III. Procedural History

By Resolution ALJ 176-3047, dated September 21, 2000, the Commission preliminarily determined these to be ratesetting proceedings expected to go to hearing. A prehearing conference was held on January 5, 2001 at which only Applicant and ORA appeared. Assigned Commissioner Henry M. Duque's January 11, 2001, scoping ruling confirmed the category and need for hearing, defined the issues, established a schedule, designated Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Jeffrey P. O'Donnell as the principal hearing officer, and consolidated these proceedings.

Commissioner Duque and the ALJ conducted a public participation hearing on January 25, 2001, in Bakersfield.

On February 5, 2001, Applicant and ORA filed briefs addressing whether Applicant's request for rate increases for its Palos Verdes District were precluded by Decision (D.) 00-05-047.

Evidentiary hearings here held on February 5 and 9, 2001.

At the first evidentiary hearing on February 5, 2001, counsel for Applicant and ORA announced that they were in the process of drafting a stipulation. By agreement of the parties, the application and ORA's prepared direct testimony were admitted into evidence. On March 7, 2001, the Applicant and ORA filed a motion for approval of a stipulation. Additional evidentiary hearings on the stipulation were held on March 5 and 29, 2001. The stipulation is unopposed. The Special Facilities Fee for the Bakersfield District is not addressed in the stipulation, and will be addressed in a subsequent opinion. ¹