5. Productivity

D.98-04-059 directed customers to demonstrate productivity by assigning a reasonable dollar value to the benefits of their participation to ratepayers. The costs of a customer's participation should bear a reasonable relationship to the benefits realized through its participation. This showing assists us in determining the overall reasonableness of the request.

NRDC contends that during the course of these proceedings it advanced policies designed to ensure a reliable, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy resource portfolio. While NRDC concedes that it would be difficult to quantify the benefits to the ratepayers stemming from its contributions, it argues that such policies will provide lasting benefits to ratepayers. We agree that to the extent that energy usage is lowered ratepayers benefit monetarily by avoiding energy costs. We also agree that to the extent GHG emissions are reduced, ratepayers benefit monetarily by avoiding costs associated with the resultant environmental damage. We find that NRDC's efforts have been sufficiently productive to warrant full compensation for their demonstrated expenses.