Fifth Amended Scoping Memo and Ruling Outlines Phase 3 of the Proceeding
The third phase of this proceeding will consider strategies to limit and/or mitigate future energy rate increases for all categories/classes of ratepayers. This phase will also explore potential processes that would consider how the Commission could review augmented expenses annually and cumulatively (similar to the annual energy True-Up) while allowing the Commission the ability to maintain some rate increase control (similar to the state budget process). The Commission will examine whether changes to Commission rules and practices, the rules and practices of other entities, and current statutes should be recommended to limit and/or mitigate future rate increases.
Phase 3 Scoped Issues:
What actions, if any, should the Commission take to limit and/or mitigate future increases in energy costs, rates, and bills for all classes/categories of ratepayers? Would these proposed actions result in cost shifting between ratepayer classes/categories?
What actions, if any, should the Commission recommend other entities take to limit and/or mitigate future increases in energy costs, rates, and bills for all classes/categories of ratepayers?
Before approval, what processes, information or approaches could support understanding individual proposed capital expenditures and expenses’ impacts on affordability and rates in the context of the IOUs' overall operations? Should the Commission adopt or require any such processes or approaches?
Other entities (such as the State Legislature) review and approve most expenses in a consolidated process, giving insight into the cumulative impact and tradeoffs of all the proposals. Could the Commission create a process that would function similarly?
How can the Commission ensure that the rate impact tools developed by staff are used and useful during the consideration of individual programs and applications?
Impacts on environmental and social justice communities, including the extent to which mitigating future energy rate increases impacts achievement of any of the nine goals of the Commission’s Environmental and Social Justice Action Plan.
