PUBLIC LAW 95-617—NOV. 9, 1978
92 STAT. 3129
tion available to other parties to the proceeding if such information is relevant to the issues to which his intervention or participation in such proceeding relates. Such information may be obtained through reasonable rules relating to discovery of information prescribed by the State regulatory authority (in the case of proceedings concerning electric utilities for which it has ratemaking authority) or by the nonregulated electric utility (in the case of a proceeding conducted by a nonregulated electric utility). (c) EFFECTIVE DATE; PROCEDURES.—Any intervention or participation under this section, in any proceeding commenced before the date of the enactment of this Act but not completed before such date, shall be permitted under this section only to the extent such intervention or participation is timely under otherwise applicable law. SEC. 122. CONSUMER REPRESENTATION. (a) COMPENSATION FOR COSTS OF PARTICIPATION OR INTERVENTION.—
(1) If no alternative means for assuring representation of electric consumers is adopted in accordance with subsection (b) and if an electric consumer of an electric utility substantially contributed to the approval, in whole or in part, of a position advocated by such consumer in a proceeding concerning such utility, and relating to any standard set forth in subtitle B, such utility shall be liable to compensate such consumer (pursuant to paragraph (2)) for reasonable attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs incurred in preparation and advocacy of such position in such proceeding (including fees and costs of obtaining judicial review of any determination made in such proceeding with respect to such position). (2) A consumer entitled to fees and costs under paragraph (1) may collect such fees and costs from an electric utility by bringing a civil action in any State court of competent jurisdiction, unless the State regulatory authority (in the case of a proceeding concerning a State regulated electric utility) or nonregulated electric utility (in the case of a proceeding concerning such nonregulated electric utility) has adopted a reasonable procedure pursuant to which such authority or nonregulated electric utility— (A) determines the amount of such fees and costs, and (B) includes an award of such fees and costs in its order in the proceeding. (3) The procedure adopted by such State regulatory authority or nonregulated utility under paragraph (2) may include a preliminary proceeding to require that— (A) as a condition of receiving compensation under such procedure such consumer demonstrate that, but for the ability to receive such award, participation or intervention in such proceeding may be a significant financial hardship for such consumer, and (B) persons with the same or similar interests have a common legal representative in the proceeding as a condition to receiving compensation. (b) Ai.TERNAiivE MEANS.—Compensation shall not be required under subsection (a) if the State, the State regulatory authority (in the case of a proceeding concerning a State regulated electric utility), or the nonregulated electric utility (in the case of a proceeding concerning such nonregulated electric utility) has provided an alternative means for providing adequate compensation to persons— (1) who have, or represent, an interest— (A) which would not otherwise be adequately represented in the proceeding, and
39-194 O—80—pt. 3
32: QL3
16 USC 2632,
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