Payment of Costs by the United States for Intervening in Proceeding of Alaska Public Utilities Commission

An advance decision was requested as to whether costs assessed by the Alaska Public Utilities Commission against participants in proceedings before the Commission can be paid by federal government agencies when they intervene and participate in the proceedings. The United States, as an intervenor to proceedings, may pay the portion assessed against it if the assessment is not unreasonable and is equitably distributed, since the assessment is not part of a judgment against one party in favor of another. Participants are on notice that they may be subject to assessment of costs which they voluntarily assume by their participation.