4. The Reasonableness of Requested Compensation
Aglet and Weil request request compensation in the amount of $12,512.80. Documentation attached to the request shows the following hours and expenses:
Weil:
40.6 hours @ $200 (1999) $8,120.00
13.5 hours @ $220 (2000) 2,970.00
5.8 hours travel @ $100 (1999) 580.00
5.4 hours travel at $110 (2000) 594.00
Other:
Copies $90.48
Postage, FAX 40.90
Parking, tolls, mileage 117.42
Total $12,512.80
4.1. Hours Claimed
Aglet and Weil have maintained detailed records of time spent on the proceeding. Spreadsheet summaries of 1999 and 2000 hours and direct expenses are set forth in an attachment to the compensation request. Weil's time is separated into professional hours, travel and compensation request hours, and administrative hours, as shown on the spreadsheets. No compensation for administrative time is requested, in accordance with Commission practice. (D.99-06-002, at 8-10.) Aglet and Weil also appropriately break down time spent on various issues and activities. We find the request to be a reasonable one in this case.
4.2. Hourly Rates
Section 1806 requires the Commission to compensation eligible parties at a rate that reflects the "market rate paid to persons of comparable training and experience who offer similar services." Aglet and Weil request Commission approval of (1) an hourly rate of $200 for Weil's professional work performed during 1999, (2) an hourly rate of $220 for professional work performed during 2000, and (3) one half of those rates for travel time associated with professional work and for preparation of this compensation request. The Commission has previously awarded Weil compensation at a professional rate of $200 per hour and a travel and compensation rate of $100 per hour for work in 1997, 1998 and 1999. (See, e.g., D.00-04-015; D.00-04-008; D.00-03-051.)
Aglet and Weil request an increase in hourly rate to $220 for work in the year 2000. The Commission in D.00-09-068 increased Weil's hourly rate from $200 to $220 for work in the year 2000, based on his experience as an intervenor in Commission proceedings. We reaffirmed the $220 rate in D.00-11-002, D.01-03-030, and D.01-06-068.
4.3. Other Costs
Aglet and Weil claim $248.80 for costs relating to photocopying, postage, mileage and related administrative activities, a reasonable sum that we adopt here.
