Generally revise utility lines and facilities laws

Advanced transmission technology definition was renumbered and reorganized, removing specific examples like high-capacity ceramic wire and high-voltage direct-current technology from the list while keeping others like underground cables and energy storage devices.

Removed references to the Department of Environmental Quality, shifting authority entirely to the commission for transmission facility approvals.

Set a 300-day deadline for the commission to determine if transmission projects are in the public interest and grant or deny certificates.

Created a new advanced cost approval process allowing utilities to get cost presumptions before building, which could reduce future rate disputes if actual costs differ from approved costs.

Modified the commission's authority to consider specific regulatory requirements when making public interest determinations on transmission projects.

Changed review timeline from 270 days to 300 days for determining if a transmission project serves the public interest.

Expanded definition of 'advanced transmission technology' to include specific technologies like underground cables, advanced conductors, HVDC systems, and energy storage devices.

Added requirement that commission must determine application adequacy within 45 days and issue orders within 90 days for cost approval requests.

Added new subsection requiring commission to adopt rules for implementing the advanced cost approval process.

Updated formatting and capitalization throughout the document to standardize language and improve readability.

Added specific language about thermal expansion coefficients and installed powerline conductors to the definition section to clarify how advanced transmission technology relates to existing infrastructure.

Reorganized the bill structure by moving the WHEREAS clauses and definitions to different positions in the document, changing the order from 1-20 to 20-21.

Inserted text emphasizing that wildfire risk reduction is especially significant when using advanced composite conductors with specific thermal expansion properties.

Changed the timeline for commission determinations from 270 days to 300 days in the certificate approval section.

Added language requiring the commission to consider Montana utility customer access when evaluating transmission facility proposals.

Bill version number changed from SB 301.3 to SB 301.4, indicating a revision to the legislative document.

Corrected a grammatical error in the notification language to improve clarity and readability of the statutory requirement.

Extended the commission's decision timeline for transmission facility certificates from 270 days to 300 days.

Added a new section establishing a process for utilities to seek advanced cost approval for transmission facilities before construction.

Clarified that the commission cannot make certain determinations when utilities request certificates of public convenience and necessity.

Updated bill numbering from SB0301.2 to SB0301.3 throughout the document.

Text formatting was improved through capitalization and spacing adjustments for better readability, but no substantive policy changes were made.

Converted sentence fragments into complete sentences for clarity and consistency in the commission's review timeline requirements.

Standardized capitalization of key procedural phrases to improve readability and enforceability.

Adjusted section numbering from lowercase to uppercase letters for consistency.

Expanded the definition of advanced transmission technology to include energy storage devices, distributed generation, enhanced power device monitoring, direct system-state sensors, and power electronics with real-time monitoring software.

Added a new certificate of public convenience and necessity process that allows utilities to request Commission approval before construction begins for facilities rated higher than 69 kilovolts.

Added Commission evaluation criteria including reliability needs, customer access improvements, anticipated costs and benefits, use of advanced technology, and other appropriate factors.

Created a new approval process for transmission lines and related facilities not yet procured, with 45-day and 90-day Commission review timelines.

Established a 270-300 day timeline for the Commission to determine if proposed transmission facilities are in the public interest and grant or deny certificates.

Added provisions that Commission-approved certificates may satisfy certain state siting requirements, potentially streamlining the approval process for transmission projects.

Added a new section requiring the commission to approve transmission lines and related facilities within 90 days, unless extraordinary circumstances warrant additional time.

Added a requirement that the commission consider the anticipated costs and benefits of proposed facilities when making determinations.

Changed the timeline for the commission to determine if a proposed transmission facility is in the public interest from 270 days to 300 days.

Added new definitions for enhanced power device monitoring and direct system-state sensors as part of advanced transmission technology.

Removed formatting elements such as page headers, legislative session details, and unauthorized print version markers.

Modified the optional ratemaking procedures to allow utilities to establish procedures that unbundled revenues and costs associated with electric transmission service.

Added definition of 'Transmission facility' to include facilities controlled or operated by a utility used to provide transmission services as determined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Public Service Commission, including advanced transmission technology.

Established a 270-day timeline for the commission to determine whether proposed transmission facility construction is in the public interest and to grant or deny certificates of public convenience and necessity.

Added five specific factors the commission must consider when evaluating transmission facility requests, including reliability needs, customer access improvements, anticipated costs and benefits, use of advanced transmission technology, and other appropriate factors.

Created optional ratemaking procedures for eligible public utilities that require unbundling transmission service revenues from other services, annual rate setting based on 12-month forecasts, and recovery adjustments for costs and revenues.

Added provision allowing public utilities to seek similar treatment for construction costs in the rate base if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission grants cost recovery during construction.

Added requirement for the commission to adopt rules implementing the new transmission certificate and ratemaking procedures.