5. Additional Requirements

In a decision in which we reviewed many of our policies on intervenor compensation, we directed that an assessment should be made regarding whether an intervenor represented customer interests that would otherwise be underrepresented. (D.98-04-059, pp. 27-28, Finding of Fact 13.) In this proceeding Intervenor represented the interests of customers and residents whose concerns regarding the addition of Cypress Ridge to the Santa Maria Customer Service Area would have been underrepresented but for the participation of Intervenor.

The intervenor compensation statutes also express an intent that the program be administered in a manner that avoids "unnecessary participation that duplicates the participation of similar interests." (Section 1801.3(f).) Intevenor's activities in organizing opposition to the Application and in presenting its positions did not duplicate the efforts of any other party. Intervenor was the principal opponent to the Application.

In D.98-04-059, Finding of Fact 42, we indicated that compensation for a customer's participation should be in proportion to the benefit ratepayers receive as a result of that participation. It is not possible to quantify precisely the benefits to ratepayers of Intervenor's participation in this proceeding. Concerned customers in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area benefited from Intervenor's participation that led to the dismissal of the Application. The award of $494.30 is a very modest payment by ratepayers for the community representation provided by Intervenor that led to dismissal of the Application.