The bill establishes an intervenor compensation program within the Public Utilities Commission and the Energy Facility Siting Board, aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals and organizations experiencing significant financial hardship when participating in commission proceedings. It offers grants of up to $50,000 to cover legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs associated with participation. A special fund, known as the intervenor compensation special fund, will be created and funded through annual appropriations from the General Assembly, with a target balance of $300,000.

The bill outlines the requirements for obtaining grants, including the necessity for applicants to demonstrate significant financial hardship and provide documentation of their intervention request. It specifies that grants may be used solely for proceedings before the commission or board and prohibits their use for judicial appeals.

Additionally, the bill mandates the development of accessible, multi-lingual educational materials and outreach programs to inform potential grantees about the compensation program. Grantees are required to submit a detailed report on the expenditure of grant funds within thirty days of receiving a written order. Any excess funds remaining after the completion of the proceeding must be returned to the intervenor special compensation fund. Entities that breach the conditions of the grant may face enforcement actions, including being barred from future funding until compliance is achieved.

Statutes affected:
7890: 42-98-17