Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.2705 - Appointment of experts

Rule 5.

(1) If a complainant or the utility requests an investigation through the commission under R 460.2704 of these rules, then the commission may appoint at least 3 and up to 5 experts to investigate the complaint and report findings to the commission within the scope of these rules. The commission shall consider expert individuals based on, but not limited to, all of the following criteria:

(a) Expertise specific to the specie affected.

(b) Objectivity - individuals not directly impacted by the resolution.

(c) Neutral third-party.

(d) Training and expertise in primary distribution systems and certification in secondary wiring systems.

(2) The experts shall limit their conclusions and reports to the subject of the dispute and the facts and circumstances of the specific case for which they were appointed.

(3) Either party may request specific disciplines be represented on the expert team.

(4) The experts shall submit a report to the commission with the results and conclusions of their inquiry, which may suggest corrective measures for resolving the complaint. The reports of the experts shall be received in evidence and the experts shall be made available for cross-examination by the parties at any hearing. The experts shall report to the commission within 30 days of their employ. The commission may grant up to a 30-day extension.

(5) The reasonable expenses of experts, including a reasonable hourly fee or fee determined by the commission, shall be submitted to the commission for approval and, if approved, shall be funded under subrule (6) of this rule.

(6) The utility shall reimburse the experts appointed by the commission for the reasonable expenses incurred in the course of investigating the complaint.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.2705

2007 AACS