Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 38 - PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATION
Chapter 38.5 - UTILITY DIVISION
Subchapter 38.5.1 - Minimum Rate Case Filing Standards for Electric, Gas, and Private Water Utilities
Rule 38.5.194 - APPLICATION FOR ALLOCATED COST OF SERVICE AND RATE DESIGN CHANGES

(1) Applications for allocated cost of service and rate design changes shall include the material required in ARM 38.5.103, 38.5.104, 38.5.109, 38.5.176 and 38.5.177, minimally.

(2) Each allocated cost of service and rate design application shall include an example and general explanation of each current bill format that is used by the utility for tariffed services. Copies of other billing information that are provided to large groups of customers should also be provided and briefly explained. Additional information may be provided at the discretion of the filing utility.

(3) Absent regular allocated cost of service and rate design filings, a marginal cost of service study shall be submitted to the commission for information purposes, minimally, every two years. If the utility files an integrated resource plan with the commission, cost information shall be submitted within six months following such filing, unless the cost information has been presented within the previous two years. At the time a marginal cost of service study is filed, the utility, at its own option, may submit an embedded cost of service study.

(4) A marginal cost of service study filed pursuant to this rule or in the context of a rate case must contain current allocation factors.

(5) Three copies of the letter of transmittal and three copies of all material required in ARM 38.5.176, 38.5.177 and 38.5.109 shall be filed with the commission at the time of application. Montana consumer counsel shall receive two copies of the same materials.

(6) All or any part of the requirements of these rules may be waived by the commission upon a showing of good cause. Waiver of any requirements, however, shall not preclude the commission from requiring the filing of specific cost data and material sufficient to support the application.