SCE lays out four-table data-template proposal for RAMP/GRC filings; parties debate format, volume and scope

Southern California Edison on the technical working group's call proposed a four-table data template intended to accompany future RAMP and GRC filings, and described how the template would link to Excel-based calculation files that allow parties to re-run benefit-cost calculations.

The proposal matters because commission staff and intervenors want machine-readable inputs they can analyze without issuing new data requests; SCE warned that very granular outputs and multiple scenarios can produce very large files and urged balancing completeness with actionability.

SCE presenter Gary Chen, identified himself as a company presenter and said the utility intends to submit four primary tables: mitigation modeling inputs (mitigation names, sub-driver–level effectiveness, useful life and rationale), mitigation cost and work-unit forecasts (year-by-year spend, unit types and scope), baseline risk inputs (frequency/probability and consequence values with rationale and tranche definitions) and a results table (pre/post-mitigated risk, net present value of benefits and spend, and benefit‑cost ratios by tranche, scenario, year and discount-rate scenario). Chen summarized: "When SCE files this RAMP report, we not only include the large PDF file ... but we also provide a comprehensive set of supporting documents that includes data templates, risk models, supporting work papers, and RC calculation files." (Gary Chen)

Participants focused on three recurring issues: file format, traceability to calculation models, and the breadth/granularity of data. SCE said the data templates themselves will be non-formula, tabular files intended for machine consumption, while the Excel ‘‘calculation’’ files with formulas (pre-existing workpapers) would continue to be provided to allow parties to change parameters — for example, discount rates or mitigation effectiveness — and re-run the benefit-cost outputs. As Gary Chen put it, "data templates are just a data template. Right? There's no formulas in them."

SCE warned about data volume: the company reported producing about 2,500,000 rows of RRCs in its 2022 RAMP filing and said new discount-rate scenarios could multiply output size. Several intervenors and utility staff urged SCE to provide a tabular, normalized Excel dataset so analysts can filter and reproduce results without separate discovery requests. One participant explained the tradeoff: a single consolidated tabular dataset is ideal for analysis but can become unwieldy to present in PDF form; SCE suggested making large datasets available as Excel workpapers while providing a linked PDF summary on the docket.

Parties also asked whether and how transmission risks would be treated. SCE staff said transmission risks that rise to the level of a RAMP risk would be handled through the same RAMP → GRC traceability and the same type of workpapers when quantitatively analyzed, though some items in prior RAMP filings have been treated qualitatively. SCE noted that program-level presentation may differ between a RAMP and the later GRC, but the underlying data and rationale should be available in both.

On process and schedule, the workshop chair reiterated that these technical meetings are informal and that "1 or more decision makers may be present during the meeting, but no decisions will be taken." Parties agreed the utilities should share working-group summaries and the templates they present; SCE indicated it will provide a tabular data template and separate Excel calculation files. Key deadlines recited on the call (as stated by participants) were: final working-group summaries to be circulated by Feb. 7, parties' responses to summaries by Feb. 14, and materials filed to the docket by Feb. 17.

The session closed with no formal votes. Staff and intervenors signaled continuing interest in a tabular, machine-readable template plus accompanying calculation workpapers; SCE and other utilities said they would aim to submit Excel tabular files (with linked PDFs on the record) and explained they may separate very large, granular datasets into companion workpapers to preserve usability.

A follow-up working group on other utilities' templates was scheduled for the next week; the chair said the judge may later determine whether to open a formal comment period on the workshop materials.