person or organization to act as an independent monitor for a competitive solicitation process.

(b) The commission shall charge a fee to the public utility to pay for the costs of an independent monitor. These costs are recoverable in rates.

(c) The independent monitor may assist the Montana consumer counsel by:

(i) providing comments on the consistency of the competitive solicitation process with industry standards;

(ii) monitoring and observing the competitive solicitation process, paying particular attention to the public utility's evaluation of electricity supply resources that may result in utility ownership of the resource, to ensure that the utility conducts a fair and proper process in accordance with industry standards;

(iii) notifying the utility and the consumer counsel on a timely basis prior to the utility's selection of the resources of any discrepancies observed in the process and resolving any differences of opinion; and

(iv) preparing a closing report prior to the final selection of the resources regarding the consistency of the process, including selection and notification of electricity supply resources taking part in the solicitation process based on industry standards.

(5) This section does not apply to:

(a) a request for proposals or purchase by a public utility intended solely to meet the short-term operational needs of the utility for a period of less than 12 months; or

(b) an application made to the commission by a public utility to acquire, construct, or purchase an opportunity resource.

(6) For the purposes of this section, "opportunity resource" means an electricity supply resource necessary to meet a need demonstrated in a plan in accordance with 69-3-1204(2)(a)(iv) that is either new or existing and that remains unknown as to its availability for purchase until an opportunity to purchase arises.