CPUC To Hold Remote Public Forums on California Water Service’s Rate Request

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

WHEN:

WHERE: Remote access via webcast or phone for ALL public 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.
  • The forums 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.

Customers from Cal Water service areas are encouraged to participate in the public forums.

In response to Governor Newsom’s directive concerning restrictions on public gatherings to protect customers and community members during COVID-19, these public forums (also known as 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 https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2107002.

The remote public forums will begin with a brief overview of Cal Water’s requests provided by Cal Water itself and responded to by the Public Advocates Office which represents the interests of you, the customers of Cal Water, then public comments will be heard via phone.

On July 1, 2021, Cal Water submitted its General Rate Case application requesting CPUC approval to increase its rates and charges for water service for 2023-2025 by $80,484,801 (or 11.11 percent) in 2023; $43,582,644 (or 5.4 percent) in 2024; and $43,197,258 (or 5.1 percent) in 2025. According to Cal Water, main contributors to the rate increase in each area where there is a proposed increase include, one or more of the following: main replacements, wildfire protection improvements, facility replacements and retrofits, unanticipated repairs to services or equipment, security upgrades, water treatment, and other capital-related costs.

The CPUC welcomes remote attendance and comment on Cal Water’s requests at the public forums, as public comments will 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 CPUC Commissioner consideration within a year.

 Individual Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the remote access public forums, but no matter how many Commissioners attend, no official action will be taken on this matter at any of these scheduled public forums.

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 three business days in advance of the public forum.

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

The Ruling setting the public forums is available at https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M445/K599/445599581.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:A2107002.

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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