Opt-out fees and charges are assessed to recover costs associated with providing opt-out customers with a different service from the standard service established for utility customers. RF sensitivity is not defined as a characteristic protected under Gov. Code § 11135. Conclusions of Law TURN’s definition of incremental costs would lead to an improper “cherry-picking” of PG&E’s general rate case settlement and would result in retroactive ratemaking. In determining whether a cost is associated with providing the opt-out option, one must determine whether the IOU would have incurred the cost but for the opt-out option. PG&E’s Customer Operations Support costs were incurred to provide the opt-out option. PG&E’s proposed $3.323 million project management costs are supported by the record. PG&E’s proposed Metering costs should be reduced by $7.36 million to exclude expenses for trips to UTC customers. It is implausible that PG&E needs approximately two handheld meter reader devices per meter reader because of routine maintenance. PG&E’s meter reader device purchase costs should be reduced. PG&E should be allowed to recover the cost of 200 meter reader devices. PG&E’s proposal to split the capital costs of the new hand-held meter readers 50/50 between the opt-out option and current operations is reasonable.
Opt-out fees and charges are assessed to recover costs associated with providing opt-out customers with a different service from the standard service established for utility customers. RF sensitivity is not defined as a characteristic protected under Gov. Code § 11135. Conclusions of Law TURN’s definition of incremental costs would lead to an improper “cherry-picking” of PG&E’s general rate case settlement and would result in retroactive ratemaking. In determining whether a cost is associated with providing the opt-out option, one must determine whether the IOU would have incurred the cost but for the opt-out option. PG&E’s Customer Operations Support costs were incurred to provide the opt-out option. PG&E’s proposed $3.323 million project management costs are supported by the record. PG&E’s proposed Metering costs should be reduced by $7.36 million to exclude expenses for trips to UTC customers. It is implausible that PG&E needs approximately two handheld meter reader devices per meter reader because of routine maintenance. PG&E’s meter reader device purchase costs should be reduced. PG&E should be allowed to recover the cost of 200 meter reader devices. PG&E’s proposal to split the capital costs of the new hand-held meter readers 50/50 between the opt-out option and current operations is reasonable.
143904205.docx