The Arizona Corporation Commission has opened a new docket (Docket No. AU-00000C-14-0329) to address procedures for rate cases, in order to study rate design options for electric and gas utilities. At the ACC’s request, Staff has filed a outline for a sample process whereby rate-design issues could be considered at the beginning of a utility’s rate case. The suggested process would be optional. If a utility were to elect to file a rate case application under the sample process, the utility would need to file a request for a procedural order at or shortly after the initiation of the case. Staff and other interested parties would then have an opportunity to respond to the utility’s request. The ACC’s Hearing Division would evaluate the parties’ suggestions and establish a procedural schedule.

Staff has requested that interested parties file comments, which may include specific alternative processes, on the proposed two-page outline by October 20, 2014.