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GENERAL ORDER 96-B

[Provisions adopted by Decision (D.) 01-07-026 (July 12, 2001),
D.02-01-038 (January 9, 2002), D.05-01-032 (January 13, 2005),
D.07-01-024 (January 25, 2007), D.07-09-019 (September 6, 2007),
D.08-05-019 (May 15, 2008), Resolution ALJ-221 (August 21, 2008),
Resolution W-4749 (March 26, 2009), and D.09-04-005 (April 16, 2009)]

GENERAL RULES

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC RULES

GENERAL RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

1. Overview of the General Order 11

2. Code of Ethics 22

3. Definitions 22

4. Notice, Access, Filing and Service Procedures Generally 55

5. Use of Advice Letters 88

6. Process for Handling Information-only Filings 99

7. Advice Letter Review and Disposition 1010

8. Tariffs 1818

9.0 Confidential Treatment 2626

ENERGY INDUSTRY RULES

WATER INDUSTRY RULES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY RULES

1. Overview of the General Order

This General Order contains General Rules, Energy Industry Rules, Telecommunications Industry Rules, and Water Industry Rules. The General Rules govern advice letters and information-only filings submitted to the Commission by public utilities that are gas, electrical, telephone, water, sewer system, pipeline, or heat corporations, as defined in the Public Utilities Code. The General Rules also govern certain matters submitted to the Commission by certain non-utilities subject to limited regulation by the Commission

The Industry Rules have limited applicability. The Energy Industry Rules apply to gas, electrical, pipeline, and heat corporations and to load-serving entities as defined in Public Utilities Code Section 380. The Telecommunications Industry Rules apply to telephone corporations. The Water Industry Rules apply to water and sewer system corporations. Within their respective industries, the Industry Rules may create rules specific to a particular type of utility or advice letter. Also, for purposes of advice letter review, the Industry Rules will contain three tiers that will distinguish, for the respective Industry Divisions, between those kinds of advice letters subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.1 (Industry Division disposition) and those subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.2 (disposition by resolution). The Industry Rules may contain additional tiers as needed for efficient advice letter review or implementation of a statute or Commission order.

The Industry Rules reflect the different needs and conditions within the specified utility industries and segments of those industries, especially as competition develops regarding some services formerly provided by utility monopolies. The respective Industry Rules may differ from each other, and may make distinctions within the covered industry, so long as these differences are consistent with these General Rules. An Industry Rule may differ from the otherwise applicable General Rule to the extent authorized by General Rule or other Commission order.

The provisions of this General Order govern only those informal matters submitted for filing on or after July 1, 2007. However, the Commission at any time may require a utility to revise all or a part of its tariffs to conform with this General Order.

If a utility provides services within two or more of the covered industries (Energy, Telecommunications, Water), the utility shall comply with each of the Industry Rules applicable to the respective services. In addition, if a utility provides two or more types of utility service covered in this General Order (electrical, natural gas, heat, pipeline; telephone; water, sewer system), the utility shall comply with the requirements of General Rules 8 to 8.5.8 by means of separate tariffs for each type of utility service provided.

The General Rules and Industry Rules shall be liberally construed to secure just, speedy, and inexpensive handling of informal matters, as set forth in this General Order. The Commission in a specific instance may authorize an exception to the operation of this General Order where appropriate. In a specific instance and for good cause, the Director of the appropriate Industry Division may shorten the protest and reply period under the General Rules.

Each Industry Division's Industry Rules may be amended independently of these General Rules or the Industry Rules of the other Industry Divisions. Whenever any part of the Industry Rules must be amended to ensure consistency with applicable statutes and Commission orders, the appropriate Industry Division will draft proposed amendments to those rules. The Commission may adopt the amendments by resolution, with such modification as the Commission deems appropriate, following notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments. All amendments and the complete text of this General Order will be published at the Commission's Internet site.

When these rules set a time limit for performance of an act, the time is computed by excluding the first day (i.e., the day of the act or event from which the designated time begins to run) and including the last day. If the last day does not fall on a business day, the time limit is extended to include the first business day thereafter.

2. Code of Ethics

Rule 1.1 ("Code of Ethics") of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Division 1, Chapter 1) shall apply to all matters governed by these rules.

3. Definitions

The definitions apply to the following terms when used in the General Rules and the Industry Rules. Unless otherwise required by context, use of the singular includes the plural.

"Advice letter" means (1) an informal request by a utility for Commission approval, authorization, or other relief, including an informal request for approval to furnish service under rates, charges, terms or conditions other than those contained in the utility's tariffs then in effect, and (2) a compliance filing by a load-serving entity pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 380.

"Daily Calendar" means the Daily Calendar published by the Commission and reported on the Internet at www.cpuc.ca.gov. "Date of Filing," when referring to an advice letter, means the day on which the reviewing Industry Division received the advice letter.

"Day" means a calendar day. "Business Day" means a calendar day except for Saturdays, Sundays, and weekdays when the Commission's offices are closed, due either to a State holiday or an unscheduled closure (e.g., an emergency or natural disaster). The Daily Calendar will include a list of State holidays for the current fiscal year and a list for the following fiscal year as soon as such list is available.

"Deviation" means the furnishing by a utility of any service at rates or under conditions other than the rates and conditions contained in its tariffs then in effect.

"Disposition" refers to the grant or rejection (including modification) of the relief requested in an advice letter. The disposition of an advice letter will be by resolution adopted by the Commission, except for (1) an advice letter rejected without prejudice by the reviewing Industry Division pursuant to General Rule 5.3, or (2) an advice letter that is subject to disposition by Industry Division pursuant to General Rule 7.6.1.

"Effective pending disposition" refers to a procedure under General Rules 7.5.3 and 8.2.3 and the appropriate Industry Rules whereby the utility submitting an advice letter implements the actions or tariff changes set forth in the advice letter prior to its disposition pursuant to this General Order. A utility submitting an advice letter under this procedure shall prominently designate the advice letter as "effective pending disposition."

"Formal" refers to a proceeding initiated by an application, complaint, petition, order instituting investigation or rulemaking, or order to show cause. "Informal" refers to an advice letter or other matter submitted to the Commission outside a formal proceeding at the Commission. An informal matter is either an uncontested matter or a matter for which a hearing is not required in order to resolve the contested issues. See also General Rules 5.1 and 5.2.

"Industry Division" means the Energy, Telecommunications, or Water Division, or their successors.

"Information-only Filing" means an informal report, required by statute or Commission order, that is submitted by a utility to the Commission, but that is not submitted in connection with a request for Commission approval, authorization, or other relief. "Information-only Filing" includes both periodic and occasional reports.

"Person" refers both to natural and fictitious persons including, without limitation, companies, corporations, partnerships, associations, and sole proprietorships.

"Protest" means a document that objects in whole or in part to the relief requested in an advice letter. The protest shall contain the following information: specification of the advice letter protested; grounds for the protest; supporting factual information or legal argument; name, telephone number, postal address, and (where appropriate) e-mail address of the protestant; and statement that the protest was sent to the utility no later than the day on which the protest was submitted to the reviewing Industry Division.

"Reply" means a document containing a utility's reaction to any protest or response to the utility's advice letter.

"Response" means a document, submitted by a third party and served on the utility submitting the advice letter, that unconditionally supports the relief requested in the advice letter and that may provide useful information regarding the advice letter.

"Service," when referring to sending a document, means mailing or delivering the document, or transmitting it by facsimile transmission, modem, or other electronic means, as described in the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Except when referring to sending a document, "service" means the service performed for, or product delivered to, the public or portion of the public, by a utility.

"Tariffs" refer collectively to the sheets that a utility must file, maintain, and publish as directed by the Commission, and that set forth the terms and conditions of the utility's services to its customers; "tariffs" may also refer to the individual rates, tolls, rentals, charges, classifications, special conditions, and rules of a utility.

"Utility" means a public utility that is a gas, electrical, telephone, water, sewer system, pipeline, or heat corporation, as defined in the California Public Utilities Code. The Industry Rules may define "utility" more narrowly.

4. Notice, Access, Filing and Service Procedures Generally

The Commission intends that all interested persons have the opportunity, through timely and efficient means, (1) to inspect a utility's tariffs, (2) to receive notice of advice letter and information-only filings, (3) to have access to public records regarding such documents, and (4) to find information on the status of any particular advice letter, including associated supplements, protests, replies, or appeals, and the disposition of the advice letter.

Unless no notice or a shorter notice period is authorized by statute or Industry Rule or other Commission order, a utility shall give affected customers at least 30 days' notice before the effective date of an advice letter requesting higher rates or charges, or more restrictive terms or conditions, than those currently in effect. This notice requirement may be satisfied by one or a combination of the following: bill inserts; notices printed on bills; separate notices sent by first-class mail; or electronic mail (e-mail) when a customer has affirmatively consented to receive notice in this manner. Notice by first-class mail is complete when the document is deposited in the mail, and notice by e-mail is complete upon successful transmission. Where authorized by the appropriate Industry Rules, the notice requirement may also be satisfied by notices printed in a newspaper of general circulation.

Each utility shall maintain at least one advice letter service list, which shall include the postal and e-mail addresses, as appropriate, of all persons on the list. To the extent practical, the utility shall maintain separate lists for different types of advice letters (for example, differentiating between water utility districts, customer classes, or particular services), and shall identify the separate lists at the utility's Internet site, so that persons may request and receive only those advice letters of interest. The utility shall include on the service list any person who requests such inclusion, and may periodically confirm the desire of any currently listed person to remain on the list. On or before the date when the utility files an advice letter, it shall serve the advice letter without charge on all persons listed for that type of advice letter.

For purposes of these rules, any person may accept service by Internet. A person indicates acceptance of such service by providing an e-mail address along with a postal address to the utility, Industry Division, or third party serving a document on the person. Notwithstanding such acceptance, the utility, Industry Division, or third party shall make alternative service (including service by first-class mail, personal delivery, or facsimile transmission) immediately whenever the serving party receives notification that service by Internet is unsuccessful.

A utility shall serve its advice letters and related documents by Internet on any person on its advice letter service list who provides an e-mail address. Any such person shall serve that person's advice letter protest and related documents by Internet on the utility filing the advice letter.

Rule 1.5 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure governs the format of advice letter documents, except that the format of tariffs shall be as prescribed in these General Rules and the appropriate Industry Rules.

A utility filing an advice letter shall include with its advice letter a cover sheet, which shall state the date when the utility served the advice letter and filed it with the reviewing Industry Division. The cover sheet shall also be served with the advice letter. The cover sheet shall state that a protest or response to the advice letter must be filed with the reviewing Industry Division within 20 days of the date of the advice letter's filing and served on the same day on the utility. Except as modified by the Industry Division, the cover sheet shall summarize the contents of the advice letter, as follows:

(2) indicate service affected by the advice letter;

If an advice letter does not include a complete cover sheet, as described above, the reviewing Industry Division may reject the advice letter without prejudice or extend the protest period unless and until the utility files and serves the information that is missing or incomplete.

A utility shall:

In addition, if an advice letter requests a change to a Commission resolution addressing a prior advice letter of the utility, the new advice letter shall specify the resolution to which a change is requested, and shall set forth the following information by way of notice:

Each Industry Division may modify the required contents as appropriate for the needs of that division and may also promulgate recommended or sample cover sheet formats.

If an advice letter omits any applicable contents, as described above, the reviewing Industry Division may reject the advice letter without prejudice or extend the protest period unless and until the utility files and serves the complete advice letter.

5. Use of Advice Letters

The advice letter process provides a quick and simplified review of the types of utility requests that are expected neither to be controversial nor to raise important policy questions. The advice letter process does not provide for an evidentiary hearing; a matter that requires an evidentiary hearing may be considered only in a formal proceeding.

The primary use of the advice letter process is to review a utility's request to change its tariffs in a manner previously authorized by statute or Commission order, to conform the tariffs to the requirements of a statute or Commission order, or to get Commission authorization to deviate from its tariffs. A utility may also request relief by means of an advice letter where the utility:

A utility may seek a rate increase by means of an advice letter only if use of an advice letter for this purpose is authorized by statute or Commission order.

