WEBVTT
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The feed for
this streaming event
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brought to you--
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I haven't
opened the lines,
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I'ma open it again 'cause
I had to close 'em down
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'cause I heard you guys talking.
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So I'll open them up again, here we go.
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Welcome to the public
participation hearing
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in Southern California Edison Company,
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general rate case
application on this date,
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2020.
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The assigned judges would
now make their announcement.
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Thank you operator.
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We will now be on the record.
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The Commission will come to order.
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Good afternoon everyone.
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This is the time and place
set for the public participation
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hearing in the general
rate case application
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of Southern California Edison Company,
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application 19-08-013.
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My name is Sophia Park and I am one
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of the assigned
Administrative Law Judges
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to this proceeding.
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I'm co-assigned with
Judge Ehren Seybert,
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who is listening in to today's hearing.
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We are also joined by
Commissioner Genevieve Sharoma,
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who is the assigned
Commissioner for this case.
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Commissioner, would you
like to make opening remarks?
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Yes, thank you Judge
park and Judge Seybert.
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Good afternoon everyone, my
name is Genevieve Sharoma.
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I'm the assigned Commissioner
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on the Southern California
Edison general rate case.
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And I first want to take a moment
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to thank our court
reporter, Andrea Ross,
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and then also Becky De Rosa.
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I would like to thank our
Public Advisor's office,
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Allison Brown and Jesse Levine,
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our operator Lorraine and
our information technology
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and audio visual team headed up
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by Robert Stanford and
Joe Haga for setting up
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our online public
participation hearings today.
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A little background on myself,
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I was appointed by Governor Newsom
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to the California Public
Utilities Commission
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in January of 2019.
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Prior to my appointment,
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I worked at the Air
Resources Board for 20 years,
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from 1978 to 1999, working
on air quality regulations.
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I then was appointed
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to the Agricultural
Labor Relations Board,
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the Farm Worker
Collective Bargaining Board.
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I served there from 1999 to 2019.
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Concurrently with that for 20 years,
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I was an elected director
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for the Sacramento
Municipal Utility District, SMUD,
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the electricity provider
for Sacramento County
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from 1999 to 2018.
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So it is with all of this past
experience and in particular,
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my time at SMUD and
here at the Commission
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that I will be scrutinizing
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Southern California Edison's
requested revenue requirements
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and making sure that
what has been proposed
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will lead to just and reasonable
rates as is required of us.
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With the economic crisis and
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
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it is even more important
than ever that we are conscious
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of increasing rates, making
sure the right capital projects
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are being approved to ensure
reliability and welfare safety.
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As people are practicing
physical distancing, teleworking,
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distance learning at home
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and making sure that
programs are in place
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to support customers.
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I look forward to continuing
my work with our judges,
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Judge Park and Judge Seybert,
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as we build the record
in this proceeding
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in hearing from you,
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the Southern California
Edison customers today.
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Thank you very much.
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Thank you Commissioner.
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I wanna start by acknowledging the pain,
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grief and hardships that
COVID-19 has imposed
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throughout our state,
communities and in our daily lives.
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There are currently state and
local shelter-at-home orders
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in place to protect the health
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and wellbeing of our community.
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Therefore, we are holding
these hearings online
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and by phone.
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While we look forward to
the time when it will be safe
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to resume public gatherings,
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I wanna emphasize that public engagement
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remains more important to
the Commission than ever,
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and that we will be
paying careful attention
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to the feedback provided today.
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The basic purpose of today's hearing,
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is to hear directly
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from Southern California
Edison customers
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and members of the public
about this particular application.
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I will start by providing
some brief background
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on the Commission
and the general rate case
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and introduce Ms. Allison Brown
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from the Commission's
Public Advisor's Office.
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We will then hear brief statements
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from Southern California residents
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and some of the other
parties in the proceeding.
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Finally and most importantly,
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we will hear from all of you.
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For participants that wish to
provide public comments today,
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please press star 1 on your
phone now to alert the operator.
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We will start to queue
public speakers one at a time.
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The Public Utilities
Commission is a state agency
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that decides how much money
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Southern California Edison may earn
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and the actual rates
that will be included
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on your bills for electric service.
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The Public Utilities Commission
has five Commissioners
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who are appointed by the Governor
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and confirmed by the state senate.
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While Judge Seybert and I
manage the day-to-day activities
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of the case, the five Commissioners
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are ultimately the ones who will decide
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and vote on whether or not
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to approve Southern
California Edison's request
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or some other amount.
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Our job as the judges
will be to evaluate
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all of the evidence in the proceeding
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and write a proposed decision
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for the five Commissioners to consider.
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The five Commissioners
will decide whether
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to adopt the proposed
decision from the judges
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or adopt their own alternate decision
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based on the evidence in the proceeding.
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It is estimated that the will vote
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on the decision towards
the beginning of next year.
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I will now briefly summarize
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Southern California Edison application.
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Last August, Southern California Edison
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submitted it's general rate case,
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asking the Commission to
approve their expected costs
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for owning and operating the company
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for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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Earlier this year, the
Commission adopted a decision
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which changed the
general rate case cycle
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from a three-year to a four-year cycle.
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Therefore, this proceeding
will now also consider
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Southern California
Edison expected costs
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for the year 2024.
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A Commission decision on these costs
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is anticipated toward the end of 2023.
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The expenses included
in the rate case application
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generally cover the poles,
wires, meters, employees,
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and all the activities
needed to deliver electricity
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to your home or business.
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It also includes proposed expenses
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and capital infrastructure
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to address wildfire risk
related to Edison's equipment.
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It is important to note that the costs
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that we are talking
about in this application
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are just one part
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of Southern California. Edison's
annual operating expenses
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that impact customer rates.
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Separate from this proceeding,
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the Commission authorizes
recovery of the cost
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that Edison actually
incurred to purchase electricity
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on the open market.
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These costs are directly
passed on to customers
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and Edison is not allowed
to earn a profit on them.
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There's also another proceeding
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that will determine how approved costs
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are distributed among Southern
California Edison's customers
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and the specific rates
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that will be included
on customer's bills.
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This is generally referred to
as the rate design proceeding,
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and that application should be filed
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in the fall of this year.
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But right now we are
here to receive comments
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from the public regarding
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Southern California Edison's request
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to increase rates and
revenues by $1.2 billion
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in January, 2021
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and additional increases
of 486 million in 2022
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and 503 million in 2023.
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If approved, the total
revenue requirement
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will be approximately
$7.55 billion in 2021
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or an 18.1% increase over
what is currently authorized.
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The impact of this request on
a typical residential customer
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would be a monthly increase
of approximately $12.71 in 2021,
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a monthly increase of
approximately $5 in 2022
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and a monthly increase of
approximately $6 in 2023.
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But the actual impact
on a customer's bill
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would vary depending
on a customer's usage.
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We want to hear what you think
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about Southern
California Edison's request.
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Comments from the public can help
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the Public Utilities Commission
reach an informed decision.
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The Commissioners, Judge Seybert and I
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will pay close attention
to the opinions expressed
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during today's public hearing.
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We have court reporters
transcribing the hearing
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who will be taking down everything
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that is said on the telephone line.
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If you do speak, we ask that
you speak slowly and clearly
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to ensure that the reporter is able
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to capture everything that is said.
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The written transcript of
today's hearing will be available
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to Judge Seybert and
myself, the Commissioners,
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and posted publicly on the
docket card for this proceeding.
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In addition to submitting
oral comments today,
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written comments
regarding Edison's application
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may also be submitted on the
docket card for this proceeding
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by going to
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www.cpuc.ca.gov/sce2021grcpubliccomments.
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As of today, we have received
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over 3,200 written public comments.
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At this time, I would
like to invite Ms. Brown
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from the Commission
Public Advisor's Office
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to provide some remarks.
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Ms. Brown, please proceed.
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Thank you Judge
Park, welcome everyone.
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My name is Allison Brown
and I'm the Public Advisor
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for the California Public
Utilities Commission.
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First, I wanna thank you
all for participating today.
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As the judging Commissioner stated,
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public participation
and input are essential
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to the Commission's
decision making process.
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This is your opportunity to be heard,
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to share your thoughts
on the application
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with the Administrative Law
Judges and Commissioner.
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If you have questions about
the application or your service,
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please reach out to the
Public Advisor's Office
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at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
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or visit the Commission
or SoCal Edison's website
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for more information.
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Second, if you or
anyone else is not able
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to make a comment today,
00:10:38.660 --> 00:10:41.160
there are several other
ways to become involved.
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If you wish to find more
information on becoming a party,
00:10:44.210 --> 00:10:47.110
subscribing to this proceeding
so that you get email alerts
00:10:47.110 --> 00:10:50.150
of any file documents
or submitting comments
00:10:50.150 --> 00:10:54.000
via email or phone, please go
to the Commission's website,
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cpuc.ca.gov or email the Public Advisor.
00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:03.440
Again, that address is
public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.
00:11:04.550 --> 00:11:06.640
All of this information
is also on the notice
00:11:06.640 --> 00:11:08.550
that you received for today
00:11:08.550 --> 00:11:12.090
for this PPH today and on
the Commission's website.
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We look forward to your comments today,
00:11:13.890 --> 00:11:15.440
thank you again for joining us.
00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:18.540
Thank you Ms. Brown.
00:11:19.400 --> 00:11:21.250
We will now hear from
some of the parties
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in this proceedings,
00:11:22.170 --> 00:11:23.670
starting with a representative
00:11:23.670 --> 00:11:25.450
from Southern California Edison,
00:11:25.450 --> 00:11:27.910
followed by the Public
Advocate's Office,
00:11:27.910 --> 00:11:29.670
the Utility Reform Network
00:11:29.670 --> 00:11:32.420
and the National Diversity Coalition.
00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:34.780
I ask that each party
representative start
00:11:34.780 --> 00:11:37.970
by spelling his or her
name for the record.
00:11:37.970 --> 00:11:39.950
After we hear from
the party representative,
00:11:39.950 --> 00:11:42.030
we will be hearing from the public.
00:11:42.030 --> 00:11:44.140
If you would like to
make a public comment,
00:11:44.140 --> 00:11:45.270
a reminder again,
00:11:45.270 --> 00:11:48.040
to please press star 1 on your phone now
00:11:48.040 --> 00:11:50.953
so that the operator can begin
to form the speaking queue.
00:11:53.020 --> 00:11:55.943
With that, first step we have Mr. Snow.
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My name is Doug
Snow, D-O-U-G, S-N-O-W.
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Thank you, Judge Park, Seybert
and Commissioner Shiroma.
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And I also wanna thank
everyone for taking time
00:12:12.410 --> 00:12:14.470
out of your busy
schedules and participating
00:12:14.470 --> 00:12:18.090
in these very important public
participation hearings today.
00:12:18.090 --> 00:12:19.350
Again, my name is Doug Snow
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and I'm the director
of the general rate case
00:12:21.090 --> 00:12:23.340
for Southern California Edison.
00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:26.210
It is a privilege to be
here and learn from you
00:12:26.210 --> 00:12:29.100
and listen to your input
and any potential concerns
00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:31.683
you may have regarding
our '21 general rate case.
00:12:33.030 --> 00:12:34.410
Edison recognizes that this proceeding
00:12:34.410 --> 00:12:37.400
is taking place during
unprecedented times.
00:12:37.400 --> 00:12:39.070
We understand that many of our customers
00:12:39.070 --> 00:12:40.760
and communities are facing hardships
00:12:40.760 --> 00:12:42.470
during the COVID-19 pandemic
00:12:42.470 --> 00:12:45.670
and may need help
with their electric bills.
00:12:45.670 --> 00:12:47.010
But SCE has already
00:12:47.010 --> 00:12:49.150
put in place important
customer protections
00:12:49.150 --> 00:12:51.170
to address those issues.
00:12:51.170 --> 00:12:54.250
If you need more information
on this customer protection,
00:12:54.250 --> 00:12:59.250
please go to fce.com/billhelp
00:13:00.810 --> 00:13:03.823
for information on
money-saving programs and tools.
00:13:04.660 --> 00:13:07.353
Mr. Jerry Aguilar is
also in attendance today.
00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:10.390
Turning back to this proceeding,
00:13:10.390 --> 00:13:12.360
we are currently in the
middle of what we refer to
00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:14.730
as the discovery
period where all parties
00:13:14.730 --> 00:13:16.140
to the proceeding are learning more
00:13:16.140 --> 00:13:18.510
about our funding proposal.
00:13:18.510 --> 00:13:21.280
Most recently, we have heard
from the consumer advocates
00:13:21.280 --> 00:13:23.330
and they have provided
their counter proposals
00:13:23.330 --> 00:13:25.233
for reductions to our request.
00:13:26.370 --> 00:13:29.750
Beginning July 6th, there
will be evidentiary hearings
00:13:29.750 --> 00:13:31.170
so that the Commission can continue
00:13:31.170 --> 00:13:33.563
to build its official
record of our request.
00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:36.300
It is easy to get caught
up in the process,
00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:38.040
but at the end of the
day the general rate case
00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:39.890
is about funding projects,
00:13:39.890 --> 00:13:43.450
programs and people to
provide you service in safe
00:13:43.450 --> 00:13:47.123
and reliable way and approve
that service continuously.
