ALJ/MEG/hkr Mailed 4/17/2006
Decision 06-04-005 April 13, 2006
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (U 39-E), for approval of the 2006 - 2008 Energy Efficiency Programs and Budget. |
Application 05-06-004 (Filed June 1, 2005) |
Southern California Gas Company (U 904-G), for approval of Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and Budgets for Years 2006 through 2008. |
Application 05-06-011 (Filed June 1, 2005) |
Southern California Edison Company (U 338-E), for approval of its 2006 - 2008 Energy Efficiency Program Plans and associated Public Goods Charge (PGC) and Procurement Funding Requests. |
Application 05-06-015 (Filed June 2, 2005) |
San Diego Gas & Electric Company (U 902-E), for approval of Electric and Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and Budgets for Years 2006 through 2008. |
Application 05-06-016 (Filed June 2, 2005) |
OPINION GRANTING INTERVENOR COMPENSATION
TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
FOR ITS SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO DECISION 05-09-043
This decision awards the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) $64,918.78 in compensation for its substantial contribution to Decision (D.) 05-09-043.
I. Background
This consolidated application proceeding addresses funding levels and portfolio plans for energy efficiency activities over the 2006-2008 program cycle. The application process for this three-year program cycle was initiated in our generic energy efficiency proceeding, Rulemaking (R.) 01-08-028. More specifically, by D.05-01-055 we established the administrative structure for post-2005 energy efficiency that returned Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Gas Company (collectively, "the utilities") to the lead role of portfolio management.
As part of the post-2005 administrative structure, the utilities are each required to form program advisory groups (PAGs) to assist them in the development and implementation of their portfolio plans. They are additionally required to identify non-financially interested members from each PAG to serve on a subgroup, referred to as the "peer review group" or PRG. Among other things, the PRG is responsible for preparing a written assessment of the utility's proposed portfolio plans and funding levels, reviewing the utility's bid selection process for program implementers and reviewing the utility's compliance filings. 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.1
As directed by the Commission, the utilities worked closely with their PAGs and PRGs to develop portfolio plans and funding levels for 2006-2008, and filed the above-captioned applications on June 1, 2005. The utilities selected representatives from NRDC to participate on each of their respective PAGs and PRGs. In addition, NRDC participated in this proceeding as an individual intervenor.2 No party opposes NRDC's request for compensation. The subject proceedings remain open to address ongoing issues in the 2006-2008 portfolio plans.
1 D.05-01-055, mimeo., p. 95.
2 In establishing the advisory group structure, the Commission specifically stated that participation on the PRG or PAG would not prohibit a member from also participating in the Commission's energy efficiency proceedings as an individual intervenor. See D.05-01-055, mimeo., p. 96.
