§1905. Funding of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract
Contracts under this chapter may be funded in accordance with this section. [PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
1. Assessments on ratepayers. The commission may direct one or more transmission and distribution utilities, gas utilities or natural gas pipeline utilities to collect an assessment from ratepayers for the following purposes:
A. To finance the participation of a transmission and distribution utility, a gas utility or a natural gas pipeline utility in an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract; and [PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
B. To pay the costs of energy cost reduction contract or physical energy storage contract evaluation and administration under section 1906, subsection 2. [PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
All assessments must be just and reasonable as determined by the commission and must be identified as an energy cost reduction contract charge or a physical energy storage contract charge on a ratepayer's utility bill. When determining just and reasonable assessments, the commission shall consider the anticipated reduction in the price of gas or electricity, as applicable, accruing to different categories of ratepayers as a result of the contract.
[PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
2. Assessments on utilities. If the commission is the principal and counterparty on an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract, the commission may:
A. Assess one or more transmission and distribution utilities, gas utilities and natural gas pipeline utilities in proportion to the anticipated reduction in the price of gas or electricity, as applicable, accruing as a result of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract to the customers of the utility for any and all net costs to the commission of the commission's performance of the contract as determined by the commission in an adjudicatory proceeding. The cost to the utility of the assessment may be recovered by the utility in rates in the same manner as any other prudently incurred cost. [PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
[PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
3. Volumetric fee. The commission may establish and direct the payment to the trust fund of a volumetric fee on the use of gas by a consumer of natural gas obtained from a source other than a gas utility or a natural gas pipeline utility of this State in proportion to the anticipated reduction in the price of gas accruing to that consumer as a result of an energy cost reduction contract or a physical energy storage contract as determined by the commission in an adjudicatory proceeding.
[PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2013, c. 369, Pt. B, §1 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 445, §6 (AMD).