(1) Any party or prospective party presenting an initial or rebuttal case in a proceeding shall do so by means of prepared written testimony and exhibits, except that a presiding officer, for good cause in extraordinary circumstances, may allow direct oral testimony to be given.

(2) Prepared written testimony, in question-and-answer form, shall be received in evidence with the same force and effect as though it were stated orally by the witnesses, provided that each of the witnesses is present at the hearing at which his or her prepared written testimony is offered and adopts that testimony under oath. If cross-examination of a witness' prepared written testimony is waived by all other parties, that witness need not be present and his or her testimony may be adopted by affidavit submitted to the presiding officer.

(3) Anyone wishing or required to submit prepared written testimony shall comply with the following requirements:

(4) If written testimony is not filed in the proper form, it will be treated as the presiding officer may direct, taking account of such factors as timing, extent of noncompliance, and prejudice to other parties.

(5) Exhibits shall be prepared as a document separate from the testimony and shall be identified by the initials of the sponsoring witness and a number. Pages shall be single-sided and numbered.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d) of this section, a copy of written testimony and exhibits shall be filed with the secretary and shall be served on the presiding officer and on each party, unless the presiding officer or a provision of this Title otherwise directs.

(2) If an exhibit consists of a drawing, map, plan, or other information that is difficult to reproduce, parties may consult with the presiding officer regarding the preferred method of service upon other parties and shall consult directly with the secretary as to the format requirements for filing.

(1) In any case in which a major rate change (as defined in the Public Service Law) is proposed, the utility company shall submit with its tariff filing the prepared written testimony and exhibits that will comprise its initial case in support of its rate filing and shall forward a copy to the New York State Consumer Protection Board. In addition, the utility company shall serve a copy of the testimony and exhibits on each party appearing in the proceeding who so requests.

(2) At the hearing, the utility company's initial case shall be limited substantially to the material submitted with its tariff filing, except as otherwise provided in this Title or unless the presiding officer, for the purpose of promoting the fair, orderly, and efficient conduct of the case, shall rule otherwise.