NAC703.2509. Meeting with Consumer’s Advocate and Regulatory Operations Staff before filing application.

     1. If a public utility that provides telecommunication services proposes to increase its annual gross revenue by at least 10 percent or by more than $50,000, it must meet with the Consumer’s Advocate and the Regulatory Operations Staff at least 20 days before the anticipated date for filing the application for adjustments in rates.

     2. At the meeting, the public utility shall provide updated information regarding the application for adjustments in rates, including:

     (a) Cost of capital;

     (b) Depreciation;

     (c) Cost of service, including any study of the cost of service;

     (d) Design of the proposed rates; and

     (e) Any other material issues known at the time of the meeting.

     3. At the meeting, those persons in attendance shall:

     (a) Develop guidelines for a preliminary plan for conducting audits. The guidelines must address all matters relating to the audits, including:

          (1) The timing of the audits and any necessary meetings to coordinate audits conducted at the site, whether within or outside the State, by the Regulatory Operations Staff and specialized personnel from the public utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

          (2) The number of persons representing each interest who will participate in the audit.

          (3) The facilities and the supplies that the auditors will need at the locations of the audits.

     (b) Discuss a plan and schedule for discovery, and methods of minimizing the duplication of discovery requests.

     (c) Discuss the use of agreements for the confidentiality of information.

     (d) Discuss the review of computer models for data contained in the application.

     (e) Determine which items on the master document for the request of data must be provided on a computer disc or other computer media, and which items must be provided on paper.

     (f) Discuss the need for and timing of future meetings, including:

          (1) A conference between the public utility, the Regulatory Operations Staff and a representative of the Bureau of Consumer Protection to discuss the results of the audits.

          (2) A mandatory settlement conference between all interests to the proceeding. The Regulatory Operations Staff shall convene the settlement conference at least 14 calendar days before the scheduled first day of the hearing on the application for adjustments in rates in accordance with a procedural schedule approved by the Commission.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Service Comm’n, eff. 7-7-94; A by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R036-10, 12-16-2010)