WEBVTT
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So I'm ready,
your honor, thank you.
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Thank you, we'll
go on the record now,
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the Commission will come to order.
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It is Tuesday evening,
May 25th, 2021 at 6:30 PM.
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And this is a remote
public participation hearing
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on Golden State Water Company's
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General Rate Case Application
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for rates to be charged in
the following three years,
00:00:26.580 --> 00:00:31.300
2022, 2023 and 2024.
00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:37.183
Golden State's application
number is A20-07-012,
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My name is Charles Ferguson.
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I am the Administrative Law Judge
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assigned for this proceeding
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and I am very pleased
to be joined this evening
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by Commissioner Darcie Houck.
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Commissioner Houck is
one of the five Commissioners
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for the California Public
Utilities Commission,
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who will ultimately decide
00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:09.070
what happens in this rate proceeding.
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She is also the assigned Commissioner
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to manage this proceeding
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and she will address
us in just a few moments.
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But first I wanna make sure
that everybody understands
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exactly what we're
going to do this evening.
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Today, we will be focused
on the Golden State customers
00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:31.950
in what is referred to
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as Golden States Region II Rate Area,
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the Region II rate areas,
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comprise of Golden State customers
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in the following,
California cities and towns,
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Artesia, Bell, Bell Gardens,
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Carson, Sausalitos, Cudahy,
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Culver city, Downey,
Elsegundo, Gardena,
00:02:02.610 --> 00:02:06.090
Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne
00:02:06.090 --> 00:02:12.890
Huntington Park, Inglewood,
Lakewood, La Mirada,
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Lawndale, Long beach, Norwalk,
00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:21.360
Paramont, Santa Fe Springs,
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South Gate and the
following communities,
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Athens, Lennox, Willowbrook,
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Monita, Lawrence Graham, Del air
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and also Los Angeles County
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and portions of the city of Los Alamitos
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and Orange County itself.
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Your monthly bills will indicate to you
00:02:48.510 --> 00:02:52.940
if you reside in this
Region II rate area.
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If your monthly bill indicates
00:02:54.720 --> 00:02:57.560
that you reside in region one,
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which is comprised of the
areas known as Art Cordova,
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Day Point, Clear lake,
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Los Altos, Santa Maria and Semi valley
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we will hold two public
participation hearings
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for you tomorrow at
1:30 PM in the afternoon,
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and again at 6:30 PM tomorrow evening,
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the call in number is the same as today,
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(800) 857-1917.
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and the password is the
same as today 7218384.
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You're welcome to stay connected
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to the hearing we are conducting today
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if you come from region one,
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but we will be concentrating
our comments tonight
00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:53.743
on the proposed rate
increases for those in Region II.
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If your bills indicate
00:03:56.490 --> 00:04:00.343
that you were part of Golden
States region three rate area,
00:04:01.230 --> 00:04:04.620
the public participation
hearings for your area
00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:08.470
will be held on Thursday
of this week, May 27
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at the same times, 1:30 in the afternoon
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and 6:30 in the evening
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and the call-in number and
password are exactly the same
00:04:17.718 --> 00:04:20.200
(800) 857-1917
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and the password is 7218384.
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As with customers in region one,
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if you're a customer in region
three and listening tonight,
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you're welcome to stay connected to it,
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but the public participation
for your specific benefit
00:04:41.050 --> 00:04:43.490
will be held on Thursday of this week
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and we'll focus on rate issues
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related to your specific service area.
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Now I would like to turn
the microphone, so to speak,
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over to Commissioner Houck
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if she would like to make any comments
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to those who were assembled
tonight, Commissioner Houck.
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Thank you, judge Ferguson
and good evening everyone.
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As Judge Ferguson stated
my name is Darcie Houck,
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and I'm the assigned
Commissioner for this proceeding.
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Thank you all for
joining us this evening
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to provide comments in
this important proceeding.
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I'm looking forward to
hearing from elected officials
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and customers regarding
Golden State Water Company's
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general rate case
application, and as you know,
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California is facing
another severe drought
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and this combined
with the ongoing impacts
00:05:32.470 --> 00:05:35.660
of the COVID-19 pandemic
highlighting the importance
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of our decisions in this proceeding.
00:05:37.760 --> 00:05:39.810
So with that, I'm gonna
turn this back over
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to Judge Ferguson and I'm here to listen
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and learn from you this evening.
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Thank you.
00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:46.583
Thank you Commissioner.
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So ladies and gentlemen,
the goal for today
00:05:51.400 --> 00:05:56.400
is for us as the Commission
to hear from you,
00:05:56.410 --> 00:05:59.470
the customers Golden State
Water about how you feel
00:05:59.470 --> 00:06:03.090
and what you think about
Golden State's application
00:06:03.090 --> 00:06:05.373
for an increase in your rates.
00:06:07.090 --> 00:06:10.250
We as the Commission
have prepared fact sheets
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to help you assemble your thoughts.
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Golden State has delivered
those fact sheets to you,
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either electronically or
in regular mail to help,
00:06:22.410 --> 00:06:27.087
and that those fact sheets
will show you what revenue it is
00:06:27.087 --> 00:06:30.830
the Golden State intends to receive
00:06:30.830 --> 00:06:33.543
from your particular rate area.
00:06:34.810 --> 00:06:39.530
If you haven't received
a CPUC fact sheet
00:06:39.530 --> 00:06:42.310
or you did receive it, misplaced it,
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you can find a copy
on the CPUC's website,
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just go to the CPUC
website at www.cpuc.ca.gov
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enter the words "public
advisor" in the search bar
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on the right-hand side of the
home page for public advisor,
00:07:05.640 --> 00:07:09.840
you will find a link for
public participation hearings,
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click on that link
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and scroll to the Golden State
Water Company rate proceeding
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and you will find the CPUC's fact sheet
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for each of the three regions
of the Golden State system.
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Your region this evening is
Region II as I've already said,
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You can also obtain a
fact sheet for your rate area
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from Golden State itself by
addressing an email request
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to the following email address,
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2022grc@gswater.com.
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include your billing
address in your email
00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:58.110
so that the proper fact
sheet can be sent back to you.
00:07:58.110 --> 00:08:02.400
Finally, if you do not
have internet access,
00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:05.800
you can still get a
copy of your fact sheet
00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:09.930
for your specific rate area
by calling Golden State water
00:08:09.930 --> 00:08:11.830
at the following telephone number
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(877) 288-8816,
00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:21.743
let me repeat that phone
number (877) 288-8816.
00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:33.250
Our fact sheets for your
rate area will help you
00:08:33.250 --> 00:08:37.630
formulate your thoughts about
the proposed rate increases.
00:08:37.630 --> 00:08:41.020
You should begin your
analysis with your old water bills
00:08:41.020 --> 00:08:43.063
for the calendar year 2020.
00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:45.310
Those bills will tell you
00:08:45.310 --> 00:08:49.100
just exactly how much
water you used in each month
00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:51.163
during the calendar year 2020.
00:08:52.260 --> 00:08:54.280
Using those amounts
00:08:54.280 --> 00:08:57.090
and the fact that
we've prepared for you,
00:08:57.090 --> 00:08:59.660
you can project how
much it will cost you
00:08:59.660 --> 00:09:04.180
to use exactly the same
amount of water in each month
00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:09.010
in years, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
00:09:09.010 --> 00:09:12.450
If, and that's important if,
00:09:12.450 --> 00:09:16.890
if we at the Commission
approved Golden State's request
00:09:16.890 --> 00:09:21.020
in full, that doesn't
happen all that often
00:09:21.020 --> 00:09:25.563
that we give a utility,
their full rate request,
00:09:26.570 --> 00:09:31.570
but it's important that you
look at the full rate request
00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:36.840
and calculate what your
new rates would look like,
00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:41.530
what your bills would look
like in future months and years,
00:09:41.530 --> 00:09:42.810
so that you can decide
00:09:42.810 --> 00:09:45.973
how you feel about the
proposed rate increase.
00:09:47.923 --> 00:09:48.800
As I said,
00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:51.810
you should make a separate
calculation for each month,
00:09:51.810 --> 00:09:56.730
January through December in
each year, 2022 through 2024
00:09:57.830 --> 00:10:01.190
begin each month with
a fixed service charge,
00:10:01.190 --> 00:10:03.740
which you can find on the chart
00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.163
on page two of your fact sheet,
00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:11.770
the fixed service charge is
independent of your water usage,
00:10:11.770 --> 00:10:15.270
whether you use no
water or a lot of water,
00:10:15.270 --> 00:10:19.110
the monthly service charge
is a once a month fixed charge
00:10:19.110 --> 00:10:20.313
that you must pay.
00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:25.960
Add to that number, the usage
charge for the amount of water
00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:28.643
you used for the same month in 2020.
00:10:29.810 --> 00:10:33.500
Usage charges are expressed
in hundreds of cubic feet.
00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:35.390
100 cubic feet of water
00:10:35.390 --> 00:10:40.390
or one CCF is equal
to 748 gallons of water.
00:10:42.050 --> 00:10:47.050
Use the column that says
"effective January 1, 2022"
00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:52.713
to project your usage
charge for January, 2022.
00:10:53.710 --> 00:10:56.940
The proposed cost
structure for all of 2022
00:10:58.030 --> 00:11:00.620
is a portion of the
lower half of the chart
00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:02.663
on page two of the fact sheet,
00:11:03.610 --> 00:11:05.790
you will see that the cheapest water
00:11:05.790 --> 00:11:10.790
is the first nine CCFs that you use.
00:11:10.900 --> 00:11:15.900
The price increases after that
for the next 11 CCFs of water
00:11:16.070 --> 00:11:18.460
that you use and gets even higher
00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.653
for water consumption beyond that point,
00:11:21.870 --> 00:11:24.730
you add the usage
charge that you calculate
00:11:24.730 --> 00:11:26.680
and the fixed service charge together
00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:30.230
to get a projection of
what you may have to pay
00:11:30.230 --> 00:11:33.070
in January of 2022.
00:11:33.070 --> 00:11:36.030
If you make these calculations
for each individual month,
00:11:36.030 --> 00:11:36.863
you can compare
00:11:36.863 --> 00:11:40.130
what you would have
to pay for water in 2022,
00:11:40.130 --> 00:11:43.970
if the CPUC grants all of the
Golden State's proposed rate
00:11:43.970 --> 00:11:45.483
increases for your region.
00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:51.860
Now there is a way to avoid
paying for new rate increases
00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:55.530
and that is simply trim your
water usage and those months,
00:11:55.530 --> 00:11:58.203
when you typically use the most water.