A utility must file an application, application for rehearing, or petition for modification, as appropriate, in the following circumstances:

Except as provided in General Rule 5.1, a utility must file an application to seek approval of a rate increase; a change to its tariffs; or an alteration of any classification, contract, practice, or rule as to result in a new rate.

Before disposition of an advice letter, but no later than the date of issuance, for public review and comment, of a draft resolution (if any) that would grant or reject the advice letter, a utility may withdraw its advice letter without prejudice, except that an advice letter that is effective pending disposition may not be withdrawn on or after the effective date. The withdrawal shall bear the same identifying number as the advice letter and shall be submitted in the same manner and served on the same persons as the advice letter.

Whenever the reviewing Industry Division determines that the relief requested or the issues raised by an advice letter require an evidentiary hearing, or otherwise require review in a formal proceeding, the Industry Division will reject the advice letter without prejudice.

The utility may resubmit, as an application or other appropriate formal request for relief, the request contained in an advice letter that it has withdrawn, pursuant to this General Rule, or that is rejected without prejudice on the grounds that the advice letter must be heard or reviewed in a formal proceeding. When an advice letter has been withdrawn voluntarily by the utility, the utility may resubmit the matter as an advice letter so long as the relief requested or issues raised are appropriate to an advice letter.

The reviewing Industry Division will also reject without prejudice an advice letter that violates applicable Industry Rules in the following instances:

In these instances, the utility may submit a new advice letter with corrections as specified by the Industry Division. However, implementation of an advice letter designated as effective pending disposition, if the advice letter is rejected without prejudice, shall cease immediately upon such rejection, and may not resume unless and until such implementation is duly approved pursuant to this General Order.

6. Process for Handling Information-only Filings

Information-only filings shall be submitted to the appropriate Industry Division, and as further provided in the Industry Rules. A table of periodic information-only filings will be maintained at the Commission's Internet site.

Information-only filings are public records, and are open to public inspection, except as provided by statute or Commission order. Any provision the Commission may make, now or in the future, for electronic notice of, and access to, the Commission's public records shall apply to information-only filings. Information-only filings need not be served, except as otherwise required by statute or Commission order.

Since information-only filings do not seek relief, they are not subject to protest, as provided for applications and advice letters. The reviewing Industry Division may notify the utility of any omission or other defect in a filing, and the utility shall remedy such defect within a reasonable time. A utility that fails to remedy defects or fails to file a required report on time or at all shall be subject to fines and other sanctions.

7. Advice Letter Review and Disposition

Advice letters and related documents (e.g., protests, responses, replies, and requests for review) shall be filed with the reviewing Industry Division. An Industry Division may accept the electronic filing of advice letters and related documents when the Division determines that it has the capacity to receive and process advice letters and related documents in this fashion. The Industry Division will report advice letters and related documents, and the date of their receipt, in the Daily Calendar.

The date of filing of an advice letter or related document shall be the date of receipt by the reviewing Industry Division and shall be used for purposes of calculating the 20-day protest period, the 30-day initial review period, the period of suspension under General Rule 7.5.2, or the last day for any filing or other deadline that may be computed from the date of filing under these rules. The reviewing Industry Division may reject without prejudice an advice letter due to defective service or omitted contents. Notwithstanding the Industry Division's acceptance of an advice letter for filing, a defect or omission that becomes apparent during review of the advice letter may require rejection of the advice letter without prejudice if the utility fails, upon request, to promptly cure the defect or omission.

Advice letters, protests, responses, and replies are public records, and are open to public inspection, except as provided under statute or Commission order. Any provision the Commission may make, now or in the future, for electronic notice of, and access to, the Commission's public records shall apply to such documents.

After filing an advice letter, and pending its disposition, the utility shall promptly provide a copy of the advice letter to anyone so requesting. Such provision shall be without charge to anyone who currently receives service from the utility, or to anyone receiving the advice letter by Internet.

The following additional requirements apply to service of any advice letter that requests a change to a Commission resolution. The utility filing such an advice letter shall serve it on anyone who filed a protest or response to the prior advice letter addressed in the resolution, any third party whose name and interest in the relief sought appeared on the face of that prior advice letter (as where the advice letter sought approval of a contract or deviation for the benefit of such third party), and any other persons who had been served with the resolution.

A utility submitting an advice letter shall include the requested effective date, as further provided in the Industry Rules.

If the Commission, by Industry Rule or otherwise, has ordered an advice letter to go into effect on a date different from that otherwise provided by these General Rules, the advice letter shall go into effect on the date ordered. If a statute, Industry Rule, or other Commission order specifically authorizes an advice letter to go into effect on a date different from that otherwise provided by these General Rules, the advice letter shall go into effect on any date (as designated by the utility in the advice letter) that is consistent with the authorization.

Unless the Commission has required an advice letter to go into effect on a date different from that otherwise provided by this General Order, a utility may request an effective date later than that otherwise provided by this General Order, and the advice letter shall go into effect on the date requested by the utility.

Unless an earlier effective date is authorized, or a later effective date required, under the appropriate Industry Rules, an advice letter properly designated as effective pending disposition may be made effective on the date of filing, or as provided under General Rule 7.3.2 or 8.2.3. A utility whose advice letter would qualify under the appropriate Industry Rules to be effective pending disposition may request instead that the advice letter be effective only upon regulatory approval under this General Order.

If an advice letter is effective pending disposition, all service rendered pursuant to the advice letter before disposition will be subject to a Commission order requiring refunds or such other or additional adjustments as the Commission may require.

Except as provided in General Rules 7.3.1 to 7.3.3, if a utility has properly submitted an advice letter for Industry Division disposition, the advice letter will become effective as follows:

If an advice letter is improperly submitted for Industry Division disposition, the advice letter will be rejected without prejudice, as provided in General Rule 5.3.

Except as provided in General Rules 7.3.1 and 7.3.2, if a utility has submitted an advice letter for disposition by resolution, the advice letter will become effective when the Commission adopts a resolution approving the advice letter, unless the advice letter may properly be approved by the reviewing Industry Division, in which case the advice letter will become effective upon written approval by that Industry Division. An advice letter submitted for disposition by resolution will not become effective merely by virtue of the expiration of the initial review period or any continuation of the initial or later review period.

Any person (including individuals, groups, or organizations) may protest or respond to an advice letter. Within 20 days of the date of filing of the advice letter, the protest or response shall be filed with the reviewing Industry Division and served on the same day on the utility. After filing a protest, and pending disposition of the advice letter, the protestant shall promptly provide a copy of the protest to anyone so requesting.

If the protestant believes that the Commission should hold an evidentiary hearing, the protest must expressly request and explain the need for an evidentiary hearing. The explanation must identify material disputed facts and say why a hearing must be held. Any right a protestant may otherwise have to an evidentiary hearing will be waived if the protestant does not follow this procedure for requesting one.

An advice letter may be protested on one or more of the following grounds:

As illustrated in the following examples, a protest may not rely on policy objections to an advice letter where the relief requested in the advice letter follows rules or directions established by statute or Commission order applicable to the utility.

Example 1. Where the Commission has approved a rate change, an advice letter submitting tariff sheets in compliance with the Commission order approving the rate change is not subject to protest on the grounds that the rates are unjust, unreasonable, or discriminatory.

Example 2. Where the Commission does not regulate the rates of a specific type of utility, an advice letter submitting a rate change by a utility of the specified type is not subject to protest on the grounds that the rates are unjust, unreasonable, or discriminatory.

Example 3. Where the Commission has established a rate band within which a utility is free to set rates for a specific type of service, an advice letter submitting a rate change within the band for a service of the specified type is not subject to protest on the grounds that the rates are unjust, unreasonable, or discriminatory.

In all of the above examples, the advice letters may still be protested on other grounds. For example, if the rate change in Example 3 falls outside the rate band or applies to a service other than of the specified type, the advice letter would violate the Commission order approving the rate change and is subject to protest on that ground.

The utility filing an advice letter shall reply to each protest and may reply to any response. Any such reply shall be filed with the reviewing Industry Division within five business days after the end of the protest period, and shall be served on the same day on each person who filed a protest or response to the advice letter. The protestant may not reply to the utility's reply.

The reviewing Industry Division may consider a late-filed protest or response. If an Industry Division considers a late-filed protest or response, it will so notify the utility, and the utility shall have five business days from the date of issuance of the notice within which to reply to the late-filed protest or response.

An Industry Division, to assist its review of an advice letter, may request additional information from the utility. The utility shall respond to the request within five business days unless the Industry Division agrees to a later response, and the Industry Division may reject the advice letter if the utility does not respond promptly and fully. If the Industry Division, after considering the additional information, determines that material factual issues remain, the Industry Division will reject the advice letter without prejudice.

A utility may make minor revisions or corrections to its advice letter at any time before the requested effective date by filing a substitute sheet with the reviewing Industry Division. Changes that generally may be made by substitute sheet include: a correction of a typographical or other insubstantial error; a language clarification; or a later effective date.

The utility shall file a supplement or withdraw the advice letter without prejudice in order to make major revisions or corrections. A substitute sheet or supplement shall be filed and served in the same manner and on the same persons as the advice letter, plus any other persons who have filed a protest or response. A supplement shall bear the same identifying number as the advice letter but shall have a letter suffix ("A" for the first supplement, "B" for the second supplement, etc.).

The filing of a supplement, or of additional information at the request of the reviewing Industry Division, does not automatically continue or reopen the protest period or delay the effective date of the advice letter. The reviewing Industry Division, on its own motion or at the request of any person, may issue a notice continuing or reopening the protest period. Any new protest shall be limited to the substance of the supplement or additional information.

The initial review period for an advice letter is the 30 days immediately following the date of filing. No later than the last day of the initial review period, the reviewing Industry Division will notify the utility and any protestants if disposition of the advice letter will not occur within the initial review period. The Industry Division may notify the utility, and any protestant who has provided an e-mail address, by Internet. For any advice letter that may not be deemed approved, suspension is automatic if disposition of the advice letter has not occurred by the end of the initial review period. The reviewing Industry Division, however, will give notice of this suspension.

The Industry Division's notification will suspend the advice letter's effectiveness and will state the reason for the suspension and its expected duration, which will not exceed 120 days from the end of the initial review period unless the utility agrees in writing to a longer suspension period. For any advice letter so suspended, the reviewing Industry Division will proceed promptly with the disposition of the advice letter under General Rule 7.6.1 or 7.6.2, as appropriate. If the reviewing Industry Division determines that a suspended advice letter requires disposition by the Commission, and the Commission's deliberation on the resolution prepared by the Industry Division continues beyond the expiration of the suspension period, the suspension is automatically continued for a further period, and the Industry Division will so notify the utility and protestants, as above. The further period of suspension will run until the Commission acts on the resolution, but will not exceed 180 days. If the further period ends before the Commission rejects or otherwise acts on the advice letter, the advice letter (if subject to Public Utilities Code Section 455) becomes effective by operation of law on the day after the further period ends.

The above procedures regarding initial review and suspension shall also apply to advice letters effective pending disposition, except that the effectiveness of such advice letters is not suspended by extension of Industry Division or Commission review beyond the initial review period.

Each reviewing Industry Division will publish and keep current an advice letter status report at the Commission's Internet site. The report will include the following information for each advice letter for which review is continuing beyond the initial review period: identification of the advice letter by utility and advice letter number; date of suspension or extension; and reason(s) for suspension or extension. The report will be updated, as needed, to reflect new suspensions or extensions and any change of status of an advice letter, including disposition or withdrawal of the advice letter.

