Discussion

Senate Bill (SB) 960 (Stats. 1996, Ch. 856, s1) requires that adjudicatory proceedings be completed within 12 months and encourages the Commission to complete ratesetting and quasi-legislative proceedings within 18 months (See Pub. Util. Code §§ 1701.1 and 1701.2, and Rule 6(e).) Tracking a proceeding for compliance with these deadlines is difficult when the filing is docketed under old docket numbers. Parties should be able to readily monitor and track a proceeding's progress relative to these deadlines. It is reasonable to order new rate design window filings to be filed under new docket numbers, which indicate the month and year of filing. In this manner, the intent of SB 960 that proceedings may be more readily monitored can be more effectively carried out.

Therefore, good cause shown, we find it reasonable to order that future rate design window filings by electric utilities be docketed under new docket numbers.