Discussion

We are committed to optimizing use of our utilities' gas storage facilities in serving California's energy needs, and we support continuance of gas storage programs as a component of overall supply planning. Nevertheless, embarking on the specific rulemaking proposed in this petition is not feasible or desirable at this time.

The Commission's available resources are fully engaged in long-term supply planning for gas and electricity. We simply do not have the resources to address the narrower issues raised by the petition. Even if our resource constraints were less binding, now would not be the time to address these issues. When broader issues of supply planning are resolved, we will be better able to assess which (if any) of the issues that petitioners raise are critical and should be addressed generically.

In the meantime, the PG&E Complaint will not adversely affect the petitioners. Even if the petitioners are uncomfortable with the settlement, we note that a decision on a complaint binds only the parties to the complaint; and even if we adopt the proposed settlement, our adoption is not precedential. (See Rule 51.8.)

Accordingly, we find no urgency in addressing the petitioners' issues. The petition is denied.