Where General Rules 7.3.3, 8.2.3, or the Industry Rules authorize a utility to designate an advice letter as effective pending disposition, the Industry Rules may establish additional procedures for the utility to submit revisions or corrections prior to disposition when the appropriate Industry Division, during its review of such an advice letter, discovers a defect in the advice letter or the tariff changes set forth in the advice letter, provided that the defect is not such as to require rejection of the advice letter. Whenever a utility fails to submit a timely or satisfactory revision after notice by the Industry Division, as prescribed in the procedures, the Commission may impose a penalty and/or take such other actions as may be appropriate to protect consumers and ensure compliance with law.

A utility that has implemented the actions or tariff changes set forth in an advice letter effective pending disposition shall immediately stop such implementation, and shall commence such remedial action as may be appropriate (including but not limited to the submission of an advice letter setting forth a remedial plan), if the advice letter is rejected pursuant to General Rule 5.3, 7.6.1, or 7.6.2.

A utility shall designate in the advice letter whether the utility believes the advice letter is subject to Industry Division disposition. The utility's designation is not binding on the reviewing Industry Division.

The Commission intends by this rule to make advice letters subject to Industry Division disposition in all instances where the delegation of such authority to an Industry Division is lawful.

An advice letter is subject to disposition by the reviewing Industry Division whenever such disposition would be a "ministerial" act, as that term is used regarding advice letter review and disposition. (See Decision 02-02-049.) Industry Division disposition is appropriate where statutes or Commission orders have required the action proposed in the advice letter, or have authorized the action with sufficient specificity, that the Industry Division need only determine as a technical matter whether the proposed action is within the scope of what has already been authorized by statutes or Commission orders. In addition, the Industry Division will (1) reject any advice letter where the advice letter or workpapers are clearly erroneous, including without limitation where there are clear inconsistencies with statute or Commission order, and (2) reject without prejudice an advice letter whose disposition would require an evidentiary hearing or otherwise require review in a formal proceeding.

An advice letter will be subject to Industry Division disposition even though its subject matter is technically complex, so long as a technically qualified person could determine objectively whether the proposed action has been authorized by the statutes or Commission orders cited in the advice letter. Whenever such determination requires more than ministerial action, the disposition of the advice letter on the merits will be by Commission resolution, as provided in General Rule 7.6.2.

Notwithstanding a timely protest, the reviewing Industry Division may approve an advice letter that is subject to disposition under this rule and is otherwise proper, if the protest either (1) is not made on proper grounds as set forth in General Rule 7.4.2, (2) may be rejected on a technical basis as discussed in this rule, or (3) is clearly erroneous.

The Industry Division will review each advice letter filed with it, together with any timely protests, responses, and replies. If the Industry Division, in light of such review, concludes that the advice letter is subject to disposition under this rule (including a deemed approval pursuant to the next paragraph), the Industry Division will report its disposition at the Commission's Internet site. If the advice letter is approved, the Industry Division will either (1) notify the utility by e-mail on the Internet, or (2) return to the utility a complete copy of the advice letter with the effective date stamped on each tariff sheet.

An advice letter that is subject to Public Utilities Code Section 455 or that implements a rate increase previously approved by the Commission is deemed approved if, at the end of the initial review period, the Industry Division has not suspended the advice letter (as provided in General Rule 7.5.2). In all cases where there is Industry Division disposition of an advice letter (including "deemed approval"), the Industry Division will issue a written disposition. If the Industry Division rejects an advice letter or grants a protested advice letter, the Industry Division's disposition will state the basis for rejecting the advice letter or the protest. The Industry Division will serve the disposition on the utility and on any person filing a protest or response to the advice letter. Service on the utility, and on any person who is entitled to receive the disposition and has provided an e-mail address, may be by Internet.

If the reviewing Industry Division has suspended or extended the review of an advice letter that the utility properly filed for disposition under this rule, the Industry Division, prior to the expiration of the review period, will either (1) issue its disposition, or (2) prepare for the Commission's consideration and place on a Commission meeting agenda a resolution containing the Industry Division's analysis and recommendation regarding the advice letter. The Commission may adopt the resolution or modify it in whole or in part.

Except for those circumstances in which, as provided in General Rules 5.3, 7.5.1, or 7.6.1, the reviewing Industry Division may approve or reject an advice letter, the reviewing Industry Division will prepare and place on the Commission's meeting agenda a resolution approving, rejecting, or modifying any advice letter filed with the Industry Division. The resolution will contain the Industry Division's recommended disposition and analysis supporting such disposition. The resolution will also contain an attachment listing all persons served with the resolution, including the utility filing the advice letter, persons protesting or responding to the advice letter, and any third party whose name and interest in the relief sought appear on the face of the advice letter.

The Commission may adopt the resolution or modify it in whole or in part. After the Commission has acted on a resolution, the resolution will be served on the utility, on any person filing a protest to the advice letter, and on any other party to the resolution. (See Rule 14.5 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure.) The disposition of the advice letter will be reported at the Commission's Internet site. If the advice letter is approved, the Industry Division will either (1) notify the utility by e-mail on the Internet, or (2) return to the utility a complete copy of the advice letter with the effective date stamped on each tariff sheet.

The utility or a person filing a protest, or any third party whose name and interest in the relief sought appear on the face of the advice letter, may request Commission review of an Industry Division disposition. In exceptional circumstances, a person who has an interest in the advice letter but who did not file a protest may request Commission review. The request must explain the circumstances that entitle the person to make the request (e.g., the person was unable to file a protest or filed a response supporting the advice letter). The request for Commission review shall be filed with the reviewing Industry Division within 10 days after the issuance of the disposition, shall be served on the utility, all persons filing protests or responses, and any third party whose name and interest in the relief sought appear on the face of the advice letter, and shall set forth specifically the grounds on which the requester considers the disposition to be unlawful or erroneous. Upon filing of a timely request for Commission review, the Industry Division will prepare and place on the Commission's meeting agenda a proposed resolution, and will serve it on the requester and all others on whom the request was served. Pending Commission action on the proposed resolution, the advice letter will take effect if it was approved under the Industry Division disposition.

Pursuant to Sections 1731 to 1736 of the Public Utilities Code and Rules 16.1 to 16.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, the utility filing an advice letter, any person filing a protest to the advice letter, and any other person who was a party to the resolution under Rule 14.5 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure may apply for rehearing. The application for rehearing shall set forth specifically the grounds on which the applicant considers the resolution to be unlawful or erroneous.

The application for rehearing shall be filed with the Commission's Docket Office, which will assign a docket number to the application. On the same day that it is filed, the application for rehearing shall be served on the reviewing Industry Division and on the same persons who are required to be served with the resolution under General Rule 7.7.1.

A Commission resolution issued under these rules is subject to petition for modification to the same extent and under the same procedures as provided, with respect to Commission decisions, by Rule 16.4 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, except that the procedure for filing and serving such a petition is that provided under General Rule 7.7.2 above for filing and serving an application for rehearing.

For an extension of time to comply with a Commission resolution addressing an advice letter, the utility that filed the advice letter shall send a written request to the Executive Director, with copies of the request sent concurrently to the appropriate Industry Division and to all persons on whom the resolution was served. The request, or facsimile of the request, must be received by the Executive Director at least three business days before the date of compliance set in the resolution. If the extension is granted, the utility shall promptly inform all persons on whom the resolution was served of the new date for compliance.

8. Tariffs

At all times, and as further provided in the Industry Rules, each utility shall comply with the following requirements regarding its tariffs then in effect: (1) submit them to the appropriate Industry Division; (2) compile, publish, and make them accessible for public copying and inspection in accordance with General Rules 8.1.1 to 8.1.3; and (3) promptly submit such revisions as are necessary to conform the utility's tariffs to statute or Commission order. These requirements shall apply except where and to the extent that, by statute or Commission order, compliance is expressly excused for the specific utility or type of utility, or for specific services offered by the utility or type of utility. If a customer or member of the public requests a map of a utility's service area that is not on the utility's web site, the utility may charge the actual cost of producing the map; and the utility shall estimate the cost when the order for the map is taken.

These tariff publication requirements apply to any utility that serves California customers under tariffs. A utility shall compile and publish the tariffs under which it provides services to California customers. The purpose of compiling and publishing tariffs is to enable members of the public to inspect and get copies of tariffs (including both currently effective and no longer effective tariffs) that may be of interest to them. A utility may not require anyone wanting to inspect or copy a tariff to disclose the nature of that person's interest in the tariff.

The Commission strongly encourages all utilities, and requires certain utilities as described below, to publish and keep up-to-date their respective tariffs, as currently in effect, at sites on the Internet freely accessible to the public.

A utility that serves California customers under tariffs, and whose gross intrastate revenues, as defined in Public Utilities Code Section 435(c) and reported to the Commission for purposes of the Utilities Reimbursement Account, exceed $10 million, shall publish, and shall thereafter keep up-to-date, its currently effective California tariffs at a site on the Internet. The Internet site shall be accessible, and the tariffs shall be downloadable, at no charge to the public. At all times, the utility shall identify at the site any tariffs that would change as the result of Commission approval of modifications the utility has proposed in a pending application or advice letter. The utility shall update the site within five business days of the effective date of any such approval. The utility shall also provide instructions at the site for getting copies of such pending application or advice letter, and of no longer effective tariffs. If it is difficult to publish at the site the maps or forms in the utility's tariffs, the utility shall provide a means of downloading the maps or forms, or shall provide instructions for getting copies in printed format.

A utility whose gross intrastate revenues, as last reported to the Commission, exceed $10 million, shall comply with this Internet publication requirement no later than January 1, 2002. Any other utility whose gross intrastate revenues, as reported in the utility's annual report to the Commission after January 1, 2002, exceed $10 million, shall comply with this Internet publication requirement no later than 180 days after the date of the annual report.

A utility that serves California customers under tariffs shall provide a telephone number at which a caller may (1) ask questions regarding the utility's tariffs, (2) order copies of the tariffs, and (3) find out times and places at which the caller may inspect or copy the tariffs. If the utility does not publish its tariffs on the Internet, it shall provide free copies to a current customer, and may charge not more than 20 cents per page to any other requester. The utility shall include this telephone number with any bill for a tariffed service. The telephone number shall be toll-free to customers within the utility's service area.

A utility that serves California customers under tariffs shall make its tariffs (including its no longer effective tariffs) available for public inspection or copying at reasonable times and place(s) within its California service area. The reasonableness of the times and place(s) at which tariffs are available will depend on whether the utility publishes its tariffs on the Internet.

Except for nontariffed or detariffed service, or a deviation (whether by contract or otherwise), authorized by statute or Commission order, a utility shall serve its California customers only at rates and under conditions contained in its tariffs then in effect. Any ambiguity in a tariff provision shall be construed in the way most favorable to the customer, and any representation made by a utility, in advertising or otherwise, with respect to a tariffed service shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of the applicable tariff(s).

If a utility provides optional features in conjunction with a particular service, the utility's tariffs shall identify the optional features as such, and shall describe the means by which a customer elects or rejects such features. If a utility provides alternative means of obtaining a particular service, or its functional equivalent, or a choice between different rate plans, the utility's tariffs shall disclose the alternatives available to a customer, and shall describe how the customer selects an alternative.

Under emergency conditions, such as war, terrorist attack, and natural disasters, a utility that is a telephone corporation as defined in the Public Utilities Code may provide service to a government agency or to the public for free, or at reduced rates and charges, or under terms and conditions otherwise deviating from its tariffs then in effect. The utility may begin such service without prior Commission approval, but the utility shall promptly submit an advice letter to the Telecommunications Division to notify the Commission of the utility's provision of emergency service and of the rates, charges, terms, and conditions under which the service is provided. The advice letter may be effective pending disposition, and shall be subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.1. The Commission may determine, as appropriate, the reasonableness of such service.

At all times, a utility other than a telephone corporation may provide service (other than resale service) to a government agency for free, or at reduced rates and charges, or under terms and conditions otherwise deviating from its tariffs then in effect. The utility may begin such service without prior Commission approval, but the utility shall promptly submit an advice letter to the appropriate Industry Division to notify the Commission of the utility's provision of such service and of the rates, charges, terms and conditions under which the service is provided. Although the advice letter may be effective pending disposition under General Rule 7.5.3, the Commission may determine, in an appropriate proceeding, the reasonableness of such service.

