4. Proceeding Category and Need for Hearings

Rule 7.1(d) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that a rulemaking order "shall preliminarily determine the category and need for hearing, and shall attach a preliminary scoping memo." This rulemaking is preliminarily determined to be ratesetting, as that term is defined in Rule 1.3(e). Rule 1.3(e) states "ratesetting proceedings are proceedings in which the Commission sets or investigates rates for a specifically named utility (or utilities), or establishes a mechanism that in turn sets the rates for a specifically named utility (or utilities)." This rulemaking will focus on, among other things, the allocation of costs associated with interconnecting distributed generation to the distribution systems of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E.

Further, we preliminarily determine that evidentiary hearings are not needed in this proceeding. However, in addition to written comments, the record for this proceeding may be developed through workshops.

Any person who objects to the preliminary categorization of this rulemaking or the determination that hearings are not required shall state their objections in their initial comments and reply comments. The assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping memo making a final category determination. The final determination as to category is subject to appeal, as set forth in § 1701.5 and Rule 7.6(a).