CPUC To Hold Remote Public Forums on Golden State Water Company’s Rate Change Request

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold remote public forums to provide an opportunity for customers of Golden State Water Company to offer their perspective and input to the CPUC about the company’s rate request, as follows:

WHEN:

WHERE: Remote access via webcast or phone for ALL FORUMS:

• Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
  • Participants who choose to participate via webcast only will have audio and video, but will not be able to make verbal comment. If you would like to make comments during the meeting, refer to the phone-in information below.
  • For captions, after clicking on the name of the workshop, click the green button below the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
  • It will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
• Phone (English): 800-857-1917, passcode: 7218384
  • Participants will have audio (in English) and will be able to make comments or ask questions.
• Phone (Spanish): 800-857-1917, passcode: 8147204
  • Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be available by phone.
  • Participants will have audio (in Spanish) and will be able to make comments or ask questions.

Customers from all parts of Golden State Water territory are encouraged to participate in the public forums.

In response to the Governor’s directive concerning restrictions on public gatherings to protect customers and community members during COVID-19, these public forums (formally called Public Participation Hearings) will not have in-person attendance. Members of the public can view the public forums via the Internet, or listen and make comment by toll free phone line. Those who would like to make public comment must participate by phone.

You can also make your voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section at www.cpuc.ca.gov/A2007012Comments.

The remote public forums will begin with a brief overview of Golden State Water’s request; then public comments will be heard via phone.

On July 15, 2020, Golden State Water submitted its General Rate Case application requesting CPUC approval to increase its total revenue requirements for water service. Golden State Water is requesting to increase its total revenue by $49.5 million (or 14.97 percent) in 2022; $16.1 million (or 4.22 percent) in 2023; and $17.2 million (or 4.31 percent) in 2024. According to Golden State Water, main contributors to the rate increases include improvements to the water supply system, purchased power and water expenses, infrastructure and maintenance costs, federal income and property taxes, depreciation expense, increased pension and benefit costs, increased labor expenses, and other operating expenses.

If Golden State Water’s rate request is approved by the CPUC, the average residential bills with 5/8” x ¾” meters using between 5-14 Ccf would see monthly bill increases of:

*Under Golden State Water’s proposal to consolidate rates, metered rates in Los Osos would be frozen at their present level, excluding any applicable surcharges. However, Golden State Water is proposing an increase to the general Schedule AA-4 (Private Fire Service) from $5 to $6.50 per inch of diameter of service connection.

Golden State Water provides water and wastewater services in Arden Cordova, Bay Point, Clearlake, Los Osos, Santa Maria, Simi Valley, and Golden State Water Region 2 and Golden State Water Region 3 customer service areas. Golden State Water Region 2 includes all or portions of the cities of Artesia, Bell, Bell Gardens, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Cudahy, Culver City, Downey, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lakewood, La Mirada, Lawndale, Long Beach, Norwalk, Paramount, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, the communities of Athens, Lennox, Willowbrook and Moneta, Florence-Graham, Del Aire and vicinity, Los Angeles County and portions of City of Los Alamitos, and Orange County. Golden State Water Region 3 includes all or portions of the cities of Barstow, Lenwood, Town of Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, Morongo Valley, Wrightwood, Calipatria and the community of Niland, and adjacent territory in Imperial County in the Mountain/Desert District and in Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Seal Beach, Stanton, Yorba Linda, Cowan Heights, Lemon Heights Rossmoor, Claremont, Montclair, Pomona, Upland, San Dimas, Charter Oak, Glendora, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Arcadia, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia and Temple City and adjacent vicinity in the Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties in the Foothill and Orange County Districts.

The CPUC welcomes remote attendance and comment on Golden State Water’s request at these public forums, as public comments will help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge is scheduled to write a Proposed Decision in the case for CPUC Commissioner consideration within a year.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend these remote access public forums, no official action will be taken on this matter.

If specialized accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the public forum.

Further information is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph.

Documents related to this proceeding are available at https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:56:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2007012.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at http://subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release