Green Mountain Energy Co. v. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

OPINION BY Judge SIMPSON. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) asks us to quash an appeal from its Order permitting PECO Energy Company’s (PECO) wind tariff to become effective before resolving anti-competition complaints. We conclude that the PUC’s Order, which was entered without prejudice to outstanding complaints, was neither a final, appealable order nor an appealable collateral order. Accordingly, we quash the appeal as premature, thereby allowing the PUC to complete its investigation and hearing process. The background for this litigation is the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act, 66 Pa.C.S. §§ 2801-2812 (Competition Act), which restructured the provision of retail electric service in Pennsylvania by providing retail customers with access “to the competitive market for the generation of electricity.” 66 Pa.C.S. § 2802(12). The Competition Act permits retail customers access to the competitive market for the generation of electricity because “[c]ompetitive market forces are more effective than economic regulation in controlling the cost of generating electricity.” 66 Pa.C.S. § 2802(5). The Competition Act distinguishes between electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers. Rates of generation suppliers are not regulated by tariffs approved by the PUC. However, the PUC continues to regulate distribution company rates for “distribution services for new and existing customers.” 66 Pa. C.S. § 2804(10). Also, distribution companies perform a default service referred to as “provider of last resort” to retail customers who decline to shop for an electric generation supplier or who have returned to their distribution company. The current controversy involves whether PECO, a distribution company, gained an improper competitive advantage over generation suppliers in the area of wind energy for its default customers. After the Competition Act became effective, PECO negotiated a merger with Uni-com Corporation, which raised various challenges. The challenges were resolved by an extensive Settlement Agreement. Part of the PECO/Unicom Settlement Agreement provided for PECO to contribute $8.5 million to a corporation which would foster a “Pennsylvania Wind Energy Program.” This corporation was to develop the business relationship necessary with PECO or its affiliated generation supplier necessary “to successfully offer wind blocks to their customers.” Paragraph 38 of the PECO/Unicom Settlement Agreement, Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 61(a)-62(a). On November 29, 2001, PECO filed with the PUC a proposed Wind Energy Service Rider (Wind Tariff). The primary purpose was to.provide PECO default customers the opportunity to purchase wind energy from Pennsylvania wind resources as stipulated in the PECO/Unicom Settlement Agreement. R.R. at 72(a). The Wind Tariff was filed in accordance with § 1308(a) of the Public Utility Code (Code), 66 Pa.C.S. § 1308(a). It was treated as a non-general rate filing.1 Section 1308(b) of the Code controls the approval of a non-general rate fifing. 66 Pa.C.S. § 1308(b). Under that section, a tariff [743] automatically becomes effective on the proposed date by operation of law unless the PUC exercises its discretion to suspend the proposed tariff. Id. On January 14, 2002, less than two weeks before the Wind Tariff was to become effective by operation of law, Green Mountain Energy Company, The New Power Company, Inc., SmartEnergy, Inc. and AES NewEnergy, Inc. (collectively Petitioners) filed a formal complaint with the PUC. The Petitioners alleged that the Wind Tariff undermined electric competition in Pennsylvania, violated the provisions of the PECO/Unieom Settlement Agreement, and violated the Competition Act. On January 24, 2002, the PUC entered its Order allowing PECO’s Wind Tariff to become effective on January 27, 2002, as originally proposed. The Order provided that the Wind Tariff was subject to the adjudication of outstanding complaints. One day later, on January 25, 2002, Petitioners filed a Petition for Review with this Court, alleging, among other things, that the PUC’s failure to exercise its discretion to suspend the Wind Tariff constituted an error of law. Petitioners also filed an application for stay. After hearing, the stay was granted by a judge of this Court. The judge specifically reserved decision on whether the PUC’s Order was final, and the judge deferred resolving the appeala-bility issue until a motion to quash was filed and argument received. Currently before us are motions to quash, and a request for relief on the merits. Regarding the motions to quash, Petitioners claim that the PUC’s order was a final order pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 