Court Opinion

ID: 9575512
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:14:28.207454+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:48:16.845655
License: Public Domain

*587Deen, Presiding Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
While concurring fully with the majority opinion’s affirmance of Case No. A90A0495,1 must dissent in Case No. A90A0494, as it would be error to permit a $516,000,000 schedule delay disallowance if the factfinder failed to consider the expert testimony and evidence of offsetting benefits. “[N] either law nor economics has yet devised generally accepted standards for the evaluation of rate-making orders.” Permian Basin Area Rate Cases, 390 U. S. 747, 790 (88 SC 1344, 20 LE2d 312) (1968). (Emphasis supplied.) See Macon-Bibb County &c. Auth. v. Tuttle/White Constructors, 530 FSupp. 1048, 1055 (7, 8, & 9) (M. D. Ga. 1981), as to applicability of the offsetting benefits rule.
In reviewing the record in this case, I conclude that the PSC’s findings of fact do not show that it considered relevant testimony by experts that the construction delays such as occurred in the instant-case may have also resulted in rate increase delays. Any benefits to the ratepayer resulting therefrom should have entered into, and thus offset, the PSC’s calculations prior to arriving at the final rate increase. This would seem to be the more acceptable, fair, and equitable standard under the facts and law of this case.
“A concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings” is required by the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act. OCGA § 50-13-17 (b). This requirement must be “inclusive enough to afford an intelligent review.” American Century &c. Investors v. Strickland, 138 Ga. App. 657, 660 (227 SE2d 460) (1976). (Emphasis supplied.) I do not question the arithmetical accuracy or mathematical methodology as to affirmative action taken on the issues and data that were considered; yet the findings set forth by the factfinder commission appear to be deficient as to one important point: there is a complete absence of facts reflecting consideration of testimony of experts as to offsetting benefits entering into the calculation and evaluation of the rate-making decision. We should reverse and remand for additional hearings, consideration of evidence as to offsetting benefits, and inclusion of additional underlying facts supporting the findings, which will thereafter afford an intelligent review.
I am authorized to state that Judge Birdsong, Judge Sognier, and Judge Pope join in this opinion.
*588Michael J. Bowers, Attorney General, Stephanie B. Manis, Deputy Attorney General, Victoria H. Tobin, Assistant Attorney General, Hicks, Maloof & Campbell, Michael S. Bradley, for appellees.