PSC partially funds Walnut Way’s $260,025 intervener request, directs narrower resubmittal

Chair Strand announced that Walnut Way sought $260,025 in intervener compensation for participation in docket 5UR112 and outlined the application’s breakdown: $100,000 for attorney time, $140,000 for three expert witness teams and $20,025 for internal staff and administrative costs. Strand said the commission values Walnut Way’s contribution but that the state’s limited two-year intervener compensation fund cannot support the full request amid rising filings and more interveners seeking funding.

"I am comfortable and I think it would be appropriate for us ... to award a funding amount of approximately a $100,000 and ask the applicant ... to refile a revised work plan," Chair Strand said during opening remarks. Commissioners debated alternatives, with proposals ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 and discussion of eliminating costs not directly tied to participation in the rate case (for example, administrative or application-preparation expenses).

Commissioner Nieto said he supported a refiling approach that narrowed the work plan and delegated approval to the division administrator to expedite review. Commissioner Hawkins suggested trimming tools in the proposal to focus on those most relevant to the rate case and noted the proposal’s potential benefit to a broader docket record.

After discussion, Commissioner Nieto moved to approve intervener compensation for Walnut Way in an amount not to exceed $125,000, contingent on a refiling of the work plan per the commission’s guidance and with final approval delegated to the division administrator. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (aye recorded by all commissioners present). The commission instructed the applicant to remove costs unrelated to participation in docket 5UR112 and to clarify the scope and applicability of proposed tools in its resubmitted plan.

The order delegates authority to staff to act on a timely refiling and notes the commission’s broader concern about limited program funding; Chair Strand and other commissioners encouraged applicants to pursue outside funding or partnerships when projects extend beyond the scope of a single docket.