V. Financial Hardship

An intervenor seeking compensation must show that, without undue hardship, it cannot pay the reasonable costs of effective participation in the proceeding. In the case of groups or organizations, significant financial hardship is demonstrated by showing that the economic interest of individual members is small compared to the overall costs of effective participation.⁵

Pursuant to § 1804(a)(2)(B), UCAN made a showing of financial hardship in this proceeding in its compensation request. UCAN asserted financial hardship through a rebuttable presumption of eligibility, pursuant to § 1804(b)(1), as a finding to meet this requirement was made in another proceeding within one year of the commencement of this proceeding (ALJ Ruling dated March 1, 2001, in Case 00-08-040). As an update, UCAN notes it was again ruled to have met the financial hardship by an ALJ Ruling dated June 28, 2005, in A.05-02-019.

We find that UCAN meets all of the procedural requirements, including financial hardship, to claim compensation in this proceeding.

⁵ Section 1802(g).