Montana § 69-3-332 - Digital Asset Mining Ratemaking

§ 69-3-332. Digital Asset Mining Ratemaking

Digital asset mining ratemaking. (1) The commission may not establish a rate classification for digital asset mining, digital asset mining businesses, or home digital asset mining that creates unduly discriminatory rates. (2) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (a) "Data center" means a use involving a building or premises in which the majority of the use is occupied by computers, telecommunications, or related equipment, including supporting equipment, where information is processed, transferred, and stored. (b) "Digital asset mining" means the use of electricity to power a computer for the purpose of securing a blockchain network. (c) "Digital asset mining business" means a group of computers working at a single site that consume more than 1 megawatt of energy on an average annual basis for the purpose of generating digital assets by securing a blockchain network. (d) "Discriminatory rates" means electricity rates substantially different from other industrial similar uses of electricity in similar geographic areas after accounting for the cost of service. (e) "Home digital asset mining" means mining digital assets in areas zoned for residential use that consume less than 1 megawatt of energy on an average annual basis for the purpose of generating digital assets by securing a blockchain network.