WEBVTT
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The public
comments on the Golden State
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Water Company's General
Rates Case Application
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on this day, Thursday, May 27, 2021.
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(Interpreter speaking in Spanish)
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Thank you very much Operator,
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and thank you, Interpreter, too.
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Shannon, are you prepared
to begin at this point?
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I'm ready, thank you.
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All right, we'll go on
the record right now.
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The time is 1:31 PM, on
Thursday, May 27th, 2021.
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The record will be opened.
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The Commission will come to order.
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This is a remote Public
Participation Hearing
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on the Golden State Water Company's
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General Rate Case Application
for rates to be charged
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in the following years:
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2022, 2023 and 2024.
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The application number is A20-07-012.
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Today we will be focused
on Golden State customers
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in what is referred to as Golden State's
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region three rate area.
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Your monthly bills will indicate
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in which region you are located.
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If your bill indicates that
you reside in region one
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or region two, we held those
Public Participation Hearings
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for your regions on Tuesday
and Wednesday of this week.
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Tuesday's hearings were
devoted to region two,
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and Wednesday's hearings
were devoted to region one.
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There is no reason
for you to be concerned
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if you were unable to attend.
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You can access an English
recording of those hearings
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by going to the following
website, admin monitor.com.
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Let me spell that for everyone.
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A-d-m as in Mary, i-n as in Nancy,
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m as in Mary, o-n
as Nancy, i-t-o-r.com.
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After you access that
website, click on the link
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for the California Public
Utilities Commission
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and scroll down to either
May 25th or May 26th
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to access the appropriate
hearing for your rate region.
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If you intend to make a comment,
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and you missed the opportunity to do so
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on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week,
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you can still submit written comments
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by going to this part of
the Commission's website
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www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph,
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and then scroll down to the
link for proceedings papers.
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That link will take you
to the formal docket sheet
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where you can click on the
tab entitled public comments
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and there you can
leave a written comment.
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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 or region two,
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but be aware that we are
going to be focused entirely
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on the issues related to rate increases
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in region three only today.
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My name is Charles Ferguson,
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and I am the assigned
Administrative Law Judge
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for this proceeding.
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It's my job to collect
comments and suggestions
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from you today and be mindful of them
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as I assemble the evidence as to whether
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and how much your rate should change
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for the three years of
this particular rate cycle.
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After sampling the record,
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I will then write a proposed
decision and submit it
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to the five CPUC
Commissioners for them to vote on.
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It will take the vote of
three Commissioners
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for my proposed
decision to become final.
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Any of the Commissioners
can prepare an alternate decision
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to my decision, but if they
do so, it has to be based
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on the record that I am
assembling for this proceeding.
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So the purpose of today's hearing is
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for us at the Commission
to hear from you
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the customers of Golden
State Water about how you feel
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and what you think about its application
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for an increase in your rates.
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To help you formulate your opinions,
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the Commission has prepared fact sheets
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and Golden State has
delivered those fact sheets to you
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either electronically or by US mail.
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These fact sheets will
help you exactly how
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much new revenue
Golden State is requesting
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in the aggregate from
all of you in region three.
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If you haven't received
a CPUC fact sheet
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or if you misplaced
the one you received,
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you can still access one
on the CPUC's website.
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Go to the CPUC website, www.cpuc.ca.gov,
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enter the words public advisor.
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That's a-d-v-i-s-o-r in the search bar.
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On the right right hand
side of the home page
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for the Public Advisor,
you will find a link
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for Public Participation Hearings.
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Click on that link and scroll
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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 all three regions of
Golden State system.
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Yours is region three and click on that.
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Even if you have your fact sheet,
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it's worth remembering
these instructions
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for how to access it electronically
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in case any of your neighbors or friends
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in the same region have lost theirs
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or didn't receive theirs.
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You can also obtain a
fact sheet for region three
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from Golden State itself by addressing
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an email to Golden State
at 2022grc@gswater.com.
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Include your billing
address in your email so that
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the proper fact sheet can
be sent back that to you.
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And finally, if you don't
have internet access,
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and you're listening
today by phone only,
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you can still get it a
copy of the fact sheet
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for your specific rate area
by calling Golden State Water
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at the following number, 877-288-8816.
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I'm going to repeat that one more time.
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877-288-8816.
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The fact sheets will help
you formulate your thoughts
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about the proposed rate
increases in your rate area.
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You should begin your
analysis by collecting all
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of your old water bills
from the year 2020.
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Those bills will tell you how
much water you used each month
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during the year 2020.
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Use those precise amounts
and then the fact sheet
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that the CPUC has prepared for you.
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And you can, you will
be able to project how
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much it will cost you to
use exactly the same amount
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of water in each month in 2022.
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Well, excuse me, you'll be
able to calculate your costs
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to use the exact same amount of water
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in each month in 2022, 2023 and 2024,
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as you used in 2020,
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but only if we at the
Commission completely approve
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of everything that Golden State Water
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is asking us to approve of.
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That doesn't happen all that often
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that we approve of
absolutely everything,
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but at least with the fact
sheet and your old bills,
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you can project a worst case scenario
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for yourself in terms of
what you're going to pay
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if we did approve of everything.
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You should make a separate calculation
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for each individual month,
January through December,
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in each year, 2022 through 2024.
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Begin each month with
a fixed service charge
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which you can find on your chart.
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Your fact sheet has a chart on page two
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that will show you what the service
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charge will be in each
one of those three years.
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The fixed service charge is
independent of your water usage.
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Whether you use no
water or lots of water,
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the monthly service is a once a month
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fixed charge that you must pay.
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Add to the usage charge.
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Sorry, add to the service
charge the usage charge
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for the amount of water you
used in the same month in 2020.
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Usage charges are expressed
in hundreds of cubic feet.
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100 cubic feet of water or one CCF
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is equal to 748 gallons of water.
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Use the column that is entitled
effective January 1, 2022
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to project your usage charge
for 2022 of January of 2022.
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The proposed rate
structure for all of 2022
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through 2024 is shown on the fact sheet.
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So you can make the same calculations
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for each of the next two
years of the rate cycle.
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Throughout the whole three years,
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the cheapest water is the
first 13 CCF's that you use.
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That is, that will hold
true if we approve
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of that particular rate structure,
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namely 13 CCF's in the
lowest, cheapest cost tier.
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The price increases
for the next 31 CCF's
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and gets even higher for
consumption beyond that point.
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Just remember to add the usage charge
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and the fixed service charge together
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and you'll get a projection
of what you may have to pay
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in January 22, January, 2022.
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If you make these calculations
for each individual month,
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you can compare what
you would have to pay
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for water in 2022 if the CPUC grants all
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of Golden State's proposed
rate increases for your region.
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Now there is a way to avoid
paying for new rate increases
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and that is simply to trim your
water usage in those months
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when you typically use the most water.
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The CPUC has provided on
page three of your fact sheet
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a graph that shows you how
your water consumption compares
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to all the customers in
your specific rate area.
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On average, taking into
account all 12 months
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of the year, an average customer
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in your rate area uses
about 12 CCF's of water.
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That's right near the
top of the lowest cost
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tier as proposed by Golden State.
00:12:51.393 --> 00:12:54.570
It's impressive that
the average customer
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in your region stays within
the first proposed rates here.
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However, if you're using
more than average customer,
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more than the average customers
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in your region use in a month,
00:13:06.730 --> 00:13:10.070
then perhaps you should
consider reducing your water usage
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even though you can't
afford a rate increase.
00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.770
If you're looking for a
way of avoiding a rate
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increase all together,
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you can simply make
calculations using 10, 15
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or 20% less water in year
2022 than you used in 2020.
00:13:29.590 --> 00:13:31.860
And using the fact
sheet, you can calculate
00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.900
what you would pay
under the increased rates
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for using less water
than you previously used.
00:13:38.030 --> 00:13:40.330
And the Commission
encourages you of course
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to use less water than
you previously used
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given the extreme drought
conditions that we seem
00:13:46.010 --> 00:13:48.560
to be facing right now.
00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:51.574
Once you finished your
projections and you can,
00:13:51.574 --> 00:13:54.160
once you've finished your projections,
00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:55.700
please let us know what you think
00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:58.180
about the proposed rate increase.
00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.333
Some of you may conclude that you would,
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you can reduce your water usage
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by enough to avoid any change
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in the amount of money
you actually pay for water.
00:14:08.510 --> 00:14:11.200
In that case, you may feel comfortable
00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:14.540
about the rates
increasing in order to pay
00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:17.800
for improvements in
water quality per service
00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:19.440
but others of you will be disturbed
00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:23.180
by how difficult it is to
cut your water usage
00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:25.823
and you will be opposed
to any increases at all.
00:14:26.830 --> 00:14:29.143
Frankly, we want to
hear from both of you.
00:14:30.930 --> 00:14:35.930
I'm going to let both the representative
00:14:36.550 --> 00:14:41.050
from Golden State Water
and the representative
00:14:41.050 --> 00:14:44.080
from the Public Advocates,
your representatives
00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:50.350
discuss the actual
reasons for the requests
00:14:50.350 --> 00:14:54.920
for rate increases in
your particular region.
00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:59.550
They will have different
views of whether or not
00:14:59.550 --> 00:15:04.550
the need for capital improvements
00:15:04.810 --> 00:15:08.990
and additional employees,
et cetera are necessary,
00:15:08.990 --> 00:15:10.970
but it's best that you hear from them,
00:15:10.970 --> 00:15:14.583
and I will be allowing
them a time to do that.
