transactions between the utility and its affiliate, the greater confidence we have that the affiliate lacks market power.” The Commission adopted further revisions to the ATRs in D.06-12-029. On March 30, 2017, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) filed an application requesting that the Commission waive certain ATRs to allow the utility to conduct transactions with an unregulated subsidiary. SDG&E intends to create a new unregulated subsidiary (called “NewCo Sub” for purposes of this application) to help it commercialize innovations, especially intellectual property (IP) and related products that can be used by utilities and the broader energy industry in California and potentially elsewhere. The application was protested by the Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA), the Utility Consumers’ Action Network (UCAN), and The Utility Reform Network (TURN). A Prehearing Conference (PHC) was held on July 28, 2017 to determine parties, scope, schedule and other procedural matters. On March 13 – 14, 2018, evidentiary hearings were held. On June 15, 2018, the Assigned Commissioner issued a ruling seeking comments on proposed modifications to SDG&E’s application (Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling). Comments were filed by SDG&E, TURN, and ORA on June 25, 2018, with reply comments filed by TURN and ORA on July 2, 2018. The Commission granted UCAN’s motion to accept late-filed comments on July 20, 2018. This proceeding was submitted on July 20, 2018. 2. Summary of the Application As a utility, SDG&E states that it “is uniquely positioned to create IP products designed for the niche market of energy utilities and their customers” and uses such intellectual property as part of its operations through SDG&E Tariff Rule 2. (SDG&E’s Opening Brief at 3-4.) SDG&E seeks to commercialize
transactions between the utility and its affiliate, the greater confidence we have that the affiliate lacks market power.” The Commission adopted further revisions to the ATRs in D.06-12-029. On March 30, 2017, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) filed an application requesting that the Commission waive certain ATRs to allow the utility to conduct transactions with an unregulated subsidiary. SDG&E intends to create a new unregulated subsidiary (called “NewCo Sub” for purposes of this application) to help it commercialize innovations, especially intellectual property (IP) and related products that can be used by utilities and the broader energy industry in California and potentially elsewhere. The application was protested by the Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA), the Utility Consumers’ Action Network (UCAN), and The Utility Reform Network (TURN). A Prehearing Conference (PHC) was held on July 28, 2017 to determine parties, scope, schedule and other procedural matters. On March 13 – 14, 2018, evidentiary hearings were held. On June 15, 2018, the Assigned Commissioner issued a ruling seeking comments on proposed modifications to SDG&E’s application (Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling). Comments were filed by SDG&E, TURN, and ORA on June 25, 2018, with reply comments filed by TURN and ORA on July 2, 2018. The Commission granted UCAN’s motion to accept late-filed comments on July 20, 2018. This proceeding was submitted on July 20, 2018. 2. Summary of the Application As a utility, SDG&E states that it “is uniquely positioned to create IP products designed for the niche market of energy utilities and their customers” and uses such intellectual property as part of its operations through SDG&E Tariff Rule 2. (SDG&E’s Opening Brief at 3-4.) SDG&E seeks to commercialize
222546317.docx