5. Scope of Proceeding

As described in the Assigned Commissioner's scoping memo, the focus of this proceeding is to evaluate utility proposals to outsource and competitively bid out their programs, pursuant to Res. E-3586 and D.99-03-056. These proposals raise issues regarding what elements of the PY2000 energy efficiency programs should (or should not) be put out to bid, whether certain market entities (e.g., CBOs or other nonprofit organizations) should be given preference, and other bid design issues.

With regard to program changes, the scoping memo echoed the Assigned Commissioner's March 26, 1999, ruling that only high priority modifications to PY1999 low-income programs would be considered, after sufficient public input had been obtained.