B. Background
The Commission created the Safety Committee in Decision (D.) 88-12-083, 30 CPUC2d 189, as one part of the overall settlement of the ratemaking issues for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station (Diablo Canyon), which is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The settlement agreement established the Safety Committee as an independent, three-member committee responsible for monitoring the safety of PG&E's operation of Diablo Canyon and making recommendations for its safe operation. Its budget is paid from PG&E's revenues and is thus charged to the ratepayers. (D.88-12-083, see App. C, Paragraph 16.) A statement setting the qualifications and procedures for appointment of members to the Safety Committee, and defining the scope of the Committee's operations and responsibilities was attached to the Settlement Agreement and approved by the Commission. (D.88-12-083, App. C, Att. A.)
The role, efficacy, or the continued operations of the Safety Committee are not at issue in this proceeding. The Safety Committee cites in its application four occasions1 where the Commission has affirmed its continued operations but, as a result of various actions in those decisions, the Safety Committee believes that its charter needs certain revisions.
1 D.90-04-008, 36 CPUC2d 146; D.91-10-020, 41 CPUC2d 475; D.97-05-088, 72 CPUC2d 560; and D.04-05-055, mimeo., dated May 27, 2004.
