When the commission determines a nonwires alternative is appropriate under section 3132, 3132‑A or 3132‑B, the nonwires alternative must be prudently procured in accordance with this section.
1. Behind the meter alternatives. For a nonwires alternative on the customer side of the meter, the investor-owned transmission and distribution utility shall contract with the Efficiency Maine Trust to deliver the nonwires alternative through the trust's programs.
2. Grid-side alternatives. For a nonwires alternative on the grid side of the meter, the commission shall determine an entity, which may include but is not limited to the investor-owned transmission and distribution utility or a 3rd party, to deliver the nonwires alternative and shall make orders as necessary.
An investor-owned transmission and distribution utility's prudently incurred costs to deliver nonwires alternatives directly or under contract with the Efficiency Maine Trust or a 3rd party are recoverable in rates. For purposes of this section, prudently incurred costs do not include a financial or performance incentive for the utility.