415277502 - 1 -

JHE/MPO/mef 10/15/2021 BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Investigation on the Commission’s Own Motion into the Operations and Practices of Southern California Gas Company with Respect to the Aliso Canyon storage facility and the release of natural gas, and Order to Show Cause Why Southern California Gas Company Should Not Be Sanctioned for Allowing the Uncontrolled Release of Natural Gas from its Aliso Canyon Storage Facility. (U904G.)

Investigation 19-06-016

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES’ RULING ON INFORMAL E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE

Summary This ruling addresses an electronic mail sent by the Public Advocates

Office of the California Public Utilities Commission (Cal Advocates) on

October 6, 2021. Parties are reminded that informal communications with

decision-makers in this proceeding should be minimized and, when absolutely

necessary, should be provided to the full proceeding service list and confined to

procedural matters.

1. Background At the Status Conference held on September 9, 2021, parties were directed

to meet-and-confer on issues related to the Motion to Compel filed by

Cal Advocates on August 25, 2021 (Motion to Compel), and to send a status

FILED10/15/2102:26 PM

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update to the ALJs and service list upon completion of the meet and confer

process.

On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Cal Advocates sent an email to the

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), copied to the service list, that it characterized

as a status update in response to this direction (Cal Advocates Email). The

Cal Advocates E-mail reported that the meet-and-confer efforts were

unsuccessful in developing a proposal acceptable to all parties. In addition, the

Cal Advocates E-mail contained several new requests beyond those contained in

the original Motion to Compel, as well as additional commentary and

recommendations for further action.

On Thursday, October 7, 2021, Southern California Gas Company

(SoCalGas) sent a responsive email to the ALJs, also copied to the service list. In

that message, SoCalGas objected to the Cal Advocates E-mail, describing it as “an

improper email motion.” Cal Advocates replied, again via email to the ALJs and

service list, stating that “Cal Advocates and Safety and Enforcement Division

believe the update [they] have provided is in compliance with the ALJ’s

instructions” from the Status Conference. (See full e-mail thread in

Attachment 1)

The Cal Advocates e-mail contains an update on the meet-and-confer

process; however, it also includes additional extraneous material, including new

requests. As previously communicated to parties, including via a procedural

e-mail sent on June 18, 2021 (See e-mail thread at Attachment 2), in order to be

considered, party requests for new or modified relief should be presented as

formal motions. To be clear, it is not appropriate to make requests or provide

information to decision-makers in this adjudicatory proceeding via informal

communications even if those communications are copied to the full service list.

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In fact, we remind parties that informal communications with decision-makers in

this proceeding should be minimized and, when absolutely necessary, should be

copied to the full service list and confined to procedural matters.

IT IS RULED that:

1. Parties are reminded that informal communications with decision-makers

in this proceeding should be minimized and, when absolutely necessary, should be

provided to the full proceeding service list and confined to procedural matters.

2. Parties are reminded that ex parte communications are banned in this

adjudicatory proceeding.

Dated October 15, 2021, at San Francisco, California.

/s/ JESSICA T. HECHT /s/ MARCELO L. POIRIER Jessica T. Hecht

Administrative Law Judge Marcelo L. Poirier

Administrative Law Judge

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ATTACHMENT 1

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Attachment 1

From: Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov> Sent: Thursday, October 7, 2021 12:59 PM To: Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com>; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov> Cc: APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; greiss@veritionfund.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth <Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LLuterst@socalgas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; Vargas, Chris <chris.vargas@morganlewis.com>; Day, Taylor C. <taylor.day@morganlewis.com>; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Lee, Diana <diana.lee@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; Charlier-Smith, Daniel <daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com>; Bounds, Jason <jason.bounds@morganlewis.com>; MCade@Buchalter.com; Pfeiffer, Nicholas <cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com>; Moshfegh, Pejman <pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com>; Maloney, Theresa <cxxtheresa.maloney@morganlewis.com>; Lotterman, Thomas R. <thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com>; Lrafii@buchalter.com; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net;

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martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: I.19-06-016 - Update re: SoCalGas Production of Boots & Coots Witnesses Administrative Law Judges Hecht and Poirier: I response to Mr. Stoddard’s concerns raised below, Cal Advocates and SED attach here a searchable version of the transcript of the September 9, 2021 Status Conference. At page 118 ALJ Poirier states:

That sounds reasonable. Let's go ahead and then -- those main parties do a meet and confer and have a little more -- iron out the complete details so everybody's on the same page with potential process moving forward and provide some kind of -- provide an update to the ALJs in the service list at a later date hopefully within a reasonable date. I don't want to set a specific date now to pin the folks down because of your schedules but hopefully within the next week to 10 days.

Cal Advocates and SED believe the update we have provided is in compliance with the ALJ’s instructions and we apologize if we exceeded the scope of what was requested. We believed it was important that the ALJs be aware of the “complete details” which could inform Cal Advocates’ outstanding motion to compel on these issues. Traci Bone Attorney for the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 Work: (415) 703-2048 Cell: (415) 713-3599 tbo@cpuc.ca.gov From: Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2021 10:43 AM To: Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov> Cc: APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov>; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; greiss@veritionfund.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth <Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LLuterst@socalgas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>;

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MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; Vargas, Chris <chris.vargas@morganlewis.com>; Day, Taylor C. <taylor.day@morganlewis.com>; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Lee, Diana <diana.lee@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; Charlier-Smith, Daniel <daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com>; Bounds, Jason <jason.bounds@morganlewis.com>; MCade@Buchalter.com; Pfeiffer, Nicholas <cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com>; Moshfegh, Pejman <pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com>; Maloney, Theresa <cxxtheresa.maloney@morganlewis.com>; Lotterman, Thomas R. <thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com>; Lrafii@buchalter.com; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: I.19-06-016 - Update re: SoCalGas Production of Boots & Coots Witnesses CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Administrative Law Judges Hecht and Poirier, Yesterday, October 6, Cal Advocates served on the service list to this proceeding an email titled, “Update re: SoCalGas Production of Boots & Coots Witnesses.” While purporting to provide an update regarding meet and confer discussions, Cal Advocates’ email is in fact an improper email motion. Cal Advocates email includes requests for relief that differ from, and are additional to, the relief requested in its August 25, 2021 Motion to Compel. Consistent with prior direction provided by the ALJs, Cal Advocates’ request should be filed as a formal motion, not an email to the service list, and SoCalGas should be afforded an opportunity to respond in the time provided for under the Commission’s rules of practice and procedure. I believe I have excluded from this email all individuals publicly identified on the Commission's website as a Commissioner's advisor in compliance with Commission Rule of Practice and Procedure rule 8.2(b).

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F. Jackson Stoddard Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP One Market, Spear Street Tower | San Francisco, CA 94105 Direct: +1.415.442.1153 | Main: +1.415.442.1000 | Fax: +1.415.442.1001 fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com | www.morganlewis.com From: Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov> Sent: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 4:36 PM To: Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov> Cc: APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; greiss@veritionfund.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth <Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LLuterst@socalgas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; Vargas, Chris <chris.vargas@morganlewis.com>; Day, Taylor C. <taylor.day@morganlewis.com>; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Durvasula, Anand <Anand.Durvasula@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peck, David B. <david.peck@cpuc.ca.gov>; Lee, Diana <diana.lee@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Koltz, Jonathan <Jonathan.Koltz@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; Goldberg, Sandy <Sandy.Goldberg@cpuc.ca.gov>; Simon, Sean A. <sean.simon@cpuc.ca.gov>; George, Simi R. <Simi.George@cpuc.ca.gov>; Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; Charlier-Smith, Daniel <daniel.charlier-

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smith@morganlewis.com>; Bounds, Jason <jason.bounds@morganlewis.com>; MCade@Buchalter.com; Pfeiffer, Nicholas <cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com>; Moshfegh, Pejman <pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com>; Maloney, Theresa <cxxtheresa.maloney@morganlewis.com>; Lotterman, Thomas R. <thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com>; Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com>; Lrafii@buchalter.com; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: I.19-06-016 - Update re: SoCalGas Production of Boots & Coots Witnesses [EXTERNAL EMAIL] Administrative Law Judges Hecht and Poirier: On August 25, 2021 Cal Advocates filed a Motion to Compel (MTC) in this proceeding that requests, among other things, that SoCalGas “produce” Boots & Coots witnesses. During discussion at the September 9, 2021 Status Conference you directed the parties to meet and confer regarding how to move forward on the production of Boots & Coots and to provide an update to you regarding those discussions. See September 9, 2021 Status Conference Transcript pp. 116-118. This update is being provided pursuant to that oral ruling, and is made on behalf of both Cal Advocates and SED. On September 16, 2021, SoCalGas made two alternative proposals to Cal Advocates and SED. SoCalGas offered that it could either (1) take steps to compel Boots & Coots to appear for remote deposition, which would be used in lieu of cross examination, or (2) not enter the Boots & Coots testimony into the record “unless Cal Advocates and SED wish to stipulate to its entry into the record” and take no further action. On September 28, 2021, SED and Cal Advocates proposed that in light of SoCalGas’ failure to produce Boots & Coots witnesses for cross examination that:

(1) SoCalGas stipulate for the record that it could not produce Boots & Coots for cross examination;

(2) SoCalGas stipulate for the record that its contract with Boots & Coots does not require

Boots & Coots to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation of the events that occurred at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility;

(3) The parties stipulate that the Boots & Coots testimony prepared on behalf of SoCalGas

and dated March 20, 2020, be entered into the record of I.19-06-016 but that such entry is not for the truth of the matters asserted in that testimony, but just for the fact that the testimony exists; and

(4) SoCalGas take all steps necessary to:

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a. Compel Boots & Coots to respond completely and honestly to Cal Advocates’ Data Request 1 submitted to Boots & Coots;

b. Compel Halliburton Energy Services to provide all of their policies, standards, and procedures related to data retention and data recovery that were in place on December 26, 2015 when the laptop containing the Aliso Canyon well kill modeling information was allegedly stolen;

c. Compel both Boots & Coots and Halliburton Energy Services to provide copies of all legal hold orders and other orders or instructions requiring them to preserve evidence related to the Aliso Canyon leak incident; and

d. Provide declarations from Boots & Coots and Halliburton Energy Services attorneys under penalty of perjury confirming that all of the information provided by both Boots & Coots and Halliburton in response to (a), (b), and (c) above is accurate and complete.

On October 5, 2021 SoCalGas rejected the Cal Advocates/SED proposal, proposing instead that the Boots & Coots testimony not be entered into the record without cross examination of those witnesses and that discovery regarding Boots & Coots must end given that there has already been “ample opportunity to conduct additional discovery prior to hearings ….” A PDF version of the meet and confer email exchange is attached hereto. At this point, given that the parties are at an impasse and the production of Boots & Coots is a discovery dispute already addressed in Cal Advocates’ August 25, 2021 MTC, Cal Advocates and SED request that you move forward and rule on the requests in Cal Advocates’ August 25, 2021 MTC. In lieu of producing Boots & Coots for cross examination, Cal Advocates and SED propose that you find for purposes of the record in this proceeding that:

(1) SoCalGas could not produce Boots & Coots for cross examination;

(2) SoCalGas’ contract with Boots & Coots, which is through Halliburton Energy Services, does not require Boots & Coots to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation of the events that occurred at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility; and that

(3) The Boots & Coots testimony prepared on behalf of SoCalGas and dated March 20,

2020, shall be entered into the record of I.19-06-016 but that such entry is not for the truth of the matters asserted in that testimony, but just for the fact that the testimony exists.

In addition, understanding that Texas law provides mechanisms for SoCalGas to obtain written information and discovery from Boots & Coots and Halliburton Energy Services, Cal Advocates and SED request that you order SoCalGas take all steps necessary to:

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(1) Compel Boots & Coots to respond completely and honestly to Cal Advocates’ Data Request 1 submitted to Boots & Coots (and attached hereto);

(2) Compel Halliburton Energy Services to provide all of their policies, standards, and procedures related to data retention and data recovery that were in place on December 26, 2015 when the laptop containing the Aliso Canyon well kill modeling information was allegedly stolen;

(3) Compel both Boots & Coots and Halliburton Energy Services to provide copies of all legal hold orders and other orders or instructions requiring them to preserve evidence related to the Aliso Canyon leak incident; and

(4) Provide declarations from Boots & Coots and Halliburton Energy Services attorneys under penalty of perjury confirming that all of the information provided by both Boots & Coots and Halliburton in response to (1), (2), and (3) above is accurate and complete.

We ask that all of this information, as well as the remaining information identified in the MTC, be provided to us no later than November 1, 2021.

