 | MONTANA
SYSTEM BENEFIT FUNDS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY-STATE SUMMARY
SECTION LINKS
I. Policy
II. Administration
III. Financing
IV. Program information
V. Policy/Program Assessment
I. POLICY
Date Enacted: January 1, 1999
Date Effective: January 1, 1999
Time Period: May 1999 - July 2003
Extensions to Time Period: 2001 Legislature extended to 2005
Applicable Laws, Orders, and Regulations
SB 390 May 1997
Electric Utility Industry Restructuring and Customer Choice Act
See Section 3(28) for Universal System Benefits (USB) definition, Section 22 for USB programs, and Section 26 for Billing Disclosure.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/1997/Bills/Senate/SB0390_ENR.htm
HB 337 1999
Revisions to Universal System Benefits legislation
See Section 3 for provision of funds, Section 5 for fund structure and administration, Section 6 for rulemaking authority and Section 7 for USB credit review.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/billhtml/HB0337.htm
MPSC Docket No. D-99.2.29
Application to implement USB
http://www.psc.state.mt.us/pdf/d99229mdu.pdf
See Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Plan Appendix 1 and 2.
Description
Universal System Benefits (USB) charge assessed to each utility customer, total of 2.4% of each utility's 1995 retail sales. Changed by HB 337 to rates in $/kwh. Requires 17% of funds to low-income-related expenditures, but no specific percentage of funds for energy efficiency, R&D, renewables, and other programs. In 2001, the legislature targeted 6% of the 2.4% total to energy efficiency for irrigated agriculture.
Restructuring Policy in Place (Y/N): Yes
Date Restructured: Started in 1998, intended full competition by 2002. Delayed until July 2004.
II. ADMINISTRATION
Administering Entity: By each utility upon approval by Montana Public Service Comission (MPSC) - http://www.psc.state.mt.us/
Type of Entity: Utility
Administrative Contacts:
Montana Public Service Comission, Will Rosquist (406) 444-6359, Wrosquist@state.mt.us
Montana Department of Revenue, Russ Trasky (406) 444-0756
Outreach/Customer Education
Bonneville Power Administration: Energy Efficiency
Flathead Electric Cooperative: Energy Management
Montana-Dakota Utilities Company
Northwestern Energy: Save Energy and Money (formerly Montana Power Co.)
III. FINANCING
Funding Level (All SBC Programs): Estimated at $12 million per year. Total 2001 USB funds collected by Northwestern Energy Corporation were $8.2 million.
Funding Source: Ratepayer charge based on 2.4% of total utility 1995 retail sales
Charge: 0.7 mills/kwh
IV. PROGRAM INFORMATION
Project Types: Conservation, Market Transformation, Low Income, Irrigation
BPA
Compact Fluorescent Light Program
Classroom in a Box
Community Conservation Challenge
Conservation & Renewables Discount Program
Conservation Augmentation
Flathead Electric Cooperative
Water Heater Rebate
Consultation
Commercial Lighting Rebate Program
Montana Power Company
Residential On Site Energy Audit
Residential Mail In Energy Audit
Weatherization Program
Business Partners Program
Commercial Energy Appraisal
Building Operator Certification
Lighting Design Lab Classes
Commercial Lighting Rebate Program
Press Releases
PSC
BPA
V. POLICY/PROGRAM ASSESSMENT
Reporting Requirements: Annual reports required to the Montana Dept. of Revenue
Assessing Entity: Utilities
Report Date: Reports are publically available from the Montana Department of Revenue
Report Name: not specified
Status: For FY 2001 $8.2 million collected by the Montana Power Company and $483,000 collected by the Montana-Dakota Power Company.
Assessment Contact: Montana Dept. of Revenue - (406) 444-6900 or Russ Trasky, 406-444-0756, rtrasky@state.mt.us
Attachments:
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