IV. PROCEDURE

In order to create a public record upon which to base a decision, all utilities and interested parties will be provided an opportunity to comment on the staff's proposals regarding changes to GOs 95 and 128, and to advance relevant comments in a public context to assist the Commission in determining rule changes that best serve the public interest. Comments and reply comments may be addressed to the Commission, in the manner set forth below, on the staff's proposals for rule changes. The proceeding's assigned Commissioner may, if it appears useful, convene a pre-hearing conference after receipt of the opening and reply comments, to determine whether any further public hearing is necessary for the development of a rulemaking record regarding the proposed rule changes to GO 95 and GO128.

The goal of GOs 95 and 128 is to promote public health, safety and general welfare, and to that end, the staff's proposed rule changes address public health, safety and general welfare concerns. The goal of this proceeding is for the Commission to adopt rules that will help fulfill its mission as a regulatory agency, and that promote the safety, health, comfort, and convenience of the utilities' patrons, employees, and the public, whenever possible, regarding GO 95 and GO 128 revisions. After parties have submitted responses and the assigned Commissioner has determined whether a prehearing conference is necessary to further develop the record, a proposed decision will be issued and parties will have an opportunity to comment on that proposal before the Commission issues a final decision.