Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California s80

ALJ/WAC/mln/SF3 Date of Issuance 5/30/2017

Decision 17-05-033 May 25, 2017

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In the Matter of the Application of Southwest Gas Corporation (U905G) for Approval of LowIncome Application 1502001 Programs and Budgets for Program Years 20152017. (Filed February 2, 2015)

Application 1502002 Application 1502003 And Related Matters. Application 1502013 Application 1502024 Application 1503004

ORDER EXTENDING STATUTORY DEADLINE

Summary This decision extends the statutory deadline in these proceedings to July 31, 2017.

1. Background Pub. Util. Code § 1701.5(a)1 provides that ratesetting cases must be resolved within 18 months of the date the scoping memo is issued unless the Commission makes findings why that statutory deadline cannot be met and issues an order extending the 18month deadline for a period not exceeding 60 days. In these proceedings, the statutory deadline was February 1, 2017. The Commission has extended the statutory deadline in this proceeding and the most recent Decision (D.) 1703-027 extended the statutory deadline to June 1, 2017. These consolidated proceedings were initiated on February 2, 2015, when Southwest Gas Corporation, Golden State Water Company, Liberty Utilities, and Pacific Corp., filed their applications for the 20152017 California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Programs. West Coast Gas Company and Alpine Natural Gas Company No. 1 filed their applications on February 9, 2015, and March 18, 2015, respectively.

1 These proceedings were filed prior to changes made to Pub. Util. Code § 1701.5(a). These changes only apply to cases filed after December 31, 2016.

182787074 - 1 - A.15-02-001 et al. ALJ/WAC/mln/sf3

A prehearing conference was held on May 5, 2015. On November 21, 2016, the Commission issued D.1611022 which approved budgets and goals for both the CARE and the ESA programs for years 20172020 for Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison Company (collectively, the Four Large InvestorOwned Utilities or IOUs). As in previous proceedings the large IOUs decision (D.1611022) will serve as a template for the decision in the instant proceeding. Two Petitions for Modification have been in D.1611022. The Assigned Commissioner and the Assigned Judge are currently reviewing the Petitions for Modification as well as comments from the Parties. In addition the Assigned Commissioner and the Assigned Judge are drafting a revised scoping ruling for the instant proceeding. Therefore, a 60day extension of the statutory deadline until July 31, 2017, is necessary to fully review, and apply D.1611022 to the facts and circumstances of this proceeding.

2. Waiver of Comment Period Under Rule 14.6(c)(4) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Commission may reduce or waive the period for public review and comment of proposed decisions extending the deadline for resolving ratesetting proceedings. Accordingly, the otherwise applicable period for public review and comment is being waived.

3. Assignment of Proceeding Clifford Rechtschaffen is the assigned Commissioner and W. Anthony Colbert is the assigned Administrative Law Judge in these proceedings.

Findings of Fact 1. The scoping memo for these proceedings was issued on August 3, 2015. 2. The deadline for resolving these proceedings was February 1, 2017. The Commission has extended the statutory deadline in this proceeding and the most recent D.1703-027 extended the statutory deadline to June 1, 2017. 3. On November 21, 2016, the Commission issued D.1611022 which approved budgets and goals for both the CARE and the ESA programs for years 20172020. 4. D.1611022 will serve as a template for the decision in the instant proceeding.

- 2 - A.15-02-001 et al. ALJ/WAC/mln/sf3

5. A 60day extension of the statutory deadline is necessary to fully review, adopt and apply D.1611022 to the facts and circumstances of this proceeding.

- 3 - A.15-02-001 et al. ALJ/WAC/mln/sf3

Conclusion of Law Pursuant to the authority granted to the Commission under Pub. Util. Code § 1701.5(a), the statutory deadline should be extended to June 1, 2017.

IT IS ORDERED that the current statutory deadline in these proceedings, June 1, 2017, is extended until July 31, 2017. This order is effective today.

Dated May 25, 2017, at San Francisco, California.

MICHAEL PICKER President CARLA J. PETERMAN LIANE M. RANDOLPH MARTHA GUZMAN ACEVES CLIFFORD RECHTSCHAFFEN Commissioners