WEBVTT 00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:09.778 In momentarily. Thank you for your patience. 00:00:09.778 --> 00:00:13.669 Online Public Participation Hearing for Bear Valley Electric 00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:18.670 Services 2023 General Rate Case, GRC application. 00:00:18.989 --> 00:00:24.888 Application number 22-08-010. Please note that 00:00:24.899 --> 00:00:27.600 the audio and visual feed of this Public Hearing is 00:00:27.609 --> 00:00:31.228 being recorded, and broadcasted on the Commission's website. 00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:34.880 Good evening, my name is Elaine Lau. I'm the assigned 00:00:35.029 --> 00:00:38.219 Administrative Law Judge, ALJ on this proceeding. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:41.689 I am here with Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma, who is 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:49.689 the assigned Commissioner on this proceeding. 00:00:49.689 --> 00:00:52.649 The purpose of today's hearing is for the California 00:00:52.658 --> 00:00:56.168 Public Utilities Commission or CPUC to hear from 00:00:56.179 --> 00:00:59.319 customers of Bear Valley Electric Services and members 00:00:59.329 --> 00:01:03.200 of the public about this application. The CPUC is 00:01:03.209 --> 00:01:07.028 a state agency that has regulatory authority over Bear 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:11.180 Valley Electric Services. The CPUC has 5 Commissioners 00:01:11.189 --> 00:01:13.948 who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:17.250 the State Senate. The Commissioners are the ones who 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:20.219 will determine the outcome of this proceeding. As a 00:01:20.230 --> 00:01:23.790 Judge on this case, my role is to evaluate the evidence 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.948 in the proceeding, and then to write a proposed decision 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:30.120 based on the evidence. The Commissioners can then vote 00:01:30.129 --> 00:01:33.319 to either adopt my proposed decision or they can vote 00:01:33.329 --> 00:01:37.189 to adopt their own alternate decision. At this time, 00:01:37.198 --> 00:01:40.239 I'd like to ask Commissioner Shiroma to see if she has 00:01:40.250 --> 00:01:43.219 some opening remarks for us. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:47.109 Yes, thank you Judge. Good evening, everyone. My name 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:52.388 is Genevieve Shiroma, my pronouns are she/her. I am the assigned 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:55.168 Commissioner for this proceeding. And I'm pleased to 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:59.088 join Judge Elaine Lao today, for this Public Participation 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:02.439 Hearing. Uh, Judge Lau and I will be working together 00:02:02.448 --> 00:02:06.099 to carefully consider Bear Valley's requests in this 00:02:06.109 --> 00:02:10.038 General Rate Case proceeding. And ensure that the utility 00:02:10.050 --> 00:02:14.399 can both prepare for growing wildfire threats, and protect 00:02:14.409 --> 00:02:19.149 ratepayers, and protect rate payers from undue bill 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:22.860 increases. As these General Rate Case proceedings may 00:02:22.868 --> 00:02:26.879 have large impacts on ratepayers. We at the Public Utilities 00:02:26.889 --> 00:02:30.689 Commission take public participation very seriously. 00:02:31.258 --> 00:02:34.500 And work to ensure that customers have ample opportunity 00:02:34.580 --> 00:02:37.419 to understand the proceedings that affect them, and 00:02:37.429 --> 00:02:41.979 voice any concerns or questions. Today, we have an 00:02:41.990 --> 00:02:45.000 opportunity for Bear Valley customers to learn more 00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:48.028 about the General Rate Case application and express 00:02:48.038 --> 00:02:50.919 your views. I look forward to hearing from all of you 00:02:50.929 --> 00:02:54.838 and from our presenters today. Before I turn the microphone 00:02:54.849 --> 00:02:58.240 back to Judge Lau. I would like to thank our court reporters 00:02:58.250 --> 00:03:01.960 for this evening, Tamara Dawson and Doris Waman. Who 00:03:01.969 --> 00:03:05.580 are working very hard to cover this Hearing and have 00:03:05.588 --> 00:03:09.379 a tough job of capturing everything that will be said 00:03:09.389 --> 00:03:12.778 here for the record. Thank you to our court reporters 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:15.710 and back to Judge Lau. 00:03:15.710 --> 00:03:19.069 Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma. If you want to participate 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:22.240 today and provide public comments to this application. 