75-8-201. (Temporary) Study of economic impacts of cost disallowances. (1) The Montana bureau of business and economic research at the university of Montana shall study the economic impact of disallowances for replacement power costs made by the public service commission with respect to any coal-fired electric generation facilities located in the state.
(2) The study shall:
(a) determine the economic impact of the disallowances for replacement power costs on consumers;
(b) examine both the short-term and long-term impacts on customers including any potential impacts that may occur in the future as a result of decision made by the public service commission;
(c) analyze whether the cost disallowances have resulted in any changes to a bond rating of any public utilities and whether those changes have resulted in any impacts to consumers; and
(d) evaluate if cost disallowances have occurred in other jurisdictions and whether there have been any measurable impacts on consumers.
(3) The bureau of business and economic research shall complete the study by December 31, 2022.
(4) The public service commission may not limit the scope of the study and shall cooperate and provide any information and materials necessary to complete the study.
(5) Upon completion of the study, the bureau of business and economic research:
(a) shall present the study to the public service commission;
(b) may present the study to the energy and telecommunications interim committee, if scheduling permits; and
(c) upon request, may present the study to the house energy, technology, and federal relations committee and the senate energy and telecommunications committee during the 68th legislative session.
(6) If the bureau of business and economic research is unable to present the study to the energy and telecommunications interim committee, the bureau shall mail a copy to each member of the committee. (Terminates April 30, 2023--sec. 14, Ch. 553, L. 2021.)
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 553, L. 2021.