PGE also argues that the material sought is not needed by the parties. Thus the parties have little or no need to view the assumptions behind the estimates. It suggests that affiliates of PGE who may become bidders may already have had access to the sensitive strategic thinking that the Motion seeks to keep secret. If the Commission grants the Motion, it should take steps to insure that all bidders are on an equal footing. Joint Customers Joint Customers points out that PGE is proposing to recover from its customers the shortfall, if any, between the book value of the supply assets and the actual sale price.
Customers thus have a significant interest in the sale of the assets.
Joint Customers distinguishes between customers of PGE and those who are PGE's competitors or who may bid in the auction. The parties represented by Joint Customers are customers of PGE, not competitors. Moreover, the representatives of the members of Joint Customers are either outside attorneys and consultants or, in the case of CUB, an in-house attorney for a customers' advocacy group. The Commission limited access to the information to the Commission Staff, Public Counsel, and specific customers, including Northwest Industrial Gas Users, Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, and Seattle Steam Company. 36 governs our discovery practice in most instances.