Procedural Background

PG&E filed this application on November 14, 2007. After considering the protests and responses, and the discussion at the January 7, 2008 prehearing conference (PHC), the January 9, 2008, scoping memo and ruling of the assigned Commissioner identified the issues for resolution in the proceeding, and established a bifurcated schedule for their consideration. Phase 1 addressed the policy and legal issues regarding whether the CPCN may be approved without reassessment of need and cost-effectiveness, or adjustment to the capital cost cap. If necessary, a second phase would be conducted to reassess project need, cost-effectiveness, and/or adjustment to the capital cost cap.

Opening briefs were filed on January 17, 2008, by PG&E, Californians for Renewable Energy (CARE), Western Power Trading Forum and the Alliance for Retail Energy Markets (jointly, WPTF/AReM), the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) and The Utility Reform Network (TURN), and Phase 1 was submitted upon the filing of reply briefs on January 22, 2008, by PG&E and WTPF/AReM.