00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:01.040
In our fact sheets,
00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:05.010
we've included a graph on
page three of the fact sheet
00:12:05.010 --> 00:12:08.330
that shows you how your
water consumption compares
00:12:08.330 --> 00:12:10.483
to all the customers in Region II.
00:12:11.790 --> 00:12:15.240
On average, taking into
account all 12 months of the year
00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:17.650
an average customer in your rate area
00:12:17.650 --> 00:12:21.763
uses about nine CCFs of water a month.
00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:26.790
That's right at the top
of the lowest cost here
00:12:26.790 --> 00:12:29.943
as proposed by Golden
State in this rate case,
00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:33.760
if you're using more
than an average customer,
00:12:33.760 --> 00:12:36.730
then perhaps you should
consider reducing your water usage,
00:12:36.730 --> 00:12:39.920
even though you can
afford a rate increase,
00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:41.650
or if you're looking for a way
00:12:41.650 --> 00:12:44.260
of avoiding the rate
increase altogether,
00:12:44.260 --> 00:12:47.480
you can make calculations
based on cutting your water usage
00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:52.480
by 10, 15 or 20% in year
2022 as compared to 2020
00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:57.470
and using the fact sheet
calculate what you would pay
00:12:57.470 --> 00:13:00.080
under the increased
rates for using less water
00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:02.440
than you have previously used.
00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.970
The Commission encourages you
00:13:03.970 --> 00:13:07.170
to do some kind of water reduction,
00:13:07.170 --> 00:13:09.010
given the extreme drought conditions
00:13:09.010 --> 00:13:10.960
that we're facing throughout the state.
00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:15.210
Once you finished your
projections, you can let us know
00:13:15.210 --> 00:13:18.170
what you think about the
proposed rate increase.
00:13:18.170 --> 00:13:20.920
Some of you may conclude
that you can reduce water usage
00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:23.290
by enough to avoid any change
00:13:23.290 --> 00:13:25.340
in the amount of
money you pay for water.
00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.073
In that case,
00:13:27.073 --> 00:13:30.200
you may feel comfortable
about the rates increasing
00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:33.330
in order to pay for
improvements in water quality
00:13:33.330 --> 00:13:34.990
or service.
00:13:34.990 --> 00:13:37.220
Others of you will be disturbed
00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:41.060
by how difficult it is to
cut your water usage,
00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:44.350
and will be opposed
to any increases at all.
00:13:44.350 --> 00:13:47.590
We at the Commission
want to hear from all of you
00:13:47.590 --> 00:13:50.753
no matter what your
feelings are about this water,
00:13:51.716 --> 00:13:54.863
proposed water rate increase.
00:13:56.170 --> 00:13:58.740
The total amount of money
00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:02.930
that is being sought from your rate area
00:14:02.930 --> 00:14:07.930
by Golden State Water is
also shown on the front page
00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.883
of the fact sheet.
00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:14.940
In 2022, Golden State
would like to increase
00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:18.210
the amount of their
revenues from your rate area
00:14:18.210 --> 00:14:21.093
by $23.47 million.
00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:27.680
In 2023, they would like to
add an additional $7.14 million
00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:35.040
to the revenue they
collect from your rate area
00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:40.040
and in 2024, they would like
to collect another 7.79 million
00:14:41.850 --> 00:14:46.843
on top of the other rate
increases in the year 2024.
00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:53.120
So that's what we are
here to learn about from you
00:14:55.015 --> 00:14:56.183
this evening.
00:14:57.420 --> 00:15:01.080
This current schedule for
this proceeding indicates that
00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.520
the Commission may be
able to vote on a decision
00:15:03.520 --> 00:15:05.000
by the end of this year,
00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:09.120
but certainly in sometime in 2022.
00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:12.410
Comments from the public
like those of you listening today,
00:15:12.410 --> 00:15:15.200
help us reach an informed decision.
00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:17.920
The Commissioners and
I will pay close attention
00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:22.010
to the opinions expressed
during this public hearing.
00:15:22.010 --> 00:15:24.300
A court reporter will be describing,
00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:26.760
I'm sorry, we'll be
transcribing everything
00:15:26.760 --> 00:15:28.350
that you say today.
00:15:28.350 --> 00:15:32.510
If you speak, I ask you
to speak slowly and clearly
00:15:32.510 --> 00:15:35.360
so that the reporter can
capture everything that you say.
00:15:36.390 --> 00:15:38.580
The written transcript
of today's hearing
00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:41.010
will be posted publicly
on the docket card
00:15:41.010 --> 00:15:42.680
for this proceeding.
00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:46.067
You can also access a
recording of today's proceeding
00:15:46.067 --> 00:15:54.160
at the following website,
adminmonitor.com.
00:15:54.160 --> 00:15:58.060
Let me spell that
for you, A- D- M -I -N
00:15:58.060 --> 00:16:02.497
M as in Mary O-N-I-T-O R.com.
00:16:05.010 --> 00:16:07.810
In addition to submitting
oral comments today,
00:16:07.810 --> 00:16:10.660
written comments on
Golden State's application
00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:14.950
may be submitted on
the public comment tab
00:16:14.950 --> 00:16:17.323
on the docket card for this proceeding.
00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:23.260
You begin by connecting
to our website at the CPUC
00:16:23.260 --> 00:16:28.260
www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph.
00:16:35.470 --> 00:16:40.470
As of today, we have received
over 100 written comments
00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:44.393
from the public on that
particular tab of the docket sheet.
00:16:46.150 --> 00:16:48.790
I'm now going to invite a member
00:16:48.790 --> 00:16:51.860
of the Commission's
Public Advisor's Office
00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.680
to provide further guidance
00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:55.833
on participating in this proceeding.
00:16:57.020 --> 00:17:01.283
So would the representative
of the Public Advisor's Office
00:17:01.283 --> 00:17:06.283
please speak up and address
the audience this evening.
00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:11.360
Yes, thank you, your honor.
00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:13.030
Welcome everyone good evening.
00:17:13.030 --> 00:17:14.500
My name is Alison Brown,
00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.960
and I'm a Commissioner
of Public Advisor,
00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.750
the Public Advisor's Office assist
00:17:18.750 --> 00:17:21.150
and advises the
public with participation
00:17:21.150 --> 00:17:23.070
in Commission proceedings.
00:17:23.070 --> 00:17:25.970
First, I wanna thank you
all for participating today.
00:17:25.970 --> 00:17:28.130
As the judge and Commissioner stated
00:17:28.130 --> 00:17:30.230
public participation
and input are essential
00:17:30.230 --> 00:17:33.030
to the Commission's
decision making process.
00:17:33.030 --> 00:17:35.170
This hearing is your
opportunity to be heard
00:17:35.170 --> 00:17:37.340
and to share your
thoughts on the application
00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.173
with the Administrative Law Judge
00:17:38.173 --> 00:17:40.490
and the assigned Commissioner.
00:17:40.490 --> 00:17:42.760
If you have specific
questions about the application
00:17:42.760 --> 00:17:44.084
or your service,
00:17:44.084 --> 00:17:47.080
please reach out to the
Public Advisor's Office.
00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:52.080
That email address is
public.adviser@cpuc.ca.gov.
00:17:53.470 --> 00:17:55.530
Or you can call the
Public Advisor's Office
00:17:55.530 --> 00:17:58.710
at +1 866-849-8390.
00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.410
You can also visit the CPUC
00:18:03.410 --> 00:18:05.643
or utilities website
for more information.
00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.900
Second, if you or anyone you know,
00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:10.280
is not able to make a comment today.
00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:11.113
As the judge said,
00:18:11.113 --> 00:18:13.770
there are several other
ways to become involved.
00:18:13.770 --> 00:18:16.990
If you wish to find more
information on becoming a party
00:18:16.990 --> 00:18:18.540
subscribing to this proceedings,
00:18:18.540 --> 00:18:21.990
you get email notifications
of any action taken
00:18:21.990 --> 00:18:25.773
or submitting comments by
email go to the docket card.
00:18:27.504 --> 00:18:32.504
Please go to our
website, www.cpuc.ca.gov.
00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.570
or email the Public Advisor.
00:18:35.570 --> 00:18:40.313
Again, that email address is
public.adviser@cpuc.ca.gov.
00:18:42.210 --> 00:18:43.690
All of this information is available
00:18:43.690 --> 00:18:44.890
on the notice you received
00:18:44.890 --> 00:18:47.220
for this public participation hearing.
00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:50.413
And it's also on the slide if
you're watching the screen
00:18:50.413 --> 00:18:52.430
or if you're watching
the stream of this today.
00:18:52.430 --> 00:18:53.570
We look forward to your comments.
00:18:53.570 --> 00:18:55.650
Thank you again for joining us.
00:18:55.650 --> 00:18:56.573
Back to you judge.
00:18:57.470 --> 00:18:58.743
Thank you very much.
00:19:00.130 --> 00:19:04.740
My job is to assemble
all of the evidence
00:19:05.610 --> 00:19:08.393
for and against this rate increase.
00:19:09.470 --> 00:19:11.250
And there are two parties
00:19:11.250 --> 00:19:14.420
that are primarily
involved in that process,
00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:16.800
Golden State Water itself
00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:20.930
and the Public Advocate's
Office, which is a part
00:19:20.930 --> 00:19:23.150
of the California Public
Utilities Commission
00:19:23.150 --> 00:19:25.543
and represents rate payers.
00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:29.770
Later this summer,
00:19:29.770 --> 00:19:32.100
I will conduct an evidentiary hearing
00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:34.862
in which those two
parties and their lawyers,
00:19:34.862 --> 00:19:39.820
present all of their evidence
and all of their arguments
00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:42.880
for and against the rate increases.
00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:47.830
So to help you with your assessment
00:19:47.830 --> 00:19:50.690
of the proposed rate increases,
00:19:50.690 --> 00:19:51.960
what we're gonna do now
00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:54.560
is hear from each representative
00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:58.220
of each of those two parties
so you have some idea
00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.760
of what positions the parties are taking
00:20:00.760 --> 00:20:04.540
with respect to your
particular rate area.
00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:07.040
So Mr. Switzer, I'm gonna begin with you
00:20:07.040 --> 00:20:09.050
for Golden State Water.
00:20:09.050 --> 00:20:12.080
Would you like to
speak for a few minutes
00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:14.560
on the position the company takes
00:20:14.560 --> 00:20:17.453
with respect to the rate
increase in this Region II?
00:20:20.690 --> 00:20:21.523
Yes, I would.
00:20:21.523 --> 00:20:23.810
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:20:23.810 --> 00:20:25.573
Can everybody hear me okay?
00:20:26.490 --> 00:20:29.740
The audio is working, okay.
