Procedural Summary

Prehearing conferences were held on May 17, and September 20, 1999. On October 4, 1999, Commissioner Josiah L. Neeper issued a Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner categorizing this proceeding as a ratesetting proceeding and designating Administrative Law Judge Bertram Patrick as the principal hearing officer. A public participation hearing was held in Clearlake on November 9, 1999, which was well attended. The customers generally complained about SCWC's high rates and urged the Commission to deny the request.

Evidentiary hearings were held during June 19-22, 2000. SCWC and Ratepayer Representation Branch (RRB) filed opening briefs and reply briefs on July 21 and August 11, 2000, respectively, and this matter was submitted for decision.