5. Proposed Schedule and Need for Hearing

For purposes of addressing the issues in this rulemaking, we establish the following tentative schedule, which is subject to change by the assigned Commissioner or the assigned ALJ:

Proposed Schedule

Parties Advise Process Office to be Placed on Service List	20 days after the mailing date of this OIR
Responses to OIR	45 days after the mailing date of this OIR
Replies	15 days after responses are received
Comments on Proposed Rule	30 days after Issuance of Proposed Rule
Reply Comments on Proposed Rule	15 days after Comments on Proposed Rule

As previously stated, we do not anticipate the need for evidentiary hearings, but any party who believes hearings are necessary may make that request in its response to the OIR. The request must identify the specific questions of material fact to be addressed through evidentiary hearings. The assigned Commissioner, in consultation with the assigned ALJ, will determine the need for a prehearing conference or hearings. Thereafter, the assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping memo that determines the category, need for hearing, scope, and schedule of this rulemaking. The ruling, only to category, may be appealed under the procedures in Rule 7.6. Through the scoping memo and other rulings, the assigned Commissioner, or the assigned ALJ with the assigned Commissioner's concurrence, may adjust the timetable as necessary during the course of the proceeding and establish the schedule for remaining events.

This proceeding will conform to the statutory case management deadline for quasi-legislative matters set forth in Public Utilities Code Section 1701.5 of 18 months.