For purposes of this General Rule 8.2.3, "government agency" means the United States and its departments, Indian tribes recognized by the United States or the State of California, the State of California and its political subdivisions and municipal corporations, including the departments thereof, and public fairs and celebrations.

For any tariffs in effect (other than tariffs effective pending disposition), an Industry Division, on the complaint of a utility's customer, the Consumer Protection and Safety Division (or its successor), or the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (or its successor), or on the Industry Division's own motion, may issue a notice directing the utility to correct tariffs that the Industry Division believes may violate a statute or Commission order. Such notice to correct will identify the tariffs believed to be in violation, and will explain the basis for the Industry Division's belief.

Within 10 business days of the issuance of the notice to correct, the utility shall submit to the Industry Division either (1) an advice letter or substitute sheet letter, if appropriate, proposing corrective action, or (2) an answer explaining why the utility believes the tariffs in question comply with the specified statute or Commission order.

If the utility responds to the notice to correct by submitting an answer, the Industry Division shall either (1) rescind the notice to correct, or (2) affirm the notice to correct, with an explanation of why the Industry Division disagrees with the utility's answer. If the Industry Division affirms the notice to correct, and the Commission ultimately concludes that the tariffs violate statute or Commission orders as alleged in the notice, service rendered pursuant to the tariffs, at least from the date of issuance of the notice, may be subject to any subsequent Commission order requiring refunds, together with such other or additional adjustments as may be necessary or appropriate, as in the case of service rendered pursuant to an advice letter effective pending disposition.

8.4.1 Tariff Sheet Format

Tariff sheets shall be 8 inches wide by 11 inches long and of paper stock not less than
16-lb. bond or of equal durability. Tariff sheets shall be printed, typewritten, or otherwise prepared to provide a durable record. Type size shall be 10 point or larger. Except as provided in the Industry Rules, tariff sheets shall not contain handwritten text, marks, or alterations, and any such handwritten matter shall have no effect. Only one side of a sheet shall be used, and each sheet shall have margins at top and bottom of 1-1/8 inches and a left margin of at least 1-1/8 inches. The Industry Rules may contain additional format requirements, including rules regarding maintenance of tariffs in electronic media, and may provide illustrative exhibits.

When a rate schedule or tariff rule is carried forward from one tariff sheet to another, the bottom and top of the appropriate sheets shall be marked "Continued."

Tariff sheet numbering shall start with 1 for the first sheet in a rate schedule, and the following sheets shall be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are to appear in the schedule. Alternatively, a utility may number its tariff sheets, other than a check sheet, to reflect the section number of the tariff as well as the sheet (e.g., sheets in Section 1 would be numbered 1-1, 1-2, and so on). A utility may not mix the two numbering systems in its tariffs. An original sheet shall be designated as such, and a revised sheet shall be designated by the revision number (e.g., "1st Revised Sheet 1, Cancels Original Sheet 1").

A tariff sheet number may not be used more than once, regardless of whether the tariff sheet to which the number is assigned ever becomes effective. Thus, if a utility modifies a tariff sheet (for example, "1st Revised Sheet 1, Cancels Original Sheet 1") before disposition of the advice letter by which the utility submitted the tariff sheet, the modified tariff sheet must bear a new number (in the example, "2nd Revised Sheet 1, Cancels Original Sheet 1") consistent with this General Rule.

A sheet to be inserted between existing effective sheets shall be designated as an original sheet and shall bear the number of the immediately preceding sheet followed by an alpha or numeric suffix. For example, to insert two new sheets between sheets 44 and 45, the first inserted sheet shall be designated as Original Sheet 44A or 44.1, and the second inserted sheet shall be designated as Original Sheet 44B or 44.2. A utility may not use both kinds of suffix in its tariffs.

Similarly, if the need arises to insert new sheets between Original Sheets 44.1 and 44.2, the first new inserted sheet shall be designated as Original Sheet 44.1.1. If a utility uses numeric suffixes (the preferred system), the utility may use zeros to clarify the sequence of the sheets; thus, the numbering in both of the following examples is acceptable:

44.1, 44.2, . . . 44.9, 44.10, 44.11 and so on;

44.01, 44.02, . . . 44.09, 44.10, 44.11 and so on.

When using numeric suffixes, as illustrated in both examples, the next sheet in sequence after tariff sheet 44.1 (or 44.01) is tariff sheet 44.2 (or tariff sheet 44.02), not tariff sheet 44.11.

By advice letter filed with the appropriate Industry Division within 90 days of the effective date of these General Rules, each utility shall specify whether it elects to (a) continue the sheet numbering system already utilized by the utility (including in its advice letter a complete explanation of the existing sheet numbering system), or (b) conform its sheet numbering system to the requirements of General Rule 8.4.2. A new utility preparing tariffs for the first time shall conform its sheet numbering system to the requirements of General Rule 8.4.2

In the event a utility elects to continue its existing sheet numbering system, the sheet numbering must remain in compliance with the sheet numbering specifications set forth in the last effective version of General Order 96-A. The utility remains subject to notices to correct tariffs under the provisions of General Rule 8.3 in the event its sheet numbering system does not satisfy the specifications of General Order 96-A or does not otherwise conform to a statute or Commission order. Additionally, the utility shall maintain its historic tariff record so that it may provide, upon written request and within a reasonable time, the text for any tariff (or portion thereof) no longer in effect.

In the event a utility elects to conform its sheet numbering system to the requirements of General Rule 8.4.2, the appropriate Industry Division will establish a compliance schedule for the utility. The utility shall proceed to renumber its tariff sheets by compliance letter submitted in accordance with the applicable schedule.

Each utility's tariffs shall include the following contents, arranged in the sequence set forth in General Rules 8.5.1 to 8.5.8 below. The Industry Rules may require additional contents, as appropriate.

The cover page of each utility's tariffs shall be a title page showing the utility's common business name (and any other fictitious business names), the name and Commission-assigned identifying "U" number shown on the utility's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, mailing address, and types of utility service provided and territory served. If the utility's tariffs are in multiple volumes, each volume shall contain a title page with the above information and a unique identifier for that volume.

At the beginning of the tariffs, a table of contents shall list all tariff subject headings and page numbers of currently effective tariff sheets in the order in which the tariff sheets appear in the utility's compilation of its tariffs. Unless the tariff is updated continuously and reliably by an automated system, each rate schedule and each volume of tariffs shall include a check sheet, which shall show the currently effective tariff sheets, by page and revision number, within the schedule or volume. The Industry Rules may require additional or alternative methods for listing currently effective tariff sheets.

The preliminary statement shall describe or explain: the territory served; the types and classes of service rendered; the general conditions under which services are rendered; the memorandum accounts (if any), balancing accounts, and adjustment clauses that might affect the utility's rates; and other tariff provisions that do not appear in the tariff rules or rate schedules. The preliminary statement shall explain the symbols used to identify tariff changes (see Public Utilities Code Section 491) as follows:

(C) To signify changed listing, rule, or condition which may affect a rate, charge, term, or condition;

(D) To signify discontinued material, including a listing, rate, charge, rule, or condition;

(I) To signify a rate or charge increase;

(L) To signify material relocated to another part of tariff schedules with no change in text;

(N) To signify new material including a listing, rate, charge, rule, or condition;

(P) To signify material subject to change under a pending application or advice letter;

(R) To signify a rate or charge reduction; and

(T) To signify textual change that does not affect a rate, charge, term, or condition.

Whenever the "P" designation is no longer valid, the utility shall remove the "P" designation by filing a substitute sheet.

A utility authorized to serve the entire state shall include in its tariffs a statement of that fact. A utility authorized to serve part of the state shall include in its tariffs:

The map provided pursuant to (1) of this rule may also satisfy the requirements of (2) if the map is of such scale and detail in relation to the service area boundaries as to enable clear and unambiguous determination of the boundaries without resort to verbal description.

The service area map or maps and verbal description shall be kept current and shall be appropriate in scale and detail to enable determination of whether specific real property is within the utility's service area. The Industry Rules may contain additional requirements regarding maps and verbal descriptions, and the reviewing Industry Division may require revisions to the maps, or further specification of the boundaries, in order to eliminate ambiguity regarding the utility's service area.

The respective Industry Divisions will establish compliance schedules for those utilities that, as of June 30, 2007, do not comply with the requirements of this General Rule to maintain service area maps on their Internet sites.

Each utility's tariffs shall set forth all of its rate schedules, including for each schedule the schedule number or other designation, the schedule title (e.g., general, residential, "life-line," low-income), the requirements to obtain service, the rates and charges (in tables if possible), and any special conditions, limitations, qualifications, or restrictions specific to the service or rates under the schedule. Amounts subject to refund, contingent charges, and offset surcharges are examples of such special conditions.

Except and to the extent excused by statute or Industry Rule or other Commission order, each utility shall compile and publish in its tariffs a list of all contracts and other deviations under which the utility provides service at rates or under conditions other than those contained in its tariffs then in effect. For each such contract or other deviation, the list shall state: the name and location of the customer; the type or class of service; dates of execution and expiration; the date and number of the Commission order authorizing the contract or other deviation; and the utility's most comparable rate schedule, together with a summary of how the contract or other deviation differs from that schedule.

If a utility has no such contract or other deviation then in effect, a statement of this fact shall be provided instead of this list.

Each utility's tariffs shall separately state those rules regarding its rates, charges, and services that are not fully set forth in its rate schedules. These tariff rules shall be stated in clear and readily understandable English. Each such tariff rule shall have a number, a descriptive title, and its own sheet or series of sheets. The following subjects, and other subjects as appropriate, shall be covered by tariff rule:

(1) Definitions - Clear and concise definitions of the principal terms used in the tariffs.

(2) Description of Service - Description of types of service rendered and standards of service maintained.

(3) Application for Service - procedure to obtain service.

(4) Contracts - When a contract will be required for service.

(5) Special Information Required on Forms - Notices to customers required to appear on contracts, bills, and deposit receipts.

(6) Establishment and Re-establishment of Credit - Procedure to establish credit and to re-establish credit.

(7) Deposits - When required, conditions precedent to return, interest paid.

(8) Notices - Methods of providing notice.

(9) Issuance and Payment of Bills - Methods of issuing bills, billing periods, due dates, methods of payment.

(10) Disputed Bills - Methods of adjustment, deposit of disputed amount with Commission, time limits for actions.

(11) Discontinuance and Restoration of Service - Reasons for discontinuance, notification, time limits for actions, procedure for restoration of service, charges.

(12) Information on Services and Promotional Offerings - How to get information on services (including types of services, rate plans, conditions on eligibility, other terms and conditions) and promotional offerings available from the utility. Rule shall include office hours, telephone number, and (if applicable) e-mail address for contacting utility with requests for such information.

(13) Temporary Service - Conditions to providing temporary service or service to speculative projects.

(14) Continuity of Service - Interruption of delivery of service, notice to customers, apportionment of available service.

(15) Extensions of Lines or Mains - Free extensions, extensions beyond free length, conditions regarding contributions or advances to individuals or developers, deposits, refunds, ownership, maintenance.

(16) Facilities on Customers' Premises and Service Connections - Unless additional persons authorized, only utility employees to make service connections; right of access to customers' premises.

The Industry Rules may specify additional subjects to be covered by tariff rules of utilities within the respective industries. Subjects having special significance to particular utilities shall be covered either by inclusion in the tariff rules described above or by additional numbered tariff rules specifically addressing those subjects.

Each utility's tariffs shall contain sample copies of printed forms, such as applications for service, regular bills for service, contract forms, delinquency notices, disconnect notices, connection fee data, deposit receipts, and all other forms of concern to customers in connection with the utility's services. Such sample copies may contain data for illustrative purposes. Each sample copy shall be printed on a regularly numbered tariff sheet showing the name of the form. For purposes of this General Rule, and except where prohibited by statute or Commission order, utilities may use forms developed by government agencies.

