Issues Before the Commission

For over two years, the Commission has heard from the stakeholders on the future fate of Mohave and what effects will result from whatever decision we make. In fact, Commissioner Lynch and ALJ Brown, along with Commission staff and representatives from the Public Advisor's office, went to Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, and on October 11, 2002, held a PHC/PPH in the Navajo Nation Chapter House. The Commission first heard from the parties and their counsel during the PHC segment of the proceeding, and then during the 8-hour PPH met and heard from over 100 individuals representing every aspect of Navajo and Hopi life.

The Commission has jurisdiction over the Mohave facility by virtue of Edison's 56% ownership, and takes an interest in the plant because of the 885 MW California receives daily and for which Edison ratepayers are obligated to pay. This Commission does not have jurisdiction over the other Mohave co-owners, Salt River, LADWP, or Nevada Power, does not have jurisdiction in Nevada or Arizona, has no control over water in Nevada or Arizona, and certainly has no jurisdiction over the sovereign nations of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. However, that does not mean the Commission is not mindful of the far reaching effects its decision concerning Mohave's future will have on all involved.

Edison's initial application, filed May 17, 2002, preliminarily framed the issues before the Commission: should Edison be authorized to spend money on critical path expenditures before Edison files its CPCN for Mohave, or plan for the permanent shut-down of Mohave at the end of 2005, with the appropriate memorandum accounts. As simplistic as these choices appear, especially in light of the totality of Mohave's impact in Nevada, Arizona, for the Hopi and Navajo, and for the plant, mine and pipeline workers and their families and communities, and for consumers and ratepayers in California, that is what is before this Commission: what should Edison be authorized to spend, and when, and what is the appropriate ratemaking and recovery mechanism?