HB0325

Allows large-scale industrial power users in Wyoming to procure electricity from any provider outside traditional utility service territories, subject to specified requirements and exemptions from rate regulation.

• Defines large-scale industrial power users as electric customers in Wyoming with annual demand of at least one megawatt hour, and specifies that providers can include public utilities, municipal utilities, cooperative utilities, and power districts. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(a))
• Permits large-scale industrial power users to procure electricity from any provider regardless of certificated service territories, without requiring the new provider to compensate the incumbent utility. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(i), W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(ii))
• Requires electricity purchased by large-scale industrial power users to be received and consumed on-site, used only for commercial or industrial purposes, and not resold or transferred to other customers. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(ii)(A)-(C))
• Requires providers to file a notice with the Public Service Commission before serving a large-scale industrial power user, with no commission fee, hearing requirement, or approval decision necessary before proceeding. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(iii))
• Allows providers to either negotiate use of existing transmission and storage infrastructure or develop and construct their own infrastructure without requiring a certificate of convenience and necessity. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(iv))
• Exempts rates charged by providers to large-scale industrial power users from commission rate regulation, but requires commission regulation of rates charged by utilities for use of their transmission lines to ensure other retail customers do not bear disproportionate joint and common costs. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(v), W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(vi))
• Requires that electric service to large-scale industrial power users not reduce or adversely affect service to other customers in the same certificated service territory. (W.S. 37-2-205.2(b)(vii))
• Amends existing statutes to exempt providers of service to large-scale industrial power users from certificate of convenience and necessity requirements under W.S. 37-2-205, 37-2-205.1, 37-7-101, and 37-17-102.