7. Ex Parte Communications

This proceeding is subject to Article 8 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure, which specifies standards for engaging in ex parte communications and the reporting of such communications. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(a), ex parte communications will be allowed in this proceeding without any restrictions or reporting requirements unless and until the Commission modifies this determination pursuant to Rule 7.6.

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. A rulemaking on the Commission's own motion is instituted to determine if the Commission should update the existing practices and policies for processing general rate cases and to revise the Rate Case Plan for Class A Water Companies.

2. This rulemaking is preliminarily determined to be a quasi-legislative proceeding as that term is defined in the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Rule 1.3(d).

3. This proceeding is preliminarily determined not to need a formal hearing.

4. The expected timetable for this proceeding is as set forth in the body of this order. The assigned Commissioner by scoping memo and subsequent rulings, and the assigned Administrative Law Judge by ruling with the assigned Commissioner's concurrence, may adjust the timetable as necessary during the course of the proceeding, provided that in no instance shall this proceeding require longer than 18 months to complete.

5. All Class A water utilities (utilities with over 10,000 service connections), the Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates, and other interested parties are invited to comment on the issues raised in the draft Proposed Rate Case Plan, attached hereto as Appendix A, pursuant to the schedule adopted in this order.

6. Pursuant to Rule 6.2, parties shall include in their opening comments any objections they may have regarding (1) the categorization of this proceeding as quasi-legislative, (2) the determination not to hold hearings, and (3) the preliminary scoping memo.

7. The Executive Director shall direct a copy of this order to be served upon all Class A water and sewer service utilities; the Division of Ratepayer Advocates; the Chief, Drinking Water Field Operations Branch, California Department of Health Services, at 714/744 P St., PO Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320; and the Drinking Water Field Operations Branch, California Department of Health Services, at MS 0010, Sacramento, CA 95814. After service of this order, the service list for this proceeding shall be formed following the procedures set forth in the Service List section in the body of this order.

This order is effective today.

Dated December 14, 2006, at San Francisco, California.

APPENDIX A

Previous PageTop Of PageNext PageGo To First Page