V. Procedural History

The assigned administrative law judge (ALJ) held prehearing conferences (PHCs) held on February 19, 2003, March 7, 2003, and September 26, 2003.

The commission conducted public participation hearings in August and September 2003, in SoCalGas' service territory in Van Nuys, El Monte, Carson, and San Bernardino, and in SDG&E's service territory in San Diego and San Clemente, and evidentiary hearings on Phase One distribution service revenue requirements issues beginning October 7, 2003, for a total of 20 days of hearings. Settling parties filed opening briefs on January 20, 2004 (discussed further with the partial settlements). On February 4, 2004, non-settling parties filed opening briefs, and all parties filed reply briefs on February 19, 2004.

Testimony was received in evidentiary hearings from numerous witnesses, and over 300 exhibits were received in evidence.¹¹ All issues are ready for consideration with the exception of the issues involving SoCalGas and SDG&E's requests for incentive ratemaking mechanisms and the methodology for future attrition adjustments. These questions were deferred to Phase Two by the May 22, 2003 Ruling Clarifying the Scoping Memo and Modifying the Schedule.

D.03-12-057 granted interim rate relief to SoCalGas and SDG&E¹² by establishing memorandum accounts to track any eventual difference in current rates and any increase or decrease adopted by this decision for Test Year 2004.

¹¹ Without separately counting errata, SoCalGas and SDG&E sponsored 150 exhibits of direct and rebuttal testimony; ORA, 33 direct and cross-examination exhibits; TURN, 60 direct and cross-examination exhibits and UCAN, 47 direct and cross-examination exhibits.

¹² April 18, 2003, SoCalGas and SDG&E filed a Motion seeking reconsideration of the April 2, 2003 Scoping Memo. The May 22, 2003 Ruling clarified the Scoping memo as appropriate and D.03-12-057 was necessary to grant the interim relief request.