00:13:49.649 --> 00:13:51.030
Our request for funding in this case
00:13:51.030 --> 00:13:52.980
covers the work the company needs to do
00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:57.340
in 2021 through 2024 for SCE workers
00:13:57.340 --> 00:14:02.340
to inspect, repair and when
appropriate upgrade poles,
00:14:02.770 --> 00:14:05.660
transformers, distribution lines,
00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:08.570
as well as provide
customer service for billing,
00:14:08.570 --> 00:14:11.273
service turn on, turn
off and other work.
00:14:12.150 --> 00:14:14.127
The cost we are requesting
pay for the salaries
00:14:14.127 --> 00:14:17.970
for about 12,000 employees
and over 8,000 contractors
00:14:17.970 --> 00:14:21.190
who perform all this work,
live in your communities,
00:14:21.190 --> 00:14:23.643
and often are SCE customers themselves.
00:14:25.078 --> 00:14:26.010
In this general rate case,
00:14:26.010 --> 00:14:30.470
our request mostly include
funding to improve three things.
00:14:30.470 --> 00:14:32.750
Number one, safety.
00:14:32.750 --> 00:14:35.480
The safety of our customers
and the communities we serve
00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:37.130
as well as the safety of our workers
00:14:37.130 --> 00:14:39.330
is the most important thing.
00:14:39.330 --> 00:14:41.070
We have undertaken and are proposing
00:14:41.070 --> 00:14:43.040
to continue significant efforts
00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:44.060
to mitigate the risk
00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:46.370
of wildfire associated
with our equipment,
00:14:46.370 --> 00:14:49.030
considering more extreme
environmental conditions
00:14:49.030 --> 00:14:50.980
and accelerating customer expansion
00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.993
into the wild land, urban interface.
00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.310
We insist the grid be
safe for those who live
00:14:56.310 --> 00:14:57.337
and work near it,
00:14:57.337 --> 00:14:59.463
and for our employees who work on it.
00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:02.470
In addition, keeping the
grid safe from physical
00:15:02.470 --> 00:15:05.130
or cyber attack and
keeping the public informed
00:15:05.130 --> 00:15:07.000
on how to stay safe around our equipment
00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.120
and electricity in general.
00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.970
Number two, reliability.
00:15:11.970 --> 00:15:13.110
The residents and businesses
00:15:13.110 --> 00:15:15.530
in our communities
depend on electricity.
00:15:15.530 --> 00:15:18.280
We have to replace old
equipment and upgrade our system
00:15:18.280 --> 00:15:21.140
to avoid outages and
prepare for more clean
00:15:21.140 --> 00:15:24.980
and distributed energy
resources in the state.
00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.830
When we can not avoid outages,
00:15:26.830 --> 00:15:29.660
we want to be able to bring
the power back on quickly
00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:31.860
and give you as much
information along the way
00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:34.193
to minimize the disruption to you.
00:15:35.070 --> 00:15:38.480
Number three, customer interaction.
00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.880
We want to make it easy for you
00:15:39.880 --> 00:15:42.400
to communicate with us and vice versa.
00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:45.890
Whether it's about your
bill, service changes,
00:15:45.890 --> 00:15:48.560
new solar panels you wanna install,
00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:51.683
new programs to save
electricity or anything else.
00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:55.500
We acknowledge that the
increase we are requesting is larger
00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.790
than what we have
thought in the recent past,
00:15:57.790 --> 00:16:00.370
but we believe that we have
struck the proper balance.
00:16:00.370 --> 00:16:01.490
Seeking authorization
00:16:01.490 --> 00:16:03.780
for time sensitive
public safety measures
00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:05.940
and doing what we can to reprioritize
00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:07.860
or scale back other initiatives
00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:10.610
that we'll have to leave for
future general rate cases.
00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:14.410
Our general rate cases
planning for the future,
00:16:14.410 --> 00:16:17.860
again for 2021 through 2024.
00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.210
We have to have adequate funding
00:16:19.210 --> 00:16:20.870
to make necessary investments,
00:16:20.870 --> 00:16:25.030
to continue to provide 15
million Californians with safe,
00:16:25.030 --> 00:16:28.600
reliable, clean, and
affordable electricity.
00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:31.260
Those commitments which
are granted in state law
00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:33.360
are something that
we take very seriously.
00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.960
Ultimately, the Commission
will decide the appropriate level
00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:40.230
of funding after a thorough
and rigorous legal process
00:16:40.230 --> 00:16:43.470
that includes all stakeholders
with different viewpoints,
00:16:43.470 --> 00:16:45.833
including prominent
consumer advocacy groups.
00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:50.010
Although our core mission
of providing safe, reliable,
00:16:50.010 --> 00:16:51.620
clean, and affordable electricity
00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.760
to our customers has not changed,
00:16:53.760 --> 00:16:56.000
the company submits this GRC request
00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.300
at an extraordinarily important juncture
00:16:58.300 --> 00:17:00.163
for the state and for our customers.
00:17:01.090 --> 00:17:03.000
Due in part to the changing climate,
00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.640
California's wildfire risk
has dramatically increased
00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:07.270
resulting in year round threats
00:17:07.270 --> 00:17:09.593
of potentially catastrophic wildfires.
00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:13.930
So this brings us to
paying for the work, your bill.
00:17:13.930 --> 00:17:15.620
We are very mindful of the impact
00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:17.420
of these costs on your bills.
00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:19.240
And we are working everyday to find ways
00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:21.960
to reduce costs so that
some of the work can be done
00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.453
without increasing your bill.
00:17:24.450 --> 00:17:26.240
Our current work in the GRC
00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.110
will increase an
average residential bill
00:17:28.110 --> 00:17:29.870
by about $13 per month
00:17:29.870 --> 00:17:33.620
for non-income
qualified customers in '21,
00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:37.510
and the increase would
be an additional $5 in 2022
00:17:37.510 --> 00:17:39.853
and about $6 and 2023.
00:17:40.800 --> 00:17:42.710
For about a third of our
customers who qualify
00:17:42.710 --> 00:17:45.920
for the CARE rate available
for lower income customers,
00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:48.503
the increase would be about 30% lower.
00:17:49.770 --> 00:17:52.960
I realize for many of
you, this is impactful,
00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.560
but we believe the work we are proposing
00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.810
strikes a prudent balance
00:17:55.810 --> 00:17:58.520
between the essential
services we provide to you
00:17:58.520 --> 00:18:01.043
and what it costs to
provide those services.
00:18:02.090 --> 00:18:04.950
We realize any increase
in bills can be challenging,
00:18:04.950 --> 00:18:07.200
and we have several programs, tips,
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.470
and tools to help reduce bill impacts
00:18:09.470 --> 00:18:10.910
that may come in handy.
00:18:10.910 --> 00:18:15.910
So please visit the
sce.com/billhealth website
00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.453
for information on those resources.
00:18:19.590 --> 00:18:21.630
Once again, thank you for attending
00:18:21.630 --> 00:18:23.577
and I look forward to hearing from you
00:18:23.577 --> 00:18:26.200
and your comments
and feedback, thank you.
00:18:28.945 --> 00:18:31.360
Thank you Mr. Snow,
next we have Mr. Burns
00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:33.060
from the Public Advocate's Office.
00:18:36.010 --> 00:18:36.940
Thank you your Honor.
00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:41.383
Truman Burns, T-R-U-M-A-N, B-U-R-N-S.
00:18:42.330 --> 00:18:44.480
Good afternoon your Honors,
Commissioner Shiroma
00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.000
and members of the public.
00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.960
I'm Truman Burns, Project Coordinator
00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:50.530
for the Public Advocates
Office's response
00:18:50.530 --> 00:18:53.890
to SCE 2021 general rate case.
00:18:53.890 --> 00:18:55.190
The Public Advocate's Office
00:18:55.190 --> 00:18:56.960
is the independent consumer advocate
00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:59.830
at the California Public
Utilities Commission.
00:18:59.830 --> 00:19:02.030
Public advocate's Office
represents the interest
00:19:02.030 --> 00:19:04.170
of public utilities customers
00:19:04.170 --> 00:19:05.300
with the goal of obtaining
00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:06.560
the lowest possible rates
00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:10.510
for service consistent with
safe, reliable service levels
00:19:10.510 --> 00:19:12.323
and the state's environmental goals.
00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:15.290
Our office spent seven months reviewing
00:19:15.290 --> 00:19:18.400
and evaluating SCE's GRC proposal
00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.840
before preparing our recommendations,
00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:25.290
which we presented in written
testimony on April 10th, 2020.
00:19:25.290 --> 00:19:27.720
Based on our review and our own forecast
00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:30.820
of how much revenue
SCE should be authorized,
00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:33.060
we found that some
of the SCE's forecasts
00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:34.923
of its costs are excessive.
00:19:35.970 --> 00:19:38.720
For 2021, we recommended
the Commission reduce
00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:43.720
SCE's requested increase of
$1.1 billion by more than half,
00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:47.223
which would be a $618 million reduction.
00:19:48.170 --> 00:19:52.080
For 2022, we recommend
a reduction of $180 million
00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:55.960
to SCE's requested
increase of 423 million.
00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:58.277
And for 2023, we recommend a reduction
00:19:58.277 --> 00:20:03.277
of $263 million to SCE's
requested increase of 514 million.
00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.330
In addition, based on the
severe impacts customers
00:20:08.330 --> 00:20:09.560
are experiencing due
00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:12.770
to the recent economic
downturn associated
00:20:12.770 --> 00:20:14.960
with the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:17.530
the Public Advocates
Office proposed a reduction
00:20:17.530 --> 00:20:22.530
of $125 million to SCE's 2020
capital expenditure budget.
00:20:23.730 --> 00:20:26.403
Thank you and we look
forward to the public comments.
00:20:29.490 --> 00:20:30.860
Thank you, Mr. Burns.
00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:34.853
Next is Ms. Slider Pierre
from the Utility Reform Network.
00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:42.673
Hello,
Constance Slider Pierre,
00:20:43.570 --> 00:20:48.570
C-O-N-S-T-A-N-C-E,
S-L-I-D-E-R, P-I-E-R-R-E.
00:20:59.450 --> 00:21:02.270
Good afternoon, my name
is Constance Slider Pierre.
00:21:02.270 --> 00:21:04.440
I'm the Organizing Director for TURN,
00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:06.850
The Utility Reform Network.
00:21:06.850 --> 00:21:10.150
TURN is a consumer advocacy organization
00:21:10.150 --> 00:21:12.380
that has been challenging
corporate greed
00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:15.823
and winning consumer
protection for over 40 years.
00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.390
I'd like to first take a moment
00:21:18.390 --> 00:21:21.980
to thank Administrative Law
Judges, Park and Seybert,
00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:25.680
as well as Commissioner
Shiroma for the opportunity
00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.593
to say a few words to
welcome members of the public.
00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:32.850
To all who have joined
the call to provide comments
00:21:32.850 --> 00:21:34.833
and bear witness, I thank you.
00:21:36.110 --> 00:21:37.580
I do not need to tell any
00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:40.980
of you that we are in
unprecedented times.
00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:45.060
The extreme circumstances
of a global pandemic
00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:47.440
have skyrocketed unemployment numbers
00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:50.363
to over 16% in California.
00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:55.710
And according to a USC
study published last month,
00:21:55.710 --> 00:21:58.050
one in seven California workers
00:21:58.050 --> 00:22:00.410
have filed for unemployment.
00:22:00.410 --> 00:22:03.870
And in LA County specifically,
00:22:03.870 --> 00:22:07.693
only 45% of residents
report holding a job.
00:22:09.250 --> 00:22:11.370
Global protests after the murder
00:22:11.370 --> 00:22:14.490
of George Floyd usher
in a new day when all
00:22:14.490 --> 00:22:17.900
of us are called to examine
and act with deeper awareness
00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:22.523
of how our actions and
decisions will impact people.
00:22:23.950 --> 00:22:27.930
The public outcry is clear
and will require all of us
00:22:27.930 --> 00:22:32.930
to live out loud and dig
deeper to seek fair, equitable,
00:22:32.930 --> 00:22:36.363
and just treatment for
all California residents.
00:22:37.650 --> 00:22:39.610
TURN stands strong in its belief
00:22:39.610 --> 00:22:43.300
that electricity, along
with food, shelter,
00:22:43.300 --> 00:22:47.233
and water, are basic
necessities and a human right.
00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:50.510
We strongly believe that any approved
00:22:50.510 --> 00:22:53.780
rate increase at this
time is unacceptable
00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:55.930
and would further cripple the resilient
00:22:55.930 --> 00:22:58.380
and aspiring families who are struggling
00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:00.193
now more than ever.
00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:04.563
This request is neither
balanced or prudent.
00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:09.480
Today's hearings serve
as an opportunity to ensure
00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:13.520
that the lived experiences
of community are heard
00:23:13.520 --> 00:23:16.510
and accounted for
when our public servants
00:23:16.510 --> 00:23:20.363
deliberate and make decisions
that affect our daily lives.
00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:24.010
SCE's latest proposal
00:23:24.010 --> 00:23:27.400
will increase residential bills annually
00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:30.613
from 2020 through 2023.