9.0 Confidential Treatment

In general, any information submitted in support of or in opposition to the relief requested in an advice letter will either be open to public inspection or will already be subject to confidential treatment pursuant to nondisclosure agreements and a protective order issued in a formal proceeding. Because matters governed by this General Order are informal, it is rarely appropriate to seek confidential treatment of information submitted in the first instance in the advice letter process. In any event, confidential treatment may be requested only for the kinds of information for which such treatment is authorized by statute, by prior Commission order, or by the provisions of this General Order.

A person requesting confidential treatment under this General Order bears the burden of proving why any particular document, or portion of a document, must or should be withheld from public disclosure. Any request for confidential treatment of information must reference the specific law prohibiting disclosure, the specific statutory privilege that the person believes it holds and could assert against disclosure, the specific privilege the person believes the Commission may and should assert against disclosure, or the specific provision of General Order 66-C (or its successor) or other Commission decision that authorizes a document to be kept confidential.

Whenever a person submitting a document (other than an application for rehearing) under this General Order wants the Commission to keep the entire document under seal, or in redacted and unredacted versions, that person shall submit to the reviewing Industry Division a written request for such confidential treatment. The request shall either (1) attach a copy of the protective order that applies to the information for which confidential treatment is sought, or (2) explain why it is appropriate to accord confidential treatment to the information in the first instance in the advice letter process. In the latter case, the request shall attach a proposed protective order, or reference an effective protective order applicable to advice letter filings previously submitted by the person. In either case, the request shall be narrowly drawn, shall identify the text and the information within the document for which confidential treatment is sought, and shall specify the grounds justifying such treatment.

Consistent with the above requirements, a utility may request confidential treatment for part of an advice letter; however, a utility may request confidential treatment for part of an advice letter that is effective pending disposition only if the utility concurrently provides access to the entire advice letter to those persons on its advice letter service list who have executed a reasonable nondisclosure agreement for purposes of advice letter review.

Whenever a request for confidential treatment of all or part of an advice letter is submitted to an Industry Division, the person desiring confidential treatment of information provided to the Commission shall at a minimum:

A confidentiality claim, whether or not specifically acted upon by the Commission or Industry Division, expires on the earliest of the following dates: (a) at the end of the period specified by the person in the initial confidentiality claim; (b) at the end of a period specified in a specific Commission ruling or decision; or in the event (a) or (b) are inapplicable, then (c) two years after the claim was first asserted before the Industry Division. To reassert the confidentiality claim, the person must again satisfy the requirements of this General Order before the end of the confidentiality period.

Any person may object to the requested confidential treatment, and shall meet and confer with the requester to resolve such objections informally whenever possible. When such objections are not so resolved, the Industry Division will refer the request to the Administrative Law Judge Division. Confidential treatment shall be accorded pending a ruling on the request; however, the Industry Division, in appropriate circumstances, may issue a notice delaying the effective date of the advice letter pending the ruling.

In the case where a protective order has not yet been issued, if the Industry Division determines that confidential treatment is warranted, review of the advice letter shall proceed in the normal fashion. If the Industry Division determines that confidential treatment is not warranted, then the Industry Division shall (a) proceed with review of the advice letter, and (b) attempt to informally resolve the dispute with the filing party. If the Industry Division and filing party are unsuccessful in resolving the dispute, the filing party shall be given 10 days, following Industry Division notification that confidentiality will not be afforded, to appeal the confidentiality issue to the Administrative Law Judge Division. Confidentiality will continue to be afforded while the appeal is pending.

ENERGY INDUSTRY RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Energy Industry Rules 11

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions 11

Industry Rule 2. Submitting a Document (see General Rule 7.1) 11

Industry Rule 3. Notice and Service Procedures 22

Industry Rule 4. Numbering Advice Letters 33

Industry Rule 5. Tier Classifications for Advice Letters 33

Industry Rule 6. Additional Tariff Requirements 55

Industry Rule 7. Contract or Other Deviation 66

Industry Rule 8. Rate Change by Oil Pipeline (see Public Utilities Code Section 455.3) 66

Industry Rule 9. Compliance Filing by Load-Serving Entity (see Public Utilities Code Section 380) 77

Energy Industry Rules

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions

In addition to the definitions in General Rules 3 to 3.16, the following definitions apply to the defined terms, which will appear with the initial letter capitalized when used in these Industry Rules.

1.1 Contract

An agreement between a Utility and a developer or customer to provide service under rates or conditions not offered in the Utility's tariffs.

1.2 Industry Rule

An Industry Rule contained in the Energy Industry Rules, as set forth in General Order 96-B or its successor.

1.3 Load-Serving Entity

An electrical corporation, electric service provider, or community choice aggregator. See Public Utilities Code Section 380(j).

1.4 Staff

The Energy Division (or its successor).

1.5 Utility

A public Utility that, as defined in the Public Utilities Code, is an electrical, gas, heat, or pipeline corporation.

Industry Rule 2. Submitting a Document (see General Rule 7.1)

The Energy Division Filings Room will process documents submitted to the Energy Division for filing, including information-only filings and advice letters and associated documents (such as protests, responses, replies, and supplements). A document may be submitted in person, by delivery service, or by mail to the Energy Division Filings Room, 505 Van Ness Ave., 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298.

A Utility submitting an advice letter shall provide an original and five copies of the advice letter, one copy of the workpapers (if any), and an original and five copies of each affected tariff sheet. A Utility submitting an information-only filing shall submit an original and one copy, and shall cite the statute or Commission order requiring the filing.

Industry Rule 3. Notice and Service Procedures

3.1 Notice to Customers

Unless otherwise required by a Commission order issued after September 6, 2007, exceptions to General Rule 4.2 are authorized, and no customer notice is required, for the following categories of Energy Industry advice letters:

3.2 Serving Advice Letters (see General Rules 4.3, 7.2)

On or before the date an advice letter is submitted for filing, in addition to serving the advice letter as required by General Rule 7.2, the Utility shall serve the advice letter, or a notice of the advice letter (containing a summary of major provisions and information on accessing or ordering the entire advice letter), as follows:

Industry Rule 4. Numbering Advice Letters

For each type of service rendered, a Utility shall number its advice letters sequentially, beginning with No. 1, followed by a letter designating the type of service (E for electric, G for natural gas, H for heat, O for oil pipeline). A Utility may not reuse an advice letter number, regardless of whether the advice letter bearing that number was approved, withdrawn, or rejected. (See also General Rules 4.6, 5.3, 8.4 & 8.5.)

Industry Rule 5. Tier Classifications for Advice Letters

A Utility submitting an advice letter shall designate the appropriate tier, based on the content of the advice letter. A Tier 1 or Tier 2 advice letter is subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.1; a Tier 3 advice letter is subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.2.

5.1 Matters Appropriate to Tier 1 (Effective Pending Disposition)

A matter appropriate to Tier 1 may be designated by a Utility in its advice letter as effective pending disposition. (For advice letters pursuant to General Rule 8.2.3, see Industry Rule 5.3.) Matters appropriate to Tier 1 are:

5.2 Matters Appropriate to Tier 2 (Effective After Staff Approval)

Matters appropriate to Tier 2 are:

5.3 Matters Appropriate to Tier 3 (Effective After Commission Approval)

An advice letter submitted under (8) of this Industry Rule may be designated by the Utility as effective pending disposition; all other matters appropriate to Tier 3 may become effective only after Commission approval. Matters appropriate to Tier 3 are:

Industry Rule 6. Additional Tariff Requirements

Industry Rules 6.1 to 6.4 contain tariff requirements that, as authorized by the General Rules (see in particular General Rules 8.1, 8.5, and 8.5.4), are other than or in addition to the General Rule requirements for Internet publication, service area description, and tariff contents.

6.1 Internet Publication

A Utility that must comply with the requirement to publish its tariffs at an Internet site (see General Rule 8.1.2) shall implement the requirement as follows. The requirement shall apply to each tariff sheet used by the Utility on or after the date upon which the Utility must publish its tariffs at a site on the Internet. As of that date, the Utility shall publish all of its tariff sheets then in effect or pending review and disposition. From that date onward, the Utility shall publish within five business days each new tariff sheet (or the advice letter including or attaching each new tariff sheet) that it submits for review and disposition. For each published tariff sheet, the Utility shall also publish and keep up-to-date the status of the tariff sheet (i.e., in effect; pending review and disposition; withdrawn (see General Rule 5.3); rejected; or no longer in effect). A tariff sheet number may be used only once, and all tariff sheets published at the Utility's Internet site shall remain accessible at the site unless and until the Commission authorizes an alternative electronic means of publishing and enabling public access to the Utility's tariffs.

6.2 [Reserved]

6.3 Written Agreement Required by Tariff

If a tariff provides that a written agreement must be executed by a customer as a condition to the customer's receiving service under the tariff, the executed agreement need not be submitted for approval or filing; however, when submitting the tariff for approval, the Utility shall submit the form of agreement that will be used for purposes of the tariff. The form shall contain substantially the following clause: "This agreement at all times shall be subject to such modifications as the California Public Utilities Commission may direct from time to time in the exercise of its jurisdiction."

6.4 Tariff Rules

A Utility shall include in its tariffs, in addition to the tariff rules specified in General Rule 8.5.7, the following tariff rules, numbered as shown:

Tariff Rule 18: Supply to Separate Premises and Resale

The Industry Division may exempt a utility from including Tariff Rules 17 or 18 if (a) the utility's existing tariffs already include comparable language; (b) a Commission decision, resolution, or order requires different tariff rules for a specific utility, or (c) the language of these rules is not appropriate to the utility's method of operation.

Industry Rule 7. Contract or Other Deviation

7.1 Generally

After a Utility enters into a Contract or other deviation, the Utility shall submit an advice letter requesting approval and updating its list of Contracts and other deviations (see General Rule 8.5.6). The Contract shall contain substantially the following clause: "Unless otherwise expressly ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission, this Contract at all times shall be subject to such modifications as the Commission may direct from time to time in the exercise of its jurisdiction." In addition, except for a Contract that is authorized to be submitted pursuant to Industry Rule 5.1(4) or 5.3(8), the Contract shall contain substantially the following clause: "This Contract does not become effective unless and until approved by the California Public Utilities Commission."

7.2 Customer Protest

A customer may protest an advice letter in which a Utility seeks approval of a Contract or other deviation for the purpose of providing service to that customer. Such protest, if it only concerns a rate or charge under the Contract or other deviation, may include a request for service pending disposition of the advice letter. Staff will approve the request for service unless, based either on another protest or Staff's own analysis, Staff finds that there is a substantial issue that should be resolved before service is provided; however, if Staff approves the request, Staff will require the customer, as a condition of such service, to deposit with the Commission the sum(s) of money in dispute pending disposition of the advice letter.

Industry Rule 8. Rate Change by Oil Pipeline (see Public Utilities Code
Section 455.3)

The following procedures govern review and disposition of an advice letter requesting approval of a rate change by an oil pipeline already in Utility service. These procedures, to the extent they are inconsistent with the procedures otherwise provided by this General Order (see General Rules 7.5, 7.6.1; Industry Rules 5, 5.1), supersede the latter procedures.

8.1 Effective Date; Suspension

An oil pipeline shall submit its advice letter requesting approval of a rate change (see Industry Rule 2), and shall serve the advice letter on all affected shippers, at least 30 days in advance of the requested effective date. (See Industry Rule 3.) The rate change, on the later of the requested effective date or 30 days after the date of filing, may be made effective pending disposition of the advice letter; however, if a requested increase exceeds a maximum of 10 percent per 12-month period, only the portion of the rate increase not exceeding that maximum may be effective pending disposition.

Staff may suspend a rate change, including an increase up to and including the maximum, once only and for a period not to exceed 30 days from the date when the oil pipeline might otherwise put the rate change into effect; the suspended rate change may be made effective at the end of that suspension, even if disposition of the advice letter is still pending. The portion that exceeds the maximum shall become effective only as provided in Industry Rule 8.2.

8.2 Disposition

Only a rate change that is neither suspended by Staff nor protested, and only to the extent it is not an increase exceeding the maximum (see Industry Rule 8.1), will be deemed approved, and such deemed approval will occur 30 days after the date of filing. An advice letter that is suspended but not protested and that does not request a rate increase exceeding the maximum will be subject to disposition as provided in General Rule 7.6.1. An advice letter that either is protested or requests a rate increase exceeding the maximum will be disposed of by resolution.

Within 30 days after the date of disposition of the advice letter, the oil pipeline shall refund to all shippers, with interest computed at the three-month commercial paper rate published by the Federal Reserve Board and accruing from the date the new rate was first charged, any portion of the rate change that is disapproved. For an advice letter that requests a rate increase exceeding the maximum, the disposition of the advice letter will determine the appropriateness of allowing retroactive charge and collection of an approved rate increase above the maximum.

Industry Rule 9. Compliance Filing by Load-Serving Entity (see Public Utilities Code Section 380)

A compliance filing by a Load-Serving Entity is not subject to protest but is otherwise subject to review and disposition under General Rules 7.5.1, 7.5.2, and 7.6.1.

WATER INDUSTRY RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Water Industry Rules 11

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions 11

Industry Rule 2. Filing Advice Letters, Information-only Filings 22

Industry Rule 3. Methods of Customer Notice (see General Rule 4.2) 22

Industry Rule 4. Serving Advice Letters (see General Rules 4.3 & 7.2) 33

Industry Rule 5. Tariff Sheet Numbering (see General Rule 8.4.) 44

Industry Rule 6. Advice Letter Supplements (see General Rule 7.5.1) 44

Industry Rule 7. Disposition of Advice Letters 44

Industry Rule 8. Procedures for Specific Types of Advice Letters 77

Industry Rule 9. Tariff Publication, Format 88

Industry Rule 10. Service Area Maps (see General Rule 8.5.4) 1010

Water Industry Rules

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions

In addition to the definitions in General Rules 3 to 3.16, the following definitions apply to the defined terms, which will appear with the initial letter capitalized when used in these Industry Rules.

1.1 Balancing Account (see Public Utilities (Pub. Util.) Code Section 792.5)

A deferred charge or credit account approved by the Commission for recovery or refund (see General Rule 8.5.3).

1.2 Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D (see Decision (D.) 85-04-076)

A Utility is designated Class A if it serves over 10,000 service connections, Class B if it serves 2,001 through 10,000 service connections, Class C if it serves 501 through 2,000 service connections, and Class D if it serves no more than 500 service connections.

1.3 Compliance Advice Letter

An advice letter requesting approval of the utility's proposed implementation of a specific mandate in a statute or Commission order. Typically, a Compliance Advice Letter requests that tariff changes attached to a decision or resolution be made effective.

1.4 Contact Person

A person identified on the title page of a Utility's tariffs as the Utility's authorized representative for all rate and service quality matters.

1.5 Contract

An agreement between a Utility and a developer or customer to provide service under rates or conditions not offered in the Utility's tariffs or standard form contracts.

1.6 Industry Rule

An Industry Rule contained in these Industry Rules, as set forth in General Order 96-B or its successor.

1.7 Informal General Rate Case (see D.92-03-093)

A general rate case for a Class B, Class C, or Class D Utility that is requested by advice letter rather than by formal application.

1.8 Memorandum Account (see D.85-04-076)

A deferred charge or credit account that, as described in the Utility's preliminary statement (see General Rule 8.5.3) has been authorized by the Commission; however, deferred charges or credits shown in the Memorandum Account may be recovered in rates only after a request by the Utility, a showing of their reasonableness, and approval by the Commission.

1.9 Staff

The Water Division (or its successor).

1.10 Standard Practice

A Water Division document that provides procedural guidelines (1) to the public and Utilities for preparing, and filing with the Water Division or the Commission, various documents, including formal applications and advice letters, and (2) to Staff for reviewing such documents and creating Water Division work products. Copies of Standard Practices are available on request from the Water Division and are published on the Commission's Internet site.

1.11 Utility

A public Utility that is a water corporation (see Pub. Util. Code § 241) or a sewer system corporation (see Pub. Util. Code § 230.6).

Industry Rule 2. Filing Advice Letters, Information-only Filings

A Utility may use any one of the following procedures when filing its advice letter (General Rule 7.1) or information-only filing (General Rule 6.1) with the Water Division:

These procedures also apply to filing of documents pertaining to an advice letter, e.g., a protest, response, reply, substitute sheet, or supplement.

A Utility filing an advice letter shall provide an original and two copies with workpapers. A Utility filing an information-only filing shall provide an original and one copy.

Industry Rule 3. Methods of Customer Notice (see General Rule 4.2)

3.1 Method of Notice for Advice Letter Increasing Rates

A Utility shall give notice by bill insert or by separate mailing of an advice letter requesting approval of a more restrictive term or condition, or of a rate or charge increase, except that if the requested revenue increase is an offset increase of less than ten percent of the revenue requirement last authorized for the Utility (or district of the Utility for which the increase is requested), the Utility may give notice of the requested increase by publishing a legal notice in a newspaper of local circulation or, if no such newspaper exists, by posting notice prominently in an area in which customers normally gather. Mailed notice should be provided, whenever possible, to the customer's permanent mailing address if a Utility serves a high percentage of vacation homes. A Class A Utility shall provide a link to the advice letter on the Utility's internet site.

Staff will create the notice of an Informal General Rate Case advice letter and provide the notice to the Utility for distribution by bill insert or special mailing.

3.2 Special Notice Rules for Compliance Advice Letter, Certain Tier 1 Advice Letters

Normally, notice to customers of a Compliance Advice Letter need not be provided; however, for a Compliance Advice Letter submitted in an Informal General Rate Case, the Utility shall give notice using the form provided by the Water Division (see Standard Practice U-9-W).

Following an advice letter increasing rates as a Balancing Account amortization, CPI offset, expense offset, or pass-through of additional taxes, the Utility shall inform its customers, by bill insert in the first bill that includes the increase, of the amount of the increase, expressed in dollar and percentage terms.

3.3 Other Required Notice

In addition to the notice required by General Rule 4.2 and Industry Rule 3.1, a Class A Utility shall publish at its Internet site the notice and contents of each advice letter it has submitted whose disposition is pending. For a particular advice letter, the Director of the Water Division may require a Utility to give notice to other persons, or by other means, in addition to those specified in these Industry Rules.

Industry Rule 4. Serving Advice Letters (see General Rules 4.3 & 7.2)

At the option of the recipient, the Utility shall serve the entire advice letter, tariffs and workpapers; the advice letter and tariffs; or just the cover sheet (see General Rules 4.6 and 5.3). Except as provided in Industry Rule 4.1, service of one copy of an advice letter shall be without charge.

4.1 Advice Letters Generally

When filing any advice letter, the Utility shall serve it on the following persons:

4.2 Service Area Extension or Transfer of Ownership (see Industry Rule 8.1)

When filing an advice letter for service area extension or transfer of ownership, the Utility shall serve it on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for each county in which service will be extended, and on each owner of real property, local fire protection agency, and subdivision permitting agency in the area in which service will be extended.

4.3 Contract or Other Deviation (see Industry Rule 8.3.)

When filing an advice letter for a Contract or other deviation, the Utility shall also serve it on each customer for whom the Contract or other deviation is proposed. The advice letter shall state that the customer may object to it or seek a modification by submitting a protest.

4.4 Withdrawal or Withholding of Service (see Industry Rule 8.7)

When filing an advice letter for withdrawal or withholding of service, the Utility shall also serve it on each owner of real property in the affected area.

Industry Rule 5. Tariff Sheet Numbering (see General Rule 8.4.)

At the Utility's option, the numbers for new tariff sheets may be left blank, in which case staff will assign sheet numbers. A multiple-service Utility shall use the appropriate designator (SS for Sewer System, W for Water) as a suffix to the sheet number.

Industry Rule 6. Advice Letter Supplements (see General Rule 7.5.1)

A change to a pending advice letter that is necessary to correct minor errors, or a minor editorial change to the text, may be made by a supplement. A change that results in a higher revenue requirement, or greater diminution of service, from that noticed in the original advice letter must be made by a new advice letter.

Industry Rule 7. Disposition of Advice Letters

7.1 Initial Review

If an advice letter (including its cover sheet) is incomplete (see General Rules 4.6 and 4.7), Staff will so inform the Utility and may either delay filing until corrections are made or return the advice letter without filing.

7.2 Effective Date (see General Rule 7.3)

The following provisions vary the otherwise applicable General Rules.

7.3 Tier Classifications for Advice Letters

Water and sewer system advice letters are classified as Tier 1, 2, or 3 for purposes of review and disposition, as shown below.

7.3.1 Tier 1

The following advice letters are effective pending disposition, do not require notice under General Rule 4.2, and are generally subject to approval or rejection by Staff (including deemed approval) pursuant to General Rule 7.6.1, except as indicated below:

7.3.2 Tier 2

The following advice letters are effective only upon approval, but may be deemed approved and are generally subject to approval or rejection by staff pursuant to General Rule 7.6.1:

7.3.3 Tier 3

The following advice letters may not be deemed approved and generally will be disposed of by Commission resolution pursuant to General Rule 7.6.2:

Industry Rule 8. Procedures for Specific Types of Advice Letters

8.1 Service Extension into Contiguous or Other Area (see Pub. Util. Code §§ 1001, 2709, 8202; Industry Rules 4.2, 7.3.2(10))

A service area extension is into a contiguous area for purposes of this Industry Rule if (1) the distance between the existing service area and the new area does not exceed 2,000 feet at the points of closest proximity, or (2) service will be provided by the extension of line, plant, or system from the Utility's existing service area. If entirely separate sources of supply and distribution are used in the new area, and the separation is over 2,000 feet, the extension is not contiguous, and the Utility must seek authority by means of a formal application to serve the new area.

At least 30 days before (1) commencing service in an area within a city in which the Utility is already providing service, (2) extending service to a contiguous area, or (3) taking ownership of a mutual or municipal water company, the Utility shall submit a service area map delineating the added area, and proof that the utility already has a water supply adequate to serve the areas or a plan to obtain such a supply. (See Standard Practices U-14-W and U-18-W.)

8.2 Request for Similar Treatment (see Industry Rule 7.3.2(8))

A Utility may submit an advice letter requesting approval, authorization, or other relief similar to that accorded another Utility by Commission order. The advice letter shall cite each decision or resolution relied upon, and shall demonstrate that the Utility submitting the advice letter is similarly situated in all material respects, and is requesting the same relief and relying on the same justification as in the cited order(s).

8.3 Contract or Other Deviation (see Pub. Util. Code §§ 532, 2712; General Rule 8.5.6; Industry Rules 4.3, 7.3.2(3))

After entering into a Contract or other deviation, but at least 30 days before the effective date of the rate or service, the Utility shall file an advice letter requesting approval and updating its list of Contracts and other deviations.

Each Contract shall contain substantially the following provisions:

A customer may protest an advice letter in which a Utility seeks approval of a Contract or other deviation for the purpose of providing service to that customer. Such protest, if it only concerns a rate or charge under the Contract or other deviation, may include a request for service pending disposition of the advice letter. Alternatively, in that situation, the Utility may request to provide service pending disposition of the advice letter. Staff will approve the request for service unless, based either on another protest or Staff's own analysis, Staff finds that there is a substantial issue that should be resolved before service is provided; however, if Staff approves the request, Staff will require the customer, as a condition of such service, to deposit with the Commission the sum(s) of money in dispute pending disposition of the advice letter.

8.4 Expense Offset (see Industry Rule 7.3.2(5))

When a Utility knows that an expense subject to offset is likely to change in the future, it shall file an advice letter for a concurrent change in rates. When an expense subject to offset changes without warning, the affected Utility shall file an advice letter within 60 days of the change seeking to adjust the rates accordingly.