341(b)(1), or in the alternative, that it was a collateral order appealable as of right pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 313. I. Petitioners contend that the PUC’s Order was final. In particular, they contend that the Order was final as to PECO because the Wind Tariff was allowed to go into effect. Also, the Order was final as to Petitioners because it permitted the Wind Tariff to go into effect before resolution of their complaint, thereby denying them a meaningful opportunity to be heard." Further, they contend that the Order visits irreversible harm upon them and upon the competitive marketplace. A final order is any order that disposes of all claims or of all parties is expressly defined as a final order by statute. Pa. R.A.P. 341(b)(1), (2). Appeals are permitted only from final orders so as to prevent piecemeal determinations and the consequent protraction of litigation. See Hanson v. Federal Signal Corp., 451 Pa.Super. 260, 679 A.2d 785 (1996); Bell v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 430 Pa.Super. 435, 634 A.2d 1137 (1993). The general rule that a final order is required before an appeal may be taken is fundamental to the exercise of jurisdiction by the appellate court and is rigorously applied. Prelude, Inc. v. Jorcyk, 695 A.2d 422 (Pa.Super.1997). The PUC Order permitted the Wind Tariff to become effective on January 27, 2002. The Order also provided: “That this Order is without prejudice to any formal complaints timely filed against the proposed Tariff.” In their discussion, a majority of the Commissioners wrote, “[h]owever, approval of this filing does not constitute a determination that this filing is lawful, just, or reasonable, but only that further investigation or suspension does not appear to be warranted at this time; On its face, the Order and accompanying discussion do not appear to be final. In [744] particular, the litigation is not ended, and Petitioners’ complaint is not resolved. Further, no party is out of the litigation. In Pa. Coal Mining Ass’n v. Insurance Dep’t, 471 Pa. 437, 370 A.2d 685 (1977), the Supreme Court held, in part, that deeming of insurance rates into effect subject to later hearing did not violate due process protections. Subsequently commenting on the decision, we observed that the deeming of rates into effect subject to later challenge did not constitute final approval of the rates. Barasch v. Pa. Pub. Util. Comm’n, 119 Pa.Cmwlth. 81, 546 A.2d 1296, 1306 (1988) (en banc). Likewise, here, permitting' the Wind Tariff to take effect without suspension subject to later resolution of Petitioners’ complaint is not final. Contending that they are' effectively out of the litigation because after the Wind Tariff goes into effect they have no stake in contesting it, Petitioners argue that the PUC’s decision not to suspend the Wind Tariff had the effect of a final order. However, the level of Petitioners’ motivation’ is not a basis upon which appellate jurisdiction can be found, nor does the intensity of Petitioners’ interest in litigation transform an interlocutory order into a final order. Petitioners forcefully argue that their competitive position and the health of the entire electric generation marketplace is so compromised by the entry of a distribution company into a realm reserved for generation suppliers as to amount to irreparable harm. This argument is insufficient to create appellate jurisdiction where none otherwise exists. In other words, the perceived importance of the cause does not authorize a vault over the fact finder into an appellate court. This approach is consistent with our decision in Columbia Gas of Pa., Inc. v. Pa. Pub. Util. Comm’n, 104 Pa.Cmwlth. 142, 521 A.2d 105 (1987) (en banc). In that dispute between gas utilities over customer displacement, an administrative law judge decreed a preliminary injunction pending full litigation over one utility’s complaint. The case was certified to this Court as an interlocutory appeal. This Court quashed the appeal. Writing for the Court, President Judge Crumlish specifically rejected the argument that the decision on interim relief should be treated as a final adjudication because of the severity of its impact on gas utility competitions. Id. at 108-09. In declining to assume appellate jurisdiction “because of the ramifications and potentially harmful effects of the Commission order,” this Court stated: However, we believe that the proper forum for discussion, clarification and application of a customer migration policy is the Commission. Whether the public interest factors are discussed and heard by the administrative law judge or, as suggested by the Commission’s counsel at argument, in a separate declaratory action before the Commission, a fully developed record is needed to aid the Commission and this Court in deciding on