Lynch Ruling Determining the Category, Scope, Schedule, Need for Hearing, and The Principal Hearing Officer for the Proceeding

A. Need for Hearings

No party objected to the preliminary determination in the Order that there is a need for evidentiary hearings in this proceeding. This ruling affirms that there is a need for evidentiary hearings in Phases 1 and 2. The need for evidentiary hearings in Phase 3 will be determined after parties have had an opportunity to submit motions to request hearings in Phase 3.

B. Hearing Schedule and Procedures

The schedule for evidentiary hearings is set forth in Appendix A of this ruling. All evidentiary hearing will take place in San Francisco. Any party that desires an expedited transcript of the hearings for a particular Phase should notify the Chief Hearing Reporter by telephone at 1-415-703-4881, at least three business days prior to the start of hearings for the Phase. Exhibits shall be prepared in accordance with Rules 70 and 71 and Appendix B attached hereto.

The parties that plan to participate in the hearings shall meet and confer prior to start of evidentiary hearings for each Phase for the purpose of preparing a Joint Hearing Schedule & Exhibit List that contains the following information:

1. Proposed witness schedule.

2. Cross-examination time estimates.

3. Witness constraints, if any.

4. Title, subject matter, and number of each exhibit, the identify of the offering party, and the sponsoring witness.

The joint exhibit shall be filed at least five business days prior to the start of evidentiary hearings for each Phase. The hearings will be conducted in accordance with the Joint Hearing Schedule & Exhibit List submitted for each Phase unless the assigned Commissioner or assigned ALJ specify otherwise.

Any party that plans to participate in the hearings without presenting written testimony (e.g., cross examination of witnesses) should file and serve notice of such participation prior to the start of hearings. There is no need for parties to attend the hearings in order to be placed on the service list for this proceeding. The Order provides instructions on how to be placed on the service list without attending a hearing.

Anyone who needs assistance on how to participate in the hearings should access the resources available on the Commission's web site ( www.cpuc.ca.gov)

or contact the Commission's Public Advisor's Office. The northern California Office can be reached at 415-703-2074 or public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. The southern California Office can be reached at 213-576-7055 or public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov.