Rule 672-19-.04. Escalation Process - Duties and Responsibilities

1. (1) General. The Department is responsible for the administration of the dispute resolution process outlined in these rules including the initiation of the process by the Parties. The Department will provide for an Escalation Process that includes at least the following minimum requirements:

   1. (a) A requirement that a written Notice of Potential Dispute be provided to any Utility involved in the dispute within at least ten (10) days from the time the dispute or potential dispute is identified by the Party initiating the use of the dispute resolution process;
   2. (b) A structured negotiation process to encourage and facilitate resolution of the Notice of Potential Dispute prior to review of the issue by the Mediation Board; and
   3. (c) Provisions for the requirement that the Parties make the notice provisions and the structured negotiation process a prerequisite to the referal of the case to the Mediation Board.

Authority: Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 32-2-2, 32-2-81, 50-13-4.

History. Original Rule entitled "Escalation Process - Duties and Responsibilities" adopted. F. Dec. 18, 2007; eff. Jan. 7, 2008.