GNERC’s Public Hearings Ketevan Berikashvili Public and International Relations Department GNERC GEORGIAN NATIONAL ENERGY AND WATER SUPPLY REGULATORY COMMISSION August 15-19, 2011 Batumi, Georgia 1

Public Hearings GNERC’s meetings are open to the public The requirement for GNERC’s meetings to be public are established by: The General Administrative Code of Georgia The Law on the Power and Natural Gas Sectors The Charter established by GNERC 22

Attending Public Hearings The following people can attend public hearings: Any interested individuals or companies, including representatives of different political parties and public political figures Interested parties do not need any preliminary arrangements to attend public hearings of GNERC Everyone can have the right to access and copy GNERC’s public information, unless such information contains professional, commercial, or personal data 33

Attending Public Hearings GNERC must offer an opportunity for interested parties to speak out their opinion. Parties to the case are invited to the hearing by GNERC in writing. The information regarding the hearing must be available to the interested parties at least 7 days before the date of the hearing. The information regarding the hearing is also displayed in a public space in the GNERC’s building and at the Commission’s website 44

Closed Meetings If an issue being discussed at the Commission is confidential, it is heard at a closed meeting. Closed meetings are very rare. Attendees of the meeting include those employees of the Commission, who are directly involved with the issue discussed. Employees of the Commission are prohibited from disseminating the confidential information, which is discussed at closed meetings, or use such information for purposes other than their direct professional responsibilities 55

Confidential Information Information is considered confidential if it contains the following: State secrets Commercial secrets Personal or professional secrets Confidential issues are regulated by the General Administrative Code of Georgia 6

Confidential Information If a party to the case believes that the information submitted to GNERC contains confidential commercial information, the party has the right to indicate that this information is confidential and request to ensure its confidentiality. GNERC has 10 business days review this request and to arrive at a decision. If as a result of the review GNERC decides that the submitted information cannot be classified as confidential, it determines to treat such information as public, and immediately informs the interested party of its decision. The party, whose request for confidential treatment of their commercial information has been denied, can appeal the GNERC’s decision in court. Within 15 days after the decision has been make, the information becomes public. 7

Public Hearing Before an issue is considered at a public hearing, its draft is published at GNERC’s website and an open administrative procedure ensues. The public is informed about the agenda of a public meeting through the Commission’s website 7 days before the date of the meeting. Members of the Commission discuss the case and arrive at a decision openly during the meetings. 8

Public Hearing GNERC records its public hearings. The Commission must store recordings, minutes, and other hearing documentation for no less than 7 years All decisions and acts of GNERC are subject to review by the public. A Commission’s decision can be appealed in court. The first appeal goes to the lower district courts. 99

Questions to KPSC Structure of the KPSC website What kind of information is published on the website? Website role does the website play in the GNERC activities? How long does it usually take to publish a regulatory act once it is approved? Can consumers fill out application forms electronically? What functions does the website have in GNERC’s operation? 10

Questions to KPSC Freedom of information What kind of information is treated as public? What kind of information is treated as confidential (commercial/national security) ? What kind of information is must be provided to consumers by utilities by law? 11

Thank you for your attention! 12