CPUC To Hold Public Forum on Foresthill and Kerman Telephone Rate Requests

March 14, 2023 - 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a remote public forum for customers of Foresthill Telephone Company and Kerman Telephone Company to offer perspective and input about the companies’ rate requests, as follows:

WHAT: The public forum will begin with a brief overview of the rate requests of Foresthill and Kerman, then public comments will be heard via phone. At least one representative from Foresthill and Kerman will be available to customers during the public forum for individual service, including billing issues.

WHEN: April 17, 2023, 5 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 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 meeting, the phone-in information is below.
    • For captions, after clicking on the name of the meeting, 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.
  • Public comment phone line:
    • English: 800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#
    • Spanish: 800-857-1917, passcode: 3799627#
    • Participants will have audio in English or Spanish 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.

Customers from Foresthill and Kerman service areas are encouraged to participate in the public forum.

You can also make your voice heard in the proceedings, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for the proceedings at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2211001 (Foresthill) and apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2211002 (Kerman).

The public forum (formally known as a Public Participation Hearing) will not have in-person attendance. Members of the public can view the public forum via the Internet. Those who would like to make public comment must participate by telephone and make comment through the toll-free phone line.

BACKGROUND: On November 1, 2022, Foresthill and Kerman submitted their General Rate Case applications requesting the CPUC to review the companies’ intrastate revenue requirements and rate designs, including updates to its annual costs of service and California High Cost Fund-A support. According to Foresthill and Kerman, the companies seek to provide customers with increased access to broadband and are prepared to make more than $5 million in additional investments in network upgrades through the end of 2024, with the goal of extending fiber to more residential and business locations. Foresthill and Kerman are wholly owned subsidiaries of the same holding company, Sebastian Enterprises, Inc.

The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments on the requests of Foresthill and Kerman at the public forum, as public comments help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceedings is scheduled to issue a Proposed Decision in the cases for consideration by the CPUC within a year.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the remote 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 forum.

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

The Ruling setting the public forum is available at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M502/K531/502531447.PDF.

Documents related to the proceedings are available at:

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