Section 135-N. Nonresidential energy audits

1.  The  commission shall be
  authorized to require a utility, upon the request of an owner of a farm,
  small business or nonprofit organization, to conduct an energy audit  of
  a  farm  or  a  farmstead,  or of a commercial building occupied by such
  business or organization and promptly provide the results of  the  audit
  and  any  information  and  technical  assistance  that  is necessary to
  implement the audit's recommendations to the owner,  small  business  or
  non-profit  organization.  No  charge  shall be made for such audits. In
  addition, each utility shall inform its customers  in  writing  that  an
  energy  audit  is  available  without  charge  for eligible farms, small
  businesses and nonprofit organizations. Such owner shall be eligible for
  only one energy audit for each farm  or  commercial  building;  provided
  however,  that  a second limited audit may be provided if new conditions
  justify a second audit, including but not limited to, a  change  in  the
  purpose for which the farm or commercial building is used.
    2. A utility may contract with a qualified not-for-profit organization
  to  promote  and perform energy audits; provided, however that a utility
  shall be prohibited from compensating such organization in an amount  in
  excess  of  what  the  utility's  own  costs would be of performing such
  services.  In  addition,  such  energy  audits  shall  be  promoted  and
  performed, to the extent feasible, through or in coordination with other
  existing  federal,  state and local programs designated for farms, small
  businesses and nonprofit organizations.
    3. Any criteria established by the commission for  the  energy  audits
  and  eligibility for audits required under this section shall be adopted
  after consultation with the state  energy  office  and  opportunity  for
  comment by other interested parties.