Large electricity users would pay costs tied to new power service

A public power utility would review qualifying service requests and send the customer a written proposal. This covers new service expected to reach at least 100 megawatts within five years, or added service expected to increase a customer's total service by at least 100 megawatts within five years. A customer seeking service under a private generation contract need not submit this request. The utility may charge reasonable evaluation fees and need not begin until the customer pays applicable fees and provides required information. The utility would start processing by April 1 or October 1, based on when it received the request, and finish its evaluation within six months after processing starts.

Large-load customers would cover the costs tied to their service, and a provider would need board approval before serving under a large-load contract. This applies to large-load customers served under contracts with a public power utility, a large-scale generation provider, or both. A public power utility would not have to serve a large-load customer or provide backup power unless the contract says otherwise. The board would approve a contract only if the customer bears costs reasonably tied to its service and existing ratepayers do not bear those costs. The provider would need board approval before providing service under a large-load contract.

The board would set rules for dividing transmission costs and collect fees from large-load customers with pending requests. The transmission cost rules would apply to large-load contracts made on or after January 1, 2027. The board would hire an independent consultant and consider federal policies, costs, use of existing transmission lines, and effects on retail rates. Fees would be assessed twice a year and shared among customers with pending requests to cover specified board review and evaluation costs. The board would adopt the transmission cost rules by January 1, 2027. The rules would apply to contracts made on or after that date.