Aglet requests $20,350.05 for its participation in this proceeding, as follows:
Work on Proceeding | |||||
Attorney/Staff |
Year |
Hours |
Hourly Rate |
Total | |
James Weil |
2006 |
1.8 |
$260 |
$ 468.00 | |
James Weil |
2007 |
4.0 |
$280 |
$ 1,120.00 | |
Jan Reid |
2006 |
31.3 |
$155 |
$ 4,851.50 | |
Jan Reid |
2007 |
69.3 |
$170 |
$11,781.00 | |
Subtotal: |
$18,220.50 | ||||
Preparation of NOI and Compensation Request | |||||
Attorney/Staff |
Year |
Hours |
Hourly Rate |
Total | |
James Weil |
2007 |
6.4 |
$140 |
$ 896.00 | |
Jan Reid |
2007 |
14.3 |
$ 85 |
$ 1,215.50 | |
Subtotal Hourly Compensation: |
$ 2,111.50 | ||||
Expenses |
$ 18.05 | ||||
Total Requested Compensation |
$20,350.05 |
In general, the components of this request must constitute reasonable fees and costs of the customer's preparation for and participation in a proceeding that resulted in a substantial contribution. The issues we consider to determine reasonableness are discussed below:
We first assess whether the hours claimed for the customer's efforts that resulted in substantial contributions to Commission decisions are reasonable by determining to what degree the hours and costs are related to the work performed and necessary for the substantial contribution.
Aglet documented its claimed hours by presenting a daily breakdown of the hours of its attorneys, accompanied by a brief description of each activity. The hourly breakdown reasonably supports the claim for total hours.
We next take into consideration whether the claimed fees and costs are comparable to the market rates paid to experts and advocates having comparable training and experience and offering similar services.
Aglet seeks an hourly rate of $260 for Weil for work performed in 2006. We previously approved this rate for Weil in D.06-10-018, and adopt it here. Aglet seeks an hourly rate of $280 for Weil for work performed in 2007. We previously approved this rate for Weil in D.07-05-037 and adopt it here. Aglet seeks hourly rates of $155 and $170 for Reid for work performed in 2006 and 2007, respectively. We previously approved these rates for Reid in D.06-11-032 ($155/hour) and D.07-05-037 ($170/hour), and adopt them here.
The itemized direct expenses submitted by Aglet include the following:
Printing & Photocopying |
$12.80 |
Postage & Delivery |
$ 5.25 |
Total Expenses |
$18.05 |
The cost breakdown included with the request shows the miscellaneous expenses to be commensurate with the work performed. We find these costs reasonable.