2. Procedural Summary

On January 7, 1999, PG&E filed its application. ORA filed a protest on February 18, 1999. A prehearing conference was held on February 23, 1999.

On February 25, 1999, Commissioner Henry M. Duque issued a Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner confirming that, as preliminarily categorized in Resolution ALJ 176-3008, dated January 20, 1999, this is a ratesetting proceeding. We affirm the ruling.

On March 1, 1999, PG&E filed a response to ORA's protest. ORA served its prepared testimony on July 1, 1999. James Weil served prepared testimony on August 5, 1999. PG&E served rebuttal testimony on August 24, 1999.

A second prehearing conference was held on August 31, 1999. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Bertram Patrick was the principal hearing officer.

On September 14, 1999, on the first day scheduled for evidentiary hearing the active parties announced that agreement had been reached on all contested issues. Pursuant to Rule 51.1(b), on September 15, 1999, notice of a settlement conference was served. On September 23, 1999, a settlement conference was held and a Settlement Agreement was signed. The California Farm Bureau Federation was the only other party to attend the settlement conference and did not express opposition to the Settlement Agreement. The motion for approval of the Settlement Agreement was filed on October 1, 1999. On February 11, 2000, the Settling Parties filed a motion to amend the Settlement Agreement, and the matter was submitted for decision.