(1) Before April 1, 2018, a public utility shall:
(a) conduct a study of the costs and benefits of customer-generators as defined in 69-8-103; and
(b) submit the study to the commission for the purpose of making determinations in accordance with a public utility's general rate case pursuant to 69-8-611.
(2) The utility may engage independent consultants or advisory services to complete a cost-benefit study. Costs are recoverable in rates.
(3) After May 3, 2017, the commission may establish minimum information required for inclusion in a study conducted by a public utility in accordance with subsection (1)(a).