Comments on Draft Decision

The draft decision of Assigned Commissioner Bilas and Coordinating Commissioner Wood in this matter was mailed to the parties in accordance with Pub. Util. Code § 311(g)(1) and Rule 77.7. Rule 77.7(f)(2) authorizes the Commission to reduce or waive the 30-day period for public review and comment on draft decisions in an uncontested matter where the decision grants the relief requested.

Findings of Fact

1. Processing a GRC for a major gas or electric utility is a considerable task that expends an enormous amount of resources of the Commission, the applicant, and intervening parties.

2. The California energy crisis is imposing a substantial burden on the resources of this Commission, and, it appears, those of the utilities and other parties.

3. In the absence of immediate action on our part, those who are involved in PG&E's TY 2002 GRC must continue to prepare for that case even though such

efforts will divert resources from more critical efforts to respond to the energy crisis; yet, depending on how we resolve PG&E's petition for modification, such efforts might be determined to be unnecessary.

4. A limited extension of time for tendering the NOI associated with PG&E's TY 2002 GRC is both prudent and justified.

Conclusions of Law

1. PG&E's motion should be granted as provided herein.

2. Nothing in this decision prejudges our decision on the PG&E's pending petition for modification of D.00-07-050.

3. The decision should be effective today so that Commission staff, PG&E and other parties may plan accordingly.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The March 5, 2001 motion of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to extend the date for tendering its Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Test Year (TY) 2002 general rate case (GRC) is granted to the extent set forth in Ordering Paragraph 2 of this Order.

2. The May 1, 2001 date set by Decision (D.) 00-07-050 for PG&E to tender the NOI for its TY 2002 GRC is extended by the number of days from March 5, 2001 to 30 days after the date the Commission issues a final decision on PG&E's January 25, 2001 petition for modification of D.00-07-050. The dates set in Ordering Paragraph 2 of D.00-07-050 for the Office of Ratepayer Advocates to notify PG&E of any deficiencies, for PG&E to correct its NOI deficiencies, and for PG&E to file its GRC application are extended by the same number of days.

3. The extensions of time granted in Ordering Paragraph 2 of this Order shall become effective only if the Commission denies PG&E's January 25, 2001 petition for modification of D.00-07-050 and orders PG&E to file the NOI.

4. To the extent, if any, that the authority granted herein conflicts with the authority granted by the Executive Director on February 14, 2001, the authority granted herein shall supersede that granted by the Executive Director.

This decision is effective today.

Dated , at San Francisco, California.