Cal Advocates and SED also request that in light of the fact that certain discovery was being held for Boots & Coots, who SoCalGas has failed to produce, that Mr. Schweke, or another witness from SoCalGas, who can accurately and completely answer questions originally intended for Boots & Coots, be available for further cross-examination. In order to prepare for cross examination related to Boots & Coots’ testimony and its role in the well kill efforts, SED will conduct additional discovery, initially intended for Boots & Coots, directly upon SoCalGas. Finally, Cal Advocates and SED note that given Boots & Coots’ significant role in the well kill efforts, it would be inappropriate for the record to be silent regarding Boots & Coots – which appears to be the objective of SoCalGas’ proposal. Among other things, there is significant evidence that Boots & Coots failed to comply with fundamental records management requirements, and failed to comply with legal hold orders. There are also many open questions regarding Boots & Coots’ work at Aliso, including whether and how Boots & Coots modeled the well kills before they were performed, and the quality of that modeling, if it did occur. Much of SED’s new discovery is intended to gather more facts related to Boots & Coots modeling. There are also significant questions about SoCalGas’ management of Boots & Coots’ activities, including whether SoCalGas provided accurate information to Boots & Coots to facilitate the well kill efforts. By essentially purging Boots & Coots’ role from the record of this investigation, as SoCalGas proposes, this Commission risks failing to identify potentially significant safety-related problems that could provide important lessons learned for the future. Cal Advocates and SED also urge that the record reflect that SoCalGas failed to produce Boots & Coots for hearings so that the Commission can consider remedies for such a failure, such as the following safety-related recommendation: When a contractor agrees to work on an incident, accident or other safety-related event for a utility, the contract must require the contractor to be available for questioning in CPUC proceedings; and where a utility fails to include such language in that contract, all work performed by that contractor shall be at shareholder expense.

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We thank you for your attention to these important matters and look forward to a ruling on the entirety of Cal Advocates August 25, 2021 MTC as soon as practicable, and consistent with the foregoing discussion, including orders requiring SoCalGas to:

(1) Provide all information regarding its efforts to produce the Boots & Coots witnesses and data responses to the parties in this proceeding without need for data requests and other discovery (See August 25, 2021 MTC, p. 1.); and

(2) Timely respond to all outstanding and future data requests, including those related to Boots & Coots, until the record of this proceeding is closed. Id.

Such rulings are needed to streamline these proceedings and minimize the need for further motions to compel, as SoCalGas continues to withhold legitimate discovery that has been requested by both Cal Advocates and SED on the basis of invalid objections and delayed responses to meet and confer correspondence.

Traci Bone Attorney for the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 Work: (415) 703-2048 Cell: (415) 713-3599 tbo@cpuc.ca.gov DISCLAIMER This e-mail message is intended only for the personal use of the recipient(s) named above. This message may be an attorney-client communication and as such privileged and confidential and/or it may include attorney work product. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this message. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the original message.

(END OF ATTACHMENT 1)

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Attachment 2 From: Hecht, Jessica T. Sent: Friday, June 18, 2021 1:26 PM To: Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com>; APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; djg@cpuc.ca.gov; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; cml@cpuc.ca.gov; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; elc@cpuc.ca.gov; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; mai@cpuc.ca.gov; ema@cpuc.ca.gov; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; chris.vargas@morganlewis.com; taylor.day@morganlewis.com; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; ab7@cpuc.ca.gov; ayk@cpuc.ca.gov; ad1@cpuc.ca.gov; ajh@cpuc.ca.gov; aei@cpuc.ca.gov; dah@cpuc.ca.gov; dza@cpuc.ca.gov; dbp@cpuc.ca.gov; gie@cpuc.ca.gov; js5@cpuc.ca.gov; jz6@cpuc.ca.gov; jk5@cpuc.ca.gov; kms@cpuc.ca.gov; lym@cpuc.ca.gov; mpo@cpuc.ca.gov; md9@cpuc.ca.gov; mta@cpuc.ca.gov; mb6@cpuc.ca.gov; sha@cpuc.ca.gov; nws@cpuc.ca.gov; rp1@cpuc.ca.gov; rp6@cpuc.ca.gov; sg8@cpuc.ca.gov; svn@cpuc.ca.gov; srg@cpuc.ca.gov; tbo@cpuc.ca.gov; tyh@cpuc.ca.gov; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com; Lrafii@buchalter.com; MCade@Buchalter.com; cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com; pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com; theresa.maloney@morganlewis.com; thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com; FJackson.Stoddard@MorganLewis.com; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; jhe@cpuc.ca.gov Cc: 'jhe@cpuc.ca.gov' <jhe@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: I.19-06-016: Procedural Email RE: Request for Clarification of Email Ruling on Document Production in Advance of Deposition of Randy Holter Parties to I.19-06-016, At 6:20 p.m. yesterday, Mr. Gruen sent an email on SED’s behalf requesting clarification of our May 28, 2021, email ruling on document production. That email requests that the ALJs provide the clarification in time for document production to occur today, within less than 24 hours of being informally notified of