00:03:22.250 --> 00:03:28.149 You will need to call 1-800-857-1917, which is provided 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:34.909 on the screen. Enter passcode 1767567#, and then press 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.080 *1 on the phone. Uh, if you're a public official, 00:03:38.088 --> 00:03:40.860 please also provide us with your title and position. 00:03:41.069 --> 00:03:44.409 Your comments will be broadcasted live through the Commission's 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:48.558 website, and will also be recorded. If you do not wish 00:03:48.569 --> 00:03:51.909 to be recorded or cannot call in today, but wish to 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:54.800 reflect some of your comments. You may also submit 00:03:54.808 --> 00:03:57.258 written comments by visiting the link you see on the 00:03:57.270 --> 00:04:01.270 screen, which is apps.cpuc 00:04:01.278 --> 00:04:05.778 .ca.gov/c/A2208 00:04:05.788 --> 00:04:09.909 010. Once on the website, please click on the Public 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:13.599 Comments tab. As of today, we have received a total 00:04:13.610 --> 00:04:18.500 of 36 written comments. If you have any questions regarding 00:04:18.509 --> 00:04:22.428 the application or questions about your bill or service. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:25.389 A representative from Bear Valley Electric Service is 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:28.838 available this evening to answer your questions. From 00:04:28.850 --> 00:04:32.040 5pm until the end of this Hearing, please call 00:04:32.048 --> 00:04:40.100 them at 909-255-2769, as provided on the screen. 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:44.338 At this time, I will speak briefly about the request 00:04:44.350 --> 00:04:47.259 in the application. In this application, Bear Valley 00:04:47.269 --> 00:04:51.269 Electric Services is requesting that the CPUC approve 00:04:51.278 --> 00:04:57.160 rate increases from 2023-2026. Specifically 00:04:57.170 --> 00:05:00.928 Bear Valley is requesting to increase revenues by approximately 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:10.939 27% in 2023, 5% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 5% in 2026. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:14.358 According to the company, these significant increases 00:05:14.369 --> 00:05:17.660 are needed to recover the cost of wildfire mitigation 00:05:17.670 --> 00:05:22.088 activities. Which constitute about 80% of the requested 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:26.889 increases. At this time, I want to introduce and invite 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:31.290 uh, invite uh Mr. Jon Pierotti, who is Bear Valley Electric 00:05:31.298 --> 00:05:34.699 Services, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. To talk 00:05:34.709 --> 00:05:39.559 more about the request in this application. Um, uh Robert 00:05:39.569 --> 00:05:46.608 can you bring Mr. Pierotti to the stage? 00:05:46.608 --> 00:05:52.059 Hi, can everyone hear me okay? Yes. Great. Okay, uh thank 00:05:52.069 --> 00:05:54.939 you, Judge Lau and Commissioner Shiroma. Uh, good evening. 00:05:54.949 --> 00:05:57.869 My name is Jon Pierotti. I'm the Vice President of 00:05:57.879 --> 00:06:01.088 the Regulatory Affairs Department. My department is 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:04.369 responsible for filing the General Rate Case application. 00:06:04.619 --> 00:06:07.699 Which is the subject of this Public Participation Hearing. