7. Consistent With the Law

With the exception of the release related to the Richardson Engineering Company matter contained in § 9 of the settlement, there are no terms in the settlement which limit this Commission's future discretion and none of the outcomes are inconsistent with the law. By refunding the overcharges and reducing rate base for the improper Richardson Engineering Company related activities, we satisfy our obligation to set just and reasonable rates with respect to the work performed by Richardson Engineering Company. With the exception of the release related to the Richardson Engineering Company matter contained in § 9 of the settlement, nothing in this settlement precludes or in any way limits the Commission or its staff to continue to examine Golden State's ongoing exercise of internal control over current and future business activities. Nothing in the settlement precludes or limits in any way the Commission's ability to make further refunds or other regulatory adjustments for any other past or future failures by Golden State to exercise reasonable internal control which have resulted or may result in unjust or unreasonable costs being collected from ratepayers.