Montana Title 69. Public Utilities and Carriers § 69-3-603. Required sale of electricity under rates and conditions prescribed by commission

(2)(a) The commission shall determine the rates and conditions of the contract upon petition of a qualifying small power production facility or a utility or during a rate proceeding involving the review of rates paid by a utility for electricity purchased from a qualifying small power production facility. The commission shall render a decision within 180 days of receipt of the petition or, in accordance with subsection (2)(b), before the completion of the rate proceeding. The rates and conditions of the determination must be made according to the standards prescribed in 69-3-604.

(b) When a utility files a request to establish or revise rate schedules for qualifying small power production facilities pursuant to rules adopted by the commission, the commission shall issue an order within 270 days of receipt of the request.

(3)(a) If a qualifying small power production facility is eligible to sell electricity to a utility pursuant to a rate schedule approved by the commission, neither the qualifying small power production facility nor the utility may petition the commission in accordance with subsection (2)(a) to authorize a rate or term different from that in the rate schedule.

(b) A qualifying small power production facility may file a complaint pursuant to 69-3-321 if the facility feels the rate schedule approved by the commission is unreasonable.