Just got back from a Virginia SCC hearing in Richmond where I was testifying about a $47,000 billing error my client found. The utility's attorney spent 45 minutes trying to discredit my analysis of their own tariff language. Anyone else have war stories from formal hearings? Sometimes I wonder if these commissioners actually read the filings.
PSC hearing horror stories - share your worst
Oh boy, do I have stories. Worst was a hearing in Pierre about a Xcel Energy demand ratchet issue. The utility engineer literally argued that their own Rate Schedule GS-2 didn't mean what it clearly stated in black and white. Commissioner asked him to read it aloud - awkward silence for about 30 seconds.
Cincinnati here - had a Duke Energy case where they claimed a $23,000 power factor penalty was correct even though the client's PF never dropped below 0.95. Their meter data proved my point but they still fought it for eight months. Sometimes you win despite the utility, not because of logic.
PG&E hearing in San Francisco about an E-19 time-of-use dispute. The administrative law judge actually fell asleep during my testimony about interval meter data. Not kidding - audible snoring. Had to pause and wait for the clerk to wake him up. Client still won, but what a circus.
Idaho Power hearing in Boise where I presented evidence of incorrect transformer loss calculations costing the client $12,000 annually. Utility's expert witness tried to argue that losses don't apply to primary metered customers. Even the commissioner laughed at that one.
Alabama Power case in Montgomery - three-hour hearing over a $8,500 billing error. Their lawyer kept objecting to my credentials even though I've been doing this for 15 years. Finally the hearing officer asked him if he wanted to cross-examine my college transcripts too. Some people just don't know when to quit.
FPL hearing in Tallahassee about improper application of their GST-1 tariff. Spent six months preparing, brought 200 pages of documentation, and the hearing lasted exactly 12 minutes. Commissioner took one look at the meter data and ruled in our favor immediately. Sometimes preparation pays off in unexpected ways.
The worst part is when utilities send junior engineers who clearly don't understand their own rate structures. Had one Dominion rep who couldn't explain the difference between demand and energy charges. Made me feel bad for embarrassing him, but $30,000 is $30,000.
At least your commissioners stay awake! Had one in Columbus who was clearly playing solitaire on his laptop during my presentation. Could see the cards reflected in his glasses. Client won anyway because the billing error was so obvious, but still frustrating.
The key is staying professional even when they're being ridiculous. Had a Montana-Dakota hearing where their attorney accused me of fabricating interval data. Calmly asked him to call the utility's own meter department to verify. Took three phone calls but vindicated my analysis completely.
Bottom line - document everything, stay calm, and remember that commissioners see through utility BS more often than not. Even when they appear to be sleeping or playing games, they usually get the important details right. Just wish the process didn't take so long sometimes.