SB 957 - The Public Service Commission (PSC) must review and modify, if necessary, its regulations so that interconnection agreements, procedures, and fees for combined heat and power systems are non-discriminatory and just and reasonable. The PSC must make available an expedited dispute resolution mechanism. The act requires investor-owned electric companies to purchase electricity from eligible combined heat and power systems at not less than retail rates. The act specifies the eligibility criteria. Investor-owned electric companies must file a tariff regarding the act's provisions with the PSC within 90 days of the act's effective date. In its review, the PSC must ensure that the tariff: includes rates with options for different durations, is indexed to the cost of natural gas, includes the cost of credits for compliance with greenhouse gas regulation, uses time-of-delivery rates, is available to owned or leased combined heat and power systems located within the company's service territory, and that rates and conditions for supporting services are just and reasonable. Rates for standby power and maintenance power must not be based on certain assumptions. Tariffs or contracts for the purchase of electricity from combined heat and power systems must be made available until the total installed capacity from combined heat and power systems in the state is 500 megawatts. Once the total capacity reaches 500 megawatts, the PSC may determine if the combined heat and power tariffs should continue. Rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities must take action to comply with the act within one year and must provide a market for the purchase of electricity from combined heat and power systems at just and reasonable rates. The act provides certain requirements for air pollution permits issued by the Department of Natural Resources for combined heat and power systems. The Department of Natural Resources shall allow combined heat and power systems to participate in programs that give credit or allowances for reductions in air emissions. ERIKA JAQUES