Opinion ID: 1688913
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Interim Tariff

Text: NOBRA argues that the trial court violated La.Rev.Stat. 34:1122(D)(3)(b) when it vacated the LPSC orders and returned the River Pilots to the 1994 tariff. They submit that under the Statute, once twelve months have passed after certification of a dispute, the LPSC was required to allow the requested tariff to go into effect. They state that the trial court had no authority to vacate the interim tariff and return to the 1994 tariff. The LPSC argues that the trial court erred in directing that the 1994 tariff was to continue in effect from November 9, 1999 to the date it is lawfully amended or terminated by the Fee Commission or the LPSC. There is no authority for reinstating a prior tariff pending the appeal of a case. The LCPI argues that the trial court erred in instituting the tariff in effect in 1997 and failed to recognize the mandatory language of La.Rev.Stat. 34:1122(D)(3)(a) and (b) which require that the last proposed tariff remain in effect until the LPSC enacts a permanent tariff. The trial court may vacate the final order, 23792-A, but since this case has been pending for more than twelve months, the proposed tariff must go back into effect until the LPSC reaches a full and final decision on the proposed increase. We agree with all of these contentions. On the merits of this issue, we find the trial court erred in vacating the interim order and reinstating the 1994 tariff. La. Rev.Stat. 34:1122(D)(3)(b) states: If the dispute involves a proposed increase in fees and rates and the Louisiana Public Service Commission does not permit the proposed increase to be put into effect prior to its decision, the proposed increase shall nevertheless go into effect, and remain in effect unless and until it reaches a full and final decision disallowing the increase, immediately following the lapse of twelve months following its receipt of certification of the dispute if it has not rendered a decision by such times, subject however, to reasonable protective bonding and other security requirements set by it. This Statute thus provides that the proposed increase shall go into effect as a matter of law if the LPSC has not rendered a decision within twelve months following its receipt of the certification of the dispute and shall remain in effect unless and until the LPSC reaches a full and final decision disallowing the increase. As this Statute provides for the imposition of the proposed increase by operation of law until the LPS reaches a final decision on the issue, the trial court had no authority to vacate the interim tariff ordered by the LPSC and return the parties to the 1994 tariff. Therefore, we reverse this portion of the trial court's decision and reinstate the interim tariff with the provision that this tariff must immediately be revisited by the LPSC and a decision rendered in light of the findings herein. We now turn to the remaining issue of whether the LPSC must regulate the outer bar under La.Rev.Stat. 34:1073.