§ 23-3-405 - Authority of Arkansas Public Service Commission -- Rates and charges.
23-3-405. Authority of Arkansas Public Service Commission -- Rates and charges.
(a) (1) The Arkansas Public Service Commission is authorized to propose, develop, solicit, approve, require, implement, and monitor measures by utility companies which cause the companies to incur costs of service and investments which conserve, as well as distribute, electrical energy and existing supplies of natural gas, oil, and other fuels.
(2) After proper notice and hearings, the programs and measures may be approved and ordered into effect by the commission if it determines they will be beneficial to the ratepayers of such public utilities and to the utilities themselves.
(3) In such instances, the commission shall declare that the cost of such conservation measures is a proper cost of providing utility service. At the time any such programs or measures are approved and ordered into effect, the commission shall also order that the affected public utility company be allowed to increase its rates or charges as necessary to recover any costs incurred by the public utility company as a result of its engaging in any such program or measure.
(b) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as limiting or cutting down the authority of the commission to order, require, promote, or engage in other energy conserving actions or measures.