Public Forum on Bear Valley Electric Rate Requests

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold an online public forum for customers of Bear Valley Electric Services, Inc. (BVES) to offer input about the company’s recent rate requests.

WHAT: The public forums will begin with a brief overview of BVES’s rate requests. After that, the CPUC will take comments from the public. BVES will be available to answer questions about customers’ individual bills or service.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 5 p.m.

WHERE: The public forum will be broadcast live. Members of the public will need to call in to the phone line to make a comment. Their comments will be broadcasted through the live video stream.

• The public may view the live online broadcast, with English or Spanish captions, by visiting: adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/hearing/20230509
  • Participants who choose to participate via webcast will only have audio and video capabilities but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make a comment during the forum, you will need to call the phone number provided below.
  • For captions, after clicking on the name of the forum, click the green button at the bottom of 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 forum will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
• To make a comment at the public forum, you will need to call: 800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#
  • Participants will have audio 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.

You can also make your voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for the proceeding at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2208010.

BACKGROUND: On August 30, 2022, BVES submitted an application to the CPUC seeking approval to increase general rates and energy supply charges, implement additional programs and capital improvements, establish its cost of capital (which includes rate of return, return on common equity, cost of debt, and capital structure), and recover or implement revenue adjustments pertaining to memorandum and balancing accounts. BVES is requesting $50.3 million in revenue requirement for 2023, which represents a year-over-year increase of approximately $10.5 million (or 26.5 percent) over the 2022 revenue requirement. In addition, BVES is requesting an annual increase in revenue requirement of $2.2 million (or 4.5 percent) in 2024, $1.9 million (or 3.5 percent) in 2025, and $2.9 million (or 5.4 percent) in 2026.

The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments at the public forum, as public comments help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceeding is scheduled to issue a Proposed Decision in the case for consideration by the CPUC within a year.

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

If special 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 forums.

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