outcome. Thus, the Settlement is a fair compromise of strongly held and wellarticulated positions on the contested issues. The testimony and exhibits received into evidence in this proceeding provide sufficient basis for the Commission to approve it. The Settlement Agreement Does Not Contravene Any Rules or Laws There is no statutory provision or prior Commission decision that would be contravened or compromised by the Settlement Agreement. The issues resolved in the Settlement Agreement are within the scope of the proceeding and produce rates within a range of reasonableness. All parties have entered the Settlement voluntarily and with the advice of counsel and technical staff. The Settlement is in the Public Interest The Commission has acknowledged that “There is a strong public policy favoring the settlement of disputes to avoid costly and protracted litigation.” The Settlement furthers this public policy by eliminating the need to develop further testimony and require significant travel in connection with an evidentiary hearing on all issues. The Settlement conserves the resources of the Commission and the Parties and thus serves the public interest. The process followed by the parties in arriving at the Settlement supports a finding that the Settlement is in the public interest. The parties conducted thorough discovery, met and discussed the contested issues in good faith, negotiated in defense of their respective positions, and considered proposals to resolve the contested issues. This process led to a series of compromises and agreements on the terms of the Settlements which are mutually beneficial to the Applicants and to ratepayers.
outcome. Thus, the Settlement is a fair compromise of strongly held and wellarticulated positions on the contested issues. The testimony and exhibits received into evidence in this proceeding provide sufficient basis for the Commission to approve it. The Settlement Agreement Does Not Contravene Any Rules or Laws There is no statutory provision or prior Commission decision that would be contravened or compromised by the Settlement Agreement. The issues resolved in the Settlement Agreement are within the scope of the proceeding and produce rates within a range of reasonableness. All parties have entered the Settlement voluntarily and with the advice of counsel and technical staff. The Settlement is in the Public Interest The Commission has acknowledged that “There is a strong public policy favoring the settlement of disputes to avoid costly and protracted litigation.” The Settlement furthers this public policy by eliminating the need to develop further testimony and require significant travel in connection with an evidentiary hearing on all issues. The Settlement conserves the resources of the Commission and the Parties and thus serves the public interest. The process followed by the parties in arriving at the Settlement supports a finding that the Settlement is in the public interest. The parties conducted thorough discovery, met and discussed the contested issues in good faith, negotiated in defense of their respective positions, and considered proposals to resolve the contested issues. This process led to a series of compromises and agreements on the terms of the Settlements which are mutually beneficial to the Applicants and to ratepayers.
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