IV. Procedural Matters

By Resolution ALJ 176-3112, dated May 8, 2003, the Commission preliminarily designated the captioned application as "ratesetting" with hearings indicated. Notice of the application appeared in the Commission's April 23, 2003 Daily Calendar. There is no objection to the ratesetting categorization of this proceeding.

A PHC held on May 31, 2003 was continued to July 18, 2003 to establish issues and a hearing schedule. Following the continued PHC, Commissioner Peevey issued a July 31, 2003 Scoping Memo and Ruling setting a schedule that included an evidentiary hearing to begin on September 3, 2003 and continue on September 4, 2003, if needed.

On August 8, 2003 and prior to the evidentiary hearing, ORA distributed its prepared testimony to all interested parties. On August 22, 2004, SCE distributed its rebuttal testimony. An evidentiary hearing was held on September 3, 2003. Seven exhibits were received into evidence, two of which were placed under seal. The sealed exhibits provided information that if disclosed would provide competitors an insight to SCE's energy procurement strategy and place SCE and its ratepayers at a disadvantage in seeking future energy contracts. ORA also filed a portion of its brief under seal because it contained confidential information. All sealed information should remain sealed for a period of two years after the effective date of this order. Three witnesses testified for SCE and one for ORA.

Briefs were filed on September 22, 2003 and reply briefs on October 8, 2003. This matter was submitted on October 17, 2003.