8.5 Balancing Account Amortization (see Industry Rule 7.3.1(1))

A Utility shall promptly file an advice letter seeking to amortize an over- or under-collected balancing account when the balance exceeds two percent of the most recent annual report revenue for the Utility (or district of the Utility). An over-collection shall be refunded as soon as possible by crediting the service charge. An under-collection shall be recovered within one year by a surcharge on the service charge or commodity charge, as appropriate (see Standard Practice U-15-W). A Utility may not request recovery for an under-collection that is over three years old.

8.6 Recycled Water (see Pub. Util. Code § 455.1; Industry Rule 7.3.2(8))

If an advice letter requesting an initial rate or a rate increase for recycled water service is protested, the matter shall be set for hearing, the tariff schedules shall become effective, subject to refund, 30 days after the date of filing, and the Commission will dispose of the advice letter by resolution. If Staff requests additional information from the Utility, and if the Utility appropriately supplements the advice letter within 10 days of receiving Staff's request, the tariff schedules in the supplement shall become effective, subject to refund, five days after the date of filing of the supplement, and the Commission will dispose of the advice letter by resolution.

8.7 Withdrawal or Withholding of Service (see Pub. Util. Code §§ 2708, 2710, 2711; Industry Rule 7.3.3(11))

A Utility shall provide service to any person in its service area on demand, in accordance with its tariffs; however, if a water shortage exists, or if the Department of Health Services has imposed a building permit moratorium, or if other good cause requires, the Utility shall file an advice letter requesting either (1) approval to withdraw service from all or part of its service area (including a new service area map), or (2) Commission imposition of a service connection moratorium and Commission authorization before withholding service.

8.8 Service to Government Agency (see General Rule 8.2.3; Industry Rule 7.3.1(7))

An advice letter to provide service to a government agency pursuant to General Rule 8.2.3 may be designated by the Utility as effective pending disposition.

Industry Rule 9. Tariff Publication, Format

Each Class A Utility shall be subject to the Internet publication requirements of General Rule 8.1.2.

9.1 Tariff Schedules

Water Rate Schedules shall be published, as appropriate, for each of the Utility's districts:

The above schedules shall be followed or preceded by schedules applicable to multiple districts such as:

Sewer System Rate Schedules shall be numbered and printed in the following order, for each of the Utility's districts:

The above schedules shall be followed or preceded by schedules applicable to multiple districts such as:

Tariff sheets may not contain marks or alterations unless approved by staff. Only one side of a sheet may be used.

9.2 Tariff Rules (see General Rule 8.5.7)

A Utility shall include in its tariffs, following the tariff rules specified in General Rule 8.5.7, these additional tariff rules, numbered as follows:

Industry Rule 10. Service Area Maps (see General Rule 8.5.4)

A Utility shall prepare a digital map of its authorized service area boundaries prepared using a common projection and datum that meets a minimum resolution of 1:24,000 scale, distributed in an open format and accompanied by Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant metadata. In addition, a utility shall provide a digital basemap (in TIF or PDF format) for printing that includes, at a minimum, its service area, major roads, and relevant administrative boundaries (e.g., counties, cities, federal and state land).

A Utility shall submit the map, and updates as the authorized service area changes, to the Water Division and to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for each county within the Utility's authorized service area. The Water Division will establish detailed map specifications and compliance schedules for the preparation of digital maps; but in no event will the compliance schedule extend beyond December 31, 2007, for Class A Utilities and December 31, 2008, for all other Utilities.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Telecommunications Industry Rules 11

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions 11

Industry Rule 2. Submitting Documents for Filing; Telephone Directories 22

Industry Rule 3. Notice to Affected Customers 33

Industry Rule 4. Contracts and Other Deviations 44

Industry Rule 5. Detariffed and Non-tariffed Service 44

Industry Rule 6. Advice Letter Contents 55

Industry Rule 7. Advice Letter Review 55

Industry Rule 8. Procedures for Specific Types of Advice Letters, Information-only Filings,
and Formal Proceedings 88

Industry Rule 9. Notification of DBAs 1010

Telecommunications Industry Rules

Industry Rule 1. Additional Definitions

In addition to the definitions in General Rules 3 to 3.16, the following definitions apply to the defined terms, which appear with the initial letter capitalized when used in these Industry Rules.

1.1 Basic Service

"Basic Service" means the service elements, as specified in Decision 96-10-066 (Appendix B, Part 4) and as modified from time to time by the Commission, that a provider of local exchange service must offer to each residential customer who requests local exchange service from the provider.

1.2 Carrier of Last Resort

"Carrier of Last Resort" means a carrier that has specific duties regarding the provision of Basic Service and universal service, as specified in Decision 96-10-066 and as modified from time to time by the Commission.

1.3 Compliance Advice Letter

"Compliance Advice Letter" means an advice letter seeking approval of the Utility's proposed implementation of a specific requirement in a statute or Commission order.

1.4 Freezing of Service

"Freezing" or "Freezing of Service" means discontinuing a service's availability to customers, other than those customers receiving the service from the Utility as of the date that the Utility freezes the service.

1.5 GRC-LEC

"GRC-LEC" means a local exchange carrier that is regulated through cost-of-service regulation.

1.6 Industry Rule

"Industry Rule" means an Industry Rule in the Telecommunications Industry Rules, as set forth in General Order 96-B or its successor.

1.7 Market Trial; Technical Trial

"Market Trial" or "Technical Trial" means a New Service offered only for a specified limited duration for the purpose of testing or evaluating the service.

1.8 New Service

"New Service" means a service that (i) is distinguished from any existing service offered by the Utility by virtue of the technology employed; or (ii) includes features or functions not previously offered in any service configuration by the Utility.

1.9 Promotional Offering; Promotional Platform

"Promotional Offering" means an existing service offered under tariffed terms temporarily deviating from the otherwise applicable tariff in order to promote the service. "Promotional Platform" means a tariffed description of service for which a GRC-LEC may make a Promotional Offering.

1.10 Resale Service

"Resale Service" means a tariffed service that a carrier offers to another carrier for resale.

1.11 Staff

"Staff" means the Communications Division (or its successor).

1.12 Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator

"Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator" means the person who processes documents submitted to the Communications Division for filing.

1.13 Transfer

"Transfer" means a Transfer of assets (including the entire customer base or an entire class of customers) and/or Transfer of control.

1.14 URF Carrier and URF ILEC

"URF Carrier" means a Utility that is a wireline carrier that has full pricing flexibility over all or substantially all of its rates and charges. "URF Carrier" includes any incumbent local exchange carrier that is regulated through the Commission's uniform regulatory framework, as established in Decision 06-08-030, and as modified from time to time by the Commission; competitive local exchange carriers; and interexchange carriers.

"URF ILEC" means those incumbent local exchange carriers currently granted pricing flexibility through D.06-08-030, and as may be modified from time to time.

1.15 Utility

"Utility" means a public Utility that is a telephone corporation as defined in the Public Utilities Code. Only GRC-LECs and URF Carriers are required to file advice letters under the Industry Rules.

1.16 Withdrawal of Service

"Withdrawal" or "Withdrawal of Service" means discontinuing a service's availability to all customers, including those customers receiving the service as of the date it is withdrawn.

Industry Rule 2. Submitting Documents for Filing; Telephone Directories

For instructions on filing an advice letter, a document pertaining to an advice letter (e.g., a protest, response, reply, substitute sheet, or supplement), or an information-only filing, go to the Commission's Internet site (www.cpuc.ca.gov) and look for the Communications Division's link.

A Utility that issues a telephone directory must submit, concurrent with publication, two copies of each directory to the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, Communications Division, 505 Van Ness Ave., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298. However, a directory is not a tariff and will not be listed in the table of contents of the Utility's tariffs or given Cal. P.U.C. sheet numbers. A local exchange company must notify public libraries that they will provide without charge, upon request, copies of its current telephone directory to any public library in California and must provide such copies. GRC-LECs may provide only one copy per library.

Industry Rule 3. Notice to Affected Customers

No later than the date that is 30 days before the advice letter's requested effective date, or on the date that the Utility submits the advice letter to the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, whichever date is earlier, the Utility must give notice to each affected customer of the advice letter if it requests approval of a Transfer, Withdrawal of Service, or higher rates or charges or more restrictive terms or conditions.

However, no further customer notice under this Industry Rule 3 or General Rule 4.2 is required of a Utility's Compliance Advice Letter that implements a prior Commission order approving the Utility's request for authorization of a Transfer, Withdrawal of Service, or higher rates or charges or more restrictive terms or conditions, unless a further notice is required in the prior Commission order.

Whenever this customer notice is of an advice letter submitted or required to be submitted in Tier 3 (see Industry Rule 7.3), the notice must contain information regarding procedure for protests, as follows: "The proposed [insert Transfer, Withdrawal of Service, or higher rates or charges or more restrictive terms or conditions, as appropriate] is being submitted by Advice Letter ______ [insert advice letter number] for review and possible approval by the California Public Utilities Commission. The advice letter was filed with the Communications Division [insert date of filing]. Anyone may object to the advice letter by sending a written protest to: Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, Communications Division, 505 Van Ness Ave., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298. The protest must state specifically the grounds on which it is based. The protest must be received by the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator no later than 20 days after the date that the advice letter was filed. On or before the day that the protest is sent to the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, the protestant must send a copy of the protest to ________________ [insert name and address of person whom the Utility has designated in the advice letter to receive protests]. To obtain information about the Commission's procedures for advice letters and protests, go to the Commission's Internet site (www.cpuc.ca.gov) and look for document links to General Order 96-B."

3.1 Customer Notice of Transfer

If the utility requests approval of a transfer of customers, the notice must identify the transferee, describe the changes (if any) in rates, charges, terms, or conditions of service, state that customers have the right to select another utility, and provide a toll-free customer service telephone number for the purpose of responding to customers' questions.

3.2 Customer Notice of Withdrawal

If a Utility requests approval of a Withdrawal of Service, the notice must also describe the proposed Withdrawal. In the case of a Withdrawal from providing Basic Service, the notice must describe the arrangements the Utility has made to ensure continuity of service to affected customers. If the Utility resells Basic Service (or service element thereof), the arrangements must include notice to affected customers that they may choose another service provider or (if no other service provider is chosen) receive Basic Service from the underlying carrier or Carrier of Last Resort. If the Utility is proposing Withdrawal of Basic Service that it provides using its own facilities, the Utility must arrange for Transfer of its customers to another Utility. (See Industry Rules 3.1, 8.5, 8.6.)

3.3 Customer Notice of Higher Rates, More Restrictive Terms

A notice of higher rates or charges or more restrictive terms or conditions, must state the current and proposed rates, charges, terms, or conditions (as appropriate). If the Utility giving notice is a GRC-LEC, the notice must also state the reasons for the proposed change and the impact of any proposed change on the affected rate or charge, expressed in dollar and percentage terms.

Industry Rule 4. Contracts and Other Deviations

The Commission may authorize a Utility, on a case-by case basis, to provide service under a contract or other deviation that departs from rates, charges, terms, or conditions offered in the Utility's tariffs. A Utility that does not use tariffs to provide service other than Basic Service may provide such detariffed or non-tariffed service under a contract, without any additional authorization from the Commission.

Industry Rule 5. Detariffed and Non-tariffed Service

An URF Carrier may cancel by advice letter any retail tariff currently in effect except for the following: Basic Service; 911 or e-911 service; a provision, condition, or requirement imposed by the Commission in an enforcement, complaint, or merger proceeding; a provision relating to customer direct access to or choice of an interexchange carrier; a service (such as Resale Service) not within the scope of services for which the Commission granted full pricing flexibility in Decision 06-08-030; or a provision pertaining to a Utility's obligations under state or federal law (such as California public policy surcharges or Carrier of Last Resort obligations), or the Commission's decisions or orders.

