The Court issues the following tentative ruling in advance of the Case Management Conference scheduled for January 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., by remote appearance in Department 40. The Court has received the parties' Joint Complex Case Management Statement for the January 8, 2021 Case Management Conference, filed December 21, 2020.

No appearance is required subject to the following conditions:

The Court is advised that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the parties' efforts pertaining to discovery in this case. The Court is also advised that this case may involve substantial discovery, expert witness involvement, and motion practice, including anticipated dispositive motions. The Court intends to permit the parties to proceed with their discovery tasks.

As to trial setting, the Court is aware that SMUD seeks a trial date in early 2022. The other parties seek or are agreeable to a trial date in the latter portion of 2022. In due consideration of the status of court-wide operations, the