Update:  This week, The Sierra Club, Ohio Environmental Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Law & Policy Center (“Appellants”) filed a joint interlocutory appeal requesting that the PUCO consider modifying the current procedural schedule. The Appellants argue that the PUCO established an unreasonable procedural schedule that shortens the public comments period and places them at a disadvantage drafting testimony and preparing for hearings. Accordingly, the Appellants seek restoration of the sixty-day public comment period, and a schedule that allows at least two and a half months of discovery before intervenor testimony is due.

Also this week, FirstEnergy filed a motion for modification of the procedural schedule requesting that the August 30, 2012, Technical Conference be rescheduled for September 6, 2012, but maintain the other dates contained in the procedural schedule.