00:23:31.530 --> 00:23:34.120
If approved, this increase
00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:37.530
would be the largest single
rate increase any utility
00:23:37.530 --> 00:23:39.943
has been granted by the CPUC.
00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:44.650
SCE's claim that the
rate increase is only going
00:23:44.650 --> 00:23:49.620
to be $13 a month
in 2021 is a half-truth
00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.480
that looks only at the first year
00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:54.050
of a three-year rate increase only
00:23:54.050 --> 00:23:55.693
for the general rate case.
00:24:08.864 --> 00:24:12.600
The full truth is that if
you look at all three years
00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:16.940
of the GRC request, plus
all of the other SCE rate
00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:19.180
increases currently pending,
00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:23.470
what they are asking for
adds up to a $43-a-month
00:24:23.470 --> 00:24:27.670
or a $500-a-year,
approximately, increase
00:24:27.670 --> 00:24:31.673
in residential bills by 2023.
00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:37.810
Additional pending requests
before the PUC include
00:24:37.810 --> 00:24:41.940
and would require customers
to pay back 1.5 billion
00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:46.500
in grid hardening costs
spent from 2018 through 2020.
00:24:48.728 --> 00:24:50.040
It would also require customers
00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:52.880
to pay back an additional 500 million
00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:55.150
for wildfire catch-up inspections
00:24:55.150 --> 00:25:00.150
and repairs spent in 2019
and would stick SCE customers
00:25:00.630 --> 00:25:04.090
with the bill for their
proposed new computer system
00:25:04.090 --> 00:25:07.063
to improve customer billing.
00:25:11.150 --> 00:25:14.580
Translating all of this would result
00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:17.890
in SCE customers paying 40 % more
00:25:17.890 --> 00:25:20.520
for energy while shareholders rake in
00:25:20.520 --> 00:25:23.223
a whopping 1.5 billion in profits.
00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:27.880
Translating this
increases to working hours
00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.710
in the gig economy.
00:25:29.710 --> 00:25:31.440
Minimum wage earners would have
00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:35.250
to work between six and eight
additional hours each month
00:25:35.250 --> 00:25:38.500
to pay for the same
number of kilowatt hours,
00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:41.713
roughly an additional day of shift work.
00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.600
During your testimony today,
00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:48.180
I encourage you to
use your time to reflect
00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:52.110
on your experience as an SCE customer.
00:25:52.110 --> 00:25:55.650
Tell the Commission how
current energy costs affect you,
00:25:55.650 --> 00:25:58.410
what trade-offs you
have been forced to make,
00:25:58.410 --> 00:26:01.740
what measures you have
had to take to reduce costs
00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:03.820
and conserve energy,
00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:06.290
and what additional
trade-offs you may be forced
00:26:06.290 --> 00:26:07.730
to make if you are required
00:26:07.730 --> 00:26:11.363
to pay an additional
$43 per month for energy.
00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:16.410
Finally, if you haven't
already signed up to speak,
00:26:16.410 --> 00:26:18.590
please consider doing so.
00:26:18.590 --> 00:26:21.840
I hope our statement
has provided some context
00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:25.500
and inspiration to you so
that you can lift up your voice
00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.280
and be heard today.
00:26:27.280 --> 00:26:28.113
Thank you.
00:26:30.344 --> 00:26:32.330
Thank you, Ms. Slider Pierre.
00:26:32.330 --> 00:26:36.463
Next we have Ms. Sung from
the National Diversity Coalition.
00:26:37.520 --> 00:26:38.353
Thank you.
00:26:38.353 --> 00:26:43.173
Jin Sung, J-I-N, S-U-N-G.
00:26:45.550 --> 00:26:47.100
Thank you your Honors for allowing me
00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:49.550
to participate at Southern
California Edison's
00:26:49.550 --> 00:26:52.090
2021 general rate case hearing.
00:26:52.090 --> 00:26:53.720
My name is Jin Sung,
00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:56.940
Board Chairwoman for
National Diversity Coalition.
00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.950
As a national advocacy organization,
00:26:58.950 --> 00:27:02.730
our work focuses on subject
matters and improving diversity
00:27:02.730 --> 00:27:05.180
and inclusion, economic empowerment,
00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.930
and corporate citizenship.
00:27:06.930 --> 00:27:09.300
Policies and rules
that negatively affect
00:27:09.300 --> 00:27:12.840
the underserved communities
are at the core of our advocacy,
00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:15.290
both on national and local levels.
00:27:15.290 --> 00:27:19.640
Historically, NDC and its
members have actively participated
00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:22.890
in CPUC proceedings since 2004,
00:27:22.890 --> 00:27:25.700
providing strong
positions for the ratepayers.
00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.640
My only hope is that this
hearing is not only a time
00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:31.300
to disqualify the unjustifiable requests
00:27:31.300 --> 00:27:34.210
of the utility based on
historic performance
00:27:34.210 --> 00:27:36.550
but a time for the
utility to be an answer
00:27:36.550 --> 00:27:39.860
to the community's outcry
by understanding the time
00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:41.580
that the ratepayers are living,
00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:44.840
especially the underserved,
minority ratepayers.
00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:47.050
According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics,
00:27:47.050 --> 00:27:50.070
the U.S. unemployment
rate, as of May 2020,
00:27:50.070 --> 00:27:54.660
is at 13.3%, California state at 16.3%,
00:27:55.550 --> 00:27:57.260
and the unemployment rate
00:27:57.260 --> 00:28:00.740
of the top three SCE territory counties,
00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:03.620
Los Angeles, Orange,
and Riverside Counties,
00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:05.650
outpace the national unemployment rate
00:28:05.650 --> 00:28:09.417
at 20.6 %, 14.5 %,
00:28:09.417 --> 00:28:12.550
and 15.8 % respectively.
00:28:12.550 --> 00:28:14.610
Both LA and Riverside County
00:28:14.610 --> 00:28:17.473
outpace the California
unemployment rate as well.
00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:22.430
In this application, SCE is
seeking an enormous increase
00:28:22.430 --> 00:28:26.670
of 418 million to its already
heavy base revenue requirement
00:28:26.670 --> 00:28:30.010
of $7.625 billion.
00:28:30.010 --> 00:28:33.650
For example, SCE is
requesting a 10% increase
00:28:33.650 --> 00:28:38.650
in credit and payment
service costs at $14.692 million.
00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:42.810
And given the economic
state of our ratepayers,
00:28:42.810 --> 00:28:45.480
increased assumption
in work volume based
00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:48.760
on new forecast methods is insufficient.
00:28:48.760 --> 00:28:52.450
A forecast that does not
consider the historic decrease
00:28:52.450 --> 00:28:56.470
in CAPS record expenses
must be questioned.
00:28:56.470 --> 00:29:00.240
Another area of my concern
is the increased budget request
00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:02.320
in the supplier diversity department
00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:04.950
when there are no plans
to expand their outreach
00:29:04.950 --> 00:29:08.150
to minority businesses in 2021.
00:29:08.150 --> 00:29:12.820
GO 156 is a great model
that all industries should adopt,
00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:14.220
and there are larger utilities
00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:16.290
like Southern California Edison
00:29:16.290 --> 00:29:18.517
which have exceeded the CPUC goals
00:29:18.517 --> 00:29:20.760
and have met or
exceeded their commitment
00:29:20.760 --> 00:29:23.683
of 40% since 2014.
00:29:24.570 --> 00:29:28.500
Additional staffing demands
necessary justification
00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:32.160
as to why, and there should
be added performance metrics
00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:35.130
to measure the outcome
of the requested increase.
00:29:35.130 --> 00:29:36.230
From my understanding,
00:29:36.230 --> 00:29:40.430
SCE has no plans for
expansion of the program for 2021
00:29:40.430 --> 00:29:43.670
or reinstate some of the
discontinued programs offered
00:29:43.670 --> 00:29:47.270
through the EDGE supplier
development initiative.
00:29:47.270 --> 00:29:48.580
As a community advocate,
00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:50.280
I have given many comments
00:29:50.280 --> 00:29:53.170
and input in defense for
the underserved communities
00:29:53.170 --> 00:29:55.400
before the executives of SCE
00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:58.260
during the last two GRC sessions,
00:29:58.260 --> 00:30:01.600
and have concluded that we
may be dealing with a utility
00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:05.330
that may be perceived as a
concerned corporate citizen,
00:30:05.330 --> 00:30:06.770
but he is just a citizen
00:30:06.770 --> 00:30:09.530
who merely checks the compliance box.
00:30:09.530 --> 00:30:14.530
In the 2015 SCE GRC
settlement with the NDC,
00:30:15.190 --> 00:30:18.145
at that time named
Joint Minority Parties,
00:30:18.145 --> 00:30:20.700
SCE commits to quarterly
leadership meetings
00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:24.300
to discuss important topics
like affordability issues,
00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:28.160
energy generation,
marketing, outreach, et cetera,
00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:30.420
and the results, they were a series
00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:33.450
of another meeting where
the National Diversity Coalition,
00:30:33.450 --> 00:30:36.300
a formal intervenor at CPUC
00:30:36.300 --> 00:30:38.760
was perceived as a hostile group.
00:30:38.760 --> 00:30:42.390
SCE also committed
to a considering a total
00:30:42.390 --> 00:30:43.870
of up to three nominations
00:30:43.870 --> 00:30:47.750
to its consumer advisory
panel from NEC, and certainly,
00:30:47.750 --> 00:30:50.760
they interviewed a
few, and selected one.
00:30:50.760 --> 00:30:54.020
The reality is that a corporate
consumer advisory panel
00:30:54.020 --> 00:30:55.610
that is not fully engaged
00:30:55.610 --> 00:30:57.980
with a strategic plan and the leadership
00:30:57.980 --> 00:31:00.960
of the corporation really has no voice,
00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:03.720
has no influence, and has little value
00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:06.760
to represent the
underserved communities.
00:31:06.760 --> 00:31:10.580
I request that the Commission
protect ratepayers' interests
00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:13.310
and the consumer
benefit by directing utilities
00:31:13.310 --> 00:31:15.940
to become a stronger corporate citizen
00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:19.900
by seeing how they can be an
answer to a disrupted economy,
00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.580
not only through philanthropic
00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:23.540
efforts through Edison International,
00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:26.000
but also through their
business practices.
00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.833
Thank you.
00:31:31.290 --> 00:31:32.390
Thank you, Ms. Sung.
00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.472
Thank you.
00:31:34.472 --> 00:31:36.670
We will now hear from
members of the public.
00:31:36.670 --> 00:31:39.580
If you want to speak, and
have not already done so,
00:31:39.580 --> 00:31:43.090
please press star one on
your phone now to be added
00:31:43.090 --> 00:31:45.160
to the queue of speakers.
00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:47.310
To make sure that
everyone has an opportunity
00:31:47.310 --> 00:31:48.530
to provide comment,
00:31:48.530 --> 00:31:52.120
each speaker will have a
time limit of three minutes.
00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:55.210
A chime will sound when
the three minutes is up.
00:31:55.210 --> 00:31:58.170
A reminder to all speakers
to please spell your first
00:31:58.170 --> 00:32:00.190
and last names for the record
00:32:00.190 --> 00:32:02.680
and the city you are calling from.
00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:05.430
We also have two hard-working
court reporters on the line
00:32:05.430 --> 00:32:07.320
that are taking down
everything you are saying
00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:09.330
for the official transcript,
00:32:09.330 --> 00:32:10.800
so please speak slowly
00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:13.560
and clearly to ensure a clear record.
00:32:13.560 --> 00:32:16.360
We also request that you
not use a speakerphone
00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.860
while providing your comments.
00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:22.330
With that, operator, please
call on the first speaker
00:32:22.330 --> 00:32:23.427
in the queue.
00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:28.030
The public
comment line is now open.
00:32:28.030 --> 00:32:30.030
Our first public comment comes
00:32:30.030 --> 00:32:33.100
from Veronica Fields
of Lancaster, California.
00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:34.853
Veronica, your line is open.
00:32:36.130 --> 00:32:38.980
Hello, can
everyone hear me?
00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:41.480
Yes, Ms. Fields, and if you
could please spell your first
00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:44.660
and last name and the
city you are calling from.
00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:46.070
Will do.
00:32:46.070 --> 00:32:51.070
Veronica Fields, V-E-R-O-N-I-C-A,
Fields, F-I-E-L-D-S,
00:32:54.650 --> 00:32:59.650
and I'm calling from
Lancaster, L-A-N-C-A-S-T-E-R.
00:33:01.470 --> 00:33:03.210
My name is Veronica Fields.
00:33:03.210 --> 00:33:05.640
I am a SCE customer living in Lancaster,
00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:08.360
which is located within
the Antelope Valley.
00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.830
The Antelope Valley is known for some
00:33:09.830 --> 00:33:12.110
of the coldest winters in California
00:33:12.110 --> 00:33:14.550
with temperatures
dropping well below freezing,
00:33:14.550 --> 00:33:16.860
reaching about 20 degrees with snow.
00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:18.970
However, Antelope Valley is also known
00:33:18.970 --> 00:33:21.200
for the hottest summers
within California
00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:26.070
that can reach triple digit
record highs of 110 degrees.
00:33:26.070 --> 00:33:29.080
Last summer, my
electricity bill was over $800,
00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:30.980
and that was just for two months.
00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.750
Despite payment plans,
00:33:32.750 --> 00:33:36.190
I just paid off that bill at
the beginning of this year.
00:33:36.190 --> 00:33:37.860
In an effort to be proactive,
00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:40.810
I lowered my energy
usage and tracked it daily
00:33:40.810 --> 00:33:43.270
using the SCE usage tool online
00:33:43.270 --> 00:33:45.340
to try to combat the high bills.
00:33:45.340 --> 00:33:47.680
I used fans instead of central air,
00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:50.300
I unplugged appliances
that weren't in use,
00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:52.010
but still, month after month,
00:33:52.010 --> 00:33:55.300
I ended up with the burden
of a bill of over $400 per
00:33:55.300 --> 00:33:57.053
month for a one-story home.
00:33:58.150 --> 00:34:00.880
An increase of any amount,
even something that seems
00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:04.900
as minute as five to $10,
and $43 over the course
00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.770
of a few years, will be detrimental
00:34:06.770 --> 00:34:09.270
to my family, as I budget every dollar
00:34:09.270 --> 00:34:11.490
to ensure we are not
faced with a shutoff
00:34:11.490 --> 00:34:15.893
from not only SCE, but from
other utility companies as well.
00:34:16.930 --> 00:34:18.460
In closing, I'd like to note
00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:21.960
that these bills were not
affordable before COVID-19,
00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:23.990
the global pandemic hit.
00:34:23.990 --> 00:34:27.070
However, now families like
myself and so many others
00:34:27.070 --> 00:34:30.380
are faced with unprecedented
job and revenue losses,
00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.150
and we're now faced with the possibility
00:34:32.150 --> 00:34:36.370
of disconnection of basic
necessities such as electricity.
00:34:36.370 --> 00:34:38.670
No one should live in fear of a cutoff.
00:34:38.670 --> 00:34:41.810
The CPUC has an opportunity
to stand with residents
00:34:41.810 --> 00:34:43.320
of the Antelope Valley as well
00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:45.820
as the state of
California during this time
00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:48.200
that is not only trying financially,
00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:51.330
but also mentally and
emotionally for so many.
00:34:51.330 --> 00:34:53.800
I urge the CPUC to
stand with the residents
00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:56.200
of the Antelope Valley
and the state of California
00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:59.060
by denying SCE's request,
as working families like
00:34:59.060 --> 00:35:01.810
myself and so many
others in the Antelope Valley
00:35:01.810 --> 00:35:05.160
and the State of California
cannot afford these increases.
00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:05.993
Thank you.
00:35:07.990 --> 00:35:09.190
Thank you, Ms. Fields.
00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:12.093
Operator, could you open the line
00:35:12.093 --> 00:35:13.543
for the next speaker please?
00:35:28.088 --> 00:35:29.870
Hello, Operator?
00:35:29.870 --> 00:35:32.833
Yes, our next
public comment comes
00:35:39.210 --> 00:35:40.540
from John Spahn.
00:35:40.540 --> 00:35:41.900
John, could you please spell your
00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:43.990
name for the court reporter?
00:35:43.990 --> 00:35:47.690
Yes, sir, my name's
John, J-O-H-N, C Spahn,
00:35:47.690 --> 00:35:50.490
S- "P," as in Paul, A-H-N.
00:35:50.490 --> 00:35:52.250
I live in Palm Springs, California.
00:35:52.250 --> 00:35:54.560
I object to any rate increase,
00:35:54.560 --> 00:35:56.100
whether commercial, residential,
00:35:56.100 --> 00:35:58.000
street lighting or otherwise.
00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.900
My comments are based
00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:01.470
on information provided
by the Wall Street Journal,
00:36:01.470 --> 00:36:05.310
CNN, Glassdoor, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics
00:36:05.310 --> 00:36:08.900
and the SCE 2019 annual report.
00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:11.390
I'll focus my comments
on residential rates,
00:36:11.390 --> 00:36:14.420
since I'm a residential
consumer of electricity.
00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:17.360
I object to the rate increase
is based on four factors.
00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:19.460
The first factor is the cost of living.
00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:22.120
The Consumer Price Index rose 2.3%
00:36:22.120 --> 00:36:24.620
for the year ending February 2020.
00:36:24.620 --> 00:36:25.750
The Social Security cost
00:36:25.750 --> 00:36:28.583
of living increase in 2020 was 1.6%.
00:36:29.950 --> 00:36:34.280
The rate of inflation
for 2019 was 1.81%.
00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:39.023
For the rate of inflation
so far this year is 0.62%.
00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:44.680
The minimum wage in California
was $12 an hour in 2019,
00:36:44.680 --> 00:36:47.850
and in 2020, it was $13 an hour,
00:36:47.850 --> 00:36:51.540
an increase of about 7 % over 2019.
00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:55.300
The average of these
four items is 3.19%.
00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:58.460
Even a residential
rate increase of 3.19 %
00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:01.170
for residential rates
should be denied because
00:37:01.170 --> 00:37:03.270
of two additional factors.
00:37:03.270 --> 00:37:05.270
The next factor to consider in granting
00:37:05.270 --> 00:37:08.170
or denying the rate increase
is the salaries SCE pays
00:37:08.170 --> 00:37:10.410
to its 13,000 employees.
00:37:10.410 --> 00:37:14.317
For example, the average
salary of an SCE groundsman
00:37:14.317 --> 00:37:19.080
is $71,000 per year; not bad
for a high school graduate.
00:37:19.080 --> 00:37:21.690
The average groundsman
in the U.S. earns 29,000
00:37:21.690 --> 00:37:24.243
to 49,000 per year.
00:37:24.243 --> 00:37:27.370
SCE pays its groundsman 81 % higher
00:37:27.370 --> 00:37:29.890
than the national average
for all groundsmen.
00:37:29.890 --> 00:37:31.090
What is a groundsman?
00:37:31.090 --> 00:37:32.260
A gardener.
00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:34.480
SCE gardeners earn more money per year
00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:36.050
than a high school algebra teacher
00:37:36.050 --> 00:37:37.660
with a bachelor's degree.
00:37:37.660 --> 00:37:42.660
SCE linemen earn between
87 and $120,000 a year,
00:37:43.010 --> 00:37:45.160
again with a high school education.
00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:47.680
Again, this is more than a
high school teacher earns.
00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:49.660
A journeyman lineman
with a high school education
00:37:49.660 --> 00:37:52.960
can earn up to $217,000 a year.
00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:55.260
This is more than an
emergency room physician.
00:37:56.570 --> 00:37:58.870
For the fiscal year ending 2019,
00:37:58.870 --> 00:38:02.083
the SCE CEO earned nearly $10 million.
00:38:03.180 --> 00:38:05.550
That comes out, if he's
working 50 hours a week,
00:38:05.550 --> 00:38:10.550
48 hours a year, that
comes out to $4,166 an hour.
00:38:11.560 --> 00:38:13.860
This is more than the president
of the United States earns.
00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:18.213
Jeff Bezos earns only $87,000
a year, despite of his wealth.
00:38:19.210 --> 00:38:22.550
Until SCE implements
a reduction in force
00:38:22.550 --> 00:38:25.650
of the overpaid salaries of its
employees and board members,
00:38:25.650 --> 00:38:28.070
it should be denied any rate increases.
00:38:28.070 --> 00:38:30.440
The third factor justifying a denial
00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:32.420
of the requested rate increase,
00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:34.640
SCE's failure to use their own assets
00:38:34.640 --> 00:38:36.230
to fund day-to-day operation,
00:38:36.230 --> 00:38:38.830
equipment maintenance and grid updates.
00:38:38.830 --> 00:38:43.090
As of 2019, SCE had
54 billion in assets.
00:38:43.090 --> 00:38:48.090
In 2018, SCE had 56.7
billion, an increase of 14%.
00:38:49.342 --> 00:38:50.900
SCE's safe 54 billion
00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:54.240
is like the Harvard University
41 billion-dollar endowment;
00:38:54.240 --> 00:38:55.900
it doesn't do anything,
it just sits there,
00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:58.630
increases year after
year, awaiting a rainy day
00:38:58.630 --> 00:39:00.470
that will never come.
00:39:00.470 --> 00:39:01.810
It looks good on paper and makes the
00:39:01.810 --> 00:39:03.805
stockholders happy,
but doesn't do anything.
00:39:03.805 --> 00:39:04.638
(bell chimes)
00:39:04.638 --> 00:39:06.430
It is a nonproductive assets.
00:39:06.430 --> 00:39:09.210
Until SCE spends some
of its nonproductive assets
00:39:09.210 --> 00:39:10.960
on its requested improvements,
00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:12.920
any rate increase should be denied.
00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:17.690
In 2017, SCE paid
$2.17 per common share,
00:39:17.690 --> 00:39:21.450
2018, it paid $2.42 per share,
00:39:21.450 --> 00:39:24.620
2019, it paid $2.45 a share,
00:39:24.620 --> 00:39:28.796
for a total of stock
total return of 37.6 %.
00:39:28.796 --> 00:39:29.720
It's clear that SCE --
00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:32.710
Mr. Spahn, I'm gonna
have to ask you to wrap it up
00:39:32.710 --> 00:39:33.930
so that we have time
00:39:33.930 --> 00:39:35.420
for everyone else's
(indistinct) comment.
00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:37.050
Thank you.
00:39:37.050 --> 00:39:38.810
Well, I get a
returning letter every month
00:39:38.810 --> 00:39:41.380
telling me I need to do this
and do that to save money.
00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:42.540
I bought a new air conditioner
00:39:42.540 --> 00:39:44.150
and put in new windows and glass;
00:39:44.150 --> 00:39:47.730
two years, and my bill has
not gone down one cent.
00:39:47.730 --> 00:39:49.840
Thank you very much, good-bye.
00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:51.493
Thank you for your comments.
00:39:51.493 --> 00:39:53.580
Operator, next speaker.
00:39:53.580 --> 00:39:55.040
Our next
public comment comes
00:39:55.040 --> 00:39:57.120
from Kimble Dee of
Lancaster, California.
00:39:57.120 --> 00:39:59.420
Kimble, can you please
spell your name please?
00:40:01.997 --> 00:40:05.030
-B-L-E, last name is D,
00:40:05.030 --> 00:40:08.780
I currently reside in
Lancaster, California.
00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:13.780
Thank you guys this forum
and question and answers today.
00:40:16.070 --> 00:40:18.200
With the brand-new increase coming out,
00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:20.060
it definitely will impact
00:40:20.060 --> 00:40:23.270
both me and my family going forward.
00:40:23.270 --> 00:40:25.570
Many of the people in
my current household
00:40:25.570 --> 00:40:27.440
are on fixed income,
00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:32.440
just like many of our friends
at the particular age group.
00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:36.467
We currently reside
in Lancaster, California,
00:40:36.467 --> 00:40:39.990
and just like what
Mrs. Fields reiterated,
00:40:39.990 --> 00:40:44.990
is that you have to experience
very hot or very cold.
00:40:45.200 --> 00:40:48.657
And many of the people
here in Lancaster have a --
00:40:55.930 --> 00:40:58.023
Operator, I am
not hearing anything.
00:40:59.690 --> 00:41:02.020
Give me just a
moment, we lost the audio.
00:41:02.020 --> 00:41:03.383
Give me just a moment here.
00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:08.180
Let's go off the record.
00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:17.003
Your honor?
00:41:18.120 --> 00:41:18.953
Yes.
00:41:18.953 --> 00:41:23.733
It appears the
speaker, his line dropped.
00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:29.640
Then I think what we'll do is
move on to the next speaker
00:41:29.640 --> 00:41:32.773
and hopefully he can call
back in and get back in with you.
00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:40.313
Let's go back on the record.
00:41:42.570 --> 00:41:45.634
Operator, can you please
call the next speaker?
00:41:45.634 --> 00:41:47.040
Christal,
your line is open.
00:41:47.040 --> 00:41:49.740
Can you please spell your
name for the court reporter?
00:41:53.550 --> 00:41:54.703
Hi, yes.
00:41:56.160 --> 00:41:57.363
Can everyone hear me?
00:41:58.700 --> 00:42:01.983
We can hear you, but
there's quite a bit of feedback.
00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:05.800
Is that better?
00:42:06.740 --> 00:42:07.730
Hello?
00:42:07.730 --> 00:42:09.450
Yes, can you please
state your name,
00:42:09.450 --> 00:42:11.240
and spell your first and last name
00:42:11.240 --> 00:42:14.030
and the city you are
calling from please?
00:42:14.030 --> 00:42:17.420
Yes, my name
is Christal Warsaw,
00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:22.420
C-H-R-I-S-T-A-L, last name W-A-R-S-A-W,
00:42:25.080 --> 00:42:27.053
and I am calling from Highland.
00:42:31.270 --> 00:42:32.140
So again, hello.
00:42:32.140 --> 00:42:34.400
My name is Christal, I live in Highland
00:42:34.400 --> 00:42:38.120
in the Inland Empire, and I
have been an Edison customer
00:42:38.120 --> 00:42:42.000
in good standing for
approximately 20 years.
00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:44.930
I thank Edison for
listening to and taking
00:42:44.930 --> 00:42:48.580
and addressing my
sincere concerns seriously.
00:42:48.580 --> 00:42:53.580
I strongly oppose the SCE rate increase.
00:42:53.900 --> 00:42:56.240
The rates have risen at least twice
00:42:56.240 --> 00:42:59.350
in the last couple of
years, two to three years.
00:42:59.350 --> 00:43:02.070
I firmly believe that rates
00:43:02.070 --> 00:43:05.520
should not keep rising so frequently.
00:43:05.520 --> 00:43:07.130
They are proposed to rise
00:43:07.130 --> 00:43:10.310
during an extremely
financially challenging time
00:43:10.310 --> 00:43:13.340
during this pandemic, and an increase
00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:16.660
is not just proposed,
but an extreme increase
00:43:16.660 --> 00:43:19.570
of according to the bill
that has been sent out
00:43:19.570 --> 00:43:24.030
to customers, or the slip that
goes inside the bill by 14 %,
00:43:24.030 --> 00:43:27.340
and further, according
to the recording today
00:43:27.340 --> 00:43:31.180
when I called in, of 18%.
00:43:31.180 --> 00:43:36.180
So 14% is already a
very significant increase,
00:43:36.180 --> 00:43:41.180
and 18% is even worse for customers.
00:43:42.020 --> 00:43:45.820
So for these reasons
that I have just shared,
00:43:45.820 --> 00:43:50.470
I strongly urge Edison to listen to
00:43:50.470 --> 00:43:52.590
and take seriously my comment
00:43:52.590 --> 00:43:55.560
and other customers'
comments and concerns.
00:43:55.560 --> 00:43:58.530
And thank you again for your time.
00:43:58.530 --> 00:43:59.880
Bye-bye.
00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:01.083
Thank you, Ms. Warsaw.
00:44:02.309 --> 00:44:03.142
You're welcome.
00:44:03.142 --> 00:44:06.059
Operator, operator,
the next speaker please.
00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:07.540
Our next public comment
00:44:07.540 --> 00:44:09.308
comes from Ben Schwartz.
00:44:09.308 --> 00:44:12.090
Ben, can you please
spell your name for us?
00:44:12.090 --> 00:44:14.170
Yes, I'm Ben Schwartz.
00:44:14.170 --> 00:44:18.700
That's B-E-N S-C-H-W-A-R-T-Z.
00:44:18.700 --> 00:44:21.860
And I'm calling from
Santa Barbara, California.
00:44:21.860 --> 00:44:25.190
I'm making comments on
behalf of Clean Coalition,
00:44:25.190 --> 00:44:27.270
and I just wanted to start by saying,
00:44:27.270 --> 00:44:29.470
good afternoon, Commissioner Shiroma,
00:44:29.470 --> 00:44:32.600
Judge Seybert, and Judge Park.
00:44:32.600 --> 00:44:34.000
I first wanna just say
00:44:34.000 --> 00:44:36.730
that I wanna reflect
the sentiments issued
00:44:36.730 --> 00:44:38.260
in the comments before me,
00:44:38.260 --> 00:44:41.950
especially comments about
people with fixed income
00:44:41.950 --> 00:44:44.330
that Kimble mentioned,
Christal's comments,
00:44:44.330 --> 00:44:47.093
and also Veronica's
comments, specifically.
00:44:48.280 --> 00:44:49.750
I also wanna remark that this
00:44:49.750 --> 00:44:53.060
is the highest rate
case increase in history,
00:44:53.060 --> 00:44:55.653
from the CPUC as TURN mentioned.
00:44:56.886 --> 00:44:59.660
And I first wanna take
issue with what the SCE
00:44:59.660 --> 00:45:01.700
representative, Doug Scott said,
00:45:01.700 --> 00:45:03.750
about this rate increase representing
00:45:03.750 --> 00:45:06.760
the amount needed to
complete the SCE task
00:45:06.760 --> 00:45:08.260
as best as it could,
00:45:08.260 --> 00:45:10.490
and the reason I take
issue with that statement
00:45:10.490 --> 00:45:13.540
is because there needs
to be an asterisk there,
00:45:13.540 --> 00:45:16.160
completing it the best they can,
00:45:16.160 --> 00:45:20.410
but also getting a 7.62%
return on investment
00:45:20.410 --> 00:45:21.940
for their shareholders.
00:45:21.940 --> 00:45:24.740
This is more about getting that return
00:45:24.740 --> 00:45:28.660
than it is doing the job
effectively or efficiently.
00:45:28.660 --> 00:45:30.910
Now, with that in mind,
00:45:30.910 --> 00:45:32.960
I want to direct my
comments in two ways.
00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:35.440
The first is a comment that I made
00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:37.410
about wildfire mitigation plans
00:45:37.410 --> 00:45:41.610
at the CPUC voting meeting on June 25th.
00:45:41.610 --> 00:45:44.470
I made a comment, and the
Commission actually mentioned
00:45:44.470 --> 00:45:45.870
this comment in discussions,
00:45:45.870 --> 00:45:50.330
that SCE proposes that they're
going to reduce the number
00:45:50.330 --> 00:45:55.330
of PSPS events by 70% from 2019 to 2020.
00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:58.850
There needs to be some kind
of performance-based metrics
00:45:58.850 --> 00:46:03.280
saying that if SCE doesn't
live up to what they've promised,
00:46:03.280 --> 00:46:04.240
they should not be able
00:46:04.240 --> 00:46:07.400
to make such egregious
rate case increases.
00:46:07.400 --> 00:46:10.760
The second aspect is
that SCE has mentioned
00:46:10.760 --> 00:46:12.690
in testimony that they're going
00:46:12.690 --> 00:46:16.130
to be reducing the
portion of non-tiered areas
00:46:16.130 --> 00:46:17.910
that are high fire threat districts
00:46:17.910 --> 00:46:21.970
by 99%, meaning that much of the money
00:46:21.970 --> 00:46:23.850
that they would initially be spending
00:46:23.850 --> 00:46:26.060
in their wildfire mitigation plans,
00:46:26.060 --> 00:46:29.390
if approved by the
CPUC, is not actually going
00:46:29.390 --> 00:46:33.310
to be spent where it was
discussed as being spent on.
00:46:33.310 --> 00:46:36.370
And the final aspect
is in terms of resilience,
00:46:36.370 --> 00:46:39.090
SCE has been touting, and did in
00:46:39.090 --> 00:46:41.730
the Track 1 of the microgrid proceeding,
00:46:41.730 --> 00:46:44.550
has been touting its
records with microgrids.
00:46:44.550 --> 00:46:46.610
Now, I work with the Clean Coalition
00:46:46.610 --> 00:46:48.920
which was the visionary for one
00:46:48.920 --> 00:46:51.220
of the microgrids SCE mentioned,
00:46:51.220 --> 00:46:53.901
the Montecito Community Microgrid.
00:46:53.901 --> 00:46:56.880
SCE mentioned this as a microgrid
00:46:56.880 --> 00:46:59.040
that they are actively participating in,
00:46:59.040 --> 00:47:00.500
whereas the Clean Coalition
00:47:00.500 --> 00:47:02.900
has found it to be the opposite.
00:47:02.900 --> 00:47:05.070
To make a community microgrid occur,
00:47:05.070 --> 00:47:07.830
there needs to be significant
stakeholder participation
00:47:07.830 --> 00:47:10.230
and collaboration with the utility.
00:47:10.230 --> 00:47:14.110
SCE has not been
helpful, and if anything,
00:47:14.110 --> 00:47:18.030
has been unhelpful in the
multiple meetings we've had,
00:47:18.030 --> 00:47:20.370
and as a result, the Clean Coalition
00:47:20.370 --> 00:47:22.880
and other participating
agencies have had
00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:25.360
to work around this
potentially connecting
00:47:25.360 --> 00:47:27.505
behind-the-meter microgrids.
00:47:27.505 --> 00:47:29.820
SCE needs to be truly considering
00:47:29.820 --> 00:47:32.950
the people they're representing
and considering resilience
00:47:32.950 --> 00:47:35.930
with microgrids, not their investors.
00:47:35.930 --> 00:47:38.330
This rate case is rather egregious,
00:47:38.330 --> 00:47:40.340
and should certainly not be approved
00:47:40.340 --> 00:47:42.910
without any sort of
performance-based metrics
00:47:42.910 --> 00:47:45.780
that can hold Edison to
the promises they've made
00:47:45.780 --> 00:47:47.870
to the people and to the Commission.
00:47:47.870 --> 00:47:49.250
Thank you.
00:47:49.250 --> 00:47:50.550
Thank you, Mr. Schwartz.
00:47:51.660 --> 00:47:53.160
Operator, next speaker please.
00:47:54.310 --> 00:47:57.400
Our next comment
comes from Annie Patterson.
00:47:57.400 --> 00:47:58.533
Your line is open.
00:48:00.720 --> 00:48:04.420
Yes, my name
is Annie Patterson,
00:48:04.420 --> 00:48:09.420
A-N-N-I-E P-A-T-T-E-R-S-O-N,
00:48:10.910 --> 00:48:14.003
and I live in Altadena, California.
00:48:15.110 --> 00:48:19.810
I'm speaking on behalf
of all senior citizens.
00:48:19.810 --> 00:48:23.990
I am retired, and
living on a fixed income,
00:48:23.990 --> 00:48:28.990
and any increase in the
Edison will be harmful
00:48:31.070 --> 00:48:35.910
to senior citizens because, as it is,
00:48:35.910 --> 00:48:37.633
we're living on a fixed income,
00:48:39.110 --> 00:48:42.120
and you get paid on the 1st,
00:48:42.120 --> 00:48:43.690
and you get your check on the 1st,
00:48:43.690 --> 00:48:46.120
and nothing else come
in until the next time,
00:48:46.120 --> 00:48:49.453
and you still have bills
that you have to pay,
00:48:50.320 --> 00:48:53.223
and we just don't have the money.
00:48:55.420 --> 00:48:57.517
And that's about all I have to say,
00:48:57.517 --> 00:48:59.533
and thank you for listening.
00:49:00.950 --> 00:49:03.003
Thank you for calling
in, Ms. Patterson.
00:49:04.300 --> 00:49:06.480
Operator, next speaker please.
00:49:06.480 --> 00:49:09.250
Our next comment
comes from Pilar Cole.
00:49:09.250 --> 00:49:10.303
Your line is open.
00:49:15.427 --> 00:49:17.610
Hi, my name is Pilar Cole,
00:49:17.610 --> 00:49:22.260
P-I-L-A-R, last name is Cole, C-O-L-E.
00:49:22.260 --> 00:49:25.630
I'm calling from San
Bernardino, California.
00:49:25.630 --> 00:49:29.050
And I'm speaking on behalf
of the disability community,
00:49:29.050 --> 00:49:32.330
because I am also a
person with a disability.
00:49:32.330 --> 00:49:34.980
And this rate increase
would really affect us.
00:49:34.980 --> 00:49:37.550
We have people that have wheelchairs
00:49:37.550 --> 00:49:41.650
that need electricity to keep
their wheelchairs running.
00:49:41.650 --> 00:49:45.810
We have individuals
that use CPAP machines
00:49:45.810 --> 00:49:47.690
to help them breathe.
00:49:47.690 --> 00:49:50.330
And we're all on a fixed
income, a budget income.
00:49:50.330 --> 00:49:53.470
We have to pay for
medical prescriptions,
00:49:53.470 --> 00:49:55.150
we have to pay our rent.
00:49:55.150 --> 00:49:56.750
Some of us have to pay for food.
00:49:58.115 --> 00:50:00.350
This would really hurt our community.
00:50:00.350 --> 00:50:03.920
So please oppose of
this this rate increase,
00:50:03.920 --> 00:50:05.670
because it will hurt us.
00:50:05.670 --> 00:50:09.370
It will hurt the
economy, it really will.
00:50:09.370 --> 00:50:14.190
And I feel like I've been
also, I'm a person aging
00:50:14.190 --> 00:50:15.690
with a disability,
00:50:15.690 --> 00:50:18.280
and I've been also paying Edison bills
00:50:18.280 --> 00:50:20.840
for many years, and I really feel
00:50:20.840 --> 00:50:24.280
that this increase would
really hurt us very much.
00:50:24.280 --> 00:50:26.073
So please stop this increase.
00:50:27.240 --> 00:50:28.073
Thank you.
00:50:28.073 --> 00:50:29.530
And that's all we
have for the disability
00:50:29.530 --> 00:50:32.410
community and myself, and also, seniors.
00:50:32.410 --> 00:50:35.540
It will hurt us, because
we're all on a budget income.
00:50:35.540 --> 00:50:36.700
We get paid once a month,
00:50:36.700 --> 00:50:40.260
after we pay our bills and purchase food
00:50:40.260 --> 00:50:43.200
and purchase medical prescriptions,
00:50:43.200 --> 00:50:46.610
and also, some of us
also carry a shared cost
00:50:46.610 --> 00:50:49.770
in medical bills, it
will really hurt us.
00:50:49.770 --> 00:50:52.560
So please impose of this rate increase.
00:50:52.560 --> 00:50:56.470
We have enough homeless
people and seniors out there
00:50:56.470 --> 00:50:58.163
on the streets that's lost.
00:50:59.280 --> 00:51:03.480
Think about that because
this would really hurt our nation,
00:51:03.480 --> 00:51:05.270
hurt our city.
00:51:05.270 --> 00:51:08.363
We're already hurting, so
please oppose of this increase.
00:51:09.460 --> 00:51:10.293
Thank you.
00:51:12.330 --> 00:51:14.340
Thank you, Ms. Cole.
00:51:14.340 --> 00:51:16.220
Operator, next speaker.
00:51:16.220 --> 00:51:19.570
Our next comment
comes from Kimble D.
00:51:19.570 --> 00:51:20.640
Your line is open.
00:51:22.080 --> 00:51:24.290
Hello, I was
actually on before.
00:51:24.290 --> 00:51:29.290
My name is Kimble,
K-I-M-B-L-E, the last name is D.
00:51:29.430 --> 00:51:31.743
I currently reside in Lancaster,
00:51:32.581 --> 00:51:36.690
L-A-N-C-A-S-T-E-R, California.
00:51:36.690 --> 00:51:39.741
And as of before, I'm
in seriously opposition
00:51:39.741 --> 00:51:42.130
of this issue.
00:51:42.130 --> 00:51:46.690
Being from Lancaster,
California, as stated previous,
00:51:46.690 --> 00:51:49.100
is that we have two climates,
00:51:49.100 --> 00:51:51.760
very hot and very cold.
00:51:51.760 --> 00:51:54.720
And just like some of
your other individuals
00:51:54.720 --> 00:51:56.280
on the line is that me
00:51:56.280 --> 00:52:01.230
and my family put
together a payback situation,
00:52:01.230 --> 00:52:03.090
because you only
really have three months
00:52:03.090 --> 00:52:04.970
of decent weather.
00:52:04.970 --> 00:52:06.860
So you're actually paying
00:52:06.860 --> 00:52:08.040
for the winter months,
00:52:08.040 --> 00:52:09.360
and then now we're
actually getting ready
00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:12.630
to start paying pretty heavy
for the summer months.
00:52:12.630 --> 00:52:17.013
This rate increase will
actually kind of prevent us
00:52:18.810 --> 00:52:21.320
from purchasing medication.
00:52:21.320 --> 00:52:25.300
Most of the people in my
household are currently diabetics.
00:52:25.300 --> 00:52:28.430
That would actually put a
kind of a huge hole already
00:52:28.430 --> 00:52:32.080
in the hole that we
are currently living in
00:52:32.080 --> 00:52:35.100
from the original plan here,
00:52:35.100 --> 00:52:36.470
as well as actually just basically
00:52:36.470 --> 00:52:37.760
putting food on the table.
00:52:37.760 --> 00:52:41.480
And I oppose this,
and at the end of this,
00:52:41.480 --> 00:52:43.440
most of the people in the
household are on fixed income,
00:52:43.440 --> 00:52:47.270
and it's going to be
difficult for us to survive.
00:52:47.270 --> 00:52:49.790
I don't care if it's
five-dollar increase.
00:52:49.790 --> 00:52:51.480
It's just gonna be difficult
00:52:51.480 --> 00:52:53.450
for the household actually to maintain
00:52:54.810 --> 00:52:57.050
in this crazy environment.
00:52:57.050 --> 00:52:58.850
Thank you for listening to me today.
00:52:59.950 --> 00:53:00.783
Thank you, Mr. D.
00:53:00.783 --> 00:53:03.075
I'm glad you were able to call back in.
00:53:03.075 --> 00:53:04.397
Thank you.
00:53:04.397 --> 00:53:05.480
Thank you.
00:53:06.540 --> 00:53:08.410
Operator, next speaker.
00:53:08.410 --> 00:53:09.719
There are
currently no more questions
00:53:09.719 --> 00:53:11.620
in queue at this time.
00:53:11.620 --> 00:53:13.070
If you would like to make a comment,
00:53:13.070 --> 00:53:16.230
please press star one
along with spelling your first
00:53:16.230 --> 00:53:19.423
and last name as well
as your city and location.
00:53:22.430 --> 00:53:23.730
Let's go off the record.
00:53:26.780 --> 00:53:28.660
I might just give it a couple of minutes
00:53:28.660 --> 00:53:33.660
to see if anyone joins and
then if no one does then we'll...
00:53:35.777 --> 00:53:39.390
Your AdminMonitor.com
will begin momentarily,
00:53:39.390 --> 00:53:40.790
thank you for your patience.
00:53:50.820 --> 00:53:52.817
Your line is open.
00:53:52.817 --> 00:53:55.210
Hello, hi, my
name is Christian Flores,
00:53:55.210 --> 00:54:00.210
C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N F-L-O-R-E-S.
00:54:01.180 --> 00:54:02.910
I'm a community organizer
00:54:02.910 --> 00:54:05.370
with Inland Congregations
United for Change
00:54:05.370 --> 00:54:07.533
in San Bernardino, California.
00:54:08.410 --> 00:54:11.090
I'm calling in opposition
00:54:11.090 --> 00:54:15.290
of the Southern California
Edison rate increase.
00:54:15.290 --> 00:54:19.357
I was brought in
because of TURN's fliers
00:54:21.610 --> 00:54:26.173
through online organizing
and advocacy work.
00:54:29.890 --> 00:54:33.310
I as a committee
member in San Bernardino
00:54:33.310 --> 00:54:35.430
and committee organizer
who has been involved
00:54:35.430 --> 00:54:36.440
with various aspects
00:54:36.440 --> 00:54:40.840
of committee life since
my, I guess, inception.
00:54:40.840 --> 00:54:43.080
My family comes from an immigrant family
00:54:43.080 --> 00:54:45.780
who's actually managed
to be super fortunate
00:54:45.780 --> 00:54:47.670
in various opportunities,
00:54:47.670 --> 00:54:50.070
in terms of housing
through Habitat for Humanity,
00:54:50.070 --> 00:54:53.290
being the first house
in Southern California
00:54:53.290 --> 00:54:56.740
to be paid off through
Habitat for Humanity,
00:54:56.740 --> 00:55:00.440
and yet, still I echo what Veronica said
00:55:00.440 --> 00:55:04.077
in terms of our families
having to do everything,
00:55:04.077 --> 00:55:06.290
but still cut costs,
00:55:06.290 --> 00:55:10.040
because many people,
especially in San Bernardino,
00:55:10.040 --> 00:55:12.030
do not have the jobs and opportunity
00:55:12.030 --> 00:55:15.950
that can afford these
types of rate increases,
00:55:15.950 --> 00:55:19.950
especially in an area where
the summer heat gets super bad.
00:55:19.950 --> 00:55:23.100
So I've been forced to
move back in with my parents
00:55:23.100 --> 00:55:24.960
after college because
00:55:24.960 --> 00:55:29.960
of work injury disability
rendering their income lowered.
00:55:31.300 --> 00:55:36.300
So I speak not only on behalf of myself
00:55:36.437 --> 00:55:38.960
for the individual who used
to be a substitute teacher
00:55:38.960 --> 00:55:43.560
and was a gig worker,
but also for senior citizens
00:55:43.560 --> 00:55:47.250
and people with disabilities
who struggle with housing costs
00:55:47.250 --> 00:55:49.890
and costs of living in
California in general,
00:55:49.890 --> 00:55:52.540
so that a 14 % increase
00:55:52.540 --> 00:55:54.993
would just be completely unreasonable,
00:55:55.860 --> 00:55:58.160
and not even counting
the further increases
00:55:58.160 --> 00:55:59.980
that would come further down the line
00:55:59.980 --> 00:56:02.290
up until the year 2023.
00:56:02.290 --> 00:56:06.690
So that is my piece.
00:56:06.690 --> 00:56:08.170
As far as I'm concerned,
00:56:08.170 --> 00:56:10.270
Southern California
Edison would come off
00:56:10.270 --> 00:56:14.240
as just another greedy
corporation in this day and age,
00:56:14.240 --> 00:56:17.560
and we are in great need of compassion
00:56:17.560 --> 00:56:20.863
because of the economic
strife we are dealing with.
00:56:21.978 --> 00:56:24.240
Thank you so much for your time.
00:56:24.240 --> 00:56:27.170
Thank you for your
comments, Mr. Flores.
00:56:27.170 --> 00:56:28.503
Operator, next speaker.
00:56:29.780 --> 00:56:30.710
Our next comment
00:56:30.710 --> 00:56:32.757
comes from Najayra Valdovinos.
00:56:32.757 --> 00:56:34.283
Your line is open.
00:56:38.080 --> 00:56:39.480
Hi, everyone.
00:56:39.480 --> 00:56:41.530
My name is Najayra Valdovinos,
00:56:41.530 --> 00:56:46.530
and I am a resident of the
I.E for over 20 years now.
00:56:48.333 --> 00:56:49.166
And I from a family--
00:56:49.166 --> 00:56:50.990
Ms. Valdovinos, can
you please spell your first
00:56:50.990 --> 00:56:52.470
and last name for the record?
00:56:52.470 --> 00:56:54.150
Oh, yeah,
for sure, sorry.
00:56:54.150 --> 00:56:58.280
I jumped the gun a
little bit, N-A-J-A-Y-R-A.
00:57:03.410 --> 00:57:06.330
And your last name,
as well, if you don't mind.
00:57:06.330 --> 00:57:09.063
V-A-L-D-O-V-I-N-O-S.
00:57:11.430 --> 00:57:12.263
Thank you.
00:57:15.310 --> 00:57:17.220
You may proceed with
your comments, thank you.
00:57:17.220 --> 00:57:18.900
Thank you.
00:57:18.900 --> 00:57:21.860
Yes, so like I was saying,
I'm a resident of the I.E
00:57:21.860 --> 00:57:23.860
for over 20 years.
00:57:23.860 --> 00:57:25.700
Now I was resided in Riverside,
00:57:25.700 --> 00:57:27.163
now I reside in Rialto.
00:57:28.000 --> 00:57:30.190
And I not only am a resident,
00:57:30.190 --> 00:57:32.560
but I'm also an organizer
00:57:32.560 --> 00:57:36.350
who listens to the undocumented
immigrant community
00:57:36.350 --> 00:57:37.473
of the I.E.
00:57:38.420 --> 00:57:40.560
And what we're hearing from them
00:57:40.560 --> 00:57:42.423
is that they're struggling right now.
00:57:43.310 --> 00:57:47.850
This community makes up
about one million of the population
00:57:47.850 --> 00:57:49.427
in collaboration with
San Bernardino County
00:57:49.427 --> 00:57:51.130
and Riverside County.
00:57:51.130 --> 00:57:54.050
One million of us reside there.
00:57:54.050 --> 00:57:56.800
Many of them are voicing concerns about,
00:57:56.800 --> 00:58:00.450
an increase in prices like these
00:58:00.450 --> 00:58:03.183
that we're seeing proposed right now.
00:58:04.194 --> 00:58:06.810
They're not people who
are qualifying for any sort
00:58:06.810 --> 00:58:08.683
of relief federally or locally.
00:58:09.820 --> 00:58:13.780
So it's hard to imagine
how they're gonna be able
00:58:13.780 --> 00:58:17.023
to pay for these increased prices,
00:58:18.100 --> 00:58:19.390
because we know, and I know
00:58:19.390 --> 00:58:21.010
from my own personal experience,
00:58:21.010 --> 00:58:22.650
because I come from
a family of immigrants,
00:58:22.650 --> 00:58:25.310
is that sometimes we
live with just one paycheck,
00:58:25.310 --> 00:58:28.400
and sometimes that's
just enough to feed us.
00:58:28.400 --> 00:58:30.340
And we do have to go on payment terms
00:58:30.340 --> 00:58:31.173
for the light bill.
00:58:31.173 --> 00:58:35.560
But, sometimes that's
also not enough help
00:58:35.560 --> 00:58:38.870
because there's other bills
that are piling up as well.
00:58:38.870 --> 00:58:43.160
So, it's hard to imagine
just how my family
00:58:43.160 --> 00:58:45.400
is gonna deal with this increase.
00:58:45.400 --> 00:58:47.930
I know I have a stable job myself,
00:58:47.930 --> 00:58:51.570
but I can't afford to
pay my electric bill
00:58:51.570 --> 00:58:53.000
and then help support them
00:58:53.940 --> 00:58:57.720
and this decision is what's
really being highlighted
00:58:57.720 --> 00:59:00.230
is that people are
forced to make choices,
00:59:00.230 --> 00:59:01.453
very tough choices.
00:59:02.620 --> 00:59:03.580
I've seen my parents,
00:59:03.580 --> 00:59:08.580
like I said, choose to not
pay the bill and pay for food.
00:59:09.220 --> 00:59:12.040
And sometimes that
leads to light cut-off
00:59:12.040 --> 00:59:14.370
and then our food
goes bad in the fridge.
00:59:14.370 --> 00:59:17.520
That's happened some
previous times in the past,
00:59:17.520 --> 00:59:20.840
in the years that I lived with
them and it's hard to see,
00:59:20.840 --> 00:59:23.850
it's hard to see families struggling,
00:59:23.850 --> 00:59:25.693
especially during a pandemic now.
00:59:26.570 --> 00:59:28.830
Pre-COVID it was a
struggle to pay these bills
00:59:28.830 --> 00:59:30.440
and now with this increase,
00:59:30.440 --> 00:59:32.243
it seems like we're putting community
00:59:32.243 --> 00:59:34.648
in a very tight position.
00:59:34.648 --> 00:59:36.760
And, it just seems to me
00:59:36.760 --> 00:59:39.693
that we're choosing profit over people.
00:59:40.820 --> 00:59:44.480
I don't think in this day and
age is what we want to hear.
00:59:44.480 --> 00:59:47.430
I don't think that's what
community needs to hear.
00:59:47.430 --> 00:59:49.060
They need to hear
that we're here for them
00:59:49.060 --> 00:59:51.913
and not here to just make a profit them.
00:59:52.860 --> 00:59:55.980
So, thank you for holding these comments
00:59:55.980 --> 00:59:58.840
because I think we need
to hear from the people
00:59:58.840 --> 01:00:01.720
because they're the ones
who is gonna be affected.
01:00:01.720 --> 01:00:03.120
So, thank you for your time.
01:00:04.830 --> 01:00:06.330
Thank you for your comments.
01:00:07.370 --> 01:00:08.663
Operator, next speaker.
01:00:10.030 --> 01:00:11.840
If you would
like to make a comment,
01:00:11.840 --> 01:00:13.260
please press star 1,
01:00:13.260 --> 01:00:15.700
along with spelling
your first and last name
01:00:15.700 --> 01:00:18.460
as well as your city and location.
01:00:18.460 --> 01:00:21.273
Our next comment comes
from Jennifer Howell.
01:00:21.273 --> 01:00:22.823
Your line is open.
01:00:25.510 --> 01:00:26.470
Good afternoon.
01:00:26.470 --> 01:00:31.470
My name is Jennifer Howell,
J-E-N-N-I-F-E-R, H-O-W-E-L-L.
01:00:34.676 --> 01:00:38.343
I currently reside in
Upland, California.
01:00:40.390 --> 01:00:42.050
I'm calling today based off
01:00:42.050 --> 01:00:44.610
of what everyone has
been discussing prior
01:00:44.610 --> 01:00:47.783
to my call about the rate increases.
01:00:49.470 --> 01:00:54.470
First off, I think why
would SCE even think
01:00:55.620 --> 01:00:57.570
about wanting to increase rates
01:00:57.570 --> 01:00:59.800
during these challenging times?
01:00:59.800 --> 01:01:04.040
With everyone either
losing their jobs, pay cuts.
01:01:04.040 --> 01:01:05.290
I can speak for myself,
01:01:05.290 --> 01:01:08.040
my pay was cut and
I'm even in a position
01:01:08.040 --> 01:01:10.633
where I can lose my job
at the end of this month.
01:01:11.720 --> 01:01:14.940
Why will SCE even think this plausible
01:01:14.940 --> 01:01:16.923
to bring forward during these times?
01:01:17.890 --> 01:01:20.723
And not only that, as we continue
01:01:20.723 --> 01:01:23.090
through these challenging times,
01:01:23.090 --> 01:01:24.600
like a lot of the callers say,
01:01:24.600 --> 01:01:26.300
we have to make tough decisions,
01:01:26.300 --> 01:01:28.690
a lot of those tough decisions.
01:01:28.690 --> 01:01:32.453
I have health issues myself, I
have to purchase medication.
01:01:35.610 --> 01:01:38.310
An increase is going to
cut into that kind of budget
01:01:38.310 --> 01:01:40.350
for anyone that is struggling
01:01:40.350 --> 01:01:43.020
during these challenging times.
01:01:43.020 --> 01:01:46.720
So, for me personally
and for a lot of other people,
01:01:46.720 --> 01:01:50.250
I believe SCE need to
revisit this at another time,
01:01:50.250 --> 01:01:51.870
maybe five years down the road.
01:01:51.870 --> 01:01:53.343
But these challenging times,
01:01:54.620 --> 01:01:57.420
I oppose this rate increase for myself.
01:01:57.420 --> 01:01:58.540
I'm probably speaking for all
01:01:58.540 --> 01:02:02.650
of California that use SCE services.
01:02:02.650 --> 01:02:03.483
Thank you.
01:02:04.940 --> 01:02:06.800
Thank you, Ms. Howell.
01:02:06.800 --> 01:02:08.300
Operator, next speaker please.
01:02:09.490 --> 01:02:12.027
Our next comment
comes from Jerald Falabella.
01:02:12.027 --> 01:02:14.305
Your line is open.
01:02:14.305 --> 01:02:18.170
Hi, my name
is a Jerald Falabella,
01:02:18.170 --> 01:02:23.170
J-E-R-A-L-D, Falabella,
F-A-L-A-B-E-L-L-A.
01:02:26.650 --> 01:02:29.023
I'm in Huntington Beach, California.
01:02:30.280 --> 01:02:33.750
We are dealing with SCE as a monopoly,
01:02:33.750 --> 01:02:37.480
so there's no need for
advertising or any other costs
01:02:37.480 --> 01:02:39.703
that other companies have to deal with.
01:02:40.880 --> 01:02:44.210
Also, SCE hired a political lobbyist
01:02:44.210 --> 01:02:46.750
who got their property taxes lowered
01:02:46.750 --> 01:02:50.593
while all of ours went
up a few years ago.
01:02:52.030 --> 01:02:55.400
There have been bad management decisions
01:02:55.400 --> 01:02:57.980
if a huge increase like this is needed,
01:02:57.980 --> 01:03:01.683
such as San Onofre Power
Plant and other bad decisions.
01:03:03.600 --> 01:03:07.110
We are facing new taxes from the state.
01:03:07.110 --> 01:03:10.140
As of today, a new gas tax started,
01:03:10.140 --> 01:03:13.500
and the state is also
putting other taxes on us.
01:03:13.500 --> 01:03:18.500
We do not need increases
in electric rates on top of that.
01:03:19.270 --> 01:03:23.970
I am a retired senior
citizen on a fixed income.
01:03:23.970 --> 01:03:28.040
And please take into
consideration the things I have said,
01:03:28.040 --> 01:03:31.950
being a monopoly,
they can cut the costs.
01:03:31.950 --> 01:03:33.363
Thank you very much.
01:03:35.360 --> 01:03:36.710
Thank you, Mr. Falabella.
01:03:37.590 --> 01:03:39.143
Operator, next speaker please.
01:03:40.270 --> 01:03:43.330
Our next comment
comes from Leonor Bautista.
01:03:43.330 --> 01:03:44.593
Your line is open.
01:03:45.980 --> 01:03:48.980
Hi, my name
is Leonor Bautista,
01:03:48.980 --> 01:03:53.980
L-E-O-N-O-R, Bautista, B-A-U-T-I-S-T-A.
01:03:54.830 --> 01:03:56.550
I'm calling from Huntington Park.
01:03:56.550 --> 01:04:01.550
My city is majority Latinos
and undocumented people.
01:04:02.170 --> 01:04:05.380
I agree with everyone
that has spoken prior to me.
01:04:05.380 --> 01:04:07.130
These costs are unnecessary.
01:04:07.130 --> 01:04:09.690
Not only are we going through a pandemic
01:04:09.690 --> 01:04:11.950
where people are losing their jobs
01:04:11.950 --> 01:04:14.850
and even those that have secure jobs
01:04:14.850 --> 01:04:16.150
are going through furlough
01:04:17.650 --> 01:04:20.910
where we're struggling as a community,
01:04:20.910 --> 01:04:23.500
we're struggling with
our health care system,
01:04:23.500 --> 01:04:27.750
we're struggling with
repairing all our community
01:04:27.750 --> 01:04:30.840
as it's gonna be
coming, and I don't agree
01:04:30.840 --> 01:04:34.700
that increasing the lighting bills
01:04:34.700 --> 01:04:36.990
will make the situation better.
01:04:36.990 --> 01:04:39.160
I agree with the previous caller.
01:04:39.160 --> 01:04:42.530
We don't have an option
to select another company
01:04:42.530 --> 01:04:44.230
to provide lighting for us.
01:04:44.230 --> 01:04:49.230
You guys are the only one
we have in terms of Edison,
01:04:49.250 --> 01:04:51.200
so you control the power,
01:04:51.200 --> 01:04:55.710
and I think that you need
to reflect on your consumers
01:04:55.710 --> 01:04:58.780
and who are the people
that are representing
01:04:58.780 --> 01:05:00.510
and consuming all this light
01:05:01.760 --> 01:05:04.310
because we are voicing our concerns
01:05:04.310 --> 01:05:08.490
and we are saying that
we cannot afford the raises,
01:05:08.490 --> 01:05:09.520
at least for my community.
01:05:09.520 --> 01:05:11.190
There are people that
are working right now
01:05:11.190 --> 01:05:14.790
and can't be in this meeting
because they're trying
01:05:14.790 --> 01:05:17.800
to just get by daily needs.
01:05:17.800 --> 01:05:21.230
So, I am voicing for
people who are not able
01:05:21.230 --> 01:05:24.231
to be in this meeting or are not aware
01:05:24.231 --> 01:05:27.530
that it's gonna go up.
01:05:27.530 --> 01:05:30.490
I just found out myself today
01:05:30.490 --> 01:05:32.720
that Edison is trying to do this.
01:05:32.720 --> 01:05:37.090
I haven't received any mail
or any information about this
01:05:37.090 --> 01:05:40.010
where I could join in this meeting.
01:05:40.010 --> 01:05:42.120
So, I think it is unfortunate
01:05:42.120 --> 01:05:44.050
that you guys are making these decisions
01:05:44.050 --> 01:05:48.680
without fully informing the consumers
01:05:48.680 --> 01:05:51.550
about this decision
or it being on the news.
01:05:51.550 --> 01:05:53.910
Like, why isn't this being told more?
01:05:53.910 --> 01:05:57.750
Like, why is this being
decided behind closed doors?
01:05:57.750 --> 01:06:00.780
It kind of feels like it
because it's not something
01:06:00.780 --> 01:06:03.903
that we're coming across constantly.
01:06:06.941 --> 01:06:09.197
It's been said over and
over that we are against it
01:06:09.197 --> 01:06:13.710
and I hope you guys
reconsider the decision.
01:06:13.710 --> 01:06:17.950
Any increase during the
pandemic and possibly,
01:06:17.950 --> 01:06:20.710
we've forecasted our economy dropping,
01:06:20.710 --> 01:06:25.710
we'll be just damaging for
every American in this country.
01:06:26.280 --> 01:06:30.830
Unemployment is gonna go
high increases, homelessness,
01:06:30.830 --> 01:06:35.830
at least in the Los Angeles
County, it is increasing daily.
01:06:38.610 --> 01:06:42.280
I don't think you need
to know all the reasons
01:06:42.280 --> 01:06:43.700
why you just shouldn't.
01:06:43.700 --> 01:06:46.330
Do a quick Google
search and you will know
01:06:46.330 --> 01:06:47.810
that this is not the right call,
01:06:47.810 --> 01:06:50.410
but I hope your company
makes the right decision
01:06:50.410 --> 01:06:52.810
for the people that
they're representing.
01:06:52.810 --> 01:06:54.360
Thank you and have a great day.
01:06:56.440 --> 01:06:58.280
Thank you, Ms. Bautista.
01:06:58.280 --> 01:06:59.953
Operator, next speaker please.
01:07:00.800 --> 01:07:03.070
Our next comment
comes from Sheryl Stacy.
01:07:03.070 --> 01:07:04.173
Your line is open.
01:07:06.110 --> 01:07:08.320
Thank you,
my name is Sheryl,
01:07:08.320 --> 01:07:13.320
S-H-E-R-Y-L, last name
is Stacy, S-T-A-C-Y.
01:07:14.220 --> 01:07:16.593
I represent Palmdale, California.
01:07:17.840 --> 01:07:20.540
I am definitely in agreement
01:07:20.540 --> 01:07:25.540
with everyone that has voiced an opinion
01:07:25.630 --> 01:07:30.630
and a situation that is our reality.
01:07:30.980 --> 01:07:35.980
But I wanna know, why
is SCE taking advantage
01:07:36.540 --> 01:07:41.350
and an opportunity and in opposition?
01:07:41.350 --> 01:07:42.630
Why?
01:07:42.630 --> 01:07:45.740
And why don't you
work with the consumers
01:07:45.740 --> 01:07:48.703
who have given you the money flow,
01:07:51.250 --> 01:07:54.000
those who have served you?
01:07:54.000 --> 01:07:58.363
Why won't you serve us
like we have served you?
01:07:59.840 --> 01:08:04.500
It's so sad that you are
taking an opportunity
01:08:05.700 --> 01:08:07.093
in this opposition.
01:08:08.370 --> 01:08:12.950
I reject the additional revenue
01:08:12.950 --> 01:08:14.510
that's going to flow to you
01:08:15.610 --> 01:08:20.527
because you are taking from
the ones that have served you.
01:08:22.980 --> 01:08:23.813
Think about it.
01:08:25.770 --> 01:08:29.190
We all need to be in this together.
01:08:29.190 --> 01:08:33.470
And this is not the
right time to express
01:08:33.470 --> 01:08:37.373
and put something on your
backs that we can't carry.
01:08:39.790 --> 01:08:41.530
That is all I want to say.