The Commission otherwise will consider granting exceptions from the general requirement (see General Rule 8.2.1) that a Utility serve its California customers under its filed tariffs. Such exceptions, allowing the Utility to provide detariffed service, may be granted to a specific Utility or type of Utility, or for specific services offered by the Utility or type of Utility. Industry Rules 5.1 to 5.5, which will be updated as necessary, list the currently authorized exceptions and certain requirements that apply to service not provided under tariff.

5.1 URF Carrier

Subject to Industry Rule 5, an URF Carrier may request to detariff in whole or in part. The URF Carrier seeking to detariff a service not excluded under Industry Rule 5 must submit a Tier 2 advice letter. The advice letter must identify the service that the URF Carrier proposes to detariff and must attest that the service is not one of the services excepted from detariffing under Industry Rule 5.

After the Commission has authorized an URF Carrier to detariff in whole or in part, the URF Carrier may make available to the public New Service offerings on a detariffed basis to the extent consistent with the Commission's authorization. If the URF Carrier seeks to make available to the public on a detariffed basis a New Service that does not fall into categories in which the URF Carrier has already detariffed existing services, the URF Carrier must file an advice letter under Tier 2 that introduces and describes the New Service and simultaneously seeks Detariffing for that New Service. The advice letter shall also attest that the New Service is not one of the services excepted from detariffing under Industry Rule 5. (See General Rules 6.1, 6.2; Industry Rule 2.)

5.2 Publication of Rates, Charges, Terms, and Conditions (URF Carrier)

For any service or bundled offering available to the public but detariffed, the URF Carrier providing the service or bundled offering must at all times and without charge publish, at a site on the Internet, the applicable rates, charges, terms, and conditions for that detariffed service or bundled offering. The URF Carrier must also publish at its Internet site an archive of its canceled rates, charges, terms, and conditions, going back three years or to the date of detariffing, whichever is more recent.

In maintaining the Internet site required by this Industry Rule, the URF Carrier must comply with the following requirements:

5.3 Notice to Customers (URF Carrier)

For any service available to the public but not provided under tariff, the URF Carrier providing the service must notify each affected customer of a higher rate or charge, or more restrictive term or condition, or Withdrawal of Service, or Transfer of ownership or customer base. The URF Carrier must give this notice at least 30 days before the date when the change will occur.

The URF Carrier may satisfy a notice requirement in this Industry Rule by one or a combination of the following means: bill inserts; notices printed on bills; or separate notices sent by first-class mail (or by e-mail to a customer who consents to receive bills or notices from the carrier by e-mail). Notice by first-class mail is complete when the document is deposited in the mail, and notice by e-mail is complete upon successful transmission.

5.4 Market Trial; Technical Trial (URF Carrier)

An URF Carrier must submit an information-only filing that describes any Market Trial or Technical Trial. Such an information-only filing will be treated as confidential pursuant to General Rule 9.

5.5 Commercial Mobile Radio Service Provider

A commercial mobile radio service provider may not file tariffs with the Commission but shall make available information showing rates, charges, terms, and conditions of its generally available services.

Industry Rule 6. Advice Letter Contents

An advice letter must include (1) a copy of the notice to affected customers, if such notice is required by Industry Rule 3, and (2) the following statement: "Anyone may object to this advice letter, which was filed on [insert date of filing], by sending a written protest to: Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, Communications Division, 505 Van Ness Ave., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298. The protest must state specifically the grounds on which it is based. The protest must be received by the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator no later than 20 days after the date that the advice letter was filed. On or before the day that the protest is sent to the Telecommunications Advice Letter Coordinator, the protestant must send a copy of the protest to _____________ [insert name and address of person whom the Utility has designated in the advice letter to receive protests]. To obtain information about the Commission's procedures for advice letters and protests, go to the Commission's Internet site (www.cpuc.ca.gov) and look for document links to General Order 96-B."

Industry Rule 7. Advice Letter Review

A Utility submitting an advice letter must designate the appropriate tier, based on the content of the advice letter. An erroneous designation is not binding on Staff. A Tier 1 or Tier 2 advice letter is subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.1; a Tier 3 advice letter is subject to disposition under General Rule 7.6.2.

7.1 Matters Appropriate to a Tier 1 Advice Letter
(Effective Pending Disposition)

By submitting an advice letter in Tier 1, a Utility represents that the advice letter is properly filed in Tier 1, and that the Utility has complied with the applicable customer notice requirements, as set forth in Industry Rules 3 to 3.3 and as referenced in this Industry Rule 7.1. Pursuant to General Rule 4.2, the Utility must document its compliance with applicable customer notice requirements; if an advice letter accepted for filing is found not to have been noticed in compliance with these requirements, Staff will reject the advice letter without prejudice. The following matters may be filed under Tier 1:

7.2 Matters Appropriate to a Tier 2 Advice Letter
(Effective After Staff Approval)

By submitting an advice letter in Tier 2, a Utility represents that the advice letter is properly filed in Tier 2, and that the Utility has complied with the applicable customer notice requirements, as set forth in Industry Rules 3 to 3.3 and as referenced in this Industry Rule 7.2. Pursuant to General Rule 4.2, the Utility must document its compliance with applicable customer notice requirements; if an advice letter accepted for filing is found not to have been noticed in compliance with these requirements, Staff will reject the advice letter without prejudice. If a Tier 2 advice letter has not been suspended by staff by the end of the initial 30-day review period, the Tier 2 advice letter is deemed approved. The following matters must be filed under Tier 2:

7.3 Matters Appropriate to a Tier 3 Advice Letter
(Effective After Commission Approval)

By submitting an advice letter in Tier 3, a Utility represents that the advice letter is properly filed in Tier 3, and that the Utility has complied with the applicable customer notice requirements, as set forth in Industry Rules 3 to 3.3 and as referenced in this Industry Rule 7.3. Pursuant to General Rule 4.2, the Utility must document its compliance with applicable customer notice requirements; if an advice letter accepted for filing is found not to have been noticed in compliance with these requirements, Staff will reject the advice letter without prejudice. The following matters must be filed under Tier 3:

7.4 Matters Requiring Review in a Formal Proceeding

Staff will reject without prejudice an advice letter that requests relief or raises issues requiring an evidentiary hearing or otherwise requiring review in an application, petition for modification, or other formal proceeding. (See General Rules 5.2, 5.3.) Matters requiring such review include, but are not limited to:

Industry Rule 8. Procedures for Specific Types of Advice Letters, Information-only Filings, and Formal Proceedings

8.1 Negotiated Interconnection Agreements

Promptly upon execution of an interconnection agreement arrived at through negotiation pursuant to Section 252 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 USC § 252), the agreement must be submitted by advice letter for Commission approval. The advice letter will be subject to review and disposition within the timeframes provided for such advice letters by Resolution ALJ-181 (October 5, 2000), as may be modified by the Commission from time to time, and in conformity with federal law.

8.2 Contracts for Tariffed Services

Contracts for tariffed services must be submitted to the Commission under this Industry Rule. Except for negotiated interconnection agreements, a contract that involves only detariffed or non-tariffed services is not subject to Commission approval and is not to be submitted for filing.

8.2.1 Deadline for Submittal; Effective Date

Within 15 business days after the execution of a contract for a tariffed service, the contract must be submitted by advice letter for Commission approval. A Utility that violates the deadline for submittal is liable to such sanctions as the Commission may impose, including but not limited to the penalties set forth in Decision 91-07-010 and the Public Utilities Code, as appropriate. Violation of the deadline does not, in itself, invalidate a contract. In the case of a contract properly submitted for review and disposition by Tier 1 advice letter, the contract may be made effective on the date of execution.

8.2.2 Availability of Contract Rates

The rate or charge under a contract then in effect must be made available to any similarly situated customer that is willing to enter into a contract with the same terms and conditions of service.

8.2.3 Required Clauses (GRC-LEC)

A contract by a GRC-LEC for a tariffed service must contain the following clauses: "This contract at all times is subject to such modifications as the California Public Utilities Commission may direct from time to time in the exercise of its jurisdiction. This contract does not become effective unless and until approved by the California Public Utilities Commission."

8.2.4 Cost Justification (GRC-LEC)

An advice letter by a GRC-LEC requesting approval of a contract must show that each rate or charge set in the contract is at or above cost. Cost data provided in support of the contract may be submitted under seal together with a request for confidential treatment. (See General Rule 9.)

8.3 New Service

An advice letter requesting approval of a New Service must attest that the proposed service would:

An advice letter by a GRC-LEC requesting approval of a New Service must show that the rate or charge set for the New Service is at or above cost. Cost data provided in support of the New Service may be submitted under seal together with a request for confidential treatment. (See General Rule 9.)

8.4 Change to Tariffed Rate, Charge, Term, or Condition

An advice letter requesting approval of a change to a tariffed rate, charge, term, or condition, if the change is required to be submitted for review and disposition by Tier 3 advice letter, must demonstrate that the rate, charge, term, or condition, as proposed to be changed, would be just and reasonable. If Staff determines that a change requested by an advice letter to a rate, charge, term, or condition requires a hearing or otherwise requires review in a formal proceeding, Staff will reject the advice letter without prejudice. (See General Rule 5.3.)

8.5 Withdrawing Basic Service

Prior to a Utility's Withdrawal, in whole or part, from offering Basic Service (or any service element thereof) within its service area, the Utility must file an application, as appropriate (see Industry Rule 7.4(1)), requesting the Commission's authorization. The application must conform to the Commission's Mass Migration Guidelines, as specified in Decision 06-10-021 and as modified from time to time by the Commission. The request must state the date and method by which the Utility notified affected customers of the proposed Withdrawal (see Industry Rules 3 and 3.2), and must describe the arrangements the Utility has made to ensure continuity of service to affected customers. If the Utility resells Basic Service (or any service element thereof), the arrangements must include notice to affected customers that they may choose another service provider or (if no other service provider is chosen) receive Basic Service from the underlying carrier or Carrier of Last Resort. If the Utility uses its own facilities to provide Basic Service, the arrangements must include notice to affected customers of the Utility's plans for Transfer of the customers to another carrier. (See Industry Rules 3.1, 8.6.)

8.6 Transfer

8.6.1 Transfer of GRC-LEC or URF ILEC

Commission approval for the Transfer of a GRC-LEC, or an URF Carrier that is an incumbent local exchange carrier, must be requested by application jointly submitted by the transferor and proposed transferee. See Rule 3.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

8.6.2 Transfer of Interexchange or Competitive Local Carrier

Commission approval for the Transfer of an interexchange carrier or competitive local carrier may be requested by advice letter submitted by the proposed transferee. If the proposed transferee does not have authority from the Commission to operate as a Utility, the transferee must either (1) register to operate as an interexchange carrier (using the registration form available at the Commission's Internet site), or (2) file an application to operate as a competitive local carrier and in the application request approval of the Transfer. The application must include a financial statement, which may be submitted under seal together with a request for confidential treatment (see General Rule 9), demonstrating that the transferee has sufficient assets to operate through the transition period.

8.6.3 Transfer of Commercial Mobile Radio Service Provider

The transferee of a commercial mobile radio service provider must submit an information-only filing setting forth changes in the provider's registration information.

8.7 Promotional Offering

A GRC-LEC may not submit an advice letter requesting approval of a Promotional Offering unless and until the Utility has received approval for its Promotional Platform.

Industry Rule 9. Notification of DBAs

If a Utility does business under a name other than the name under which it was granted operating authority by the Commission ("doing business as" or "DBA"), the Utility must list, as part of its preliminary statement (see General Rule 8.5.3), each name under which the Utility does business. The Utility must update this list, as necessary, by submitting an advice letter (see Industry Rule 7.1(1)). If a detariffed Utility does business under a name other than the name under which it was granted operating authority by the Commission, the Utility must inform the Commission by submitting an information-only filing with a list of all names under which the Utility does business. The detariffed Utility must update this list, as necessary, by information-only filing.

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