2. Background

On February 13, 2008, Wild Goose filed the above-entitled complaint against the defendant owner of four parcels of property located adjacent to complainant's existing natural gas storage pipeline in Butte County. Complainant seeks, pursuant to Pub. Util. Code § 625, authorization to condemn the four parcels of Roseville Land Development Association (Roseville Land) property for the purpose of providing public utility services. Wild Goose stated in its verified complaint that it served the complaint by mail on the defendant and known counsel.

On February 15, 2008, the Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and the assigned Commissioner issued their ruling containing instructions to answer, noticing the prehearing conference and evidentiary hearings, setting the schedule for distributing written direct testimony, designating ALJ Maribeth A. Bushey the presiding officer, and adopting the scoping memo.

Wild Goose distributed direct testimony prior to the hearings, which were held on April 23 and 24, 2008, in Gridley, California, before the Presiding Officer.

On March 11, 2008, Roseville Land filed its motion to dismiss, and Wild Goose responded on March 26, 2008. With the permission of the Presiding Officer, Roseville Land filed a reply on April 7, 2008.

Opening and reply briefs were filed by Wild Goose and Roseville Land. The matter was submitted on June 13, 2008.

On July 21, 2008, the Presiding Officer issued her decision finding that the proposed condemnation would serve the public interest. Roseville Land appealed the decision on August 20, 2008. The applicant responded in opposition to the appeal on September 4, 2008.