11. Next Steps

Several of the consolidated proceedings remain open and we direct the parties to meet in a further effort to settle using this decision as a baseline for some issues (notably, taxes, rate of return, cost of service rates for the North Line Expansion.) This decision does not completely resolve A.03-02-027 and the parties must therefore diligently seek settlement of the remaining portions of the revenue requirements sought in the application.

The Commission has not taken significant steps on the pending applications, A.04-11-017, A.06-01-015, A.06-08-028, or the complaint, C.06-12-031. Therefore we will direct the assigned ALJ to expeditiously schedule a PHC and take appropriate administrative steps to pursue resolution of these proceedings, with a strong emphasis on settlement. The assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping memo and schedule following the PHC. We will also provide an independent ALJ who is experienced in facilitating complex large-scale mediations and settlements to assist the parties. We remain convinced the parties are the most knowledgeable and able to equitably resolve the pending issues and we will expect the assigned ALJ to only pursue evidentiary hearings and a litigation-based outcome if settlement efforts are unsuccessful.