ALJ/MEG/hkr Mailed 8/24/2001
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Rulemaking on the Commission's Proposed Policies and Programs Governing Low-Income Assistance Programs. |
FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2001 SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE RULEMAKING 01-08-027 |
ORDER INSTITUTING RULEMAKING
In Rulemaking (R.) 98-07-037, we have been addressing policy and implementation issues related to the administration of public purpose programs, e.g., energy efficiency, low-income assistance, renewable energy and research, development and demonstration, pursuant to Pub. Util. Code §§ 381, 382, 383, 399, 739, and related sections.
We institute today's rulemaking to serve as the forum for our consideration of policy and implementation issues associated with low-income assistance programs, i.e., the California Alternate Rates For Energy (CARE) and Low-Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) programs. These issues include: monitoring program accomplishments under the rapid deployment approach adopted in Decision (D.) 01-05-033, allocating program funds appropriated by the Legislature among utilities, including the small and multi-jurisdictional utilities under our jurisdiction, and refining policies, program designs and budgets for future program years.
After today, any items we have directed to be filed in R.98-07-037 related to CARE and LIEE, including filings that address the standardization of procedures and policies for these programs, shall instead be filed in this docket. We will continue to evaluate utility claims for shareholder incentives related to these programs in our Annual Earnings Assessment Proceeding. Our prior determinations concerning the use of the Advice Letter process or other procedural vehicles (e.g., Assigned Commissioner Ruling) will continue to apply unless the Commission or the Assigned Commissioner directs otherwise.
By today's order, we close Application (A.) 00-11-009 et al. and transfer all remaining rapid deployment implementation issues to this Rulemaking. All issues related to low-income assistance programs in R.98-07-037 are also transferred to this Rulemaking. R.98-07-037 will remain open to address other public purpose programs, until further notice.
Service List
The service lists in R.98-07-037 and A.00-11-009 et al. (see Attachment 1) will serve as the temporary service list in this proceeding, to be updated as follows:
· Any individual or organization that wishes to remain on the service list in this new Rulemaking must send a written request to Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Meg Gottstein within 20 days from the effective date of this order.
· Requests to remain on the service list must state the name of the organization, the individual representing the organization, the "party status" (see Attachment 2) and provide the most recent mailing address, electronic mail address, phone and fax numbers.
· All individuals and organizations that do not respond in writing by the due date will be deleted from service list.
· Written requests should be sent to ALJ Meg Gottstein at the California Public Utilities Commission, Room 5044, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California 94102. Requests to remain on the service list may also be sent via e-mail to ALJ Meg Gottstein at meg@cpuc.ca.gov.
The assigned ALJ will issue a ruling with the updated service list as soon as practicable after the receipt of written requests. An updated service list will also be posted on the Commission website at www.cpuc.ca.gov. The assigned ALJ will develop electronic service protocols to reduce party's expenses and resource costs associated with "paper" filings in this proceeding. For this purpose, we encourage all parties to provide an electronic mail address with their written requests, if available.