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the issue. This morning, Mr. Stoddard requested an opportunity for SoCalGas to respond to Mr. Gruen’s request for clarification, either formally or informally. SED’s email appears to be asking the ALJs to clarify that there is a category of Mr. Holter’s correspondence that otherwise meets the criteria established in the May 28, 2021 ruling that does not need to be produced to SoCalGas. However, it is not clear to us exactly what documents SED is asking to exclude or why providing those documents is either unnecessary or constitutes a particular burden for SED. If SED seeks a clarification or modification of the language of the May 28, 2021 ruling, SED should file a formal motion that includes a more thorough explanation of its request and why that request is appropriate. If such a motion is filed, we will set an expedited response and reply schedule to ensure that we can resolve the motion quickly after it is received. We do not intend to rule on an informal email request without first having time and information to fully understand the issue requiring clarification or resolution. In deciding whether to file a formal motion, we encourage both parties to consider whether the work required for a formal motion and response process on this subject may outweigh any time or resource savings that might result from potential outcomes of that process. /s/ Jessica T. Hecht /s/ Marcelo L. Poirier Administrative Law Judge Administrative Law Judge Jessica T. Hecht Administrative Law Judge California Public Utilities Commission jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov From: Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2021 10:14 AM To: Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth

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<Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; Vargas, Chris <chris.vargas@morganlewis.com>; Day, Taylor C. <taylor.day@morganlewis.com>; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peck, David B. <david.peck@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; George, Simi R. <Simi.George@cpuc.ca.gov>; Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; Charlier-Smith, Daniel <daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com>; Lrafii@buchalter.com; MCade@Buchalter.com; Pfeiffer, Nicholas <cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com>; Moshfegh, Pejman <pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com>; Maloney, Theresa <theresa.maloney@morganlewis.com>; Lotterman, Thomas R. <thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com>; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Request for Clarification of I.19-06-016 Email Ruling on Document Production in Advance of Deposition of Randy Holter CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Administrative Law Judges Hecht and Poirier, SoCalGas is prepared to respond to SED’s request for clarification but seeks guidance from your Honors as to whether this should be done via email or in a formal response. We note that although styled as a request for clarification, SED’s email is in fact seeking modification of your May 28, 2021 Ruling on Document Production in Advance of Deposition of Randy Holter. The underlying discovery dispute has already been adjudicated and addressed by your Ruling. Consistent with Commission Rule 11.1(c) such requests for clarification, modification or reconsideration of a ruling must be brought via formal motion, not email. F. Jackson Stoddard

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Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP One Market, Spear Street Tower | San Francisco, CA 94105 Direct: +1.415.442.1153 | Main: +1.415.442.1000 | Fax: +1.415.442.1001 fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com | www.morganlewis.com From: Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2021 6:20 PM To: APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth <Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; Vargas, Chris <chris.vargas@morganlewis.com>; Day, Taylor C. <taylor.day@morganlewis.com>; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peck, David B. <david.peck@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; George, Simi R. <Simi.George@cpuc.ca.gov>; Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; Charlier-Smith, Daniel <daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com>; Lrafii@buchalter.com; MCade@Buchalter.com; Pfeiffer, Nicholas <cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com>; Moshfegh, Pejman <pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com>; Maloney, Theresa <theresa.maloney@morganlewis.com>; Lotterman, Thomas R. <thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com>; Stoddard, Jack <fjackson.stoddard@morganlewis.com>; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com;

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cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: Request for Clarification of I.19-06-016 Email Ruling on Document Production in Advance of Deposition of Randy Holter [EXTERNAL EMAIL] Administrative Law Judges Hecht and Poirier: Safety and Enforcement Division requests that the Administrative Law Judges clarify the May 28, 2021 ruling below to state that SED does not need to provide SoCalGas with documents or written communications that were previously provided to SoCalGas employees during the pre-formal investigation. SED asked SoCalGas twice in writing to stipulate to this term on June 9, 2021, and again on June 11, 2021. SED then met and conferred with SoCalGas on June 15, 2021 to again ask for SoCalGas to so stipulate. Instead of answering SED’s request for stipulation, SoCalGas raised questions and concerns about SED’s data pull methodology for the first time during the June 15, 2021 meet and confer. SED explained to SoCalGas that it did 39 different data pulls of communications from Mr. Holter to different individuals related to the Aliso pre-formal investigation, including of individuals within SED, Blade Energy Partners, plaintiffs, Halliburton, Boots & Coots, and various agencies. Since providing this information to SoCalGas, SED realized a 40th data pull with another entity. Mr. Holter has confirmed that, to the best of his recollection this list is a comprehensive list of those with whom he communicated during the pre-formal investigation (except for communications he had with SoCalGas personnel). This search spanned the duration of SED’s pre-formal investigation. To also comply with Administrative Law Judge Hecht’s ruling, Safety and Enforcement Division reviewed, and is planning to produce, Mr. Holter’s field notes and his photos as well. In short, in compliance with ALJ Hecht’s ruling, based upon review of all of this information, SED has identified to SoCalGas another limited set of documents reasonably associated with Mr. Holter’s role as a percipient witness to the pre-formal investigation. Given SoCalGas’ unwillingness to stipulate to SED’s request, SED asks for this clarification to limit the burden on SED of identifying and producing the most relevant products, in compliance with ALJ Hecht’s ruling. SED has confirmed with SoCalGas that it is available to depose Mr. Holter next Thursday, June 24. SED is ready to turn over all of the responsive documents based upon this data pull by tomorrow to meet the five day advance notice requirement, and requests the ruling by tomorrow prior to turning these documents over to help ensure SED has complied with the ALJ’s ruling. If the Administrative Law Judges would prefer, SED can provide a motion to make this request. SED has made a good faith attempt remove Commissioners’ advisors from this email service.