00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.930
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:20:30.930 --> 00:20:32.600
And thank you Commissioner Houck
00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:34.720
for your attendance tonight.
00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:37.710
Good evening, my
name is Keith Switzer
00:20:37.710 --> 00:20:40.140
and I work for Golden
State Water company.
00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.680
I am the Vice President
of the company responsible
00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:45.930
for managing the
regulatory affairs department.
00:20:45.930 --> 00:20:47.510
My department is responsible
00:20:47.510 --> 00:20:50.390
for filing the general
rate case application,
00:20:50.390 --> 00:20:51.370
which is the subject
00:20:51.370 --> 00:20:54.400
of today's public participation hearing.
00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:56.450
I wanna welcome you
to this virtual hearing
00:20:56.450 --> 00:20:57.717
and thank all of our customers
00:20:57.717 --> 00:21:00.730
who have taken the time
to join us this evening.
00:21:00.730 --> 00:21:03.420
We look forward to hearing from you.
00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.640
You just heard Judge Ferguson
00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:08.480
provide an overview of
Golden State Waters application
00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.130
and the purpose of today's meeting
00:21:10.130 --> 00:21:13.320
and the Commission's
decision-making process.
00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:14.930
I'm gonna take just a few minutes
00:21:14.930 --> 00:21:18.580
to expand on some of
Judge Ferguson's comments.
00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:20.640
A general rank case is the process
00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:24.600
that establishes the
company's overall budget
00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:28.320
or what we more commonly
refer to as our revenue requirement
00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:32.180
to operate the water systems
in a manner that will allow us
00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:36.220
to provide safe and
reliable water service.
00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:38.920
The rate case also establishes the rates
00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:41.200
that we charge for the water service.
00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:44.480
The rates are set at a level
that will generate the budget
00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:46.550
or revenue requirement that is approved
00:21:46.550 --> 00:21:49.873
by the Public Utilities
Commission as a part of this case.
00:21:51.341 --> 00:21:54.230
And they're set at a
level that will generate
00:21:54.230 --> 00:21:57.580
that amount of revenue at
the forecast and levels of usage
00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.963
by your customers.
00:22:00.070 --> 00:22:01.440
The general rate case process
00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:03.280
is intended to be an open process
00:22:03.280 --> 00:22:05.440
where input from different
parties is welcomed
00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.433
and encouraged.
00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:09.460
Your participation here this evening
00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:12.023
is an important part of that process.
00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.630
As customers of Golden State Water,
00:22:14.630 --> 00:22:17.320
you received notice
that Golden State filed
00:22:17.320 --> 00:22:21.840
its rate case application
in July of 2020,
00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.960
that application requested changes
00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:26.830
in both our revenue
requirement and our rates
00:22:26.830 --> 00:22:30.270
beginning in January, 2022.
00:22:30.270 --> 00:22:33.260
The Commission's final decision,
as Judge Ferguson explained
00:22:33.260 --> 00:22:36.510
will also set our revenue requirement
00:22:36.510 --> 00:22:37.810
and our corresponding rates
00:22:37.810 --> 00:22:42.810
for a three-year period calendar
years, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.850
I did wanna say a quick word
00:22:46.850 --> 00:22:49.500
about the timing of the application.
00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.580
Golden State is obligated by law
00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:53.780
to file a general rate case application
00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:55.930
once every three years.
00:22:55.930 --> 00:22:58.260
The Commission has a preset schedule
00:22:58.260 --> 00:23:02.090
that establishes the
actual date of our filing.
00:23:02.090 --> 00:23:04.560
The Commission's filing
schedule enables the Commission
00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:08.060
to process a general rate
case once every three years
00:23:08.060 --> 00:23:11.040
for all nine of the large
class of water companies
00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:15.760
in the State, one of them which
includes Golden State Water,
00:23:15.760 --> 00:23:16.940
is a tight schedule
00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:20.400
to process essentially
three rate cases every year.
00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:24.750
And which is why the timing of
each application is mandated.
00:23:24.750 --> 00:23:26.500
That schedule enables the Commission
00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:30.090
to manage the workload
of processing these cases.
00:23:30.090 --> 00:23:32.460
For Golden State,
our last rate application
00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:35.370
was filed in July of 2017
00:23:35.370 --> 00:23:37.530
and the Commission's
decision in that case
00:23:37.530 --> 00:23:40.100
established the rates
for the calendar years,
00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:43.423
2019, 2020 and 2021.
00:23:44.430 --> 00:23:48.110
The filing of our rate case
application in July of last year
00:23:48.110 --> 00:23:50.820
was the first step in
a processing schedule
00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:53.393
that takes about 18 months to complete.
00:23:54.250 --> 00:23:55.900
Once we file our application,
00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:59.140
the office of public
advocates gets involved
00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:02.790
and begins the process of
approximately eight months
00:24:02.790 --> 00:24:04.630
to review the application
00:24:04.630 --> 00:24:07.680
and ultimately ends up in
them issuing their own report
00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:09.570
and their own recommendations
00:24:09.570 --> 00:24:13.080
to the Commission regarding our 2022
00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.653
annual revenue requirement.
00:24:15.650 --> 00:24:17.210
The next steps in that process
00:24:17.210 --> 00:24:19.850
would include settlement negotiations,
00:24:19.850 --> 00:24:23.050
mediation, evidentiary hearings.
00:24:23.050 --> 00:24:25.000
Then Judge Ferguson will issue
00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:28.855
as he said, a proposed
decision resolving all the issues
00:24:28.855 --> 00:24:30.770
in the application.
00:24:30.770 --> 00:24:32.670
And finally, the five Commissioners
00:24:32.670 --> 00:24:36.463
will vote to issue the
final decision in the case.
00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:39.570
Tonight's hearing is for our customers
00:24:39.570 --> 00:24:42.930
in our Region II rainmaking area.
00:24:42.930 --> 00:24:45.350
Golden State has requested an increase
00:24:45.350 --> 00:24:48.370
in the annual revenue
requirement for Region II
00:24:48.370 --> 00:24:52.623
of $19.2 million for the year 2022.
00:24:53.629 --> 00:24:58.540
That increase of 19.2
million that I just cited
00:24:58.540 --> 00:25:03.540
is the increase from
2021 rates to 2022 rates.
00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:08.330
Earlier you heard Judge Ferguson
00:25:08.330 --> 00:25:11.700
referred to an increase of 23.5 million.
00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.380
Hello, Mr. Switzer.
00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.213
Yeah.
00:25:14.213 --> 00:25:17.870
Sorry, this is Claudia with
the Public Advisor's Office.
00:25:17.870 --> 00:25:19.040
The interpreters have asked
00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:21.829
if you can please slow down a little bit
00:25:21.829 --> 00:25:25.670
so that they can hear you
a little better, thank you.
00:25:25.670 --> 00:25:28.160
Okay, I've never
been told I talk too fast,
00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.210
but I will slow down.
00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:34.923
So, as I have said,
00:25:38.153 --> 00:25:39.890
tonight's hearing is for our customers
00:25:39.890 --> 00:25:42.800
in the Region II rate making district.
00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:44.940
Golden State has requested an increase
00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:47.871
in the annual revenue
requirement in Region II
00:25:47.871 --> 00:25:52.310
of $19.2 million for 2022.
00:25:52.310 --> 00:25:54.720
That increases the
increase over our current
00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:58.510
or 2021 revenue requirement.
00:25:58.510 --> 00:26:00.480
Earlier Judge Ferguson referred
00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:03.280
to an increase of $23.5 million
00:26:04.186 --> 00:26:08.480
that number is the 2022
revenue requirement
00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:11.640
compared to 2020 revenues.
00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:15.980
That was the measured
increase at the time of the filing.
00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:19.650
Since then, there has been
an interim increase for 2021,
00:26:19.650 --> 00:26:22.873
so that the increase I am
citing is over the current rates.
00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:26.660
As Judge Ferguson in case there's also
00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:30.550
incremental increases
of 7.1 and 7.8 million
00:26:30.550 --> 00:26:34.053
in the years, 2023 and 2024.
00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.610
The reason for the increase
00:26:37.610 --> 00:26:42.450
is primarily due to the need
to invest in new infrastructure
00:26:42.450 --> 00:26:45.770
things like new and
replacement pipelines,
00:26:45.770 --> 00:26:50.510
supply related projects such
as new or replacement wells
00:26:50.510 --> 00:26:53.760
and new facilities to treat our water.
00:26:53.760 --> 00:26:58.760
Golden State has proposed
approximately $157 million
00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:03.960
of new infrastructure
projects in Region II
00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:08.760
over the three years, 2021, '22 and '23.
00:27:08.760 --> 00:27:11.870
About 88 million of those projects
00:27:11.870 --> 00:27:14.393
is for new pipeline projects alone.
00:27:15.520 --> 00:27:19.430
All of these projects are
contingent upon approval
00:27:19.430 --> 00:27:23.373
of the Commission as a part
of the decision in this case.
00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:26.720
There's also a projected
increase in the cost
00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.370
for purchase water.
00:27:28.370 --> 00:27:30.930
As a portion of our water supply
00:27:30.930 --> 00:27:33.960
is water that we
purchase from third parties,
00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:37.363
such as agencies of the
metropolitan water district.
00:27:38.670 --> 00:27:42.530
How do these numbers
translate to your monthly bill?
00:27:42.530 --> 00:27:46.800
The answer will vary depending
upon a number of factors,
00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:49.150
though one of the most
important determinants
00:27:49.150 --> 00:27:51.520
is your monthly water usage.
00:27:51.520 --> 00:27:53.470
Since the majority of most bills
00:27:53.470 --> 00:27:56.763
is attributable to
monthly usage charges.
00:27:57.790 --> 00:28:02.730
In Region II, the monthly
bill for a residential customer
00:28:02.730 --> 00:28:07.090
with a five eighths inch meter,
which is the most common
00:28:07.090 --> 00:28:10.740
and using nine CCF of water a month,
00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:13.270
which is the average usage amount
00:28:13.270 --> 00:28:15.810
for residential customers in Region II
00:28:16.770 --> 00:28:21.770
would increase in 2022
from $58 and 67 cents
00:28:22.950 --> 00:28:27.580
at current rates to $66 and 22 cents.
00:28:27.580 --> 00:28:32.273
That would be an increase
of $7 and 55 cents per month.
00:28:36.520 --> 00:28:39.440
If you would like to contact
Gold State Water directly
00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:41.980
with a question during tonight's
00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:44.410
public participation hearing,
00:28:44.410 --> 00:28:49.410
you can do so either
by phone or by email.
00:28:49.890 --> 00:28:53.180
Golden State Water has
set up a special call in number
00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.470
for customers who would like to speak
00:28:55.470 --> 00:29:00.390
to a company representative
about the rate case application.
00:29:00.390 --> 00:29:04.090
That number, which is
shown here on the screen
00:29:04.090 --> 00:29:09.090
is +1 877-288-8816.
00:29:12.910 --> 00:29:16.150
Golden State Water
employees will be standing by
00:29:16.150 --> 00:29:19.210
at that number right now
to respond to your questions
00:29:19.210 --> 00:29:20.813
about the application,
00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:26.290
or if you prefer to ask
your question by email,
00:29:26.290 --> 00:29:29.410
we have also set up a
special email address
00:29:29.410 --> 00:29:31.040
specifically for questions
00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:34.130
regarding the rate case application,
00:29:34.130 --> 00:29:36.830
that email, which is also shown here
00:29:36.830 --> 00:29:40.897
is 2022GRC@gswater.com.
00:29:49.320 --> 00:29:51.070
Before concluding my comments tonight,
00:29:51.070 --> 00:29:52.850
I wanted to speak to the extraordinary
00:29:52.850 --> 00:29:55.240
and difficult circumstances
00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:57.623
that we all find ourselves in right now.
00:29:58.550 --> 00:30:01.360
I'm very proud that Golden
State Water employees
00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:04.060
have been working hard
throughout the pandemic
00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:06.600
making sure that you, our customers
00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:09.830
have continued to
receive uninterrupted safe
00:30:09.830 --> 00:30:13.160
and reliable water
service during this time.
00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:15.330
I also want to share that we recognize
00:30:15.330 --> 00:30:17.092
that many of our customers
00:30:17.092 --> 00:30:21.570
are experiencing financial
and economic hardships
00:30:21.570 --> 00:30:23.803
during this pandemic situation.
00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:29.020
Despite the challenges of
the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:30:29.020 --> 00:30:30.880
our customer service team members
00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:34.400
have remained available 24 hours per day
00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:36.450
to help customers answer questions
00:30:36.450 --> 00:30:38.750
and solve problems.
00:30:38.750 --> 00:30:42.150
Golden State has
put in place protections
00:30:42.150 --> 00:30:44.490
to ensure that customers continue
00:30:44.490 --> 00:30:47.220
to receive safe and reliable service
00:30:48.150 --> 00:30:51.700
also included in our
rate case is a provision
00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:54.860
to offer a monthly credit on the bill,
00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:56.610
to low income customers
00:30:56.610 --> 00:30:59.453
who meet specific income criteria.
00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:04.070
If you go to our website,
www.gswater.com,
00:31:09.410 --> 00:31:11.470
you will find a link on the home page
00:31:11.470 --> 00:31:15.430
for emergency disaster relief programs
00:31:15.430 --> 00:31:19.800
and also our low income
customer assistance program.
00:31:19.800 --> 00:31:23.110
These links will describe
the various protections
00:31:23.110 --> 00:31:25.083
and programs that are available.
00:31:26.390 --> 00:31:29.500
With that I will close my comments.
00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:32.790
Again I wanna thank
you all for taking the time
00:31:32.790 --> 00:31:34.250
to join this meeting.
00:31:34.250 --> 00:31:36.870
And I look forward to
hearing your comments.
00:31:36.870 --> 00:31:38.203
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:31:39.710 --> 00:31:41.760
Thank you, Mr. Switzer,
00:31:41.760 --> 00:31:43.700
and for the audience,
00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:46.678
I just want to make one clarification
00:31:46.678 --> 00:31:49.763
for those who are listening closely.
00:31:50.780 --> 00:31:54.040
Mr. Switzer referred to the need
00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:55.860
to make improvements
00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:58.320
in Region II to the water system,
00:31:58.320 --> 00:32:00.940
that's the pipes, the pumps,
00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.760
and all kinds of other machinery
00:32:02.760 --> 00:32:06.470
and facilities that help deliver clean,
00:32:06.470 --> 00:32:09.613
safe water to everybody in Region II.
00:32:10.890 --> 00:32:14.240
He referred to the cost of
making these improvements
00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:17.160
in the neighborhoods of
a hundred million dollars
00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:22.160
and just so that you are
not confused about this,
00:32:23.270 --> 00:32:28.270
that kind of money is
borrowed or capital is raised
00:32:30.430 --> 00:32:35.047
by selling new issued
stocks to new investors,
00:32:36.970 --> 00:32:39.830
but they have to pay dividends on that
00:32:39.830 --> 00:32:43.800
and so essentially these
large numbers of dollars
00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:47.410
to make the improvements
that Golden State water fields
00:32:47.410 --> 00:32:52.410
are necessary in Region
II are really in a sense
00:32:52.990 --> 00:32:56.390
just like a mortgage on a house,
00:32:56.390 --> 00:32:59.570
you don't pay the whole mortgage
off when you buy the house,
00:32:59.570 --> 00:33:04.570
you pay it out over a number
of years, 15, 20 or 30 years.
00:33:05.270 --> 00:33:08.460
And the same is true
with these large numbers
00:33:09.657 --> 00:33:12.470
for improvements in Region II,
00:33:12.470 --> 00:33:16.160
they will be paid out
over a long period of time.
00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:20.790
And the rate increases
that both Mr Switzer
00:33:20.790 --> 00:33:25.770
and I referred to, are the rate
increases that are necessary
00:33:25.770 --> 00:33:30.770
to both amortize that
debt for a year, each year
00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:37.920
and also to pay the
interest on borrowed money
00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:41.750
to the extent borrowed
money went into purchasing
00:33:41.750 --> 00:33:45.880
the work and the materials
to make these improvements.
00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.950
So I just wanna make sure
00:33:46.950 --> 00:33:49.280
that everybody who's listening tonight
00:33:49.280 --> 00:33:52.880
understands that
there is not going to be
00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:56.980
a hundred million dollar
revenue increase this year.
00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:59.080
It's going to be the amount of money
00:33:59.080 --> 00:34:02.250
that is going to be
needed to service the debt
00:34:02.250 --> 00:34:06.220
and pay stock dividends
that might be necessary
00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:09.250
in order to get together all the money,
00:34:09.250 --> 00:34:12.510
to pay the contractors, to
make those improvements
00:34:12.510 --> 00:34:17.510
and that debt will stay with the utility
00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:23.040
until whatever the period
of time is that it's arranged
00:34:23.040 --> 00:34:27.650
to carry that debt
10, 15, 20 or 30 years.
00:34:27.650 --> 00:34:29.520
Okay, with that clarification,
00:34:29.520 --> 00:34:32.620
I'd like to invite Mr. Victor Chan
00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:35.090
from the Public Advocate's Office
00:34:35.090 --> 00:34:37.380
at the California Public
Utilities Commission,
00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:42.200
who is your representative
in this proceeding.
00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:44.840
When I say your, I mean,
all the people in the audience
00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:48.360
from Region II, he will
be representing you.
00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:50.750
So Mr. Chan, if you'd like
to make some comments,
00:34:50.750 --> 00:34:51.903
please do so.
00:34:55.630 --> 00:34:56.560
Yeah, good evening.
00:34:56.560 --> 00:34:58.489
Thank you Judge Ferguson
00:34:58.489 --> 00:35:02.620
and thank you for
allowing me the opportunity
00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:06.570
to speak briefly regarding our role
00:35:06.570 --> 00:35:09.980
Public Advocates Office as
well as our recommendation
00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:12.083
in this particular proceeding.
00:35:13.430 --> 00:35:18.430
The Public Advocate's office
or short for Cal Advocates
00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:20.010
is an independent office
00:35:20.010 --> 00:35:23.410
within the California
Public Utilities Commission
00:35:23.410 --> 00:35:26.650
that represents the
interests of rate payers.
00:35:26.650 --> 00:35:29.650
Our statutory mission is to obtain
00:35:29.650 --> 00:35:32.280
the lowest possible rate for service
00:35:32.280 --> 00:35:35.713
consistent with reliable
and safe service levels.
00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:40.608
Cal Advocates has a
multi-disciplinary staff
00:35:40.608 --> 00:35:45.608
with expertise in engineering,
economics, accounting
00:35:45.670 --> 00:35:47.300
and finance.
00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.450
Cal Advocates views
00:35:48.450 --> 00:35:52.203
do not necessarily reflect
those of the Commission.
00:35:53.470 --> 00:35:57.480
In February 2021, Cal
Advocates served it's testimony
00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:59.120
on Golden State Water Company's,
00:35:59.120 --> 00:36:04.120
general rate case
application number 2007012.
00:36:04.520 --> 00:36:05.970
In which Golden State Water Company,
00:36:05.970 --> 00:36:09.093
request rate increased for Region I, II
00:36:09.093 --> 00:36:10.843
and III service areas.
00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:14.870
Cal Advocates testimony present analysis
00:36:14.870 --> 00:36:18.140
and recommendation
on a wide range of issues,
00:36:18.140 --> 00:36:22.510
including capital
investment, sales, rate design,
00:36:22.510 --> 00:36:26.563
conservation, operating
expenses and taxes.
00:36:28.410 --> 00:36:31.510
Compared to Golden State
Water Company's requests
00:36:31.510 --> 00:36:36.510
of 16.66% increase for
its Region II service area,
00:36:37.290 --> 00:36:42.290
Cal Advocates recommends
no more than 7.83% increase
00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:44.413
in revenue and average system rates.
00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:49.810
The following areas are
some of Cal Advocates
00:36:49.810 --> 00:36:52.143
specific and significant recommendation.
00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:57.010
One, we authorize
funding for a more moderate
00:36:57.010 --> 00:36:58.623
pipeline replacement program.
00:36:59.580 --> 00:37:02.930
Two, we reduce Golden
State Water Company's
00:37:02.930 --> 00:37:05.453
opposed salary increase
and new position.
00:37:06.570 --> 00:37:10.860
Three, we decrease expenses
and capital investments
00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:13.213
on Golden State Water
Company's General Office.
00:37:14.330 --> 00:37:18.030
Four, we also remove
the unfinished projects
00:37:18.030 --> 00:37:20.799
that are not providing
rate payer benefits
00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:22.223
at the current time.
00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:28.350
To view our Cal Advocates staff report
00:37:28.350 --> 00:37:31.860
all this different issues you can go to
00:37:35.870 --> 00:37:38.400
California Public Utilities
Commission's website
00:37:39.470 --> 00:37:44.360
and look up Cal Advocates webpage
00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:49.360
under www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov.
00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:55.100
In it look for the 2021,
00:37:59.270 --> 00:38:01.450
Golden State Water Company's application
00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:07.820
where our staff reports
are uploaded on the website.
00:38:09.730 --> 00:38:11.990
With that, this concludes my remarks
00:38:11.990 --> 00:38:14.540
and I look forward to
hearing your comment tonight.
00:38:16.390 --> 00:38:18.670
Thank you, Mr. Chan.
00:38:18.670 --> 00:38:23.430
Well, now we've come to an
important part of this evening,
00:38:23.430 --> 00:38:26.320
in fact, the most important
part of this evening,
00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:28.060
and that is for us,
00:38:28.060 --> 00:38:31.170
at the California Public
Utilities Commission
00:38:31.170 --> 00:38:33.170
all of those you've heard speak tonight,
00:38:33.170 --> 00:38:38.170
The Commissioner, me and
Mr. Chan and Mr. Switzer,
00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:42.910
it's time for us to hear from you,
00:38:42.910 --> 00:38:46.070
how you feel about this
proposed rate increase
00:38:46.070 --> 00:38:48.243
for your particular rate area.
00:38:49.140 --> 00:38:54.140
So here's how we're going
to do this if you want to speak
00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:57.790
and if you haven't already done so
00:38:58.670 --> 00:39:03.160
use your cell phone and press star,
00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.763
and then the number one,
00:39:06.250 --> 00:39:10.090
the operator will then add
you to the line of other callers
00:39:10.090 --> 00:39:11.873
who would like to make a comment.
00:39:12.750 --> 00:39:17.750
Your comments will be
transcribed by the court reporters,
00:39:19.210 --> 00:39:23.750
so speak slowly, start with your name,
00:39:23.750 --> 00:39:27.113
your full name, spell your full name,
00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:32.713
tell us which town or city
in Region II you live in,
00:39:33.979 --> 00:39:37.150
and then we would like very much to hear
00:39:37.150 --> 00:39:38.793
whatever your comments are.
00:39:39.640 --> 00:39:44.603
I'm going to limit comments
to about two minutes, a piece.
00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:51.440
There will be a chime that
you will hear on your phone
00:39:51.806 --> 00:39:56.580
when the two minutes
for you have expired
00:39:57.730 --> 00:40:00.810
depending upon how many
people we have lined up
00:40:00.810 --> 00:40:03.870
to speak, I may allow
you to have a little bit more,
00:40:03.870 --> 00:40:08.530
but to begin with don't count
on it, you have two minutes.
00:40:08.530 --> 00:40:13.520
I know that's short, but try
to say what you want to say
00:40:13.520 --> 00:40:14.890
in the two minutes.
00:40:14.890 --> 00:40:17.380
You will have a further opportunity
00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:19.740
to provide written comments
00:40:19.740 --> 00:40:23.960
and this afternoon, we had
some pretty extensive writings
00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:27.810
that were provided to
us through our website,
00:40:27.810 --> 00:40:31.090
as I explained on the docket sheet
00:40:31.090 --> 00:40:34.110
and if you call the
Public Advisor's office,
00:40:34.110 --> 00:40:36.330
they will help you through that.
00:40:36.330 --> 00:40:40.930
You can see on your screen,
if you have internet right now,
00:40:40.930 --> 00:40:45.930
you'll see the Public Advisor's
website and phone number
00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:50.563
at the bottom of the
page next to my picture.
00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:56.040
Alright, Operator can you
tell me if we have any speakers
00:40:56.040 --> 00:40:58.233
who are in the queue at this point?
00:40:59.300 --> 00:41:01.540
Yes Sir, we do
have a couple of speakers
00:41:01.540 --> 00:41:03.553
in the queue at this time.
00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:09.100
Okay, well, I would like
to have the speakers start
00:41:09.100 --> 00:41:11.097
and when you start,
00:41:12.970 --> 00:41:17.240
just please announce the
name of the speaker for us,
00:41:17.240 --> 00:41:18.073
please.
00:41:20.750 --> 00:41:22.200
Thank you.
00:41:22.200 --> 00:41:26.610
First comments comes from Andrew Gerson
00:41:26.610 --> 00:41:27.693
your line is open.
00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:30.130
Hey, good evening.
00:41:30.130 --> 00:41:31.783
How are you doing Judge Ferguson?
00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:33.613
Fine thank you.
00:41:33.613 --> 00:41:34.446
I'm the owner
00:41:34.446 --> 00:41:37.730
of a multi unit residential property
00:41:37.730 --> 00:41:39.290
in Inglewood, California.
00:41:39.290 --> 00:41:41.136
They consist of-
00:41:41.136 --> 00:41:43.830
Mr. Gerson first, let's
start with your full name,
00:41:43.830 --> 00:41:47.500
spell it and then tell
us where you reside
00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:48.620
and then go on with your comment.
00:41:48.620 --> 00:41:51.290
Okay, so spell your full name for us.
00:41:51.290 --> 00:41:56.290
Andrew, A N D R
E W, Gerson, G E R S O N.
00:41:59.750 --> 00:42:04.750
Okay, I'm the owner of a
multi-unit residential property
00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:07.460
in the City of Inglewood,
00:42:07.460 --> 00:42:10.420
very close to the Rams Football Stadium
00:42:10.420 --> 00:42:14.550
and close to where they're
gonna put the Clippers Arena
00:42:14.550 --> 00:42:19.550
and this particular rate
increase of 16.7% in one year
00:42:22.740 --> 00:42:26.380
will just completely hammer
me and I'm in a wreck.
00:42:26.380 --> 00:42:29.820
They just recently put the
property under rent control,
00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:33.490
my tenants have been
struggling to pay the rent as it is
00:42:33.490 --> 00:42:35.500
they're always late and barely come up
00:42:35.500 --> 00:42:39.680
with the scratch at the end
and I'm very fair to them.
00:42:39.680 --> 00:42:44.480
They're rents are about
60 to 65% of market rates
00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:49.480
and I can't understand
how like infrastructure costs
00:42:50.090 --> 00:42:52.230
and stuff that could
be amortized over time
00:42:52.230 --> 00:42:57.120
can come up to 16.7% all in one shot
00:42:57.120 --> 00:43:00.240
and like, I'll be forced
to like raise the rent
00:43:00.240 --> 00:43:02.400
more so than usual.
00:43:02.400 --> 00:43:07.120
And in my particular case
with the rent control in effect,
00:43:07.120 --> 00:43:10.480
like I have to watch, all sides
00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:13.150
and I don't even know if
my tenants can afford it
00:43:14.909 --> 00:43:19.720
and as it is right now, my
rates are extremely high.
00:43:19.720 --> 00:43:24.150
I've done a comparison
with LADWP where I reside
00:43:24.150 --> 00:43:26.410
and like their rates are much lower
00:43:26.410 --> 00:43:29.780
and they're supposedly
one of the highest ones.
00:43:29.780 --> 00:43:34.420
So mine is not subject
to the tiered rates,
00:43:34.420 --> 00:43:36.080
it's a flat rate,
00:43:36.080 --> 00:43:39.150
but I was wondering if there's
anything that can be done
00:43:39.150 --> 00:43:41.360
considering that it's rent controlled
00:43:41.360 --> 00:43:45.390
and all of my tenants, they're
extremely low income people
00:43:45.390 --> 00:43:47.500
struggling to survive.
00:43:47.500 --> 00:43:49.440
Like I would like Golden State,
00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:51.980
to explore something in that regard.
00:43:51.980 --> 00:43:53.590
I pay the water bill,
00:43:53.590 --> 00:43:56.850
but they mentioned the
fact that if you're low income
00:43:56.850 --> 00:44:00.070
or whatever then maybe
they'll work something out.
00:44:00.070 --> 00:44:02.100
I think they should be
able to work something out
00:44:02.100 --> 00:44:06.913
for somebody like myself
because I respect people
00:44:06.913 --> 00:44:08.890
and I'm trying to do the right thing
00:44:08.890 --> 00:44:11.950
and I'm trying to hang on
with my tenants and all that.
00:44:11.950 --> 00:44:13.710
I like all of my tenants,
00:44:13.710 --> 00:44:16.650
they're hardworking
Hispanic people, all of them
00:44:16.650 --> 00:44:20.020
and I just want the
right thing done here
00:44:20.020 --> 00:44:23.120
'cause this thing will
pretty much kill me.
00:44:23.120 --> 00:44:25.190
Right now my water rates are averaging
00:44:25.190 --> 00:44:27.760
about $500 per month.
00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:32.760
So like a 16.9% on top of
that on top of $880 a year
00:44:33.740 --> 00:44:38.150
and rent control fees that I
have to pay and everything else
00:44:38.150 --> 00:44:40.120
is just giving me like
a complete haircut,
00:44:40.120 --> 00:44:41.434
like unexpectedly.
00:44:41.434 --> 00:44:43.093
So I would appreciate it
00:44:43.093 --> 00:44:46.440
if you guys could take a look at that,
00:44:46.440 --> 00:44:50.090
and maybe there's something
that they can do in that regard,
00:44:50.090 --> 00:44:54.730
because my tenants they
use whatever water they need
00:44:54.730 --> 00:44:57.850
to take a shower or bath
or cook or clean or whatever
00:44:57.850 --> 00:44:58.920
and that's all they do
00:44:58.920 --> 00:45:02.730
there's no watering
allowed outside whatsoever.
00:45:02.730 --> 00:45:06.640
And I have all low flow
shower heads and toilets
00:45:06.640 --> 00:45:08.139
and you name it.
00:45:08.139 --> 00:45:12.770
So I would just like you to
take that into consideration
00:45:12.770 --> 00:45:15.050
'cause I'm...
(chime clinking)
00:45:15.050 --> 00:45:18.860
Okay chime just went
off, thanks for your time.
00:45:18.860 --> 00:45:20.500
Alright, Mr. Gerson,
00:45:20.500 --> 00:45:23.000
I think it would be worth your while
00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:27.410
to get in touch with Golden
State Water and talk to them
00:45:27.410 --> 00:45:31.960
about the programs that they
have for a low income housing,
00:45:31.960 --> 00:45:33.810
if they have any, I don't know,
00:45:33.810 --> 00:45:35.620
and I don't want to
speak on their behalf,
00:45:35.620 --> 00:45:39.570
but I think it's worth your
while to get in touch with them.
00:45:39.570 --> 00:45:42.760
Mr. Switzer has given
you numbers to call
00:45:42.760 --> 00:45:44.760
I'm gonna call a
couple of those numbers
00:45:44.760 --> 00:45:47.120
right after I get off the horn with you,
00:45:47.120 --> 00:45:49.485
but I appreciate whatever you're doing.
00:45:49.485 --> 00:45:51.550
You seem really sharp,
00:45:51.550 --> 00:45:53.590
and I just hope that
the right thing gets done,
00:45:53.590 --> 00:45:54.990
whatever the right thing is.
00:45:56.230 --> 00:46:00.320
Okay, well, we're taking
your comments to heart
00:46:00.320 --> 00:46:02.630
and it's not an unusual problem.
00:46:02.630 --> 00:46:05.750
Landlords often have a single meter
00:46:05.750 --> 00:46:10.130
and that of course, they lose
control over the actual usage
00:46:10.130 --> 00:46:13.010
when they do that, but
it happens all the time.
00:46:13.010 --> 00:46:15.390
So we're aware of
that kind of a problem.
00:46:15.390 --> 00:46:17.410
Right, that is
what's happening with me
00:46:17.410 --> 00:46:19.662
and since I am in a
rent controlled area,
00:46:19.662 --> 00:46:22.310
I will discuss it with Golden State
00:46:22.310 --> 00:46:26.510
maybe they can do a special
rate for people like myself,
00:46:26.510 --> 00:46:31.510
because I have never
have had any intention
00:46:31.800 --> 00:46:34.300
of getting rid of anybody.
00:46:34.300 --> 00:46:38.180
Even though my tenants,
they pay late and all the time,
00:46:38.180 --> 00:46:41.547
even before the pandemic,
but with the pandemic,
00:46:41.547 --> 00:46:44.620
this is putting a lot of
stress and strain on me,
00:46:44.620 --> 00:46:47.030
like crunching the numbers from my end
00:46:47.030 --> 00:46:48.820
like I'm gonna have to raise the rent
00:46:48.820 --> 00:46:50.710
with a little bit more than usual
00:46:50.710 --> 00:46:53.810
with or without the water rate increase
00:46:53.810 --> 00:46:55.610
but the water rate increase
00:46:55.610 --> 00:46:58.953
is definitely gonna hammer
me in my particular case.
00:46:59.930 --> 00:47:03.210
Right, okay, get
together with Mr. Switzer
00:47:03.210 --> 00:47:05.900
and see if he can help
you out with something.
00:47:05.900 --> 00:47:07.970
Alright, thanks
a lot for your time.
00:47:07.970 --> 00:47:10.943
Alright, Operator
next speaker, please.
00:47:12.350 --> 00:47:15.600
Yes our
next speaker is Jessica,
00:47:15.600 --> 00:47:16.723
your line is open.
00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:20.890
Hi, good evening, Judge.
00:47:20.890 --> 00:47:22.670
My name is Jessica Anderson,
00:47:22.670 --> 00:47:27.670
J-E-S-S-I-C-A , A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N
00:47:28.720 --> 00:47:31.133
and I am in Lakewood, California.
00:47:32.000 --> 00:47:33.070
Thank you.
00:47:33.070 --> 00:47:34.930
Oh, sorry, go ahead.
00:47:34.930 --> 00:47:37.050
No, just thank
you for spelling it out
00:47:37.050 --> 00:47:39.690
and telling us where
you live, thank you.
00:47:39.690 --> 00:47:41.000
Yeah, no problem.
00:47:41.000 --> 00:47:45.360
Yeah, so this is nothing new,
they do this every three years
00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:48.390
and they're usually exorbitant heights,
00:47:48.390 --> 00:47:51.770
I think last one was like 17%
or something along those lines
00:47:51.770 --> 00:47:54.010
and I've been monitoring this closely
00:47:54.010 --> 00:47:58.470
because my water
bill is just the highest
00:47:58.470 --> 00:48:01.890
out of any other utility and
everyone that I compare it to
00:48:01.890 --> 00:48:04.170
in any other City is way higher
00:48:04.170 --> 00:48:06.480
and even when I compare the actual rates
00:48:06.480 --> 00:48:09.010
to the rest of my City in Lakewood,
00:48:09.010 --> 00:48:12.190
we're 40% higher than
the rest of the Lakewood
00:48:12.190 --> 00:48:16.133
for the same usage and
that's just crazy to me.
00:48:17.402 --> 00:48:19.700
They tell you to conserve water,
00:48:19.700 --> 00:48:21.040
but then when you can serve water,
00:48:21.040 --> 00:48:24.360
they put the WRM surcharge on there
00:48:24.360 --> 00:48:26.640
and you have to pay for it anyway.
00:48:26.640 --> 00:48:29.640
So really what's the
motivation of trying to save water
00:48:29.640 --> 00:48:31.580
I've already gotten a grant
from the water company
00:48:31.580 --> 00:48:33.900
to get rid of majority of my grass
00:48:33.900 --> 00:48:38.010
and I've actually done
all the low flow toilets,
00:48:38.010 --> 00:48:39.112
the low flow shower heads,
00:48:39.112 --> 00:48:41.990
which are all required
by California now anyway,
00:48:41.990 --> 00:48:43.880
and working from home now,
00:48:43.880 --> 00:48:45.575
now that I don't go out often,
00:48:45.575 --> 00:48:47.280
probably pretty personal to say,
00:48:47.280 --> 00:48:48.920
but I don't even shower every day,
00:48:48.920 --> 00:48:52.550
just trying to keep the bill down.
00:48:52.550 --> 00:48:54.280
And now they're trying to raise it again
00:48:54.280 --> 00:48:55.890
after this pandemic.
00:48:55.890 --> 00:48:58.450
It just, it seems like
any chance they get
00:48:58.450 --> 00:48:59.730
they're grabbing at this.
00:48:59.730 --> 00:49:02.215
And when I look at
the actual other rates,
00:49:02.215 --> 00:49:04.260
they're are higher,
00:49:04.260 --> 00:49:06.610
like Tier 1 they're the second highest
00:49:06.610 --> 00:49:10.880
out of all the other
Class A water companies,
00:49:10.880 --> 00:49:15.480
and if they increase this,
they'll be the highest one.
00:49:15.480 --> 00:49:18.140
And it's just really frustrating
00:49:18.140 --> 00:49:19.957
because you keep telling the users,
00:49:19.957 --> 00:49:22.100
"Oh, just use less, just use less."
00:49:22.100 --> 00:49:23.490
Well, if they want the infrastructure
00:49:23.490 --> 00:49:25.699
and they wanna build this stuff,
00:49:25.699 --> 00:49:27.249
why can't they just spend less?
00:49:29.059 --> 00:49:30.980
Why does it take 10 years
00:49:30.980 --> 00:49:33.510
to figure out what the
drought reduction is?
00:49:33.510 --> 00:49:36.940
In order to work on the WRAM,
00:49:36.940 --> 00:49:40.340
their charge, that's
not expiring until 2025,
00:49:40.340 --> 00:49:43.500
we still have to pay
that, even though people,
00:49:43.500 --> 00:49:44.333
they should have by now
00:49:44.333 --> 00:49:46.030
figured out how much
people were reducing
00:49:46.030 --> 00:49:47.900
and bought less water.
00:49:47.900 --> 00:49:51.650
And then looking at actually
their statement of income
00:49:51.650 --> 00:49:52.690
and those kinds of things,
00:49:52.690 --> 00:49:55.380
it shows that their revenues
00:49:55.380 --> 00:49:59.360
are actually down, I believe around 9%,
00:49:59.360 --> 00:50:02.410
but their purchases have gone up 8%
00:50:02.410 --> 00:50:03.680
just in that first quarter.
00:50:03.680 --> 00:50:06.640
So why did they need another increase
00:50:06.640 --> 00:50:08.060
if they have less revenues,
00:50:08.060 --> 00:50:09.600
but their spending has gone up,
00:50:09.600 --> 00:50:14.200
but they still have an
increase in profit of about 10%.
00:50:14.200 --> 00:50:18.230
So they're asking for these
things every single year,
00:50:18.230 --> 00:50:21.223
and they're just crazy
amounts each time.
00:50:22.370 --> 00:50:25.770
So if they're asking us
to decrease our usage
00:50:25.770 --> 00:50:27.630
and use less to have a lower bill,
00:50:27.630 --> 00:50:30.630
then why aren't we
asking them to spend less,
00:50:30.630 --> 00:50:32.330
like are we gonna audit their books?
00:50:32.330 --> 00:50:34.030
Are we gonna look at that spending?
00:50:34.030 --> 00:50:36.220
Are we going to look at
what they're paying for?
00:50:36.220 --> 00:50:39.682
Because a lot of these
their parent company
00:50:39.682 --> 00:50:41.350
and a lot of their executives
00:50:41.350 --> 00:50:43.290
are actually getting paid quite well.
00:50:43.290 --> 00:50:48.290
And we've actually
looked into this with the city,
00:50:48.600 --> 00:50:50.480
and they've been trying to fight it too
00:50:50.480 --> 00:50:52.910
because they realized how expensive
00:50:52.910 --> 00:50:54.960
Golden State Water has made things.
00:50:54.960 --> 00:50:57.040
What are they trying
to accomplish with this?
00:50:57.040 --> 00:50:58.780
They just keep asking and keep asking
00:50:58.780 --> 00:51:01.220
and keep asking every three years,
00:51:01.220 --> 00:51:02.530
and it's not a little increase
00:51:02.530 --> 00:51:05.100
of a couple percent to
keep up with inflation,
00:51:05.100 --> 00:51:08.030
it's extreme rates, right?
00:51:08.030 --> 00:51:13.030
So at this point it's just
creating a huge hardship.
00:51:13.430 --> 00:51:14.840
I've watched this for years
00:51:14.840 --> 00:51:18.030
because I was more low income
00:51:18.030 --> 00:51:19.070
and I had to have roommates
00:51:19.070 --> 00:51:21.410
and stuff like that to
even afford my house,
00:51:21.410 --> 00:51:24.100
and how do you tell roommates
00:51:24.100 --> 00:51:26.640
to lower their usage?
00:51:26.640 --> 00:51:27.795
And now that I don't have roommates,
00:51:27.795 --> 00:51:29.630
(chime clinking)
00:51:29.630 --> 00:51:31.660
I still can't get it lower.
00:51:31.660 --> 00:51:34.723
Yeah, okay, let me give
you a little bit of comfort,
00:51:36.360 --> 00:51:37.790
the things that you point out
00:51:37.790 --> 00:51:41.810
are the things that both I and
not only Commissioner Houck,
00:51:41.810 --> 00:51:43.290
but all five Commissioners
00:51:43.290 --> 00:51:45.290
will be looking at very closely.
00:51:45.290 --> 00:51:46.840
And one of them,
00:51:46.840 --> 00:51:49.840
in order to avoid having as much money
00:51:49.840 --> 00:51:52.543
going into the Ram bank accounts.
