C.5. Itemized Estimate of Compensation

AECA states that it expects a total estimated budget of $195,000 itemized as follows:

Person or Item	Hours	Hourly Rate	Cost
Attorney	200	$250 to 500	$50,000- 100,000
Economic Consultant	300	175	52,500
AECA Executive Director	150	150	22,500
AECA Assistant Director Geis	200	125	25,000
Expenses			15,000
TOTAL			$165,000-215,000

AECA satisfies the requirement that it include an itemized estimate of the compensation that it expects to request, given the likely duration of the proceeding as it appears at the time the NOI is filed. An hourly rate of $500 for AECA's attorney, however, may or may not be reasonable. AECA is encouraged to examine the range of rates generally found reasonable by the Commission for attorneys compensated under the intervenor compensation program. The reasonableness of each hourly rate should be addressed by AECA's in its subsequent request for compensation, if any.

Moreover, AECA may have an "unrealistic expectation of compensation." (§ 1804(b)(2).) This is based on both (a) the much lower expected budgets of TURN and NRDC and (b) the limited statement of issues and the narrow focus identified in AECA's NOI. The amount of the future award, if any, will be decided by the Commission based on the nature of the contribution made by AECA to the Commission's final decision. It will also be dependent upon the hours spent, reasonableness of those hours, reasonableness of hourly rates and other factors provided in the Public Utilities Code and Commission decision.