4.17—Disqualification of Commissioners.
(a) Applicability.
This section applies to all motions seeking the disqualification of a Commissioner from any adjudicative or rulemaking proceeding.
(b) Procedures.
(1)
Whenever any participant in a proceeding shall deem a Commissioner for any reason to be disqualified from participation in that proceeding, such participant may file with the Secretary a motion to the Commission to disqualify the Commissioner, such motion to be supported by affidavits and other information setting forth with particularity the alleged grounds for disqualification.
(2)
Such motion shall be filed at the earliest practicable time after the participant learns, or could reasonably have learned, of the alleged grounds for disqualification.
(3)
(i)
Such motion shall be addressed in the first instance by the Commissioner whose disqualification is sought.
(ii)
In the event such Commissioner declines to recuse himself or herself from further participation in the proceeding, the Commission shall determine the motion without the participation of such Commissioner.
(c) Standards.
Such motion shall be determined in accordance with legal standards applicable to the proceeding in which such motion is filed.