Grueneich Resource Advocates

NRDC requests hourly rates of $350, $385 and $415 for Dian Grueneich for work performed in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Grueneich has over 25 years working on California energy issues and is a nationally known energy expert. Grueneich holds a BA from Stanford University and a JD from Georgetown University. In this proceeding, Grueneich was responsible for general project oversight, advising her GRA associate London on legal and case strategy issues and editing and reviewing briefs and filings. NRDC claims the requested hourly rate for Grueneich is reasonable as her 2002 and 2003 rates were approved by the Commission in D.04-05-010, and the 2004 rate is based on the 2003 rate escalated by 8%.

NRDC requests hourly rates of $150, $160 and $190 for Jody London for work performed in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. London is a Senior Program Manager at GRA, has over 15 years in the energy industry and holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a MPA from Columbia University. In this proceeding, London managed all aspects of NRDC's participation, developed the case strategy, drafted briefs and other filings, actively participated in the evidentiary hearings by cross-examining witnesses, and presenting Final Oral Argument (FOA) before the Commission. The rates requested for London for 2002 and 2003 were awarded in D.04-05-010. The requested rate of $190 for 2004 is based on the fact that during 2004, she functioned essentially as a senior attorney and $190 is well within the range of approved hourly rates for others performing similar functions.¹³

NRDC is requesting hourly rates of $230 for 2002, $265 for 2003 and $285 for 2004 for work performed by Theresa Cho. Cho has over 11 years of experience on energy, environmental, contract and construction matters and assisted NRDC with legal research and writing on pleadings and testimony. Cho has a BA from Wesleyan University and a JD from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley. NRDC claims the requested rates are reasonable as the Commission approved in D.03-10-085 a rate of $250 for 2002 for Julie Levin, an attorney with comparable experience to Cho. The Commission approved a rate of $265 for Cho for 2003 in D.03-10-085, and the increased rate requested for 2004 reflects the 8% escalation factor.

NRDC requests hourly rates of $90 and $100 for Michael McCormick for work done in 2002 and 2003 when he was a Policy Analyst for GRA. McCormick provided research assistance, analytical support and assistance in developing NRDC's position and testimony. He holds a BA from St. Johns College and a MS from the University of San Francisco. The 2002 and 2003 rates requested for McCormick were awarded by the Commission in D.04-05-010.

NRDC requests an hourly rate of $95 for Andrew Schwartz, a Policy/Data Analyst at GRA. Schwartz assisted in general research on a range of energy issues in this proceeding and assisted in the development of the intervenor compensation claim. Schwartz has a BA from the University of Colorado and a MPP from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. NRDC claims the requested rate is reasonable since Schwartz's role at GRA and in this proceeding paralleled McCormick's work, so using an average of the approved rates for McCormick is a reasonable benchmark for Schwartz.

NRDC requests an hourly rate of $65 for work done by Jack McGowan in 2004. McGowan is the Firm Administrator at GRA. He has 17 years of experience in administration of large budget projects, and he assisted in the development of this compensation claim. McGowan holds a BS from California State University, Hayward. The Commission awarded a rate of $60/hour for McGowan in 2003 in D.03-10-085 and D.04-05-010 and $65 is the 2003 rate escalated by 8%.

The incidental costs for NRDC's participation in this proceeding, including telephone charges, facsimile charges, postage, messenger deliveries, photocopying and travel, are well-documented and reasonable.