Montana Title 69. Public Utilities and Carriers § 69-5-122. Residential utility line extension--refund

(1) A small customer of an electric utility as defined in 69-5-121(4)(a) who pays for a portion of the construction of an extension to a residential structure or who advances money to an electric utility as defined in 69-5-121(4)(a) for a subsequent connection to that extension must receive a refund as provided in subsection (2) if an additional customer connects to the extension.

(2) Each additional customer, prior to the initiation of electric service, shall advance to an electric utility as defined in 69-5-121(4)(a) an equal proportionate share of the total amount paid for the extension to a residential structure. The electric utility shall refund the advance on a pro rata basis to the small customer who paid for the initial extension or to the small customer who paid for a subsequent connection to that extension. A refund may not be issued after 10 years from the date the initial extension is established.

(3) A small customer who expends funds for an extension to a residential structure may not receive a refund that is greater than the amount necessary to return the small customer to the small customer's proportionate share of the cost of the original extension.

(4) A small customer may receive a refund pursuant to this section only if: