CPUC Public Participation Hearings

Golden State Water Public Forums

This ruling sets the remote public participation hearings (PPHs) in Golden State Water Company’s (GSW’s) General Rate Case Application (GRC Application), Application (A.) 23-08-010, using live streaming and telephonic services, and directs GSW to provide customer notice of the remote PPHs. The PPHs are an for opportunity for GSW’s customers to communicate directly with the Commission regarding the revenue and rate base changes that GSW proposes in its GRC Application.

Details regarding how to participate in these remote PPHs are described below. Written public comments may also be provided at any time during the proceeding using the “Add Public Comment” button on the Public Comment” tab of the Docket Card for A.23-08-010.

Related Documents

• Media Advisory
• Fact Sheets
  • Region 1 - Arden/Cordova District
  • Region 1 - Bay Point District
  • Region 1 - Clearlake District
  • Region 1 Los Osos District
  • Region 1 - Santa Maria
  • Region 1 - Simi Valley
  • Region3
• Ruling

Liberty Park Water General Rate Case Application

July 30, 2024 & July 31, 2024

The purpose of the Public Participation Hearing (PPH) is to provide an opportunity for you to communicate directly with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) about how Liberty Utilities (Park Water) Corp. (Liberty Park) rate increase proposal in its application that would impact you and to share any concerns you may have about the service that you receive from Liberty Park.

What is this Rate Application About?
Every three years the large Class A water utilities file applications for a “General Rate Case” (GRC) at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). A GRC allows the CPUC to take a broad, in-depth look at a water company’s revenues and expenses and consider quality of service and other factors to arrive at just and reasonable rates. As part of a GRC proceeding, a water company requests revenues for the next three years based on its forecasted expenses and necessary investments and must justify the proposed rate increase.1 Parties to the proceeding then examine and comment on the request in a public process before the CPUC. Below is information on Liberty Utilities’ GRC submitted January 2, 2024.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 2 p.m.
Bellflower City Hall – Council Chambers
16600 Civic Center Drive
Bellflower, CA 90706

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – 6 p.m.
Virtual: 888-790-3588 | Passcode: 8710730#

• Fact Sheet
• Notices
  • English
  • Spanish
• Ruling

Liberty Apple Valley General Rate Case Application

July 29, 2024 & July 31, 2024

The purpose of the Public Participation Hearing (PPH) is to provide an opportunity for you to communicate directly with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) about Liberty Utilities (Apple Valley Ranchos Water) Corp.’s (Liberty Apple Valley) rate increase proposal in its application that would impact you and to share any concerns you may have about the service that you receive from Liberty Apple Valley. 

What is this Rate Application About?
Every three years the large Class A water utilities file applications for a “General Rate Case” (GRC) at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). A GRC allows the CPUC to take a broad, in-depth look at a water company’s revenues and expenses and consider quality of service and other factors to arrive at just and reasonable rates. As part of a GRC proceeding, a water company requests revenues for the next three years based on its forecasted expenses and necessary investments and must justify the proposed rate increase.1 Parties to the proceeding then examine and comment on the request in a public process before the CPUC. Below is information on Liberty Utilities’ GRC submitted January 2, 2024. 

Monday, July 29, 2024 – 6 p.m.
Apple Valley Town Hall - Council Chambers
14955 Dale Evans Parkway
Apple Valley, CA 92307

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – 2 p.m.
Virtual: 800-857-1917 | Passcode: 6032788#

• Fact Sheet
• Notices
  • English
  • Spanish
• Ruling

Order Instituting Rulemaking Proceeding to Consider Changes to Requirements on Video Franchisees Under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act, and Revisions to General Order 169 (R.23-04-006)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold in person public forums and virtual public forums for the public to provide input regarding the possible changes to the Commission’s licensing and oversight of video franchisees under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA), as recently updated by Senate Bill (SB) 28 (Stats. 2021, Chap. 673). Among other items, SB 28 directs the Commission to adopt video and customer service requirements for a holder of a state video franchise and to adjudicate customer complaints regarding these services. The Commission may also consider potential ways to modernize and make the implementation of DIVCA more efficient and effective.

