IV. Preliminary Scoping Memo

The rules and procedures implementing many of the reforms contained in SB 960 are found in Article 2.5 the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (Rules), which are posted on the Commission's web site. Pursuant to Rule 4(a), the rules in Article 2.5 shall apply to this proceeding. As per the provisions of SB 960, the present rulemaking is classified as a quasi-legislative proceeding and is expected to require public participation hearings. As stated above, we do not anticipate a need for evidentiary hearings, although, in their opening comments in the OIR, parties may seek to demonstrate that evidentiary hearings are required. In the preceding sections and in Attachment C, we have listed the issues to be considered in this rulemaking. This is a preliminary list of issues. The scope of this rulemaking may be modified after we receive comments from the parties.

Commissioner Geoffrey F. Brown shall be the Assigned Commissioner. The assigned Commissioner and ALJ shall develop a service list for this proceeding and further delineate issues related to scope and schedule for this proceeding. The dates of all events subsequent to the schedule for initial opening and reply comments will be set by the assigned Commissioner and the ALJ.

The method and scope of the initial means for serving and providing notice of this order is contained in this order and shall be used for service until a service list for this proceeding is established as part of the initial comment process.

Those persons who do not want to be parties, and only want notice of the hearings, rulings, proposed decisions, and decisions may mail a written request to the Process Office requesting that they be added to the service list for information only. They shall include in their request the same information request of those desiring to be parties.

Those persons employed by the State of California who are interested in this proceeding may request that they be added to the "state service" section of the service list either by mailing a written request for "state service" status to the Process Office. Parties are obligated to serve all documents they may submit or file in this proceeding on all names appearing on the state service list.

Any party interested in participating in this investigation who is unfamiliar with the Commission's procedures should contact the Commission's Public Advisor Office in Los Angeles at (213) 576-7055, e-mail at publicadvisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov or in San Francisco (415) 703-207, e-mail at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov for assistance.