Section 757.855 - Funding of preliminary activities and negotiations(1) Following a request by an acquisition review committee under ORS 757.862, the Public Utility Commission shall transfer from the Public Utility Commission Account to the Oregon Community Power Utility Acquisition Fund established under ORS 757.857 all amounts necessary to fund any preliminary activities needed to determine: (a) The appropriateness or desirability of an acquisition described in ORS 757.812 to 757.950;(b) The requirements and terms of the acquisition; and(c) Any due diligence activities related to the acquisition and the negotiations for the acquisition.(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission may increase the rates of an incumbent utility in order to recover the costs incurred in negotiating an acquisition by an acquisition review committee under ORS 757.814(4).(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission may assess a fee on an incumbent utility in order to fund the transfer described in subsection (1) of this section.