§269-124  Transitioning from utilitydemand-side management programs to the public benefits fee.  If the publicutilities commission establishes a public benefits fee pursuant to section269-121, the public utilities commission shall:

(1)  Develop a transition plan that ensures that:

(A)  Utility demand-side management programsare continued, to the extent practicable, until the transition date; and

(B)  The public benefits fee administrator willbe able to provide demand-side management and energy-efficiency services on thetransition date;

(2)  Encourage programs that allow all retailelectricity customers, including state and county agencies, regardless of theretail electricity or gas provider, to have an opportunity to participate inand benefit from a comprehensive set of cost-effective demand-side managementand energy-efficiency programs and initiatives designed to overcome barriers toparticipation;

(3)  Encourage programs, measures, and deliverymechanisms that reasonably reflect current and projected utility integratedresource planning, market conditions, technological options, and environmentalbenefits;

(4)  Facilitate the delivery of these programs asrapidly as possible, taking into consideration the need for these services andcost-effective delivery mechanisms;

(5)  Consider the unique geographic location of theState and the high costs of energy in developing programs that will promotetechnologies to advance energy efficiency and use of renewable energy andpermit the State to take advantage of activities undertaken in other states,including the opportunity for multi-state programs;

(6)  Require the public benefits fee administratorcontracted by the public utilities commission under section 269-122 to deliverprograms in an effective, efficient, timely, and competent manner and to meetstandards that are consistent with state policy and public utilities commissionpolicy; and

(7)  Before January 2, 2008, and every three yearsthereafter, require verification by an independent auditor of the reportedenergy and capacity savings and incremental renewable energy production savingsassociated with the programs delivered by the public benefits fee administratorcontracted by the public utilities commission to deliver energy-efficiency anddemand-side management programs under section 269-121. [L 2006, c 162, pt of§1; am L 2008, c 118, pt of §2]