00:15:17.510 --> 00:15:22.210
So before we do that, I'd like to allow
00:15:22.210 --> 00:15:27.210
a particular representative
from the CPUC
00:15:27.410 --> 00:15:30.080
in our Public Advisor's Office
00:15:31.130 --> 00:15:33.770
speak to you to give you an idea
00:15:33.770 --> 00:15:37.320
of other ways that you can participate
00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:40.210
in this proceeding
and express your views.
00:15:40.210 --> 00:15:43.160
So let me invite the representative
00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:47.703
from the Public Advisor's Office
to make comments right now.
00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.570
Thank you, Your Honor.
00:15:51.570 --> 00:15:54.310
Welcome everyone, and
thank you for joining us today.
00:15:54.310 --> 00:15:55.520
My name is Alison Brown,
00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:58.460
and I'm the Public Advisor
with the Commission.
00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:00.330
The Public Advisor's Office assists
00:16:00.330 --> 00:16:02.720
and advises the
public with participation
00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.430
in Commission proceedings.
00:16:04.430 --> 00:16:06.133
We are here as a resource for you.
00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.980
First, I want to thank you all again
00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:12.180
for participating as the
judge and Commissioner,
00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:14.720
the judge just stated,
public participation
00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:16.780
and input is essential
to the Commission's
00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:18.830
decision making process.
00:16:18.830 --> 00:16:21.010
This is your opportunity to be heard
00:16:21.010 --> 00:16:23.110
and to hare your
thoughts on the application
00:16:23.110 --> 00:16:24.550
with the Administrative Law Judge
00:16:24.550 --> 00:16:26.650
and the assigned Commissioner.
00:16:26.650 --> 00:16:29.410
If you have specific
questions about this application
00:16:29.410 --> 00:16:31.207
or your service, please reach out
00:16:31.207 --> 00:16:33.750
to the Public Advisor's Office.
00:16:33.750 --> 00:16:38.750
That email address is
public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.
00:16:40.050 --> 00:16:45.050
You can also call us at 1-866-849-8390,
00:16:47.390 --> 00:16:50.050
or you can visit the
CPUC or Golden State
00:16:50.050 --> 00:16:51.583
websites for more information.
00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.370
Second, if you were anyone you know,
00:16:54.370 --> 00:16:56.600
is not able to make a comment today,
00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:58.310
as the judge said, there are several
00:16:58.310 --> 00:17:00.110
ways to become involved.
00:17:00.110 --> 00:17:03.270
If you wish to find more
information on becoming a party,
00:17:03.270 --> 00:17:06.230
subscribing to this proceeding
or submitting comments
00:17:06.230 --> 00:17:10.100
via the docket card or email,
please go to our website
00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:11.943
www.cpuc.ca.gov,
00:17:14.750 --> 00:17:16.470
or email the public advisor.
00:17:16.470 --> 00:17:21.470
Again, that address is
public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.
00:17:22.323 --> 00:17:24.260
All of this information is available
00:17:24.260 --> 00:17:26.160
on the notice you received for this.
00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:29.350
And if you are watching this
it's available on the screen.
00:17:29.350 --> 00:17:30.950
We look forward to your comments today.
00:17:30.950 --> 00:17:32.500
Thank you again for joining us.
00:17:33.454 --> 00:17:34.287
Judge.
00:17:34.287 --> 00:17:36.710
Yep, thank you
very much, Ms. Brown.
00:17:36.710 --> 00:17:39.670
Now I'd like the representative
00:17:39.670 --> 00:17:43.670
of Golden State Water
to speak for a few minutes
00:17:43.670 --> 00:17:47.440
and explain the reasons
for the rate increases
00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:50.403
that the company is
asking for, Mr. Switzer.
00:17:54.450 --> 00:17:55.853
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:17:56.990 --> 00:17:58.730
Good afternoon, everybody.
00:17:58.730 --> 00:18:01.410
My name is Keith Switzer.
00:18:01.410 --> 00:18:03.613
I work for Golden State Water Company.
00:18:03.613 --> 00:18:07.290
I am the Vice President
of the company responsible
00:18:07.290 --> 00:18:10.850
for managing the Regulatory
Affairs Department.
00:18:10.850 --> 00:18:14.000
My department is responsible for filing
00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.660
the General Rate Case Application
00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:20.113
which is the subject of this
Public Participation Hearing.
00:18:20.113 --> 00:18:23.580
I want to welcome you
to this virtual hearing,
00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:25.840
and I want to thank all
of our customers who
00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:28.680
took the time to join us this afternoon.
00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:31.085
We look forward to hearing from you.
00:18:31.085 --> 00:18:34.910
You just heard Judge Ferguson
provide a general overview
00:18:34.910 --> 00:18:37.115
of Golden State Water's application
00:18:37.115 --> 00:18:41.119
and the purpose of today's
probably participation hearing
00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:44.920
in the Commission's
decision-making process.
00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:47.190
I'm going to take just a
few minutes to expand
00:18:47.190 --> 00:18:49.734
on some of judge Ferguson's comments.
00:18:49.734 --> 00:18:54.040
A General Rate Case is
the process that establishes
00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:56.650
the company's overall budget
00:18:56.650 --> 00:18:59.040
or what we more
commonly referred to as our
00:18:59.040 --> 00:19:02.560
revenue requirement to
operate the water system
00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:06.010
in a manner that will
allow us to provide safe
00:19:06.010 --> 00:19:08.750
and reliable water service.
00:19:08.750 --> 00:19:11.540
The rate case also establishes the rates
00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:14.240
that we would charge for that service.
00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.210
The rates are set in the rate case
00:19:16.210 --> 00:19:19.410
at a level that will generate the budget
00:19:19.410 --> 00:19:22.260
or the revenue requirement
that has been approved
00:19:22.260 --> 00:19:24.390
by the Commission in the case.
00:19:24.390 --> 00:19:26.820
And it will generate that
revenue at the forecasted
00:19:26.820 --> 00:19:29.943
levels of water usage
by you our customers.
00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:33.270
The General Rate Case
process is intended to be
00:19:33.270 --> 00:19:36.071
an open process where different parties
00:19:36.071 --> 00:19:39.130
are welcomed and encouraged,
00:19:39.130 --> 00:19:41.100
or input, I'm sorry,
from different parties
00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:43.150
is welcomed and encouraged.
00:19:43.150 --> 00:19:45.270
Your participation here this afternoon
00:19:45.270 --> 00:19:48.410
is an important part of that process.
00:19:48.410 --> 00:19:50.327
As customers of Golden State Water,
00:19:50.327 --> 00:19:53.860
you have received
notice, you received notice
00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:56.360
that Golden State filed
its rate case application
00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:58.740
in July of 2020.
00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:01.303
That application requested changes
00:20:01.303 --> 00:20:04.640
in our revenue requirement and our rates
00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.680
to begin in January 2022.
00:20:08.310 --> 00:20:11.010
The Commission's final
decision on our application
00:20:11.010 --> 00:20:12.810
will set the revenue requirement
00:20:12.810 --> 00:20:16.820
and the corresponding
rates for a three-year period,
00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:21.790
calendar years, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
00:20:24.654 --> 00:20:28.650
A quick word about the
timing of the application.
00:20:28.650 --> 00:20:32.140
Golden State Water is
obligated by law to file
00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:36.260
a General Rate Case
Application once every three years.
00:20:36.260 --> 00:20:39.930
The Commission has
established a preset schedule
00:20:39.930 --> 00:20:42.310
for the date of our filing.
00:20:42.310 --> 00:20:43.940
The Commission's filing schedule
00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:47.320
for rate cases enables
the Commission to process
00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:50.490
a General Rate Case
once every three years
00:20:51.450 --> 00:20:53.650
for all nine of the large class A
00:20:53.650 --> 00:20:55.653
water utilities in the state.
00:20:56.490 --> 00:20:58.180
It's a tight schedule.
00:20:58.180 --> 00:21:00.530
The Commission has
to process essentially
00:21:00.530 --> 00:21:03.300
three rate cases every year.
00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:07.630
And that is why the timing of
each application is mandated
00:21:07.630 --> 00:21:09.600
and controlled by the Commission,
00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:12.240
enabling the Commission
to manage the workload
00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.260
for processing all of these cases.
00:21:15.260 --> 00:21:18.580
For Golden State Water,
our last rate case application
00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:23.580
was filed in July 2017, and
the Commission's decision
00:21:23.690 --> 00:21:26.500
established the rates
for the calendar years,
00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:30.543
2019, 2020 and 2021.
00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:34.640
The filing of our rate case last July,
00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:37.440
in July of last year was the first step
00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:41.023
in a process that will take at
least 18 months to complete.
00:21:41.930 --> 00:21:44.230
Once we filed the application,
00:21:44.230 --> 00:21:47.730
the Office of Public Advocates
begins an eight month process
00:21:47.730 --> 00:21:52.020
of reviewing the application,
conducting discovery
00:21:52.020 --> 00:21:54.400
and ultimately issuing their own report
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:57.410
with their own recommendations
to the Commission
00:21:57.410 --> 00:22:01.303
regarding our 2022 revenue requirement.
00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:06.620
Next steps in the process
includes settlement negotiations,
00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:10.370
mediation, evidentiary hearings,
00:22:10.370 --> 00:22:13.930
and then ultimately Judge
Ferguson will be tasked
00:22:13.930 --> 00:22:17.600
with issuing a proposed
decision that will address
00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:21.070
and resolve all of the
issues in the application.
00:22:21.070 --> 00:22:23.940
And then finally, the five
Commissioners will vote
00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:26.523
on the final decision
at an open meeting.
00:22:27.850 --> 00:22:29.640
Today's hearing is for customers
00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:33.390
in our region three
rate making district.
00:22:33.390 --> 00:22:36.030
Golden State has requested an increase
00:22:36.030 --> 00:22:38.810
in the region three annual
revenue requirement
00:22:40.110 --> 00:22:45.110
for 2022 of $14.6 million compared
00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:48.583
to the 2021 annual revenue requirement.
00:22:49.610 --> 00:22:53.760
There will be additional
increases in 2023 and 2024
00:22:54.953 --> 00:22:58.213
of 6.9 and $7.1 million.
00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.853
What are the reasons
for these increases?
00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:06.890
It's primarily due to the need to invest
00:23:06.890 --> 00:23:09.320
in new infrastructure.
00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:12.978
Things like new and
replacement pipeline,
00:23:12.978 --> 00:23:17.978
supply related projects such
as new or replacement wells
00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:22.593
and new and replacement
facilities to treat the water.
00:23:23.690 --> 00:23:27.376
Golden State Water has
proposed approximately
00:23:27.376 --> 00:23:32.376
$147 million of new infrastructure
projects in region three
00:23:34.310 --> 00:23:36.213
over the next three years.
00:23:37.490 --> 00:23:39.460
All of those projects are contingent
00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:42.790
upon Commission
approval of the Commission,
00:23:42.790 --> 00:23:45.554
which as a part of this case.
00:23:45.554 --> 00:23:48.220
And let me elaborate just a little bit
00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:52.780
about how the rates are set
for the infrastructure projects.
00:23:52.780 --> 00:23:55.570
As we make those
investments, we do not recover
00:23:55.570 --> 00:23:59.100
the full cost of the
investments right away.
00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:01.540
We fund the investments
with a combination
00:24:01.540 --> 00:24:05.560
of investor money, which is
raised through issuing stocks
00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:08.060
to investors and borrowed money,
00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:11.806
which is raised through
the company issuing bonds.
00:24:11.806 --> 00:24:15.540
Once the investments in
infrastructure are made,
00:24:15.540 --> 00:24:17.730
the cost of those assets are recovered
00:24:17.730 --> 00:24:21.220
in rates over an
extended period of time,
00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:24.550
anywhere from five to 40 or more years,
00:24:24.550 --> 00:24:27.023
depending upon the life of the asset.
00:24:27.950 --> 00:24:30.810
As those investments are made,
00:24:30.810 --> 00:24:32.670
what gets incorporated into rates,
00:24:32.670 --> 00:24:36.550
as I said, is not the full
cost of the investment
00:24:36.550 --> 00:24:40.490
but rather it's the
depreciation of the assets
00:24:40.490 --> 00:24:43.170
which is a way to repay investors
00:24:43.170 --> 00:24:46.390
for the investments that were
made and the carrying costs
00:24:46.390 --> 00:24:49.690
for the funds that have been
used to finance the investment,
00:24:49.690 --> 00:24:52.790
the interest on the debt
and the dividends to investors
00:24:52.790 --> 00:24:54.253
who have provided funding.
00:24:55.210 --> 00:24:57.330
There is also a projected increase
00:24:57.330 --> 00:24:59.600
in the cost of purchased water.
00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:02.710
As a portion of our water
supply in region three
00:25:02.710 --> 00:25:05.320
is water that we
purchase from third parties,
00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:08.683
such as agencies of the
Metropolitan Water District.
00:25:10.270 --> 00:25:13.380
So how does all of
thiS, these big numbers
00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:16.690
translate to the impact
on a monthly bill?
00:25:16.690 --> 00:25:18.970
The answer to that
question will vary depending
00:25:18.970 --> 00:25:21.990
upon a number of
factors, but one of the most
00:25:21.990 --> 00:25:25.450
important determinants is
your monthly water usage.
00:25:25.450 --> 00:25:28.990
Since the majority of
most bills is attributable
00:25:28.990 --> 00:25:31.053
to the monthly usage charges.
00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:35.030
The monthly bill for
Golden State Water charges
00:25:35.030 --> 00:25:38.470
on a residential
customer in region three
00:25:38.470 --> 00:25:40.150
with a five eighths inch meter,
00:25:40.150 --> 00:25:43.330
which is the most
common in region three,
00:25:43.330 --> 00:25:47.506
and using 12 CCF of month of water,
00:25:47.506 --> 00:25:49.780
which is the average usage amount
00:25:49.780 --> 00:25:52.403
for residential
customers in region three,
00:25:53.990 --> 00:25:57.280
given those parameters, the
average bill would increase
00:25:57.280 --> 00:26:01.430
from $65.20 cents at current rates
00:26:01.430 --> 00:26:06.430
to $72.62 cents in '22
at our proposed rates
00:26:06.910 --> 00:26:10.833
which is an increase of $7.42 a month.
00:26:13.490 --> 00:26:16.950
If you would like to contact
Golden State Water directly
00:26:16.950 --> 00:26:20.820
with a question during today's
Public Participation Hearing,
00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:24.163
you can do so either
by phone or by email.
00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:28.283
Golden State Water has set up, okay.
00:26:29.830 --> 00:26:32.960
Golden State Water
has set up a special call
00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:35.610
in number for customers
who would like to speak
00:26:35.610 --> 00:26:39.940
to a company representative
about the rate case application.
00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:44.620
That number, which is
shown here on this screen is
00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:49.620
1-877-288-8816.
00:26:53.470 --> 00:26:55.410
Golden State Water
employees are standing
00:26:55.410 --> 00:26:57.310
by at that number to respond
00:26:57.310 --> 00:26:59.633
to your questions about the application.
00:27:00.770 --> 00:27:05.210
Or if you prefer to ask
your question by email,
00:27:05.210 --> 00:27:07.750
we've set up a special
email address specifically
00:27:07.750 --> 00:27:11.420
for questions regarding
the rate case application.
00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:15.510
That email, which is also being
shown here on the screen is
00:27:15.510 --> 00:27:18.323
2022GRC@gswater.com.
00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:27.590
Before concluding my comments today
00:27:27.590 --> 00:27:30.330
I want to speak to the
extraordinary and difficult
00:27:30.330 --> 00:27:33.780
circumstances that we
find ourselves in right now.
00:27:33.780 --> 00:27:36.580
I'm very proud to say that
Golden State Water employees
00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:39.760
have been working hard
throughout the pandemic,
00:27:39.760 --> 00:27:42.450
making sure that you our customers
00:27:42.450 --> 00:27:45.300
have continued to receive uninterrupted,
00:27:45.300 --> 00:27:49.077
safe and reliable water
service during this time.
00:27:49.077 --> 00:27:52.580
I also wanted to share
that we recognize many
00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:54.970
of our customers are
experiencing financial
00:27:54.970 --> 00:27:57.310
and economic hardships hardships
00:27:57.310 --> 00:28:00.040
during this pandemic situation.
00:28:00.040 --> 00:28:03.960
Despite the challenges of
the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:08.300
our customer service team
has remained available 24/7
00:28:08.300 --> 00:28:12.373
to help customers answer
questions and solve problems.
00:28:13.260 --> 00:28:16.690
Golden State has put in
place protections to ensure
00:28:16.690 --> 00:28:19.110
that customers continue to receive safe
00:28:19.110 --> 00:28:23.840
and reliable service also
included in our rate case
00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:26.780
is a provision to offer a monthly credit
00:28:26.780 --> 00:28:30.130
on the bill to income
qualifying customers
00:28:30.130 --> 00:28:32.933
who meet specific income criteria.
00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:38.867
If you go to our website
www.gswater.com,
00:28:42.690 --> 00:28:44.990
you will find a link on the home page
00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:49.238
for emergency disaster relief programs
00:28:49.238 --> 00:28:53.159
and our low-income
customer assistance program.
00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:56.330
Those links will describe
the various protections
00:28:56.330 --> 00:28:58.898
and programs that are available.
00:28:58.898 --> 00:29:01.894
With that, I will conclude
my comments today.
00:29:01.894 --> 00:29:03.990
Again, let me thank you for taking
00:29:03.990 --> 00:29:05.880
the time to join this meeting,
00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:08.550
and I look forward to
hearing your comments.
00:29:08.550 --> 00:29:09.850
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:29:11.070 --> 00:29:12.970
Thank you, Mr. Switzer.
00:29:12.970 --> 00:29:15.890
And for those of you
who are listening closely
00:29:15.890 --> 00:29:20.890
to what I said previously
and what Mr. Switzer just said,
00:29:21.950 --> 00:29:24.210
and also looking at fact sheets,
00:29:24.210 --> 00:29:29.210
I want to emphasize
something that Mr. Switzer said,
00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:32.390
but it bears repeating by me.
00:29:32.390 --> 00:29:36.850
When you look at the
reasons in our fact sheet
00:29:36.850 --> 00:29:41.250
for the, which is our understanding
00:29:41.250 --> 00:29:44.820
of what Golden State
Water is asking for,
00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:47.517
you won't find the large
number I believe it was
00:29:47.517 --> 00:29:52.357
$145 million worth
of investments capital
00:29:54.450 --> 00:29:56.900
that Mr. Switzer referred to.