You can also make your voice heard in the proceedings, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for this proceeding at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/R2304006.

When:

• August 14, 2024: 1 p.m. (IN PERSON)
• August 14, 2024: 5 p.m. (IN PERSON)
• September 5, 2024: 1 p.m. (IN PERSON)
• September 5, 2024: 5 p.m. (IN PERSON)
• September 19, 2024: 1 p.m. (VIRTUAL ONLY)
• September 19, 2024: 5 p.m. (VIRTUAL ONLY)

Access for the In Person Public Forum:

• August 14, 2024 Location: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 700 H Street, Suite 1450, Sacramento, CA 95814
• September 5, 2024 Location: Monterey Park City Council Chambers, 320 W Newmark Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754

If you would like to make a public comment at the in person public forum, you must sign up at the table with the Public Advisor’s Office.

Remote Access for the September 19, 2024 Virtual Public Forum:

Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc

• Participants who choose to participate via webcast only will have audio and video capabilities but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make a comment during the meeting, the phone-in information is 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.
• The forums will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.

Phone line:

• Phone: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 6032788#
• Participants will have audio in English and will be able to make comments. (To make a comment, after entering the passcode, when prompted press *1, unmute your phone, and record your name.)
• Wait times depend on the number of speakers in the public comment queue. During times of high call volumes, wait times will be longer. The operator will call on you when it is your turn to speak.

Related Documents

• Ruling Setting the Public Forums
• Your Opinion Will Help Shape the Future of Video Franchising
• R2304006 Proceeding Documents

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service.

Please check the calendar for any other upcoming events. 

Can My Participation Make a Difference in a Decision?

Yes! The CPUC wants to hear from the public. Public comments are taken into consideration by the Commissioners and Administrative Law Judge in their decision-making. 

• Public comment may raise issues and concerns that influence how a project or issue is analyzed and what decision gets made. 
• Even if you don’t plan to comment, attending a Public Forum provides an opportunity to learn about topics that are pending at the CPUC and hear the positions of others. 

Tips for Attending and Speaking at a Public Forum

At the beginning of a Public Forum, an Administrative Law Judge provides an overview of the CPUC process and the issue to be discussed. There may also be a presentation to the audience about the utility’s proposal. From there, most of the meeting is reserved for the public to provide comments and share their perspective about the issue. 

If you wish to speak, please keep the following in mind:

• Elected officials attending a Public Forum are usually allowed to speak first. 
• We recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign up to speak. 
• Speakers need to be present to sign up to speak. You cannot sign up others or yield your time to someone else. 
• If many people sign up to speak, the Administrative Law Judge may set a time limit in order to allow everyone a chance to speak. 
• There will be a CPUC court reporter present to record your comments for the record. 
• Attendees are expected to be respectful of others’ opinions. 
• If you have written your speech, you may bring a copy for the Administrative Law Judge and one for the court reporter. 
• Often, the Administrative Law Judge will not be able to answer questions at the Public Forum because of legal reasons. They may refer you to a utility representative or CPUC staff. 
• For safety purposes, signs of any size that are mounted on sticks are not allowed in any room where a Public Forum, hearing, or workshop is taking place; neither are signs larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, whether mounted or not.

If I Can’t Participate in Person, Can I Still Make a Comment?

Yes! If you can’t attend a Public Forum in person, you can still make comments:

Use the Docket Card where you can also read the comments of others. 

Contact the Public Advisor’s Office:

Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Call: 866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074  TTY 866-836-7825
Write: CPUC Public Advisor’s Office, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102

Language interpretation is available

The CPUC can provide language interpreters and/or American Sign Language interpreters at a CPUC event. Please send a request to the Public Advisor’s Office at least three business days before the event. The CPUC will provide these services at no-cost.

• Creating Formal Documents - Templates Provided
• Methods for Becoming a Party to a Proceeding – Rule 1.4
• Prior Public Participation Hearings
• Serving and Filing Proceeding Related Documents