This bill aims to revise laws related to customer-generated electricity by requiring public utilities to transfer unused kilowatt-hour credits to low-income energy assistance programs. It amends sections 69-8-412 and 69-8-603 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Specifically, it introduces provisions for the establishment of funds to support universal low-income energy assistance, which will be administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The bill also mandates that any unused kilowatt-hour credits must be credited to the fund for low-income energy assistance programs.

In the amendments to section 69-8-603, the bill clarifies the calculation of net energy measurement and specifies that public utilities will measure the net electricity produced or consumed during the billing period. It replaces references to "electricity supplier" with "public utility" and establishes that any unused kilowatt-hour credits must be granted to the public utility without compensation to the customer-generator. Furthermore, it ensures that these credits will be allocated to support low-income energy assistance programs, thereby enhancing the support for vulnerable populations in accessing energy resources.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 69-8-412, 69-8-603