V. Electronic Service Standards
As an aid to review of documents served electronically, appearances should follow these procedures:
· Merge into a single electronic file the entire document to be served (e.g., title page, table of contents, text, attachments, service list).
· Attach the document file to an electronic note.
· In the subject line of the note, identify the proceeding number; the party sending the document; and the abbreviated title of the document.
· Within the body of the note, identify the word processing program used to create the document if anything other than Microsoft Word. (Commission experience is that most recipients can readily open documents sent in Microsoft Word 6.0/95.)
If the electronic mail is returned to the sender, or the recipient informs the sender of an inability to open the document, the sender shall immediately arrange for alternative service (regular U.S. mail shall be the default, unless another means-such as overnight delivery-is mutually agreed upon).35
Parties should exercise good judgment regarding electronic mail service, and moderate the burden of paper management for recipients. For example, if a particularly complex matrix or cost-effectiveness study with complex tables is an attachment within a document mailed electronically, and it can be reasonably foreseen that most parties will have difficulty printing the matrix or tables, the sender should also serve paper copies by U.S. mail, and indicate that in the electronic note.
35 Due to the vast volumes of electronic service sent from our Process Office, this requirement does not extend to the Commission's service of rulings, decisions, etc. It is the responsibility of each person or organization on the service list to promptly inform the Process Office of any changes to your email address. All interested parties should also check the Commission's website periodically, where rulings and decisions in this proceeding will be posted as close to the time of service as possible.
