II. Background
D.05-01-055 established a new administrative framework for energy efficiency programs for 2006 and beyond that includes the formation of program advisory groups (PAGs) by each of the major energy utilities.1 The utilities are additionally required to identify non-financially interested members from each PAG to serve on a subgroup that will, among other things, review the utility's bid selection process for program implementers and compliance filings. These PAG subgroups are referred to as the energy efficiency peer review groups, or "PRGs."
Consistent with the treatment of advisory groups on the supply-side, the Commission determined in D.05-01-055 that those parties eligible to receive intervenor compensation for awards in energy efficiency proceedings should be eligible to seek compensation for their work as utility advisory group members.2 SDG&E invited UCAN to serve on its advisory group and peer review subgroup in February 2004, which prompted UCAN's involvement in the post-2005 program planning process on behalf of SDG&E ratepayers in this proceeding.
The Commission's energy efficiency program involves long-term strategies and elements. The subject rulemaking, or successor proceedings, will remain open to address ongoing policy and program implementation issues. By ruling dated April 4, 2005, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Gottstein clarified where and when UCAN and other utility advisory group members should submit their future request(s) for compensation based on their energy efficiency advisory group participation. She noted that advisory group meetings for post-2005 program planning and funding were currently underway and that advisory group activities would continue on an ongoing basis throughout each three-year program cycle, per D.05-01-055. The ruling states:
"It would be enormously confusing to UCAN (or other advisory group members) to file their request(s) for compensation in new application dockets that will be opened over time to address specific program planning and funding cycles. Instead, the procedural forum for the Commission's consideration of UCAN's requests for intervenor compensation for its participation in SDG&E's PAG and PRG will be this generic energy efficiency rulemaking, or its successor proceeding."3
On June 1, 2005, the utilities filed their energy efficiency program plan applications for program years 2006-2008, as directed by the Commission. SDG&E's Application (A.) 05-06-016 was consolidated with those of the other utilities and addressed by the Commission in D.05-09-043.
1 They are: SDG&E, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison Company, collectively referred to as "the utilities."
2 D.05-01-055, mimeo., p. 95.
3 Ibid. pp. 8-9.
