2. Procedural Background and Chronology

Central Valley Gas Storage, LLC (CVGS) filed Application (A.) 09-08-008 on August 19, 2009 for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct and operate an underground natural gas storage facility in Colusa County, including a 14.7-mile pipeline to connect with Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) natural gas transmission system (CVGS Project or Project). Notice of A.09-08-008 appeared in the Daily Calendar on August 21, 2009. CVGS served a copy of A.09-08-008 on (1) all likely competitors, and (2) the cities and counties in which service will be rendered. CVGS also mailed a notice of availability of A.09-08-008 to all known owners of record of land on which the pipeline to connect the storage field to PG&E's gas transmission Line 400/401 will be placed or abut.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed a response to the application on September 18, 2009. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) filed a protest on September 21, 2009. Each of the following parties filed a motion for party status that was granted by the assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): Enerland, LLC (Enerland), Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch), Lodi Gas Storage, L.L.C. (Lodi), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Wild Goose Storage, LLC (Wild Goose).

A prehearing conference (PHC) was held on February 10, 2010. Written PHC statements were filed by CVGS, DRA, Enerland, Gill Ranch, PG&E, SoCalGas, and Wild Goose. The assigned Commissioner issued a ruling and scoping memo on March 5, 2010 (Scoping Memo). There were no evidentiary hearings.

On March 24, 2010, CVGS filed a motion to adopt a settlement agreement that resolves all issues raised by DRA, Lodi, and PG&E. Comments regarding the settlement agreement were filed by Enerland and SoCalGas. CVGS filed reply comments on May 10, 2010.

Opening briefs were filed on April 9, 2010, by CVGS, Enerland, and SoCalGas. Reply briefs were filed on April 22, 2010, by CVGS, Enerland, Gill Ranch, SoCalGas, and Wild Goose.

On May 20, 2010, CVGS filed updated information regarding the planned capacity of the gas storage field.