12. Principal Hearing Officer

ALJ Douglas M. Long is the Principal Hearing Officer. (See Rule 5(l).)

IT IS RULED that:

1. The final categorization of this proceeding is ratesetting and hearings are required for the purpose of Article 2.5 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (Rules).

2. Ex parte communications are permitted with restrictions, and are subject to reporting requirements. (See Rules 7(c) and 7.1.)

3. The record shall be composed of all filed and served documents, plus testimony and exhibits received at hearing.

4. The issues and schedule are as set forth in the body of this Ruling unless amended by subsequent Ruling or order of the Principal Hearing Officer.

5. Parties should begin discovery immediately.

6. Intervenors, including ORA, shall include in any testimony served in this proceeding a Summary of Recommendations as described in this ruling.

7. Parties shall use the same outline for briefs.

8. Parties shall follow the procedure stated in the body of this Ruling in making any request for Final Oral Argument. (See Rule 8(d).)

9. An electronic Service Protocol is in effect. (See Rules 2.3 and 2.3.1.)

10. Administrative Law Judge Douglas M. Long is the Principal Hearing Officer. (See Rule 5(l).)

Dated April 27, 2005, at San Francisco, California.

/s/ DIAN M. GRUENEICH		/s/ DOUGLAS M. LONG
Dian M. Grueneich Assigned Commissioner		Douglas M. Long Administrative Law Judge

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that I have by mail, and by electronic mail to the parties to which an electronic mail address has been provided, this day served a true copy of the original attached Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge on all parties of record in this proceeding or their attorneys of record.

Dated April 27, 2005, at San Francisco, California.

/s/ ERLINDA PULMANO

Erlinda Pulmano

NOTICE

Parties should notify the Process Office, Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2000, San Francisco, CA 94102, of any change of address to insure that they continue to receive documents. You must indicate the proceeding number on the service list on which your name appears.

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The Commission's policy is to schedule hearings (meetings, workshops, etc.) in locations that are accessible to people with disabilities. To verify that a particular location is accessible, call: Calendar Clerk (415) 703-1203.

If specialized accommodations for the disabled are needed, e.g., sign language interpreters, those making the arrangements must call the Public Advisor at (415) 703-2074,

TTY 1-866-836-7825 or (415) 703-5282 at least three working days in advance of the event.