01:08:41.530 --> 01:08:43.010
You need to think about it
01:08:43.010 --> 01:08:47.197
and I thank everyone
for expressing our voice,
01:08:50.560 --> 01:08:55.083
which is so important in
this time, in this dimension.
01:08:56.120 --> 01:08:58.100
Think about it, SCE.
01:08:59.880 --> 01:09:02.713
Work with us like we've worked with you.
01:09:03.677 --> 01:09:05.127
And that's all I have to say.
01:09:08.270 --> 01:09:09.423
Thank you Ms. Stacy.
01:09:10.420 --> 01:09:12.053
Operator, next caller please.
01:09:13.290 --> 01:09:15.590
Our next comment
comes from Jennifer Marquez.
01:09:15.590 --> 01:09:16.763
Your line is open.
01:09:19.090 --> 01:09:20.050
Hi, good afternoon,
01:09:20.050 --> 01:09:25.050
my name is Jennifer Marquez,
J-E-N-N-I-F-E-R, M-A-R-Q-U-E-Z.
01:09:27.710 --> 01:09:32.710
I am from Santa Clarita,
S-A-N-T-A, C-L-A-R-I-T-A,
01:09:34.610 --> 01:09:36.970
here in California near Valencia,
01:09:36.970 --> 01:09:39.633
just for a geographical location.
01:09:41.490 --> 01:09:44.053
I was unemployed due to COVID-19.
01:09:44.960 --> 01:09:48.240
And this rate increase
is going to hit us
01:09:48.240 --> 01:09:49.750
and it's gonna hit us hard,
01:09:49.750 --> 01:09:52.200
even though it's $15 a month,
01:09:52.200 --> 01:09:54.740
that adds up and you will have
01:09:54.740 --> 01:09:58.500
to keep paying this until when, 2024?
01:09:58.500 --> 01:09:59.610
And then what?
01:09:59.610 --> 01:10:02.030
Will we have more after that?
01:10:02.030 --> 01:10:04.940
How much more are we, the consumer,
01:10:04.940 --> 01:10:09.290
expected to take and
pay for all the issues
01:10:09.290 --> 01:10:11.763
and all the bad decisions
that they have made?
01:10:12.810 --> 01:10:15.630
I mean, look, as unemployed people --
01:10:15.630 --> 01:10:17.520
and some of us, thank God my husband
01:10:17.520 --> 01:10:19.830
is still employed
'cause he is considered
01:10:20.790 --> 01:10:22.650
an essential worker.
01:10:22.650 --> 01:10:23.730
He now has to work
01:10:23.730 --> 01:10:27.830
from home using up all the internet,
01:10:27.830 --> 01:10:30.650
using up power for the computers.
01:10:30.650 --> 01:10:32.470
And it's not just one,
01:10:32.470 --> 01:10:34.623
he has to have at least two here,
01:10:35.470 --> 01:10:36.843
and that's a lot of power.
01:10:38.130 --> 01:10:43.130
My monthly bill jumped
from 200 to $400 this month
01:10:43.970 --> 01:10:45.383
and we have solar.
01:10:47.310 --> 01:10:50.810
I'm still battling with
SCE over our solar.
01:10:50.810 --> 01:10:52.570
Our solar credit has not been applied
01:10:52.570 --> 01:10:55.340
for over six months.
01:10:55.340 --> 01:10:57.893
I still have not seen any credit.
01:10:59.350 --> 01:11:01.460
There is no oversight of this company,
01:11:01.460 --> 01:11:04.283
this monopoly operating in California.
01:11:05.490 --> 01:11:07.730
Nobody checks up on them.
01:11:07.730 --> 01:11:10.130
And if there is, I would
sure love their number.
01:11:12.310 --> 01:11:14.463
We are now at home, working from home.
01:11:15.530 --> 01:11:17.400
I have a child that now has
01:11:17.400 --> 01:11:22.370
to use a computer to do
his schooling here at home.
01:11:22.370 --> 01:11:23.453
That's more energy.
01:11:24.730 --> 01:11:26.440
I'm still looking for a job,
01:11:26.440 --> 01:11:29.173
that's another computer, more energy.
01:11:30.250 --> 01:11:35.080
And if God gives me a job, I
now have to work from home;
01:11:35.080 --> 01:11:38.320
another computer, more energy.
01:11:38.320 --> 01:11:39.680
Our bill is going to skyrocket
01:11:39.680 --> 01:11:41.650
and now you wanna add $15 to it?
01:11:41.650 --> 01:11:42.683
No, thank you.
01:11:43.670 --> 01:11:46.170
That is too much money, I'm sorry.
01:11:46.170 --> 01:11:48.070
Make better decisions.
01:11:48.070 --> 01:11:49.840
What are these CEOs
01:11:49.840 --> 01:11:53.650
and CFOs and whoever is
in control of these purses,
01:11:53.650 --> 01:11:54.763
what are they doing?
01:11:56.020 --> 01:11:58.240
Are they getting their
bonuses this year?
01:11:58.240 --> 01:11:59.283
They better not be.
01:12:00.350 --> 01:12:02.900
That bonus should be
coming back to us, the people.
01:12:03.930 --> 01:12:06.600
They should be paying
for their own mistakes,
01:12:06.600 --> 01:12:11.260
their own fires, their own
damages up in Paradise.
01:12:11.260 --> 01:12:13.860
I have family up there that
passed away due to that.
01:12:14.890 --> 01:12:19.103
This makes me so angry that
they are taking advantage of us.
01:12:21.530 --> 01:12:22.663
Please consider that.
01:12:23.970 --> 01:12:25.963
I thank you for your time, judges.
01:12:28.620 --> 01:12:30.210
Ms. Marquez, thank
you for calling in.
01:12:30.210 --> 01:12:32.960
I also wanna say we do have a contact
01:12:32.960 --> 01:12:34.830
at Southern California Edison.
01:12:34.830 --> 01:12:37.000
I could provide you with his number
01:12:37.000 --> 01:12:39.400
to take a look at the solar credit issue
01:12:39.400 --> 01:12:40.860
if you would like.
01:12:40.860 --> 01:12:43.760
Yes, please,
I would appreciate it.
01:12:43.760 --> 01:12:46.500
So the individual's
name is Jerry Aguilar,
01:12:46.500 --> 01:12:49.920
J-E-R-R-Y, A-G-U-I-L-A-R.
01:12:49.920 --> 01:12:54.920
And his direct line is 626-302-0283.
01:12:57.940 --> 01:12:59.810
Thank you so much.
01:12:59.810 --> 01:13:02.140
Thank you for providing
comments today.
01:13:02.140 --> 01:13:03.240
Thank you.
01:13:04.670 --> 01:13:07.540
Operator, next speaker.
01:13:07.540 --> 01:13:08.830
There are
currently no questions
01:13:08.830 --> 01:13:10.580
in queue at this time.
01:13:10.580 --> 01:13:12.310
If you would like to make a comment,
01:13:12.310 --> 01:13:14.840
please press star 1
along with spelling your
01:13:14.840 --> 01:13:18.763
first and last name, as well
as your city and location.
01:13:22.510 --> 01:13:23.810
Let's go off the record.
01:13:27.110 --> 01:13:29.460
If there's anyone to
respond to that last call.
01:13:31.940 --> 01:13:33.750
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01:13:37.660 --> 01:13:39.060
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Thank you for your patience.
01:15:01.720 --> 01:15:02.870
Next speaker, please.
01:15:03.970 --> 01:15:07.500
And please start by spelling
your first and last name.
01:15:07.500 --> 01:15:08.333
Sure.
01:15:08.333 --> 01:15:12.830
It's Stephany, S-T-E-P-H-A-N-Y,
01:15:12.830 --> 01:15:17.053
last name is Najarro, N-A-J-A-R-R-O.
01:15:20.726 --> 01:15:23.810
And where are you
calling from, Ms. Najarro?
01:15:23.810 --> 01:15:26.510
I'm calling from
Baldwin Park, California.
01:15:29.180 --> 01:15:31.860
Thank you, you may
proceed with your comments.
01:15:31.860 --> 01:15:32.960
Thank you.
01:15:32.960 --> 01:15:37.033
So, just from hearing
everybody's public comments,
01:15:38.020 --> 01:15:41.680
I was encouraged and
motivated to try and speak up.
01:15:41.680 --> 01:15:43.480
It's sometimes really hard for me,
01:15:43.480 --> 01:15:47.340
but at this time I just
realized that it's important
01:15:47.340 --> 01:15:49.600
to not stay silent.
01:15:49.600 --> 01:15:54.540
My father who's undocumented,
he is unemployed right now
01:15:54.540 --> 01:15:59.540
and so this increase will
dramatically affect my family
01:16:00.920 --> 01:16:04.380
and I'm sure a lot of other
families who have been
01:16:05.860 --> 01:16:07.410
affected by the pandemic.
01:16:07.410 --> 01:16:11.100
I live in a predominantly
Hispanic community
01:16:11.100 --> 01:16:13.550
and we're already having to deal
01:16:13.550 --> 01:16:17.610
with our city council
budget which is trying to
01:16:17.610 --> 01:16:21.807
increase 60% of their budget.
01:16:21.807 --> 01:16:25.510
They wanna move it
into the police department
01:16:25.510 --> 01:16:28.530
and that's unacceptable,
but I know that's off topic.
01:16:28.530 --> 01:16:31.960
What I'm trying to say is this
will dramatically impact lots
01:16:31.960 --> 01:16:34.130
of families, including my own.
01:16:34.130 --> 01:16:35.120
Right now I'm working
01:16:35.120 --> 01:16:38.650
only part-time and I'm
also a graduate student,
01:16:38.650 --> 01:16:41.530
so I'm paying loans and I'm gonna have
01:16:41.530 --> 01:16:46.530
to struggle and see how I
can pay for my parents' bills,
01:16:46.630 --> 01:16:48.220
since it will only be my mom
01:16:48.220 --> 01:16:52.510
and me paying for
the bills that come in.
01:16:52.510 --> 01:16:57.330
And so I am opposed to the 14% increase.
01:16:57.330 --> 01:17:00.030
I'm sure others are here
with me and I'm sure others
01:17:00.030 --> 01:17:03.210
who are listening can lift their voice
01:17:03.210 --> 01:17:07.060
because this is an
important issue nationwide.
01:17:07.060 --> 01:17:07.893
Thank you.
01:17:09.120 --> 01:17:09.953
Thank you.
01:17:11.210 --> 01:17:12.563
Operator, next speaker.
01:17:14.040 --> 01:17:15.127
There are
currently no questions
01:17:15.127 --> 01:17:16.653
in queue at this time.
01:17:20.897 --> 01:17:23.480
If you would like to make a comment,
01:17:23.480 --> 01:17:24.650
please press star 1,
01:17:24.650 --> 01:17:27.250
along with spelling
your first and last name
01:17:27.250 --> 01:17:28.973
as well as your city and location.
01:18:09.436 --> 01:18:11.820
There are
currently no questions,
01:18:11.820 --> 01:18:14.050
again, if you would
like to make a comment,
01:18:14.050 --> 01:18:15.220
please press star 1,
01:18:15.220 --> 01:18:17.120
along with spelling
your first and last name
01:18:17.120 --> 01:18:18.983
as well as your city and state.
01:18:37.880 --> 01:18:39.870
Alberto, if there's
no one in queue I think
01:18:39.870 --> 01:18:42.173
at this point we could
probably conclude.
01:18:44.980 --> 01:18:47.623
Is there anyone at this point operator?
01:18:53.140 --> 01:18:55.100
There are no people in queue?
01:18:55.100 --> 01:18:56.400
No ma'am.
01:18:56.400 --> 01:18:58.140
Thank you very much.
01:18:58.140 --> 01:19:00.633
Then let's go back on the record.
01:19:02.960 --> 01:19:04.490
That concludes all of the speakers
01:19:04.490 --> 01:19:06.150
who have signed up to speak.
01:19:06.150 --> 01:19:07.250
I wanna thank everyone
01:19:07.250 --> 01:19:09.670
for their input and comments.
01:19:09.670 --> 01:19:11.680
Thank you also to
everyone who took the time
01:19:11.680 --> 01:19:14.660
to listen on the phone or watch online.
01:19:14.660 --> 01:19:15.650
If anyone would like
01:19:15.650 --> 01:19:17.650
to provide additional input or comments
01:19:17.650 --> 01:19:20.320
after this hearing, you may
submit written comments
01:19:20.320 --> 01:19:22.210
on the docket card for this proceeding,
01:19:22.210 --> 01:19:24.380
which can be found on
the Commission's website
01:19:24.380 --> 01:19:25.614
at
01:19:25.626 --> 01:19:29.363
www.cpuc.ca.gov/sce2021grcpubliccomments.
01:19:35.130 --> 01:19:36.250
If you need assistance
01:19:36.250 --> 01:19:37.980
for providing additional comments,
01:19:37.980 --> 01:19:41.103
please contact the Commission's
Public Advisor's Office.
01:19:41.980 --> 01:19:43.800
This concludes this afternoon's
01:19:43.800 --> 01:19:45.670
public participation hearing.
01:19:45.670 --> 01:19:47.970
Thank you everyone,
we will be off the record.
01:19:49.360 --> 01:19:50.510
Thank you.