Procedural Background

On July 28, 2000, SCE filed a petition to modify D.96-12-028 to revise its Transition Formula. On August 28, 2000, the Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) recommending that the Commission review the border gas indices used in SCE's Transition Formula on an emergency basis. In addition, ORA referenced a complaint filed by this Commission at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that seeks recession of certain contracts that the Commission contends have permitted natural gas suppliers and their affiliates to increase prices through the withholding of capacity. On September 1, 2000, the Assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a ruling adding the question of the reliability and validity of the border prices to the issues raised in SCE's petition to modify D.96-12-028. The ALJ's Ruling provides an opportunity for all parties to address the merits of permanent revisions to the Transition Formula.

On August 31, 2000, SCE filed an emergency motion seeking authorization for a provisional qualifying facility avoided cost posting for September 2000 and future months. On September 7, 2000, the assigned Administrative Law Judge issued a ruling establishing a schedule for comments on the motion.