6. Category of Proceeding
The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require that an order instituting rulemaking preliminarily determine the category of the proceeding and the need for hearing.15 As a preliminary matter, we determine that this proceeding is ratesetting because our consideration and approval of the refinements to and further development of procurement policies will impact respondent IOUs' rates.16 As with earlier procurement proceedings, it appears that the issues may be resolved through a combination of workshops and formal comments (as well as evidentiary hearings). As provided in Rule 6(c)(2), any person who objects to the preliminary categorization of this rulemaking as "ratesetting" or to the preliminary hearing determination, shall state its objections at the PHC. After the PHC in this matter, the Assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping ruling making a final category determination; this final determination is subject to appeal as specified in Rule 6.4.
15 Rule 6(c)(2).
16 Rule 5(c).
