Public Participation Hearings

One of the preliminary issues that we sought comment on was whether public participation hearings should be held in this proceeding. SoCalGas and SDG&E stated that since the application involves complicated issues that require a detailed understanding of the natural gas market structure, that public participation hearings should not be held. None of the other parties expressed a preference for whether such hearings should be held or not.

We have considered the possible rate impacts that the application would have on customers, the issues that have been raised in the application, the letters from the public regarding the application, and consulted with the Public Advisor's office. Weighing all of these different considerations, we have decided that public participation hearings are not needed in this application.