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Darryl Gruen Staff Counsel California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Ave. - San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 703-1973 - djg@cpuc.ca.gov From: Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Sent: Friday, May 28, 2021 5:01 PM To: APatel@SempraUtilities.com; NPedersen@HanMor.com; Maguirre@amslawyers.com; Gruen, Darryl <darryl.gruen@cpuc.ca.gov>; dpl@cpuc.ca.gov; KMorsony@turn.org; NSheriff@Buchalter.com; VidhyaPrabhakaran@dwt.com; RegRelCpucCases@pge.com; bce@alcantar-law.com; KatieJorrie@dwt.com; Kavya@UtilityDive.com; uscontent@reorg-research.com; larry@engeladvice.com; mvespa@earthjustice.org; M3PU@pge.com; ravimk@blade-energy.com; sgersen@earthjustice.org; SDHarding@iid.com; DWTcpucDockets@dwt.com; kirby.bosley@edftrading.com; mfrazier@bradley.com; Paul.Gendron@edftrading.com; margaret@mfelts.com; KButler@PH.LAcounty.gov; Marlon.SantaCruz@LADWP.com; PLee@Counsel.LAcounty.gov; priscila.kasha@ladwp.com; Rodney.Luck@ladwp.com; SKuhn@Counsel.laCounty.gov; Mandelbaum, Caryn L. <Caryn.Mandelbaum@cpuc.ca.gov>; DBarrett@SempraUtilities.com; DAlcala@SoCalGas.com; La Cour, Elizabeth <Elizabeth.LaCour@cpuc.ca.gov>; JEgan@SempraUtilities.com; JFohrer@SoCalGas.com; LSarkisyan@SoCalGas.com; Intably, Mahmoud <mahmoud.intably@cpuc.ca.gov>; Epuna, Matthewson <matthewson.epuna@cpuc.ca.gov>; MHovsepian@SempraUtilities.com; RDiaz@socalgas.com; SClorfeine@SempraUtilities.com; SMortazavi@SoCalGas.com; TCarman@socalgas.com; GHealy@SempraUtilities.com; JLsalazar@SempraUtilities.com; Kevin.Allred@mto.com; rothenergy@gmail.com; chris.vargas@morganlewis.com; taylor.day@morganlewis.com; tdaquila@cityofpasadena.net; Douglass@EnergyAttorney.com; cchwang@burbankca.gov; HPandey@ci.burbank.ca.us; ANefouse@sempra.com; MByrnes@amslawyers.com; MSeverson@amslawyers.com; liddell@EnergyAttorney.com; John.Leslie@dentons.com; CentralFiles@SempraUtilities.com; Epasos@iid.com; ralaurie@iid.com; scbarber@iid.com; Ryan.Baron@bbklaw.com; DSandidge@ParrisLawyers.com; POliver@ParrisLawyers.com; Bach, Alan <Alan.Bach@cpuc.ca.gov>; Yip-Kikugawa, Amy C. <amy.yip-kikugawa@cpuc.ca.gov>; Durvasula, Anand <Anand.Durvasula@cpuc.ca.gov>; Herbert, Annalissa <Annalissa.Herbert@cpuc.ca.gov>; Fisher, Arthur (Iain) <Arthur.Fisher@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Dale A. <dale.holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Zarchy, Daniel <Daniel.Zarchy@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peck, David B. <david.peck@cpuc.ca.gov>; Ezekwo, Godson <godson.ezekwo@cpuc.ca.gov>; Spencer, Jean <Jean.Spencer@cpuc.ca.gov>; Jandura, Jessica <Jessica.Jandura@cpuc.ca.gov>; Koltz, Jonathan <Jonathan.Koltz@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shea, Karen M. <Karen.Shea@cpuc.ca.gov>; Morgans, Lucy <Lucy.Morgans@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov>; Divina, Marianne <Marianne.Divina@cpuc.ca.gov>; Taul, Matthew <Matthew.Taul@cpuc.ca.gov>; Botros, Mina <Mina.Botros@cpuc.ca.gov>; Shapson, Mitchell <mitchell.shapson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Skinner, Nathaniel <nathaniel.skinner@cpuc.ca.gov>; Peterson, Rachel A. <rachel.peterson@cpuc.ca.gov>; Purchia, Robyn <Robyn.Purchia@cpuc.ca.gov>; Goldberg, Sandy <Sandy.Goldberg@cpuc.ca.gov>; Simon, Sean A. <sean.simon@cpuc.ca.gov>; George, Simi R. <Simi.George@cpuc.ca.gov>; Bone, Traci <traci.bone@cpuc.ca.gov>; Holzschuh, Tyler <Tyler.Holzschuh@cpuc.ca.gov>; Hayley@turn.org; BFinkelstein@turn.org; TLong@turn.org; wbrenc@fenwick.com; daniel.charlier-smith@morganlewis.com; Lrafii@buchalter.com; MCade@Buchalter.com; cole.pfeiffer@morganlewis.com; pejman.moshfegh@morganlewis.com;

