6. Productivity

D.98-04-059 directed customers to demonstrate productivity by assigning a reasonable dollar value to the benefits of their participation to ratepayers. (D.98-04-059 at 34-35.) The costs of a customer's participation should bear a reasonable relationship to the benefits realized through its participation. This showing assists us in determining the overall reasonableness of the request.

SFCP states its most conspicuous significant contribution to the decision is related to the SCAP program and opposition to SCLAP.¹⁷ SFCP also states that it brought unique insights into other important areas of the proceeding as a result of its representation of small- and medium-sized commercial customers. SFCP was not able to quantify the precise monetary benefits to ratepayers that resulted from its participation in other areas of the proceeding. We agree that SFCP's participation in the development of marketing, education and outreach budgets and strategies and contributions to certain aspects of the demand response program funding and administration will benefit ratepayers through a reduction in energy usage. We also agree that these programs, improved through SFCP's participation, have social benefits which, though hard to quantify, are substantial. Thus, we find SFCP's efforts in the areas for which they are receiving compensation have been productive.

¹⁷ As discussed above, SFCP is not entitled as a beneficiary of SCAP to compensation for its participation in this area.