A utility may not charge its ratepayers for costs attributable to unregulated business ventures undertaken by the utility or an affiliated interest. The commission shall allocate, between a utility’s shareholders and ratepayers, costs for facilities, services or intangibles, including good will or use of a brand name, that are shared between regulated and unregulated business activities. The commission shall also attempt to ensure that the utility or the affiliated interest does not have an unfair advantage in any competitive market as a result of its regulated status or its affiliation with a regulated utility. [PL 1999, c. 158, §1 (AMD).]

Complaints by entities competing with a utility or an affiliated interest in an unregulated market, alleging that the utility or affiliated interest has an undue competitive advantage must be adjudicated by the commission. The commission shall render a decision on any complaint filed under this section within 9 months of the date of the filing. The commission may dismiss without hearing any complaint that it concludes is clearly intended to harass or delay, is frivolous or is clearly without merit. [PL 1999, c. 158, §1 (AMD).]

A complaint filed under this section must specify, to the extent possible, the nature and extent of the alleged undue competitive advantage and the basis for the belief that an undue competitive advantage exists. The utility shall respond to the complaint within 10 days of receiving notice from the commission of the complaint. Within 10 days of receiving the utility’s response, the commission shall determine whether the complaint is clearly intended to harass or delay, is frivolous or is clearly without merit. [PL 1999, c. 158, §1 (AMD).]

For the purposes of this section, the term “affiliated interest” has the same meaning as in section 707, subsection 1, paragraph A. For the purposes of this section, “undue competitive advantage” means an advantage gained by a violation of the requirements established by the commission by rule pursuant to section 715. [PL 1999, c. 158, §1 (AMD).]