The Senate Rules Committee voted 5-0 to confirm Dana Appling as director of the Office of Ratepayer Advocates. It was smooth sailing for Appling at the June 22 hearing. She faced no opposition and only one question. Senator Jim Battin (R-Palm Desert) asked whether and how she would weigh the impacts of energy-efficiency incentives on ratepayers in the roasting Coachella Valley?who are unable to reduce their energy usage when the temperature soars. ?We do try to come up with alternatives to large rate impacts,? she said. But she pointed out that ORA?s mission is to protect and balance the needs of all ratepayers.