Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 810 - Public Utilities Commission › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure › Section 810-RICR-00-00-1.2 - Definitions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. As used in these rules, except as
				 otherwise required by the context:
1.
				 "Applicant" means, in proceedings involving filings for permission or
				 authorization which the Commission may give under statutory or other authority
				 delegated to it, the party on whose behalf the filings are made.
2. "Clerk" means the Commission clerk,
				 appointed by the Commission pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
											39-1-9.
3. "Commission" and "Commissioner" means the
				 Public Utilities Commission, and a member thereof, respectively. "Chair" means
				 the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.
4. "Commission counsel" means the legal
				 counsel of the Commission, and includes any outside attorney hired by the
				 Commission to participate in any proceeding before the Commission.
5. "Commission-initiated investigation" means
				 an investigation initiated by the Commission itself based on its general
				 authority.
6. "Consensus" means
				 unanimous concurrence among the interests represented on a negotiated
				 rulemaking committee established under this rule.
7. "Convener" means a person who impartially
				 assists the Commission in determining whether establishment of a negotiated
				 rulemaking committee is feasible and appropriate in a particular
				 rulemaking.
8. "Contested case"
				 means a proceeding, including but not restricted to ratemaking, price fixing,
				 and licensing, in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a specific
				 party are required by law to be determined by the Commission after an
				 opportunity for hearing.
9.
				 "Division" means the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers described in
				 R.I. Gen. Laws §§
											39-1-2(4)  and  39-1-3.
10. "Division counsel" means the
				 representative of the Division, including but not limited to its legal counsel,
				 participating in a proceeding before the Commission.
11. "
Ex parte
" means direct
				 or indirect communication outside of a hearing, in connection with any issue of
				 fact or law in a pending proceeding, except upon notice and opportunity for all
				 parties to participate, between any party or representative and any
				 Commissioner.
12. "Facilitator"
				 means a person who impartially aids in the discussions and negotiations among
				 the members of a negotiated rulemaking committee to develop a proposed rule. It
				 also refers to a person who is charged to develop a recommendation for
				 Commission review in a contested adjudicatory proceeding; in such case, the
				 facilitator may not serve the Commission in any capacity thereafter.
13. "Filing" means written applications,
				 comments, petitions, pleadings, protests, motions, briefs, objections, rate
				 schedules, notices, reports and compliance filings.
14. "Interest" means, with respect to an
				 issue or matter, multiple parties which have a similar point of view or which
				 are likely to be affected in a similar manner.
15. "Intervenor" means a party who intervenes
				 in a pending matter or proceeding by statutory right or by order of the
				 Commission on petition to intervene.
16. "Matter" or "Proceeding" means the docket
				 initiated by a filing or submittal or a Commission notice or order.
17. "Negotiated rulemaking" means rulemaking
				 through the use of a facilitator and committee.
18. "Negotiated rulemaking committee" or
				 "Committee" means an advisory committee established by the Commission to
				 consider and discuss issues for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the
				 development of a proposed rule.
19.
				 "Notice and comment rulemaking" or "Rulemaking" means a proceeding for the
				 purpose of promulgating rules and regulations.
20. "Party" means the Division and each
				 person named or admitted as a party to a proceeding before the
				 Commission.
21. "Petitioners" means
				 persons seeking relief, not otherwise designated in this section.
22. "Presiding officer" or "Lead
				 commissioner" means the Chair or other Commissioner authorized by the Chair to
				 conduct or preside over any hearing before the Commission.
23. "Respondents" means persons subject to
				 any statute or other delegated authority administered by the Commission to whom
				 an order or notice is issued by the Commission instituting a proceeding or
				 investigation on its own initiative.