Gas Purchase and Deferred Balance Reports and Prudence Reviews

(a)GPDBR filing requirements. The utility shall file a GPDBR in accordance with paragraph 4602(e) for the review and approval of the calculation of the deferred GCA balance including the implementation of the utility's GPIM, as applicable, for the previous four quarters ending June 30. The GPDBR shall be filed under the previous year's GPP proceeding number (filed approximately 15 months previously). Specific attachments or other information may be filed under seal; however, an explanation of the confidential nature of the attachments or information must be included in the GPDBR filing.#

(b)Prudence review process. Based on the initial evaluation of the GPDBR, including the results of the GPIM, the Commission may initiate a prudence review hearing. The Commission shall initiate this hearing by written order within 120 days of the filing of the GDBPR. The prudence review may result in tariff or rate changes that could affect different classifications of customers.#

(c)Prudence review standard. For purposes of GCA recovery, the standard of review to be used in assessing the utility's action (or lack of action) in a specific gas purchase year is: whether the action (or lack of action) of a utility was reasonable in light of the information known, or which should have been known, at the time of the action (or lack of action). The Commission may consider, as appropriate, whether the utility employed carefulness, precaution, attentiveness, and good judgment.#

(d)Burden of proof. If the Commission elects to hold a hearing, the utility shall have the burden of proof and the burden of going forward to establish the reasonableness of actual gas commodity and demand costs paid by the utility, actual costs incurred in volatility management, and actual upstream service costs of any nature incurred during the review period.#

(e)Utility testimony and attachments. If the Commission sets a hearing, the utility shall file its testimony supporting gas cost recovery for the gas purchase year at issue. The testimony shall be filed in question-and-answer format. The utility shall file its testimony not later than 45 days after the Commission sets the matter for hearing.#