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theresa.maloney@morganlewis.com; thomas.lotterman@morganlewis.com; FJackson.Stoddard@MorganLewis.com; AnnaFero@dwt.com; DavidHuang@dwt.com; william.brenc@wilmerhale.com; SSMyers@att.net; martin.mccormack@wilmerhale.com; Benjamin.Bodell@bbklaw.com; Cathy@BarkovichAndYap.com; cmkehrein@ems-ca.com; Hlavka, Eileen <Eileen.Hlavka@cpuc.ca.gov>; cbermel@politico.com; Hecht, Jessica T. <jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov> Cc: ALJ Docket Office <ALJ_Docket_Office@cpuc.ca.gov>; ALJ Process <alj_process@cpuc.ca.gov>; ALJ_Support ID <alj_supportid@cpuc.ca.gov>; Poirier, Marcelo <marcelo.poirier@cpuc.ca.gov> Subject: I.19-06-016 Email Ruling on Document Production in Advance of Deposition of Randy Holter Service List for I.19-06-016, At evidentiary hearings in I.19-06-016, the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) addressed previous requests for clarification by parties of several aspects of the ALJs’ Ruling Granting Motion for Partial Reconsideration issued on April 28, 2021 (April 28 Ruling). Most questions raised about the scope and timing of Mr. Holter’s expected deposition as a percipient witness during SED’s pre-formal investigation were addressed on the record during evidentiary hearings, but one major issue remained outstanding. Specifically, parties asked for guidance on what, if any, documents the Safety and Enforcement Division (SED) is required to produce to Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) in advance of Mr. Holter’s deposition. Both SED and SoCalGas provided extensive comment on their different views of the appropriate scope of documents (see Reporter’s Transcript 2596-2613). SED suggested that, if any documents must be provided at all, the scope of those documents should be limited to Mr. Holter’s field notes and any photographs he took during his time at the Aliso Canyon facility (RT 2596). SoCalGas, in contrast, seemed to suggest that the ruling required SED to provide all documents and communications Mr. Holter saw or handled during the full period of SED’s pre-formal investigation through the issuance of the formal Order Instituting investigation, unless SED could show that those documents are specifically covered by some sort of privilege (RT 2599-2601). At hearings, we provided a preliminary ruling that at a minimum, SED shall provide to SoCalGas any field notes and photographs taken by Mr. Holter while at the Aliso Canyon Facility during the pre-formal investigation. We further stated that we would consider what, if any, other documents should also be provided, and would issue a ruling on that at a future time. This email ruling resolves that outstanding question. Background The original “NOTICE OF DEPOSITION OF SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION UTILITIES ENGINEER RANDY HOLTER” served on SED and attached to SED’s Motion to Quash Notice of Deposition of Randy Holter dated October 27, 2021 (see Attachment 1), appears to envision a broad deposition of Mr. Holter that could cover a variety of subjects and time-periods.