00:29:56.900 --> 00:30:00.130
And you will see on her face
sheet that the numbers there
00:30:00.130 --> 00:30:04.120
in terms of the reasons
don't add up to $145 million.
00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:07.656
And the reason for that
is just as Mr. Switzer said,
00:30:07.656 --> 00:30:12.656
we are not trying to
portray in the fact sheet,
00:30:14.760 --> 00:30:17.940
the total capital investment necessary,
00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:22.720
but rather what portion
of it and its carrying costs
00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:27.720
would be inputted into your
rates during this rate cycle.
00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:33.580
So that's why there is a
distinction between that large
00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:36.503
number and the number
that we have on our fact sheet.
00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:40.770
There's also a discrepancy,
not a discrepancy,
00:30:40.770 --> 00:30:45.770
but a difference in the
increases in revenue that
00:30:46.730 --> 00:30:51.493
will be needed to be
recovered in region three.
00:30:53.050 --> 00:30:58.050
And we used a comparison
between the year 2020
00:30:59.670 --> 00:31:01.730
and what's being asked for,
00:31:01.730 --> 00:31:06.730
and so in 2022, the
difference was the difference
00:31:07.570 --> 00:31:12.430
between 2020 and
2022 is a $19.14 million
00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:16.223
increase in revenue.
00:31:17.490 --> 00:31:21.240
But Mr. Switzer pointed
out that it was $14 million
00:31:24.284 --> 00:31:27.613
when one compares year 2021 rates
00:31:29.890 --> 00:31:34.890
and revenue needs to
the revenue need for 2022.
00:31:37.095 --> 00:31:42.095
So there's not, we're not really
00:31:42.770 --> 00:31:44.430
representing different numbers.
00:31:44.430 --> 00:31:46.210
There's no need for concern.
00:31:46.210 --> 00:31:51.050
It's just because when we
prepared our fact sheets for you
00:31:51.050 --> 00:31:53.660
we were using them numbers from 2020
00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.980
because the work was being,
00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:58.441
the calculations were
being done in 2020.
00:31:58.441 --> 00:32:01.910
Whereas the more recent calculations
00:32:01.910 --> 00:32:04.660
are what Mr. Switzer has been using.
00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:09.030
We do have a comparison between 2021
00:32:09.030 --> 00:32:13.900
and 2022 proposals
rates of billing rates
00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:16.680
that is what appears in your bill that
00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:19.240
matches what Mr. Switzer talked about.
00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:22.510
And you can see in the
language underneath the chart
00:32:22.510 --> 00:32:26.570
on page two of your fact
sheet, that the average cost
00:32:26.570 --> 00:32:29.430
of the projection of
what the change would be
00:32:29.430 --> 00:32:34.430
in the actual billing numbers
you receive in your bill,
00:32:35.760 --> 00:32:38.110
are what we have in our fact sheet
00:32:38.110 --> 00:32:41.070
comports exactly with what Mr. Switzer
00:32:41.070 --> 00:32:43.990
just described to you.
00:32:43.990 --> 00:32:46.200
So I just wanted to make that clear
00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:49.930
because we often get
questions from the public
00:32:49.930 --> 00:32:53.370
as to why the fact sheet
is different from what
00:32:55.498 --> 00:32:58.820
the representative of
the utility spoke about.
00:32:58.820 --> 00:33:00.970
And it's largely
because the calculations
00:33:00.970 --> 00:33:03.750
are being made between different years
00:33:03.750 --> 00:33:06.490
or at different times during the year.
00:33:06.490 --> 00:33:10.980
It's not an invocation that either one
00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:15.420
of us is trying to, has
made a big mistake
00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:18.900
or is trying to misrepresent anything.
00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:20.650
It's just because we're selecting
00:33:20.650 --> 00:33:23.020
different times to compare.
00:33:23.020 --> 00:33:27.650
With that, the next speaker
will be Mr. Victor Chan,
00:33:27.650 --> 00:33:32.650
who is from the Public
Advocates Office in the CPUC
00:33:34.210 --> 00:33:37.030
which is different from
the Public Advisor's Office.
00:33:37.030 --> 00:33:41.520
You heard Ms. Brown
speak earlier in this meeting
00:33:43.006 --> 00:33:44.910
from the Public Advisor's Office.
00:33:44.910 --> 00:33:49.140
The Public Advocates Office
is a different office entirely,
00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:54.140
and is your representative
for your views to be expressed
00:33:55.480 --> 00:34:00.480
during the collection of all
the evidence into the record.
00:34:00.990 --> 00:34:04.140
So Mr. Chan, it's your opportunity
00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:06.090
to address the same thing,
00:34:06.090 --> 00:34:08.563
region three and the
proposed rate increase.
00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:13.680
Thank you, Judge Ferguson,
00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:18.680
and good afternoon, everyone
and the members of the public.
00:34:18.910 --> 00:34:19.990
My name is Victor Chan.
00:34:19.990 --> 00:34:23.880
I am the Project Manager representing
00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.980
the Public Advocates Office.
00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:29.650
I, along with my team are responsible
00:34:29.650 --> 00:34:33.000
for reviewing Golden
State Water Company's
00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:36.430
General Rate Case
Application in this proceeding.
00:34:36.430 --> 00:34:40.030
Today, I'm going to
give a overall statement
00:34:40.030 --> 00:34:42.490
regarding our role in this proceeding,
00:34:42.490 --> 00:34:44.820
as well as our major recommendation
00:34:45.730 --> 00:34:48.343
you know from the team.
00:34:48.343 --> 00:34:50.600
The Public Advocates Office,
00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:54.320
or Cal Advocates is
an independent office
00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:57.270
within the California
Public Utilities Commission
00:34:57.270 --> 00:35:00.110
that represents the
interests of rate payers.
00:35:00.110 --> 00:35:01.890
Our statutory mission is to obtain
00:35:01.890 --> 00:35:05.150
the lowest possible
rate for service consistent
00:35:05.150 --> 00:35:08.249
with reliable and safe service levels.
00:35:08.249 --> 00:35:11.510
Cal Advocates has a
multi-disciplinary staff
00:35:11.510 --> 00:35:13.460
with expertise in engineering,
00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:16.310
economics, accounting and finance.
00:35:16.310 --> 00:35:18.740
Cal Advocates views
do not necessarily reflect
00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.940
those of the Commission.
00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:25.720
In February, 2021, Cal
Advocates served is testimony
00:35:25.720 --> 00:35:27.190
on Golden State Water Company's
00:35:27.190 --> 00:35:31.910
general rates application
number 2007-012
00:35:31.910 --> 00:35:34.168
in which Golden State
Water Company requests
00:35:34.168 --> 00:35:39.168
rate increase for regions one,
two, and three service areas.
00:35:39.350 --> 00:35:41.720
Cal Advocates' testimony
presents analysis
00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:44.490
and recommendations
on a wide range of issues,
00:35:44.490 --> 00:35:47.660
including capital
investment, sales forecast,
00:35:47.660 --> 00:35:52.433
rate design, conservation,
operating expenses and taxes.
00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:56.080
And compared to Golden
State Water Company's
00:35:56.080 --> 00:36:01.080
requested 14.51% increase
for its region three service area
00:36:01.090 --> 00:36:05.070
in tax year 2022, Cal
Advocates recommends
00:36:05.070 --> 00:36:08.590
no more than a 4.09% increase in revenue
00:36:08.590 --> 00:36:11.890
on average system
rates and the following are
00:36:11.890 --> 00:36:15.440
some of our majors
specific recommendations.
00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:19.050
One, authorized funding
for a more moderate pipeline
00:36:19.050 --> 00:36:21.000
replacement program.
00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:23.860
Two, reduce Golden State Water Company's
00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:27.683
proposed salary increases
as well as new positions.
00:36:28.730 --> 00:36:32.000
Three, decrease expenses
and capital investment
00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:35.259
from Golden State Water
Company's, general office,
00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:38.700
and four, remove unfinished
projects that are not
00:36:38.700 --> 00:36:40.273
providing rate payer benefits.
00:36:42.850 --> 00:36:45.990
Our, the Public Advocates' testimony
00:36:45.990 --> 00:36:49.530
are uploaded to the CPUC website,
00:36:49.530 --> 00:36:51.115
and they can be found at
00:36:51.115 --> 00:36:56.115
www.publicadvocate.cpuc.ca.gov.
00:36:58.750 --> 00:37:01.840
You can look forward to
link to Cal Advocate reports
00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:05.783
on GFWUC 2020 GRC application.
00:37:06.750 --> 00:37:08.800
With that, I conclude my remarks
00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:10.900
and look forward to
hearing your comments.
00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:14.340
Thank you very much, Mr. Chan.
00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:16.320
I appreciate that.
00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:18.440
Okay, I think we're gonna go
00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:23.210
off the record here for, until 2:15.
00:37:23.210 --> 00:37:25.393
It is now 2:07,
00:37:26.550 --> 00:37:30.163
and we're going to go off
the record and resume at 2:15.
00:37:38.626 --> 00:37:41.709
(instrumental music)
00:38:23.270 --> 00:38:26.110
All right, we will be
back on the record now,
00:38:26.110 --> 00:38:29.830
if the time is 2:15 PM,
and we're resuming
00:38:29.830 --> 00:38:32.130
a Public Participation Hearing
00:38:32.130 --> 00:38:35.810
for region three of Golden
State Water Company
00:38:35.810 --> 00:38:38.323
and its General Rate Case.
00:38:38.323 --> 00:38:43.300
Now is the time for we at the Commission
00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:46.260
to hear from you the public.
00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:48.880
If you would like to
make a public comment
00:38:48.880 --> 00:38:53.880
then press star one on your phone,
00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:58.819
and the operator will add
you into the lineup of speakers.
00:38:58.819 --> 00:39:01.830
Based on the number of speakers,
00:39:01.830 --> 00:39:06.830
I will allot three minutes
a piece to each of you.
00:39:07.140 --> 00:39:09.310
If there are too many of you speaking,
00:39:09.310 --> 00:39:11.930
then I may have to reduce that amount.
00:39:11.930 --> 00:39:16.503
But as of now, I would like to
give you each three minutes.
00:39:17.430 --> 00:39:20.600
A chime will sound at the
end of the three minutes,
00:39:20.600 --> 00:39:23.583
and that means it's time
for the next person to speak.
00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:28.660
I want to remind you to
speak slowly and clearly
00:39:28.660 --> 00:39:31.090
so that the court reporter can capture
00:39:31.090 --> 00:39:33.023
everything that you say.
00:39:34.020 --> 00:39:39.020
Before you begin your
comment, please state your name,
00:39:39.580 --> 00:39:43.930
your full name, and
spell your full name,
00:39:43.930 --> 00:39:46.810
and please it would help
if you would just tell us
00:39:46.810 --> 00:39:49.393
what city you reside in.
00:39:51.590 --> 00:39:54.010
It's gonna be best if you speak directly
00:39:54.010 --> 00:39:58.160
into your phone and please
avoid having your phone
00:39:58.160 --> 00:40:00.853
on speaker when you're
providing your comment.
00:40:02.530 --> 00:40:05.560
So let me ask the operator at this point
00:40:05.560 --> 00:40:08.943
whether or not we have anyone
in the queue for speaking?
00:40:10.750 --> 00:40:13.360
Yes sir, we
do have a few people
00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:14.360
that have queued up.
00:40:15.254 --> 00:40:17.660
Okay,
so let's start
00:40:17.660 --> 00:40:20.203
with a three minute time limit.
00:40:21.163 --> 00:40:25.863
And would you call the first
comment, first speaker please?
00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:29.560
Yes, thank you.
00:40:29.560 --> 00:40:32.970
Our first comment comes
from Peter Kavounas.
00:40:32.970 --> 00:40:34.023
Your line is open.
00:40:37.040 --> 00:40:39.030
Go
ahead, Mr. Kavounas.
00:40:39.030 --> 00:40:40.700
Thank you, Judge Ferguson.
00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:42.670
I appreciate the opportunity to share
00:40:42.670 --> 00:40:44.447
my thoughts and feelings with you.
00:40:44.447 --> 00:40:47.780
Hi, my name is Peter, p-e-t-e-r.
00:40:47.780 --> 00:40:51.920
Last name Kavounas, k-a-v-o-u-n-a-s.
00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:54.170
I'm a resident of Claremont, California.
00:40:54.170 --> 00:40:56.253
I have lived there since 2016.
00:40:58.300 --> 00:41:02.000
I'm calling to offer
my thoughts and views
00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:05.130
on this proposed
increase by Golden State.
00:41:05.130 --> 00:41:06.720
I will start by sharing with you
00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:09.690
my thoughts on water
rates are that based
00:41:09.690 --> 00:41:11.540
on my personal experience,
00:41:11.540 --> 00:41:14.360
that water rates should
reflect the locality where
00:41:14.360 --> 00:41:17.980
water is being provided
through a retail service.
00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:19.320
Those rates should reflect,
00:41:19.320 --> 00:41:22.360
reasonably reflect the
supply mix, the system
00:41:22.360 --> 00:41:24.740
and infrastructure age, the topography,
00:41:24.740 --> 00:41:27.630
the labor costs, local
rules and regulations.
00:41:27.630 --> 00:41:31.580
Those are the drivers that creates
00:41:31.580 --> 00:41:34.600
the expenses necessary to service.
00:41:34.600 --> 00:41:36.640
Supply mix, of course, depending on what
00:41:36.640 --> 00:41:38.330
supply the cost of the supply,
00:41:38.330 --> 00:41:41.530
any water quality issues
and availability issues.
00:41:41.530 --> 00:41:43.990
The system and
infrastructure age dictates
00:41:43.990 --> 00:41:47.250
the maintenance repair and
replacement needs of a system.
00:41:47.250 --> 00:41:50.570
The topography dictates the
pump lists that are necessary.
00:41:50.570 --> 00:41:53.330
Labor costs of course are a big driver,
00:41:53.330 --> 00:41:55.620
and of course, local
rules and regulations.
00:41:55.620 --> 00:41:56.770
Why am I saying this?
00:41:56.770 --> 00:41:59.630
I'm saying this as
you can obviously tell,
00:41:59.630 --> 00:42:02.180
in that, I'm trying to make the point
00:42:02.180 --> 00:42:04.030
that Golden State is already higher
00:42:04.030 --> 00:42:07.370
than all the nearby retail providers.
00:42:07.370 --> 00:42:12.370
I just took my recent bill, 18 CCF bill,
00:42:12.500 --> 00:42:16.650
with a one inch meter,
our neighbors directly
00:42:16.650 --> 00:42:18.740
to the east, Monte Vista Water District.
00:42:18.740 --> 00:42:22.864
Golden State is 9.7%
higher for the same usage.
00:42:22.864 --> 00:42:26.410
Directly to the west of
us is the city of Pomona.
00:42:26.410 --> 00:42:29.190
Golden State is 15% higher.
00:42:29.190 --> 00:42:32.290
And our other neighbors
to the east in North Upland,
00:42:32.290 --> 00:42:35.190
Golden State is 25% higher.
00:42:35.190 --> 00:42:38.120
And so while I understand
the local comparisons
00:42:38.120 --> 00:42:40.020
will always have a winner and a loser,
00:42:41.020 --> 00:42:42.860
somebody whose rates are perhaps lower
00:42:42.860 --> 00:42:45.760
and somebody whose
rates are perhaps higher,
00:42:45.760 --> 00:42:47.700
Golden State has
the distinction of being
00:42:47.700 --> 00:42:51.197
at the very top and asking
for a very significant increase.
00:42:51.197 --> 00:42:54.530
Now I understand the
rates are built on a fashion,
00:42:54.530 --> 00:42:56.550
moving forward in a blockchain fashion.
00:42:56.550 --> 00:42:59.090
So rates can only increase
from where they've been.
00:42:59.090 --> 00:43:04.090
And so I'm calling to ask,
to tell you that I appreciate
00:43:04.980 --> 00:43:08.010
Mr. Victor Chan for taking a close look.
00:43:08.010 --> 00:43:10.730
I would encourage you to
not approve the requested
00:43:10.730 --> 00:43:13.750
increase of 10.74% since the rates
00:43:13.750 --> 00:43:15.433
are already much higher.
00:43:15.433 --> 00:43:18.200
And I have to say, I
am in terms of how I feel,
00:43:18.200 --> 00:43:21.530
I am befuddled and
perplexed by how an agency
00:43:21.530 --> 00:43:22.780
that can be that much higher,
00:43:22.780 --> 00:43:27.070
still have needs unmet to
warrant such a high increase.
00:43:27.070 --> 00:43:29.240
With that judge, my
three minutes are up.
00:43:29.240 --> 00:43:30.770
I really appreciate your time
00:43:30.770 --> 00:43:33.140
and all the staff working
on these rate increases.
00:43:33.140 --> 00:43:33.973
Thank you.
00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:35.793
Thank you.
00:43:35.793 --> 00:43:39.010
I appreciate the fact that
you assembled all that data.
00:43:39.010 --> 00:43:41.050
It's very helpful to have such data.
00:43:41.050 --> 00:43:43.609
So thank you very much for doing that.
00:43:43.609 --> 00:43:47.763
Operator, you can put on
the next speaker, please.
00:43:49.950 --> 00:43:52.850
Our next comment
comes from Judy Hampton.
00:43:52.850 --> 00:43:53.903
Your line is open.
00:43:55.470 --> 00:43:57.040
Go
ahead, Ms. Hampton.
00:43:57.040 --> 00:43:59.360
Hi, my name is Judy Hampton.
00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:03.960
My husband and I have
lived in Covina, California
00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:07.270
for almost 42 years now.
00:44:07.270 --> 00:44:09.298
And as the previous caller--
00:44:09.298 --> 00:44:11.020
Wait,
wait, wait just a minute.
00:44:11.020 --> 00:44:13.900
First, give us the spelling
of your name please.
00:44:13.900 --> 00:44:14.733
Oh, I'm sorry.
00:44:14.733 --> 00:44:19.660
My name is Judy, j-u-d
as in David, y as in you.
00:44:20.560 --> 00:44:24.000
Last name Hampton, h
as in Henry, a as in apple,
00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:27.940
m as in Mary, p as
in Peter, t as in Tom,
00:44:27.940 --> 00:44:30.513
o as an office, n as in Nancy.
00:44:32.350 --> 00:44:33.423
Thank you.
00:44:35.740 --> 00:44:38.400
Okay.
Go ahead.
00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:40.890
Okay, so my question is
00:44:40.890 --> 00:44:44.560
that I agree with the previous caller
00:44:44.560 --> 00:44:48.353
that it seems that our
rates seem to be more,
00:44:49.700 --> 00:44:52.250
higher than any of the areas,
00:44:52.250 --> 00:44:54.350
the surrounding areas around us.
00:44:54.350 --> 00:44:57.780
We are constantly getting any increase.
00:44:57.780 --> 00:45:00.490
My husband and I have
lived in a Covina area
00:45:00.490 --> 00:45:03.447
here for almost 42 years,
00:45:03.447 --> 00:45:06.070
and it seemed like our rates
are constantly increasing.
00:45:06.070 --> 00:45:08.620
And like you said earlier,
or someone said earlier,
00:45:08.620 --> 00:45:11.050
it seems like it's a three-year period.
00:45:11.050 --> 00:45:14.820
This I don't understand.
00:45:14.820 --> 00:45:17.390
And you're talking
about the infrastructure
00:45:17.390 --> 00:45:20.950
and the water improvements
and the water treatment costs.
00:45:20.950 --> 00:45:25.790
Why is it that our costs are exceeding
00:45:25.790 --> 00:45:28.510
everyone else's in the immediate area?
00:45:28.510 --> 00:45:31.770
Plus the fact the Biden
administration is also
00:45:31.770 --> 00:45:34.330
trying to pass this
infrastructure bill now.
00:45:34.330 --> 00:45:38.350
Will that have some
effect on the quantity?
00:45:38.350 --> 00:45:41.340
I mean, won't, they
be giving funds to us
00:45:41.340 --> 00:45:46.340
to better treat our
water and to better build
00:45:48.160 --> 00:45:50.580
our infrastructure to
the water treatment
00:45:50.580 --> 00:45:53.430
and also the water supply?
00:45:53.430 --> 00:45:56.290
I just think like we're
on a fixed income
00:45:57.260 --> 00:45:59.440
and constantly everything is going up,
00:45:59.440 --> 00:46:01.480
but our paychecks are not going up.
00:46:01.480 --> 00:46:04.960
So I'm really kind of taken a back
00:46:04.960 --> 00:46:06.820
by this constant increase.
00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:08.210
It seems like in Covina all we do
00:46:08.210 --> 00:46:10.080
is pay, pay, pay, pay, pay.
00:46:10.080 --> 00:46:12.190
I don't know if
everybody feels that way,
00:46:12.190 --> 00:46:13.980
but I'm a little upset about it.
00:46:13.980 --> 00:46:16.330
So I don't know how
many minutes that is,
00:46:16.330 --> 00:46:17.740
but that's what I have to say.
00:46:17.740 --> 00:46:20.730
Now you're going to
respond to these questions
00:46:20.730 --> 00:46:23.770
that we're providing
later on, is that what is?
00:46:23.770 --> 00:46:26.100
We'll come back and we'll
be able to print something
00:46:26.100 --> 00:46:27.900
out to see how the response is?
00:46:27.900 --> 00:46:29.360
Is that how it is?
00:46:29.360 --> 00:46:31.180
That's all my questions.
00:46:31.180 --> 00:46:34.990
Yes,
I will a decision
00:46:34.990 --> 00:46:37.420
and propose that decision be adopted
00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:40.570
by the entire body of Commissioners.
00:46:40.570 --> 00:46:42.374
There are five Commissioners.
00:46:42.374 --> 00:46:46.300
That, my proposed
decision will be public.
00:46:46.300 --> 00:46:49.757
As soon as I finish it,
I put it on the website,
00:46:49.757 --> 00:46:53.680
and you can access
it and see what I said.
00:46:53.680 --> 00:46:56.010
And then you have to wait to see
00:46:56.010 --> 00:46:59.050
whether or not the
Commission adopts it or not.
00:46:59.050 --> 00:47:02.180
If they do adopt it,
it will be reprinted
00:47:02.180 --> 00:47:06.070
as a final decision
and that also will be
00:47:06.070 --> 00:47:08.160
on the website and you can see it,
00:47:08.160 --> 00:47:11.300
and I will say that you raise
a very interesting question
00:47:11.300 --> 00:47:14.980
about President Biden's
infrastructure proposal.
00:47:14.980 --> 00:47:16.970
Of course, it's still just a proposal.
00:47:16.970 --> 00:47:20.410
The Congress hasn't adopted it yet,
00:47:20.410 --> 00:47:22.230
but it's an interesting question.
00:47:22.230 --> 00:47:27.230
So I appreciate your putting
that question in the comments.
00:47:27.350 --> 00:47:28.183
Thank you.
00:47:28.183 --> 00:47:31.370
And also remember us folks
that are on a fixed income
00:47:31.370 --> 00:47:35.160
you know, everything's
going up but our pay checks,
00:47:35.160 --> 00:47:36.780
and some of the people that are working,
00:47:36.780 --> 00:47:38.210
I know they feel the same way.
00:47:38.210 --> 00:47:40.220
We just came out of a pandemic.
00:47:40.220 --> 00:47:41.947
Can you guys cut us
some slack, give us a break.
00:47:41.947 --> 00:47:43.870
I mean we won't have no money.
00:47:43.870 --> 00:47:45.560
All we got is all we got.
00:47:45.560 --> 00:47:48.390
So I appreciate your listening to me.
00:47:48.390 --> 00:47:50.950
And I thank you for having this forum
00:47:50.950 --> 00:47:53.850
and allowing us to voice our opinion.
00:47:53.850 --> 00:47:55.020
Thank you.
Well, thank you.
00:47:55.020 --> 00:47:57.070
Thank you for coming
and giving your comment.
00:47:57.070 --> 00:47:59.367
I, we appreciate it.
Okay.
00:47:59.367 --> 00:48:00.720
Operator, go ahead
00:48:00.720 --> 00:48:02.533
and put on the next speaker, please.
00:48:04.250 --> 00:48:07.030
Our next
speaker is Karin Spruill.
00:48:07.030 --> 00:48:08.203
Your line is open.
00:48:09.610 --> 00:48:14.240
Hi, my name is
Karin Spruill, k-a-r-i-n.
00:48:14.240 --> 00:48:19.240
Last name Spruill, s-p-r-u-i-l-l.
00:48:19.710 --> 00:48:21.500
I live in La Palma,
00:48:21.500 --> 00:48:24.600
and also the first two
speakers were so good,
00:48:24.600 --> 00:48:27.000
and I appreciate you
both for speaking up.
00:48:27.000 --> 00:48:32.000
And I would like to say
that yeah, the rate increases
00:48:32.080 --> 00:48:34.650
are pretty outrageous percentage wise
00:48:34.650 --> 00:48:38.160
as our rates are already
higher than those around us.
00:48:38.160 --> 00:48:41.730
And I take exception to
the fact that somebody said
00:48:41.730 --> 00:48:45.880
if you want to lower your
rate, then use less water.
00:48:45.880 --> 00:48:48.050
That I find it pretty outrageous
00:48:48.050 --> 00:48:49.570
as I'm already being conservative
00:48:49.570 --> 00:48:52.820
because your rates are
too high to begin with.
00:48:52.820 --> 00:48:56.470
How about if the business
trims the fat on their operation?
00:48:56.470 --> 00:48:59.920
How about if the water
company becomes more efficient
00:48:59.920 --> 00:49:02.710
and better organized
and cuts back on maybe
00:49:02.710 --> 00:49:04.930
unnecessary riffraff or whatever
00:49:04.930 --> 00:49:06.100
they're spending their money on
00:49:06.100 --> 00:49:08.170
and just do their
business better so that they
00:49:08.170 --> 00:49:11.970
don't have to keep putting
the costs on the customers?
00:49:11.970 --> 00:49:15.480
And like the previous speaker
spoke up, I'm just retired
00:49:15.480 --> 00:49:19.610
on Social Security and I'm
looking at every single penny,
00:49:19.610 --> 00:49:21.510
and the amount of
money that you're talking
00:49:21.510 --> 00:49:24.911
about raising the
rates is just outrageous.
00:49:24.911 --> 00:49:28.390
So yeah, we are all
trying to conserve water
00:49:28.390 --> 00:49:30.590
because the price is
too high to begin with.
00:49:30.590 --> 00:49:34.010
So what can the Department
Of Water, the Golden State,
00:49:34.010 --> 00:49:37.960
what can they do on
their end to lower the cost?
00:49:37.960 --> 00:49:38.793
That's what I have to say.
00:49:38.793 --> 00:49:41.070
Thank you so much for the time.
00:49:41.070 --> 00:49:43.430
Okay, thank
you very much, Ms. Spruill.
00:49:43.430 --> 00:49:46.710
I wanna just take responsibility
00:49:46.710 --> 00:49:48.060
for the comment you referenced,
00:49:48.060 --> 00:49:50.679
but what my actual comment was,
00:49:50.679 --> 00:49:55.153
if you are using more than
the average amount of water,
00:49:56.810 --> 00:50:00.030
more than the what the
average customer is using
00:50:00.030 --> 00:50:03.560
in throughout region three to think
00:50:03.560 --> 00:50:06.670
seriously about cutting back.
00:50:06.670 --> 00:50:11.230
And we would do that anyway
because of the severe drought
00:50:11.230 --> 00:50:15.330
that we are likely to
end up in this summer,
00:50:15.330 --> 00:50:18.766
and so it is more for
people who are using more
00:50:18.766 --> 00:50:23.766
than the average in your
region that I'm speaking to.
00:50:24.003 --> 00:50:27.060
And that's why I was
suggesting that cut back
00:50:28.520 --> 00:50:30.590
might be an order for them
00:50:30.590 --> 00:50:32.960
but thank you for your comments.
00:50:32.960 --> 00:50:37.620
You're well-spoken and I
appreciate your giving them to us.
