DGX/JMH/dhn 12/21/2005

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Investigation to facilitate proactive development of transmission infrastructure to access renewable energy resources for California.

Investigation 05-09-005 (Filed September 8, 2005)

ASSIGNED COMMISSIONER'S SCOPING MEMO AND RULING

1. Summary

Today's ruling addresses the scope of the proceeding, sets forth the procedural schedule, and assigns a principal hearing officer. This ruling follows a prehearing conference (PHC) held on November 7, 2005, pursuant to Rules 6(a) and 6.3 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (Rules).

In the recently adopted Energy Action Plan II (EAP II),¹ this Commission, along with California Energy Commission (CEC), reiterated its commitment to accelerating from 2017 to 2010 the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of providing 20 percent of investor-owned utility (IOU) electricity from renewable sources. Clearly, California will not achieve this goal if we pursue it with a "business as usual" approach. The goal of this proceeding is to ensure that California has the necessary transmission infrastructure in place in order to meet the RPS goals.

My intent for this proceeding is to be proactive and to hold formal hearings when necessary, but my goal is to keep them to a minimum. I will work with the Administrative Law Judge to ensure that we act within Commission procedures but many of the issues raised in this proceeding can best be addressed through informal means, outside the Commission's hearing rooms. I plan to work with parties and to encourage them to work together to resolve many of the issues raised in this investigation.

¹ See http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/REPORT/51604.htm.