Opinion ID: 1325816
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Dues

Text: There was evidence submitted at the hearing showing a portion of the EEI dues were used for the Institute's lobbying efforts, charitable contributions, and social functions. Other Commissions have disallowed these dues or a portion of them based on these uses. Re: Hawaiian Electric Co. , 128 PUR4th 471 (1991); Re: Louisville Gas & Elec. Co. , 119 PUR4th 431 (1990). The Commission's order excluded only the portion of these dues which applied to the Institute's Media Communications Fund. The Commission's order noted that the Consumer Advocate argues these dues should be disallowed as they provided no benefit to the rate payers. The order further noted that SCE&G insisted their membership did provide a benefit. The Commission made no findings of fact but concluded there was no reason to vary from its position in prior cases. The declaration of an existing practice may not be substituted for an evaluation of the evidence. Butler Township Water Co. v. Pennsylvania Pub. Util. Comm'n , 81 Pa. Commw. 40, 473 A. (2d) 219 (1984). A previously adopted policy may not furnish the sole basis for the Commission's action. Id. The Commission must set forth findings which are sufficiently detailed to enable the reviewing court to determine whether the findings are supported by the evidence and whether the law has been properly applied to those findings. Able, supra . We find this recital of conflicting views followed by a conclusive statement by the Commission inadequate to meet the standards set out in Able . We, therefore, remand this issue for further findings consistent with our holding in Able .