III. Procedural History

SDG&E submitted testimony as part of its application. Notice of the filing of SDG&E's application was published in the Commission's November 8, 2001 Daily Calendar. Upon receipt and consideration of protests, a prehearing conference (PHC) was held on January 25, 2002.

Each of the interested parties that filed an appearance at the PHC submitted testimony. Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) submitted its testimony on April 25, 2002. The United States Department of Navy and all other Federal Executive Agencies (FEA), California Farm Bureau Federation (Farm Bureau), and Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association (WMA) submitted their testimony on May 9, 2002.

SDG&E noticed parties of a May 14, 2002 all-party settlement conference. That notice was in conformance with Rule 51.1(b) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (Rules). The purpose of that conference was to provide parties an opportunity to discuss stipulation and settlement proposals. All parties attended and actively participated in that conference.

On June 7, 2002, three days prior to the start of evidentiary hearings, the parties filed a joint motion for adoption of an agreement. The June 10, 2002 evidentiary hearing was held as scheduled. Testimony from SDG&E, FEA, Farm Bureau, WMA, and ORA was received into evidence. The agreement was also received into evidence. A representative of all parties testified on the reasonableness of the proposed agreement.