00:51:54.170 --> 00:51:57.410
We are looking very closely
00:51:57.410 --> 00:52:00.030
at the projected sales numbers
00:52:00.030 --> 00:52:03.640
that are being proposed by Golden State
00:52:03.640 --> 00:52:05.420
in this rate case.
00:52:05.420 --> 00:52:08.320
So we're gonna be
looking at that very closely
00:52:08.320 --> 00:52:12.390
so that there isn't a whole lot of money
00:52:12.390 --> 00:52:16.250
that is going into those
balancing accounts
00:52:16.250 --> 00:52:19.920
or the Ram, due to the fact
00:52:19.920 --> 00:52:24.090
that people have
conserved so much water.
00:52:24.090 --> 00:52:26.640
So the issue you point out
00:52:26.640 --> 00:52:28.210
is one that we're well aware of
00:52:28.210 --> 00:52:30.620
and we're looking at very closely
00:52:30.620 --> 00:52:33.540
in this particular rate case,
00:52:33.540 --> 00:52:35.950
as well as all the other
items that you pointed out,
00:52:35.950 --> 00:52:38.890
the salaries for executives and others,
00:52:38.890 --> 00:52:41.730
the number of positions
and so on and so forth.
00:52:41.730 --> 00:52:43.990
We're looking at all
of that in this rate case.
00:52:43.990 --> 00:52:46.320
So thank you very much for your comment.
00:52:46.320 --> 00:52:49.360
And I hope that this gives
you a little bit of comfort
00:52:49.360 --> 00:52:51.780
that yes, we are looking at this,
00:52:51.780 --> 00:52:53.790
we're at hard at work at it right now,
00:52:53.790 --> 00:52:58.390
and as is Mr. Chan and Mr. Switzer.
00:52:58.390 --> 00:53:00.890
Okay next- One
comment on that,
00:53:00.890 --> 00:53:01.740
just in response.
00:53:03.070 --> 00:53:05.850
Well let me get
through everybody else
00:53:05.850 --> 00:53:07.500
and if we have time, you can...
00:53:07.500 --> 00:53:09.020
You know what the best thing to do
00:53:09.020 --> 00:53:12.370
is for you to just send in a comment,
00:53:12.370 --> 00:53:16.090
those comments I read
every week on Friday,
00:53:16.090 --> 00:53:17.510
I go through all the comments
00:53:17.510 --> 00:53:19.130
on this particular rate case
00:53:19.130 --> 00:53:21.240
that have been sent in by the public.
00:53:21.240 --> 00:53:25.153
So just put it in writing,
put it in the comments,
00:53:25.153 --> 00:53:28.020
you can type right into the system
00:53:28.020 --> 00:53:31.324
and I will be reading it on Friday.
00:53:31.324 --> 00:53:32.157
Okay.
00:53:32.157 --> 00:53:33.007
Okay.
00:53:33.007 --> 00:53:33.840
Thank you.
00:53:33.840 --> 00:53:35.540
All right, next
speaker, please.
00:53:37.690 --> 00:53:38.610
Sir, I'm sorry,
00:53:38.610 --> 00:53:40.883
no further comments at this time.
00:53:42.140 --> 00:53:46.460
Okay, well, we've
been going for an hour.
00:53:46.460 --> 00:53:49.660
So what I'd like to do
00:53:49.660 --> 00:53:53.850
is take a break for,
how about 10 minutes?
00:53:53.850 --> 00:54:00.910
It's 7:25 right now, at
7:35 we will pick up again
00:54:00.910 --> 00:54:03.390
and see if there are
any further speakers,
00:54:03.390 --> 00:54:06.740
those listening to us this evening
00:54:06.740 --> 00:54:11.060
I encourage you to come
forward with your comments,
00:54:11.060 --> 00:54:15.270
they are quite helpful to
the Commissioner and to me,
00:54:15.270 --> 00:54:17.870
and to all the other Commissioners
00:54:17.870 --> 00:54:19.630
because all of this is being captured
00:54:19.630 --> 00:54:22.540
in writing by the transcribers.
00:54:22.540 --> 00:54:25.830
And so we want to hear from you,
00:54:25.830 --> 00:54:28.360
and that's what we're
here for this evening.
00:54:28.360 --> 00:54:32.530
So let's reconvene, we'll be in recess
00:54:32.530 --> 00:54:36.163
and off the record for
10 minutes until 7:35.
00:54:40.100 --> 00:54:42.027
All right, the time is 7:35
00:54:43.536 --> 00:54:46.713
and we will be back
on the record please.
00:54:48.760 --> 00:54:52.330
Operator, are there any further speakers
00:54:52.330 --> 00:54:54.030
who are in the queue?
00:54:55.466 --> 00:54:56.450
Yes Sir,
00:54:56.450 --> 00:55:00.463
we do have a gentlemen
that has queued up, yeah.
00:55:01.775 --> 00:55:06.593
Okay, why don't you put
that individual on the speaker.
00:55:10.200 --> 00:55:11.130
All right, next comment
00:55:11.130 --> 00:55:14.033
comes from Lary
Grebow, your line is open.
00:55:15.850 --> 00:55:17.320
Yeah, Judge Ferguson,
00:55:17.320 --> 00:55:22.320
My name is Lary Grebow,
L-A-R-Y G-R-E-B-O-W,
00:55:22.640 --> 00:55:24.453
I live in Lakewood, California.
00:55:25.540 --> 00:55:30.540
As Mr. Anderson has stated
that Golden State Water
00:55:32.230 --> 00:55:36.771
just basically needs to be scrutinized,
00:55:36.771 --> 00:55:41.110
basically to check out their earnings
00:55:41.110 --> 00:55:43.440
and see how they constitute
00:55:43.440 --> 00:55:46.130
to have million dollar profits and stuff
00:55:46.130 --> 00:55:50.733
and still overcharge
us individuals so much.
00:55:52.080 --> 00:55:54.630
The thing that kind of
irritates me a little bit
00:55:54.630 --> 00:55:57.350
is when I sit here and
I'm looking at my water bill,
00:55:57.350 --> 00:56:01.303
you're telling me my water
bill is gonna go up another $10,
00:56:02.210 --> 00:56:04.230
while my water bill currently today
00:56:04.230 --> 00:56:06.970
stays at the rate that he says,
00:56:06.970 --> 00:56:09.283
it's going to be, at the new rate,
00:56:10.620 --> 00:56:15.620
my water bill today is over
$67 for nine units, okay.
00:56:17.190 --> 00:56:18.023
Okay.
00:56:18.023 --> 00:56:21.513
That constitutes also
also a $5 for the Ram charge,
00:56:22.760 --> 00:56:24.680
which also constitutes all the taxes,
00:56:24.680 --> 00:56:27.110
which I know Golden State
Water isn't responsible for,
00:56:27.110 --> 00:56:29.150
but it gets taxed on
because of the rate hikes,
00:56:29.150 --> 00:56:30.950
'cause it's based on all that stuff.
00:56:31.960 --> 00:56:34.300
And the other thing
that is a little irritating,
00:56:34.300 --> 00:56:36.863
not only are we gonna
get hit by a rate hike,
00:56:38.380 --> 00:56:41.080
we're also gonna get
hit with a usage cuttage,
00:56:41.080 --> 00:56:43.650
meaning that if I go over nine,
00:56:43.650 --> 00:56:47.453
I know I'm gonna fall into
Tier 2 which is a higher rate.
00:56:48.430 --> 00:56:52.740
Now, when you guys
constituted the level of 11,
00:56:52.740 --> 00:56:56.690
I cut back, I literally
stopped watering,
00:56:56.690 --> 00:56:59.770
and then you heard
from various other people
00:56:59.770 --> 00:57:01.250
that have stayed indoors,
00:57:01.250 --> 00:57:03.880
our area is turning into a dust field
00:57:03.880 --> 00:57:05.632
because people aren't watering,
00:57:05.632 --> 00:57:09.110
and that is not environmentally safe.
00:57:09.110 --> 00:57:12.210
The other thing is it's a fire hazard,
00:57:12.210 --> 00:57:14.050
not having greenery around
00:57:14.050 --> 00:57:17.370
instead we have brownies and dust.
00:57:17.370 --> 00:57:18.610
I mean if we get a fire
00:57:18.610 --> 00:57:20.853
we're just gonna be like the mountains.
00:57:21.880 --> 00:57:24.267
So I think when you look at this,
00:57:24.267 --> 00:57:26.890
not only do you need to
look at the rate increase,
00:57:26.890 --> 00:57:28.880
you need to also look at the usage
00:57:28.880 --> 00:57:32.300
as far as cutting back
how much we can use,
00:57:32.300 --> 00:57:33.960
'cause I think people are cutting back
00:57:33.960 --> 00:57:36.359
and that's why you're
seeing the high level,
00:57:36.359 --> 00:57:39.070
or the average level being nine now,
00:57:39.070 --> 00:57:40.720
instead of what it was before.
00:57:40.720 --> 00:57:43.020
People are doing what you're asking,
00:57:43.020 --> 00:57:45.070
but they're being
penalized for doing it.
00:57:46.190 --> 00:57:49.150
So something's got to give here,
00:57:49.150 --> 00:57:51.070
and I understand all the corporation,
00:57:51.070 --> 00:57:53.530
they're trying to generate income,
00:57:53.530 --> 00:57:56.950
but they also gotta understand
who their customers are.
00:57:56.950 --> 00:58:00.720
And the other thing is we
as customers in this area,
00:58:00.720 --> 00:58:02.010
we can't go anywhere else,
00:58:02.010 --> 00:58:05.193
so we're kind of being
monopolized by one company.
00:58:06.110 --> 00:58:07.853
And as you heard before,
00:58:08.840 --> 00:58:10.590
Golden State got the highest rates
00:58:10.590 --> 00:58:13.260
compared of all the other
companies in the area.
00:58:13.260 --> 00:58:15.380
And based on your 1:30 meeting,
00:58:15.380 --> 00:58:17.113
a gentleman talked about a chart,
00:58:17.990 --> 00:58:20.201
and that chart definitely shows
00:58:20.201 --> 00:58:22.700
how much Golden State is charging,
00:58:22.700 --> 00:58:25.380
overcharging, as far
as the other companies.
00:58:25.380 --> 00:58:26.563
As far as the infrastructure,
00:58:26.563 --> 00:58:29.230
that's the same thing
they said three years ago,
00:58:29.230 --> 00:58:31.370
they needed to invest in infrastructure.
00:58:31.370 --> 00:58:33.203
What did they do three years ago?
