Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 24, June 15, 2024
Section 69.402 - Prefiling notice guidelines(a) A public utility which intends to file a general rate increase request of $1 million or more should provide by letter and certificate of service 30 days advance notice of the rate filing to the following: (1) The Secretary's Bureau, the Office of Special Assistants (OSA) and the Office of Administrative Law Judge.(2) The customary parties to its prior base rate proceedings, which are deemed to include the Office of Trial Staff, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, as well as any party in the utility's last base rate proceeding who filed a brief or exceptions.(b) The advance notice should contain a reasonable estimate of the amount to be sought, a brief outline of the major reasons for the increase-for example, major plant addition, significant increase in particular expenses and the like-and an identification of other major issues in the case.(c) Within 20 days in advance of the anticipated general rate increase filing, the OSA will send to the customary parties a notice indicating that they should begin preparation of discovery, engage a consultant, if necessary, and assemble a team of attorneys and technicians to litigate the case. (1) To facilitate the initiation of discovery, OSA will send to the utility a standard set of industry-specific data requests.(2) OSA will also advise that an informal discovery conference should be scheduled by the parties approximately 60 to 65 days following the date of the filing. An informal discovery conference between the utility and the customary parties will provide for an early opportunity to review company documents and to interview company witnesses.The provisions of this § 69.402 adopted September 2, 1994, effective 2/1/1995, 24 Pa.B. 4485. This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 69.401 (relating to general).