CPUC To Hold Remote Public Forums on San Jose Water Company's Rate Change Request
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold two remote public forums to provide an opportunity for customers of San Jose Water Company to offer their perspective and input to the CPUC about the company’s rate request, as follows:
WHEN: Thursday, May 13, 2021, 1:30 p.m. AND 6 p.m.
WHERE: Remote access via webcast or phone:
- 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 San Jose Water territory are encouraged to participate in the public forum.
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/A2101003Comments.
The remote public forums will begin with a brief overview of San Jose Water’s request; then public comments will be heard via phone.
On January 4, 2021, San Jose Water submitted its General Rate Case application requesting CPUC approval to increase its total revenue by $32.906 million (or 8.06 percent) in 2022; $18.775 million (or 4.26 percent) in 2023; and $22.249 million (or 4.86 percent) in 2024. If San Jose Water’s rate request is approved by the CPUC, the average residential monthly bill with a ¾-inch meter using 11 Ccfs per month would increase by approximately $17.33 (or 18.73 percent) from $92.54 at present rates, to $109.87 in 2022, by $3.55 (or 3.23 percent) to $113.42 in 2023, and by $3.84 or (3.38 percent) to $117.25 in 2024. According to San Jose Water, main contributors to the rate increases include infrastructure replacement, depreciation expense, outside services, increased pension and benefit costs, and increased labor expenses.
San Jose Water provides water and wastewater services in San Jose, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and in unincorporated territory in the County of Santa Clara.
The CPUC welcomes remote attendance and comment on San Jose 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.
The Ruling setting the public forums are available at https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M376/K501/376501612.PDF.
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:A2101003.
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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