00:58:34.576 --> 00:58:35.409
(chime clinking)
00:58:35.409 --> 00:58:38.170
Did they do any work to eliminate that
00:58:38.170 --> 00:58:40.200
or work that down or not.
00:58:40.200 --> 00:58:42.130
And my time's up I'm sorry.
00:58:42.130 --> 00:58:43.005
So I was just saying,
00:58:43.005 --> 00:58:46.380
you need to look at this really closely
00:58:46.380 --> 00:58:47.830
and scrutinize what's coming.
00:58:49.400 --> 00:58:51.130
Okay, thank you very much.
00:58:51.130 --> 00:58:55.560
And I will tell you that the individual
00:58:55.560 --> 00:58:58.050
who assembled all that data
00:58:58.050 --> 00:59:02.350
has now placed that data in
the public comments section
00:59:02.350 --> 00:59:05.850
of the docket sheet for
this particular proceeding,
00:59:05.850 --> 00:59:08.127
he was able to get that done
00:59:08.127 --> 00:59:12.010
since the afternoon Public
Participation Hearing.
00:59:12.010 --> 00:59:15.370
So it's interesting
that you're well aware
00:59:15.370 --> 00:59:18.070
of what he was trying to get in
00:59:18.070 --> 00:59:20.800
and it is now in the docket sheet,
00:59:20.800 --> 00:59:23.270
so it's available to me,
00:59:23.270 --> 00:59:25.253
and I will definitely be reading it.
00:59:27.300 --> 00:59:29.620
Thank you very much for your comment,
00:59:29.620 --> 00:59:31.763
operator are there any other speakers?
00:59:34.460 --> 00:59:35.450
Yes Sir,
00:59:35.450 --> 00:59:40.450
we do have another
comment from Rey Armenteros,
00:59:44.297 --> 00:59:45.130
Okay.
00:59:45.130 --> 00:59:46.660
Sorry for
the pronunciation.
00:59:49.220 --> 00:59:51.330
That's fine, am I on the air?
00:59:51.330 --> 00:59:52.570
Yes.
00:59:52.570 --> 00:59:55.010
Oh, hi, thank you
Your Honor for the time,
00:59:55.010 --> 00:59:57.241
this is Rey Armenteros,
00:59:57.241 --> 01:00:02.241
that's R-E-Y, last name
A-R-M-E-N-T-E-R-O-S,
01:00:04.650 --> 01:00:06.300
and I'm in Artesia.
01:00:06.300 --> 01:00:09.690
And my comment,
01:00:09.690 --> 01:00:12.170
I'm not as versed as some of the others
01:00:12.170 --> 01:00:13.520
that have been speaking on the matter,
01:00:13.520 --> 01:00:15.990
but my comment is,
01:00:15.990 --> 01:00:20.990
if Golden State Water is
interested in the infrastructure
01:00:21.390 --> 01:00:23.490
and making the water better,
01:00:23.490 --> 01:00:26.260
I think a lot of us do appreciate that.
01:00:26.260 --> 01:00:29.250
The problem is that this is a
very bad time for everybody.
01:00:29.250 --> 01:00:31.680
I mean, we're just coming
out of the pandemic.
01:00:31.680 --> 01:00:33.110
The economy's supposed
to be getting better,
01:00:33.110 --> 01:00:37.020
but I still know a lot of
people that are out of work,
01:00:37.020 --> 01:00:39.550
and I don't think that's gonna
be changing anytime soon.
01:00:39.550 --> 01:00:43.030
And I know in our case we're
lucky we're not out of work,
01:00:43.030 --> 01:00:46.330
but we're not gonna be
getting any raises anytime soon.
01:00:46.330 --> 01:00:51.330
So that means that our
living standards are lowering
01:00:51.760 --> 01:00:53.580
because things are going up higher,
01:00:53.580 --> 01:00:56.730
things like gasoline and such
things that we really do need.
01:00:56.730 --> 01:01:01.730
And our incomes aren't
getting compensated for that.
01:01:02.010 --> 01:01:04.750
So I think this very bad
timing to be asking for this,
01:01:04.750 --> 01:01:07.650
maybe, I don't know, two
or three years down the line
01:01:07.650 --> 01:01:10.490
when the economy is a
lot healthier after all this
01:01:10.490 --> 01:01:13.124
might be a better time to be asking
01:01:13.124 --> 01:01:15.200
their customers for more money,
01:01:15.200 --> 01:01:17.880
and I don't know, I think
that might make sense
01:01:17.880 --> 01:01:20.060
to a lot of people that
are in our situation,
01:01:20.060 --> 01:01:21.760
and I'm talking about our neighbors
01:01:21.760 --> 01:01:23.910
and other people, you know, I got.
01:01:23.910 --> 01:01:26.763
So that's basically all I
wanted to say about that.
01:01:28.170 --> 01:01:30.640
Okay, well, that's a
very interesting comment
01:01:30.640 --> 01:01:33.890
and I appreciate your
giving us that comment,
01:01:33.890 --> 01:01:35.040
so it's in the record now.
01:01:35.040 --> 01:01:36.790
Thank you very much.
01:01:36.790 --> 01:01:38.240
Thank you.
01:01:38.240 --> 01:01:40.243
Operator is there
another speaker?
01:01:41.840 --> 01:01:42.673
I am sorry,
01:01:42.673 --> 01:01:44.633
no further comments at this time.
01:01:45.800 --> 01:01:47.920
Okay, all right,
01:01:47.920 --> 01:01:52.920
well, let me before we close
the record for this evening,
01:01:53.550 --> 01:01:56.610
let me, first of all thank everybody
01:01:56.610 --> 01:02:00.380
who participated in this proceeding,
01:02:00.380 --> 01:02:02.083
starting with the Commissioner,
01:02:03.230 --> 01:02:06.660
and also Mr. Switzer and Mr. Chan
01:02:06.660 --> 01:02:08.440
for coming this evening,
01:02:08.440 --> 01:02:13.440
for the Representatives
of the Public Advisors,
01:02:14.590 --> 01:02:17.980
for all of you who are behind the scenes
01:02:17.980 --> 01:02:22.910
and helping produce this event,
01:02:22.910 --> 01:02:26.100
and the court reporters of course
01:02:26.100 --> 01:02:28.160
for taking all of this down
01:02:28.160 --> 01:02:31.260
and preparing a transcript for us,
01:02:31.260 --> 01:02:33.080
so thank you all.
01:02:33.080 --> 01:02:37.480
For those still on the
line, on the telephone line
01:02:37.480 --> 01:02:40.640
or watching on the internet,
01:02:40.640 --> 01:02:44.730
if you would like to send
in additional comments,
01:02:44.730 --> 01:02:49.730
submit them in writing on the
docket card for the proceeding
01:02:49.770 --> 01:02:52.544
which can be found on
the Commission's website,
01:02:52.544 --> 01:02:55.127
www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph,
01:03:01.570 --> 01:03:05.903
and look for proceeding A20-07-012.
01:03:06.940 --> 01:03:09.300
If you click on that, you
will get the docket card
01:03:09.300 --> 01:03:12.160
and then click on the
tab for public comment
01:03:12.160 --> 01:03:15.790
and it will allow you to leave
your comment in writing.
01:03:15.790 --> 01:03:17.260
And as I've said already,
01:03:17.260 --> 01:03:19.170
a couple of times this evening,
01:03:19.170 --> 01:03:21.033
I actually read all the comments
01:03:21.033 --> 01:03:25.280
that have been received
during the week on Fridays.
01:03:25.280 --> 01:03:28.490
So please send in your comments.
01:03:28.490 --> 01:03:31.173
If you want assistance
01:03:31.173 --> 01:03:34.950
for providing anything
else into the record
01:03:34.950 --> 01:03:37.400
as they have done already today,
01:03:37.400 --> 01:03:41.230
please contact the
Public Advisor's Office,
01:03:41.230 --> 01:03:45.543
it's public.advisers@cpuc.ca.gov.
01:03:49.403 --> 01:03:52.820
And with that-
Judge Ferguson.
01:03:52.820 --> 01:03:53.653
Yeah.
01:03:53.653 --> 01:03:54.486
This is
Commissioner Houck,
01:03:54.486 --> 01:03:56.223
I think there's one more commenter.
01:03:57.400 --> 01:03:58.933
Oh really, okay.
01:04:00.160 --> 01:04:03.060
Operator, do we have another comment?
01:04:03.060 --> 01:04:04.160
Yes, sir.
01:04:05.160 --> 01:04:07.143
Jacqueline your line is open.
01:04:08.010 --> 01:04:09.530
Go right ahead.
01:04:09.530 --> 01:04:11.513
Hi, my
name is Jacqueline.
01:04:13.213 --> 01:04:16.620
I've been having, with
the raise of the water,
01:04:16.620 --> 01:04:19.940
I don't think it's right,
again, everybody
01:04:19.940 --> 01:04:22.130
is just getting out of this pandemic,
01:04:22.130 --> 01:04:25.463
barely getting stable,
especially my family here.
01:04:26.860 --> 01:04:31.770
We're barely just struggling,
just trying to get bills,
01:04:31.770 --> 01:04:33.950
and then now with
the raise of the water,
01:04:33.950 --> 01:04:35.930
health insurance, just stuff like that.
01:04:35.930 --> 01:04:38.940
So I would like you
just not to increase,
01:04:38.940 --> 01:04:41.100
and just keep aware of that.
01:04:41.100 --> 01:04:43.233
And I live in the City of Inglewood,
01:04:44.280 --> 01:04:46.230
so just wanna tell you my comment there,
01:04:46.230 --> 01:04:48.010
thank you so much.
01:04:48.010 --> 01:04:48.980
Okay, do you want to give us
01:04:48.980 --> 01:04:50.923
your last name as well Jacqueline?
01:04:52.220 --> 01:04:55.060
Yeah,
Huizr, it's H-U-I-Z-R.
01:04:56.310 --> 01:04:58.310
Okay, thank you very much,
01:04:58.310 --> 01:05:01.000
we appreciate your
comments, thank you.
01:05:01.000 --> 01:05:02.930
Thank you so much
01:05:02.930 --> 01:05:05.420
Operator, are there
other comments,
01:05:05.420 --> 01:05:07.020
anybody else who wants to speak?
01:05:08.020 --> 01:05:08.853
No, Your Honor,
01:05:08.853 --> 01:05:10.460
there is no one else.
01:05:10.460 --> 01:05:12.247
Okay, all right,
01:05:12.247 --> 01:05:15.280
with that, we'll close the record
01:05:15.280 --> 01:05:17.860
and go off the record for this evening.
01:05:17.860 --> 01:05:19.863
Thank you everybody for joining us.