Rule 38.5.8409 - LEVEL 1 EXPEDITED REVIEW(1) An EDC shall use the Level 1 interconnection review procedure for an interconnection request that meets the criteria in 38.5.8406(1)(a). An EDC shall not impose additional requirements for Level 1 reviews not specifically authorized under this rule unless the EDC and the applicant mutually agree to do so.(2) The EDC shall evaluate the potential for adverse system impacts using the following screens which must be satisfied: (a) For interconnection of a proposed small generator facility to a radial distribution line section, the aggregated generation on the line section, including the proposed small generator facility, may not exceed: (i) 15% of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured at the substation; or(ii) the annual minimum load of the line section.(b) For interconnection of a proposed small generator facility to a spot network circuit where the generator or aggregate of total generation exceeds 5% of the spot network's maximum load, the generator must utilize a protective scheme that will ensure that its current flow will not affect the network protective devices, including reverse power relays or a comparable function;(c) When a proposed small generator facility is to be interconnected on a single-phase shared secondary line section, the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary line, including the proposed small generator facility, may not exceed 20 kilovolt-amps (kVA);(d) When a proposed small generator facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition may not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 20% of the nameplate rating of the service transformer;(e) The generator cannot exceed the capacity of the customer's existing electrical service; and(f) Construction of facilities by the EDC on its own system is not required to accommodate the small generator facility.(3) The Level 1 interconnection review must be conducted in accordance with the following procedures: (a) An EDC shall, within ten business days after receipt of the interconnection request, inform the applicant that the interconnection request is complete or incomplete and what materials are missing;(b) When an interconnection request is complete, the EDC shall assign a line section queue position if there is more than one interconnection request pending for the same line section. The line section queue position of the interconnection request shall be used to determine the potential adverse system impact of the small generator facility based on the relevant screening criteria. The EDC shall notify the applicant about other higher line section queued applicants on the same line section or spot network for which interconnection is sought. Line section queue position shall not be forfeited or otherwise impacted by any pending dispute submitted under the provisions of ARM 38.5.8413;(c) The EDC shall, within 15 business days after the end of the ten business days noted in (3)(a), verify that the small generator facility equipment can be interconnected safely and reliably using Level 1 screens;(d) Unless the EDC determines and demonstrates that a small generator facility cannot be interconnected safely or reliably to its system and provides a letter to the applicant explaining its reasons for denying an interconnection request, the EDC shall provide the applicant with a small generator interconnection agreement within five business days and approve the interconnection request subject to the following conditions:(i) The small generator facility has been approved by local or municipal electric code officials with jurisdiction over the interconnection;(ii) A certificate of completion has been returned to the EDC. Completion of local inspections may be designated on inspection forms used by local inspecting authorities;(iii) The witness test has been successfully completed or waived; and(iv) The applicant has signed a standard small generator interconnection agreement. When an applicant does not sign the agreement within 30 business days after receipt from the EDC, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.(e) If the small generator facility is not approved under a Level 1 review, the EDC shall provide the applicant a letter explaining its reasons for denying the interconnection request. The applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under a Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 interconnection review; however, the line section queue position assigned to the Level 1 interconnection request shall be retained provided the request is made within 15 business days after notification that the current interconnection request has not been approved.Mont. Admin. r. 38.5.8409
NEW, 2010 MAR p. 1801, Eff. 8/13/10.69-3-103, MCA; IMP, 69-3-102, MCA;