00:50:37.620 --> 00:50:40.420
Now, before the next speaker,
I'd like to ask the operator
00:50:40.420 --> 00:50:44.453
do we have speakers in
the Spanish language line?
00:50:47.210 --> 00:50:48.043
No, sir.
00:50:48.043 --> 00:50:49.993
I'm showing no speakers
on the Spanish line.
00:50:51.190 --> 00:50:54.620
Okay, then let's go back
to the English speaking line
00:50:54.620 --> 00:50:59.113
and you can put the
next speaker on please.
00:51:00.380 --> 00:51:01.740
Thank you, sir.
00:51:01.740 --> 00:51:04.430
Our next speaker is Marc Gonzales.
00:51:04.430 --> 00:51:05.483
Your line is open.
00:51:06.910 --> 00:51:09.390
Go
ahead Mr. Gonzales.
00:51:09.390 --> 00:51:11.047
Yeah, thank you.
00:51:11.047 --> 00:51:12.800
Can you hear me okay?
00:51:12.800 --> 00:51:14.360
Yes, we can.
00:51:14.360 --> 00:51:15.820
Just spell your full name
00:51:15.820 --> 00:51:17.590
and tell us where you're from.
00:51:17.590 --> 00:51:20.410
Yes, spelling is m-a-r-c.
00:51:20.410 --> 00:51:23.280
Last name is g-o-n-z-a-l-e-s,
00:51:23.280 --> 00:51:25.190
and from San Dimas, California.
00:51:25.190 --> 00:51:28.710
I apologize if I'm not
calling from the right area
00:51:28.710 --> 00:51:32.160
but this is the only
time I could get away
00:51:32.160 --> 00:51:34.080
from work and call.
00:51:34.080 --> 00:51:37.210
Anyway, I want to thank
you for taking my call today
00:51:37.210 --> 00:51:38.950
and for listening.
00:51:38.950 --> 00:51:42.180
You know, I was going
through the public comments
00:51:42.180 --> 00:51:45.440
on the Public Utility
Commission website there,
00:51:45.440 --> 00:51:48.650
and there wasn't one comment
that was for an increase.
00:51:48.650 --> 00:51:53.313
I mean, clearly that
should tell you quite a bit.
00:51:54.620 --> 00:51:57.810
I've spoken to a lot of
citizens in my city of San Dimas
00:51:57.810 --> 00:52:00.410
and very unhappy about the increase,
00:52:00.410 --> 00:52:01.970
especially since we had an increase
00:52:01.970 --> 00:52:04.680
or Golden State Water had
an increase from the years
00:52:04.680 --> 00:52:09.680
2015 through 2017
already, I believe 17%.
00:52:10.830 --> 00:52:13.220
So we were, my wife
and I were very outraged
00:52:13.220 --> 00:52:16.880
at the consideration
for another increase
00:52:17.760 --> 00:52:21.950
right after another, a
previous increase with,
00:52:21.950 --> 00:52:26.310
in the middle of a pandemic
where my income's been affected.
00:52:26.310 --> 00:52:28.181
I know I'm not alone in that.
00:52:28.181 --> 00:52:32.870
Everybody's watching what
they're spending these days.
00:52:32.870 --> 00:52:37.530
The economy is growing,
but it's precarious.
00:52:37.530 --> 00:52:41.910
And I think in general, it could,
00:52:41.910 --> 00:52:44.510
something bad could
happen in the next few months.
00:52:44.510 --> 00:52:45.343
We just don't know, right.
00:52:45.343 --> 00:52:50.343
But my point is, if
we're living in a means,
00:52:50.760 --> 00:52:52.913
fixed income of some sort,
00:52:54.080 --> 00:52:56.330
then the water company
should do a better job
00:52:56.330 --> 00:52:58.840
with what they have coming in.
00:52:58.840 --> 00:53:01.950
It strikes me that a
for-profit water company,
00:53:01.950 --> 00:53:06.950
continually raises rates,
has no consideration
00:53:08.540 --> 00:53:12.770
for their customers and
continually raises rates
00:53:12.770 --> 00:53:17.180
and other nonprofit water districts are
00:53:17.180 --> 00:53:21.340
maintaining good quality
water in our neighboring cities
00:53:21.340 --> 00:53:23.490
at very low, much lower rates.
00:53:23.490 --> 00:53:25.520
So that strikes me as very apparent.
00:53:25.520 --> 00:53:27.257
Maybe there's a Board
of Directors that they
00:53:27.257 --> 00:53:29.707
are trying to appease
instead of their customers.
00:53:30.769 --> 00:53:32.480
That's really all I want to say.
00:53:32.480 --> 00:53:36.660
I really think that in the
middle of a pandemic,
00:53:36.660 --> 00:53:39.540
we really have to consider
that people are still hurting
00:53:39.540 --> 00:53:41.530
and it's precarious to even consider
00:53:41.530 --> 00:53:43.690
raising rates at this point,
00:53:43.690 --> 00:53:45.050
and thank you for taking my time today.
00:53:45.050 --> 00:53:46.300
I really appreciate that.
00:53:47.260 --> 00:53:49.010
Thank
you for your comment.
00:53:49.010 --> 00:53:52.860
And I just want to point
out based on what you said,
00:53:52.860 --> 00:53:56.790
yes, we have quite a few
comments on the website
00:53:57.886 --> 00:54:01.660
and we look for more
comments from more people.
00:54:01.660 --> 00:54:06.615
And I set aside time every
Friday at the end of the week.
00:54:06.615 --> 00:54:11.615
All of the comments are
forwarded to me and I sit down
00:54:12.330 --> 00:54:14.290
and read all of them at that particular
00:54:14.290 --> 00:54:16.090
point in time, Friday afternoon.
00:54:16.090 --> 00:54:20.140
So if you have further
comments or anybody else
00:54:20.140 --> 00:54:23.070
wants to make a written
comment, then just put it
00:54:23.070 --> 00:54:27.500
on the public comment
tab of the docket sheet.
00:54:27.500 --> 00:54:30.379
We explained that
was, that could be done.
00:54:30.379 --> 00:54:34.030
If you've forgotten, then simply contact
00:54:34.030 --> 00:54:36.470
the Public Advisor's Office.
00:54:36.470 --> 00:54:39.900
The number is on the telephone number
00:54:39.900 --> 00:54:44.900
and website email address
are on the screen right now.
00:54:45.750 --> 00:54:46.583
I really appreciate
00:54:46.583 --> 00:54:48.460
your considerations today, too, Judge.
00:54:48.460 --> 00:54:52.030
I know is that it's a tedious process,
00:54:52.030 --> 00:54:54.540
but we do appreciate your consideration
00:54:54.540 --> 00:54:56.560
and your time on this.
00:54:56.560 --> 00:54:57.393
We really do.
00:54:59.200 --> 00:55:00.170
Well,
you're welcome.
00:55:00.170 --> 00:55:02.313
That's why I do what I do.
00:55:02.313 --> 00:55:04.710
(Marc laughs)
00:55:04.710 --> 00:55:07.203
Okay, Operator, next speaker please.
00:55:09.450 --> 00:55:12.110
Next speaker
is Lisa Lighthipe-Hinz.
00:55:12.110 --> 00:55:13.253
Your line is open.
00:55:14.449 --> 00:55:17.370
Hi, my name is
Lisa Lighthipe-Hinz,
00:55:17.370 --> 00:55:22.370
l-i-s-a l-i-g-h-t-h-i-p-e
00:55:23.540 --> 00:55:26.190
hyphen h-i-n-z.
00:55:26.190 --> 00:55:27.770
I know it's a mouthful.
00:55:27.770 --> 00:55:28.950
Thank you so much.
00:55:28.950 --> 00:55:30.350
I live in the city of Orange.
00:55:30.350 --> 00:55:32.120
I've lived there for about 45 years.
00:55:32.120 --> 00:55:34.070
I have been in my current residence
00:55:34.070 --> 00:55:38.519
for 15 years in Rocking Horse Ridge.
00:55:38.519 --> 00:55:42.770
We, our community is the only subsection
00:55:42.770 --> 00:55:47.440
of Orange that has Golden State Water.
00:55:47.440 --> 00:55:48.930
As the previous callers have stated
00:55:48.930 --> 00:55:51.489
we've had several rate increases.
00:55:51.489 --> 00:55:53.630
The city of Orange pays an average
00:55:53.630 --> 00:55:56.198
of 88 cents per unit for water.
00:55:56.198 --> 00:55:59.800
But all of Orange County
pays an average of $2.50,
00:55:59.800 --> 00:56:02.723
and I pay $5.15 for a unit of water.
00:56:04.610 --> 00:56:07.010
I find those fees are quite exorbitant.
00:56:07.010 --> 00:56:09.220
In addition, I'm compared,
00:56:09.220 --> 00:56:12.010
you talked about average
usage to the people
00:56:12.010 --> 00:56:14.384
within my community
that are in a condo that are
00:56:14.384 --> 00:56:18.800
in a home with a very
small lot, with no water.
00:56:18.800 --> 00:56:21.480
So I go to the highest tier every time.
00:56:21.480 --> 00:56:24.530
I don't feel, and I've gone
their public hearings before.
00:56:24.530 --> 00:56:26.240
And they said, well yeah, that's life.
00:56:26.240 --> 00:56:27.590
That's unfair.
