1. a) The Agency may, to the extent permitted by the Act or the Public Utilities Act, hire outside mediators at the expense of the party or parties identified in either Act.

2. b) The Agency may recover fees for its own employees' participation in the mediation based on the following hourly rates:

   1. 1) Director: $125/hour;
   2. 2) Chief Legal Counsel: $100/hour;

3. 3) Other agency personnel: $75/hour.

   1. c) The Agency may recover its actual expenses on outside mediators to the extent permitted by the Act or the Public Utilities Act.
   2. d) In deciding whether to charge fees pursuant to subsection (b) or (c), the Agency shall consider the recoverability of costs pursuant to subsection (a) and the amount of time and resources required to conduct the mediation.

When the Agency is required or permitted to offer mediation services: