7. Comments on Proposed Decision

The proposed decision of the ALJ in this matter was mailed to the parties in accordance with § 311, comments were allowed under Rule 14.3, and the parties were afforded an opportunity to make an election to accept the Commission's conditioned approval of the settlement, pursuant to the Rule 12.4(c).

Consistent with Rule 12.4(c) and recognizing the provisions in the settlement for Commission approval (Appendix 1, § 8) and for modification of the settlement (Appendix 1, § 13), the parties' comments state:

"The Joint Parties fully support the PD [proposed decision] and, per Commission Rule 12.4(c)2, accept the condition identified in the PD." (Joint Comments, filed June 9, 2011, at 2.)