00:56:27.590 --> 00:56:29.450
That's really not fair that we're always
00:56:29.450 --> 00:56:31.650
starting at the top tier
because we're being
00:56:31.650 --> 00:56:34.190
compared to people
in our community again,
00:56:34.190 --> 00:56:35.710
that have no property.
00:56:35.710 --> 00:56:38.380
I do conserve water in the summer.
00:56:38.380 --> 00:56:40.820
We turn off our water
and we let things die
00:56:40.820 --> 00:56:42.910
because I can't afford my water bill.
00:56:42.910 --> 00:56:44.730
It's getting to the point that I'm gonna
00:56:44.730 --> 00:56:46.730
have to sell my home that I love
00:56:46.730 --> 00:56:49.760
because I can't afford a
water bill that's $2,000.
00:56:49.760 --> 00:56:51.160
I think that is ridiculous.
00:56:51.160 --> 00:56:53.350
When I first moved in my water bill was
00:56:53.350 --> 00:56:55.760
an average of three to
400 every two months.
00:56:55.760 --> 00:56:58.410
Now it's an average of 1000 to 2000,
00:56:58.410 --> 00:57:00.920
and they keep allowing this increase.
00:57:00.920 --> 00:57:04.020
I've done my research and
I know that for us to fight,
00:57:04.020 --> 00:57:06.210
you have to have 51%
of the people who have
00:57:06.210 --> 00:57:07.590
Golden State Water in the state
00:57:07.590 --> 00:57:09.770
of California sign a petition.
00:57:09.770 --> 00:57:11.480
That's pretty difficult considering
00:57:11.480 --> 00:57:13.443
California is a very large state.
00:57:14.970 --> 00:57:16.550
I appreciate your time.
00:57:16.550 --> 00:57:18.810
We've had Golden State
out to do a conservation.
00:57:18.810 --> 00:57:21.490
We have all the conservation sprinklers.
00:57:21.490 --> 00:57:24.438
We've done everything
we can to conserve water.
00:57:24.438 --> 00:57:26.410
Again, I appreciate your time.
00:57:26.410 --> 00:57:28.763
And I really hope this
increase is not allowed.
00:57:30.330 --> 00:57:31.220
Thank
you very much.
00:57:31.220 --> 00:57:32.790
That was very enlightening.
00:57:32.790 --> 00:57:33.623
Thank you.
00:57:35.140 --> 00:57:37.003
Operator the next speaker, please.
00:57:38.447 --> 00:57:41.910
Our next
caller is a Leo Noriega.
00:57:41.910 --> 00:57:42.810
Your line is open.
00:57:44.560 --> 00:57:46.860
Go
ahead, Mr. Noriega.
00:57:46.860 --> 00:57:47.900
Thank you very much.
00:57:47.900 --> 00:57:52.900
My name is Leo, l-e-o n-o-r-i-e-g-a,
00:57:54.550 --> 00:57:57.190
and I'm calling to object the proposal
00:57:57.190 --> 00:58:00.446
that the water company is making.
00:58:00.446 --> 00:58:04.770
I've been living here
since 2014 in my home,
00:58:04.770 --> 00:58:09.770
like Mrs. Lisa was just
saying, that I love, and my--
00:58:10.597 --> 00:58:13.643
Which
city are you in?
00:58:13.643 --> 00:58:16.339
I'm in the city of Stanton.
00:58:16.339 --> 00:58:18.340
Okay, thank you.
00:58:18.340 --> 00:58:19.867
Thank you.
00:58:19.867 --> 00:58:22.490
And Your Honor, I love my house.
00:58:22.490 --> 00:58:25.170
The grass it's dead, and why?
00:58:25.170 --> 00:58:27.430
Because I'm trying to conserve water
00:58:27.430 --> 00:58:32.430
and I don't find it in any
way, just that the you know,
00:58:32.440 --> 00:58:36.083
the company keeps
raising the water bill.
00:58:37.140 --> 00:58:41.780
My bill last, I want to say like
two months ago it was $600.
00:58:44.120 --> 00:58:45.380
There's no way.
00:58:45.380 --> 00:58:48.590
You know like the other
residents are saying you know,
00:58:48.590 --> 00:58:51.130
we're coming out from a pandemic.
00:58:51.130 --> 00:58:53.738
Everyone's income has been affected.
00:58:53.738 --> 00:58:55.780
And guess what we do?
00:58:55.780 --> 00:59:00.130
We manage everything in
the house with what we have.
00:59:00.130 --> 00:59:04.280
So why can the company
manage their infrastructure
00:59:04.280 --> 00:59:07.070
and all the investments
that they want to do,
00:59:07.070 --> 00:59:08.656
you know with what they have?
00:59:08.656 --> 00:59:11.270
That's what we do as residents.
00:59:11.270 --> 00:59:13.910
So I hope that you take
this in consideration,
00:59:13.910 --> 00:59:17.940
and please do not approve the rates
00:59:17.940 --> 00:59:22.940
that they're trying to
impose on us the consumers.
00:59:23.940 --> 00:59:26.620
Thank you, Your Honor,
and everybody that is working
00:59:26.620 --> 00:59:29.093
diligently on this issue.
00:59:30.450 --> 00:59:31.620
Thank
you, Mr. Noriega.
00:59:31.620 --> 00:59:33.203
We appreciate your comments.
00:59:34.670 --> 00:59:37.940
Thank you, Your Honor.
Next speaker please.
00:59:37.940 --> 00:59:40.970
At this time, I'm
showing no further comments.
00:59:40.970 --> 00:59:43.160
Again, if you would
like to make a comment,
00:59:43.160 --> 00:59:44.583
please press star one.
00:59:46.700 --> 00:59:47.970
Let
me ask the operator
00:59:47.970 --> 00:59:49.700
if there's any comments on
00:59:49.700 --> 00:59:53.143
or speakers lined up
on the Spanish line?
00:59:56.060 --> 00:59:57.370
There are no speakers
00:59:57.370 --> 00:59:59.493
on the Spanish line at this time.
01:00:01.662 --> 01:00:06.662
Okay,
let's take, it is now 2:36 PM.
01:00:06.920 --> 01:00:10.900
Let's take a break until 2:45 PM
01:00:10.900 --> 01:00:15.410
to allow other speakers
to line up in the queue.
01:00:15.410 --> 01:00:19.020
So we will be off the record
now, and we will return back
01:00:19.020 --> 01:00:24.020
on the record in eight
minutes at 2:45 PM.
01:00:25.710 --> 01:00:26.543
Off the record.
01:00:36.390 --> 01:00:39.223
Okay, let's go back on the record.
01:00:40.640 --> 01:00:44.339
It's now 2:45 PM in the
afternoon of May 27th,
01:00:44.339 --> 01:00:49.339
and we are resuming the
Public Participation Hearing
01:00:49.640 --> 01:00:53.273
in the Golden State
Water General Rate Case.
01:00:54.242 --> 01:00:58.350
Is the operator available,
and will he tell me
01:00:58.350 --> 01:01:01.170
whether we have anyone
in either the Spanish line
01:01:01.170 --> 01:01:04.273
or the English line for public comments?
01:01:06.600 --> 01:01:08.000
Yes sir, I am.
01:01:08.000 --> 01:01:11.080
And we do not have any comments either
01:01:11.080 --> 01:01:15.053
on the Spanish line or
the English line at this time.
01:01:16.521 --> 01:01:20.730
Okay, since that's
so, then I think I will give
01:01:20.730 --> 01:01:25.190
my concluding remarks
and they are as follows.
01:01:25.190 --> 01:01:26.650
I want to thank everybody who
01:01:26.650 --> 01:01:29.560
actually participated in this today.
01:01:29.560 --> 01:01:34.180
Those who are from the utility,
01:01:34.180 --> 01:01:36.100
from the Public Advocates Office,
01:01:36.100 --> 01:01:37.930
from the Public Advisor's Office
01:01:37.930 --> 01:01:41.060
and all of the Support Team at the CPUC,
01:01:41.060 --> 01:01:42.530
all of the members of the public
01:01:42.530 --> 01:01:47.013
who listened to today's hearing.
01:01:47.976 --> 01:01:52.730
There will be a further
Public Participation Hearing
01:01:52.730 --> 01:01:57.730
for region three later
today, beginning at 6:30 PM.
01:01:58.150 --> 01:02:01.280
The same call in number
01:02:02.666 --> 01:02:07.153
and the password will be the same,
01:02:09.420 --> 01:02:13.580
and you might tell your
neighbors and friends about it
01:02:13.580 --> 01:02:17.570
if they were unable to
attend this afternoon's hearing.
01:02:20.940 --> 01:02:24.110
If anyone who is listening
would like to make
01:02:24.110 --> 01:02:26.560
additional comments, I
recommend that you get
01:02:26.560 --> 01:02:28.920
in touch with the
Public Advisor's Office,
01:02:28.920 --> 01:02:31.640
and they will help you get your comments
01:02:31.640 --> 01:02:33.636
into the docket sheet.
01:02:33.636 --> 01:02:36.510
And you can reach the Public Advisor
01:02:36.510 --> 01:02:41.510
at public.advisor@cpusi.ca.gov,
01:02:43.560 --> 01:02:47.603
or you can call phone
number 866-849-8390.
01:02:51.617 --> 01:02:53.570
And that you can see that information
01:02:53.570 --> 01:02:55.760
on the screen right now.
01:02:55.760 --> 01:02:59.280
So with that, we will
conclude this afternoon's
01:02:59.280 --> 01:03:02.383
Public Participation
Hearing and go off the record.