the legality of such action. Id. at 110. Our current analysis is consistent with this authority. For the foregoing reasons, we reject Petitioners’ contention that the PUC Order is a final order within the meaning of Pa. R.A.P. 341(b). II. Alternatively, Petitioners contend that the Order was a collateral order appeal-able as of right pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 313. In particular, they contend that the due process and statutory entitlement arguments arising because the Wind Tariff went into effect before full hearing are [745] separable from and collateral to Petitioners’ main causes of action. Pa. R.A.P. 313 provides: (a) General Rule. An appeal may be taken as of right from a collateral order of an administrative agency or lower court. (b) Definition. A collateral order is an order separable from and collateral to the main cause of action where the right involved is too important to be denied review and the question presented is such that if review is postponed until final judgment in the case, the claim will be irreparably lost. The rule allowing appeal from collateral orders must be applied narrowly. Geniviva v. Frisk, 555 Pa. 589, 725 A.2d 1209 (1999); Watson v. City of Philadelphia, 665 A.2d 1315 (Pa.Cmwlth.1995). Narrow application prevents the collateral order doctrine from subsuming the fundamental general precept that only final orders are appealable and from causing litigation to be interrupted and delayed by piecemeal review of trial court decisions. Watson. To benefit from the collateral order doctrine of appealability, an interlocutory order must satisfy all three of the definitional elements set forth in the governing rule of appellate procedure. Nemirovsky v. Nemirovsky, 776 A.2d 988 (Pa.Super.2001). Regarding the first definitional element, separability, an order must not be of such an interlocutory nature as to affect, or be affected by, the merits of the main cause of action. Smitley v. Holiday Rambler Corp., 707 A.2d 520 (Pa.Super.1998). We must decide whether the issues appealed can be addressed without analysis of the underlying claims on the merits. See Ben v. Schwartz, 556 Pa. 475, 729 A.2d 547 (1999) (issue of privilege raised in discovery request can be addressed without analysis of underlying claim of professional negligence). On the separability element, Petitioners contend that whether the Wind Tariff should be suspended is separable from whether the Wind Tariff should be ultimately approved. However, as part of arguments both on appealability and on the merits of their appeal, Petitioners urge an analysis of irreparable competition suppression. Moreover, even a cursory reading of Petitioners’ submissions persuades us that they actually seek a decision on the merits reversing the PUC.2 Insofar as Petitioners invite an analysis essential to the merits, the Order is not a separable, collateral order as defined in Pa.R.A.P. 313.3 Otherwise we would tolerate the interruption and delay caused by piecemeal review that the collateral order doctrine seeks to avoid. [746] For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the PUC Order is neither a final order nor a collateral order, and we quash the appeal, thereby allowing the PUC to complete its investigation and hearing process. Judge McGINLEY did not participate in the decision in this case. ORDER AND NOW, this 19th day of November, 2002, the Motions to Quash are GRANTED. Jurisdiction is relinquished. Footnotes [1] A 'non-general” rate filing affects no more than 5% of the customers and amounts to no more than 3% of the total gross annual intrastate operating revenues of the utility. See 66 Pa.C.S. § 1308(d). [2] For example, Petitioners argue: A remand to the Commission is therefore required, but, even then, especially given the almost unanimous PUC vote ..., Petitioners in the strongest terms request the Court to adjudicate the central issue of this case whether it is proper under the Competition Act for an EDC to market a competitive generation product to its captive default customers. Brief of Petitioners at 25 (footnote omitted). Also, Petitioners argue: If, on the other hand, the Court determines that the Order was a collateral order, then only the procedural due process and statutory hearing entitlement issues are before it (although for the reasons stated on page 25-26 of Petitioners’ merits’ brief, it is vital that the Court, in addition to remanding the case and staying the tariff while a meaningful opportunity to be heard is afforded, give guidance on the law as well). Brief in Opposition to Motions to Quash or Dismiss at 10 (footnote omitted). [3] Because of our resolution of the first element of the collateral order definition, we need not address whether Petitioners have satisfied the other two elements, importance of issue and irreparable loss.