[§269-27.1]  Establishment of geothermal energy rates.  (a)  The rate payable by a public utility to the producer of geothermal steam or electricity generated from geothermal steam shall be established by agreement between the public utility and the supplier, subject to approval by the public utilities commission; provided that if the public utility and the supplier fail to reach an agreement for such rate, or if the agreed upon rate is disapproved by the commission, the public utilities commission shall establish a just and reasonable rate for the geothermal steam or electricity generated from geothermal steam supplied to the public utility by the producer.

     (b)  The producer of geothermal steam or electricity generated from geothermal steam shall be excluded from coverage of the term "public utility" as defined in section 269-1. [L 1978, c 132, §2]