(a) It is declared to be the policy of this state that while the development of qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities should be encouraged, electric utilities should not be required to purchase power from the facilities at excessive rates which would result in an increase in the cost of providing electrical service to customers of the electric utility.
(b) In furtherance of this declared policy, it is recognized that the Arkansas Public Service Commission has adopted cogeneraton rules and it shall continue to provide for electric utilities to purchase electric energy or capacity from qualifying facilities at rates which are just and reasonable to the electric consumer of the electric utility, which do not increase the cost of providing electrical service to customers of the electric utility, are in the public interest, which do not discriminate against qualifying facilities, and which do not exceed avoided costs.