R0806025 Order Instiuting Rulemaking on the Commission's Own Motion to Address the Gas Utilities' Incentive Mechanisms and the Treatment of Hedging Under Those Incentive Mechanisms

6. Category of Proceeding

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require that an OIR preliminarily determine the category of the proceeding and the need for hearing.¹⁸ As a preliminary matter, we determine that this proceeding should be categorized as ratesetting because our consideration and approval of the respondents' long-term plans will establish mechanisms that in turn impact respondents' rates. As stated previously, we may hold evidentiary hearings as part of our effort to create a consistent hedging policy.

After the prehearing conference (PHC) in this matter, the assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping ruling making a final category determination. This final determination is subject to appeal as specified in Rule 7.6.

¹⁸ Rule 7.1(d).