After the commission enters a final order, the commission may schedule an order clarification conference on its own motion or at a party's request. The commissioners may attend the conference or may designate one or more persons to attend on their behalf. The commission will determine whether it will record or transcribe an order clarification conference.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of an order clarification conference is to clarify the final order when parties disagree about its meaning or requirements. An order clarification conference provides the parties and the commission with the opportunity to:
(a) Explore and resolve any disagreements or lack of understanding about the meaning of, or requirements in, the final order so that parties can accurately prepare any compliance filings; or
(b) Identify and make technical changes to reconcile the application of principle to data, resolve inconsistencies, or correct patent error.
(2) Limitation. An order clarification conference is not a forum for discussing or challenging the evidentiary, legal, or policy decisions in the order. Parties may pursue those remedies through a petition for reconsideration or other means.
(3) Effect.
(a) An order clarification conference does not stay the effectiveness of an order, the deadlines for compliance, or the time frames for petitioning for further commission or judicial review. If as a result of the conference, the commission enters an order that modifies the final order, the subsequent order will clarify the deadlines for compliance and will be a final order for purposes of further commission or judicial review.
(b) An order clarification conference does not constitute a formal interpretation of an order. The final order that is the subject of an order clarification conference will remain the sole expression of the commission's decision unless the commission modifies that order in a subsequent order.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
80.01.040 and
80.04.160. WSR 18-18-041 (Docket A-130355, General Order R-592), § 480-07-840, filed 8/29/18, effective 9/29/18; WSR 03-24-028 (General Order R-510, Docket No. A-010648), § 480-07-840, filed 11/24/03, effective 1/1/04.]