Scope of Review

As with PY 2000 applications, we consider the PY 2001 applications to be compliance applications. D.00-07-017 provides that:

The PY 2001 applications, like the PY 2000 applications, are compliance applications. Review should be limited to consistency with the requirements set forth herein, the requirements set forth in D.99-08-021, and the policy rules for energy efficiency programs. We should not at this time undertake a broader view of the merit and efficacy of the utilities' energy efficiency programs or relitigate issues that were previously raised. However, the utilities should make funding and programmatic changes consistent with this decision, after having collected and reviewed the pertinent data, and engaged in a full, open, public process. Interested stakeholders should raise all programmatic and funding issues during the public planning process. The cost-effectiveness issues should be raised in this proceeding. (Id., mimeo, at p. 248.)

As noted above, these goals were modified to emphasize the maximization of energy savings and to include peak demand reduction, in response to the current energy supply deficit, the rapidly escalating electric prices, and the enactment of AB 970.

Thus, we will examine the utilities' applications to determine whether they have complied with our goals to maximize energy savings and peak demand savings, the principles and directives set forth in D.99-08-021 and D.00-07-017, and the directions given by the Assigned Commissioner and ALJ in rulings issued during the public planning process. We do not undertake a more comprehensive review of the programs at this time, but defer such a review to a post-PY 2001 planning process.