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In contrast, the April 28 Ruling allows SoCalGas to conduct a deposition with Mr. Holter as a percipient witness of the pre-formal investigation, which limits both the time-period (pre-formal investigation, between approximately October 2015 and May 2019) and the subjects that may be covered in the deposition (as a percipient witness, questions should be limited to Mr. Holter’s direct experiences and observations, and should generally exclude technical, policy, and legal analysis by other SED staff, management, or counsel, even if observed by Mr. Holter). The notice of deposition also requested a large variety of documents, as follows:

All DOCUMENTS within the possession of Mr. Holter related to the ALISO CANYON INCIDENT; all DOCUMENTS generated and/or evaluated by Mr. Holter related to the ALISO CANYON INCIDENT; all COMMUNICATIONS related to the ALISO CANYON INCIDENT on which Mr. Holter is included.

That notice explicitly defined “documents” and “communications” in very broad terms; overall, the definitions appear to contemplate production of any information or communication seen, heard, or received by Mr. Holter related to the Aliso Canyon leak and well kill effort, whether or not Mr. Holter requested, prepared, relied on, acknowledged, or even opened the document or communication. Document Production This ruling limits the documents that must be produced by SED related to this deposition to those containing information about Mr. Holter’s direct experiences and observations during and immediately following the leak, response, and well kill efforts. For example, we confirm our previous ruling that at a minimum, SED must provide any and all field notes or photographs taken by Mr. Holter at the Aliso Canyon Facility during the relevant time period. In addition, we require that SED take the steps required in this ruling to identify and provide to SoCalGas another limited set of documents reasonably associated with Mr. Holter’s role as a percipient witness to the pre-formal investigation. Specifically, SED shall review documents and written communications prepared or sent by Mr. Holter to identify those pertaining solely to Mr. Holter’s personal experiences and observations of the leak, response, well kill, and general condition and operations he observed at the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility. Mr. Holter’s communications and documents that go beyond these categories are outside the scope of Mr. Holter’s role as a percipient witness as identified in the April 28 Ruling, and need not be provided to SoCalGas in this context. In addition, SED may exclude communications that directly involve Commission decision-makers as defined in Rule 8.1(a) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. It is not necessary for SED to provide to SoCalGas a privilege log or similar list of the communications reviewed and excluded from production based on these directions.

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To be clear, SED may limit its document review and identification efforts to documents and written communications prepared or sent by Mr. Holter during the pre-formal investigation period. SED specifically need not search or disclose emails sent or copied by others to Mr. Holter, or messages sent before the leak was discovered or after the issuance of I.19-06-016, even if those messages are reproduced in a message thread included with an email from Mr. Holter. The purpose of these limitations is both to capture the set of documents and communications most likely to reflect Mr. Holter’s own experiences and observations, consistent with the scope of the upcoming deposition, and to limit the burden on SED of identifying and producing the most relevant products. SED shall provide the documents and communications identified through this search to SoCalGas at least 5 days in advance of Mr. Holter’s expected deposition. ALJ Availability during the Scheduled Deposition During hearings, parties suggested the possibility that one or more of the assigned ALJs for this proceeding make themselves available “on call” to rule on objections that may arise during the deposition itself. That request is denied. Therefore, IT IS RULED THAT

1. The preliminary ruling that SED must identify and provide to SoCalGas any and all field notes or photographs taken by Mr. Holter at the Aliso Canyon Facility during SED’s pre-formal investigation of the gas leak and well kill effort addressed in this proceeding, is confirmed.

2. In addition, SED shall review documents and written communications (both hard copy and electronic) created or sent by Mr. Holter during the pre-formal investigation period in order to identify those pertaining solely to Mr. Holter’s personal experiences and observations related to the leak, response, well kill, and the general condition and operations he observed at the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility.

3. With limited exceptions, SED shall produce the documents and communications identified through this process to SoCalGas not later than five days in advance of the planned deposition of Mr. Holter as a percipient witness. SED may exclude from production messages sent directly from Mr. Holter to Commission decision-makers as defined in Rule 8.1(a).

4. Because we require SED to provide only messages on certain limited subjects and that are unlikely to include documents subject to protection by a formal privilege, SED is not required to prepare a privilege log or similar list of documents reviewed but excluded from production as exceeding the scope of Mr. Holter’s personal experience and observations.

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THE DOCKET OFFICE SHALL FORMALLY FILE THIS RULING. /s/ Jessica T. Hecht /s/ Marcelo L. Poirier Administrative Law Judge Administrative Law Judge Jessica T. Hecht Administrative Law Judge California Public Utilities Commission jessica.hecht@cpuc.ca.gov 415-703-2027

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(END OF ATTACHMENT 2)

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