Financial Hardship

Section 1804(a)(2)(B) allows the customer to include a showing of significant financial hardship in the NOI. Alternatively, the required showing may be made in the request for award of compensation. For a group or organization, Section 1802(g) defines financial hardship as a state in which "the economic interest of the individual members of the group or organization is small in comparison to the costs of effective participation in the proceeding."

CAUSE presented its showing of significant financial hardship in this NOI. CAUSE posits that effective participation in this proceeding may cost well in excess of $100,000, and typical residential electric and local telephone bills for its individual members are more in the order of $1,000 per year. CAUSE appears to meet the requirements of Section 1802(g). However, CAUSE's NOI does not provide the percentage of its membership composed of residential ratepayers, as required by D.98-04-059. CAUSE should file and serve this information within 10 days from the effective date of this ruling. Pending receipt and review of that information, CAUSE appears to qualify as a customer for the purposes of gaining eligibility for Intervenor compensation. A finding of significant financial hardship in no way, however, ensures compensation for CAUSE Section 1804(b)(2).