The following definitions apply to this chapter:

(1) "Cost-effective" means that the expected benefits accrued as a result of pursuing the action must exceed the expected costs associated with that action over some reasonable time period.

(2) "Department" means the Montana Department of Revenue.

(3) "Energy conservation" means the installation or implementation of an energy efficient measure or practice which results in a reduction of energy usage.

(4) "Internal activities or programs" are those activities or programs operated, developed, or organized within the organizational structure of a utility or large customer.

(5) "Internal expenditure" means financial commitments made by a utility or large customer to a qualifying activity or program.

(6) "LIEAP" means low income energy assistance program.

(7) "Low-income customer eligibility" means those households whose annualized income is 150 percent or less of federal poverty guidelines. Exceptions are subject to documentation on an individual basis.

(8) "Low-income customer weatherization" means a group of energy assistance measures targeted at improving energy efficiency and energy-related safety of low-income homes in the state of Montana.

(9) "Low-income energy assistance" means activities that better ensure affordable energy services on a continuing basis to low-income households in the state of Montana.

(10) "Market transformation" means coordinated activities, at the state, regional, or national level, that transform markets for the support of efficient technologies and practices or renewable resources. The intent of market transformation is to undertake activities that will increase the market share so that the activity will be sustained after incentives or other support is withdrawn.

(11) "Renewable resource projects and applications" means projects and applications that use various technologies to convert virtually inexhaustible energy sources to electricity or to perform useful work in some way.

(12) "Research and development programs" means universal system benefits programs related to a broad spectrum of activities which are intended to identify, evaluate, develop, and/or demonstrate techniques or technologies related to the acquisition of public purpose benefits. 

(13) "Universal system benefits (USB)" programs means public purpose programs for:

(a) cost-effective energy conservation;

(b) low-income customer weatherization;

(c) renewable resource projects and applications, including those that capture unique social and energy system benefits or provides transmission and distribution system benefits;

(d) research and development programs related to energy conservation and renewables;

(e) market transformation designed to encourage competitive markets for public purpose programs; and

(f) low-income energy assistance.