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:11.488 I want to welcome you to this virtual Hearing and thank 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:14.500 all of our customers who have taken the time to join 00:06:14.509 --> 00:06:17.250 us this evening. We look forward to hearing from you 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:20.470 and understanding your perspectives. You just heard 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.809 Judge Lau provide an overview of Bear Valley's application, 00:06:24.088 --> 00:06:26.509 and the purpose of today's meeting in the Commission's 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:29.790 process for reviewing the application. I'm going to 00:06:29.798 --> 00:06:33.290 take just a few minutes to expand on Judge, Judge Lau's 00:06:33.298 --> 00:06:37.670 comments. General Rate Case is the process that establishes 00:06:37.678 --> 00:06:40.838 the company's overall budget or what we more commonly 00:06:40.850 --> 00:06:44.358 refer to as our revenue requirement. To operate the 00:06:44.369 --> 00:06:47.670 electric system in a manner that will allow us to provide 00:06:47.678 --> 00:06:51.540 safe and reliable electric service. The rate case also 00:06:51.548 --> 00:06:54.649 establishes the rates we charge for electric service. 00:06:55.269 --> 00:06:58.290 Rates are set at a level that will generate the budget 00:06:58.298 --> 00:07:01.480 or revenue requirement. That is approved by the Public 00:07:01.488 --> 00:07:05.379 Utilities Commission in the rate case at the forecasted 00:07:05.389 --> 00:07:09.569 levels of energy use. The general rate case process 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:12.939 is intended to be an open process where input from 00:07:12.949 --> 00:07:17.569 customers is welcomed, encouraged and valued. Your participation 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:20.129 here tonight is an important part of that process. 00:07:21.069 --> 00:07:24.178 As customers of Bear Valley Electric Service Inc., you 00:07:24.189 --> 00:07:27.220 received notice that Bear Valley filed its rate case 00:07:27.230 --> 00:07:31.879 application in August 2022. That application requested 00:07:31.889 --> 00:07:34.790 changes in our revenue requirement and rates beginning 00:07:34.798 --> 00:07:38.920 January 2023. The Commission's final decision on our 00:07:38.928 --> 00:07:42.048 application will set our revenue requirement and our 00:07:42.059 --> 00:07:45.428 corresponding rates for a 4 year period. Calendar 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:52.160 years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. A quick word about the 00:07:52.170 --> 00:07:55.608 timing of our application. Bear Valley is obligated 00:07:55.619 --> 00:07:58.459 by law to file a general rate case application once 00:07:58.470 --> 00:08:01.879 every 4 years. The Commission has a preset schedule 00:08:01.889 --> 00:08:05.470 that establishes the date for our filing. For Bear Valley, 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:09.528 our last rate case application was filed in May 2017. 00:08:09.838 --> 00:08:12.369 And the Commission's decision established rates for 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:16.699 the calendar year 2018-2022, which included 00:08:16.709 --> 00:08:20.579 one additional year. The filing of the rate case application 00:08:20.588 --> 00:08:23.858 in August of last year was the first step in a process 00:08:23.869 --> 00:08:27.220 that takes at least 12 months to complete. Once we 00:08:27.230 --> 00:08:29.939 file our application, the Office of Public Advocates 00:08:29.949 --> 00:08:33.649 begins their process of reviewing our application. And 00:08:33.658 --> 00:08:36.239 ultimately issuing their own recommendations to the 00:08:36.250 --> 00:08:39.710 Commission regarding our 2023 revenue requirement. 00:08:40.489 --> 00:08:44.298 Next steps include settlement negotiations, mediation, 00:08:44.308 --> 00:08:47.729 evidentiary hearings. And then Judge Lau will issue 00:08:47.739 --> 00:08:50.499 a proposed decision based on the facts presented in 00:08:50.508 --> 00:08:53.489 the case. Resolving all of the issues in the application. 00:08:53.768 --> 00:08:56.097 And finally, the Commissioners will vote and issue 00:08:56.109 --> 00:09:01.109 a final decision, as Judge Lau mentioned. 00:09:01.109 --> 00:09:03.889 I'll now provide some information about the application. 00:09:04.250 --> 00:09:06.590 Bear Valley's General Rate Case application with the 00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:10.330 Commission requests a revenue requirement of $50.28 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:14.279 million for 2023. Which is an increase of approximately 00:09:14.288 --> 00:09:19.820 $10.54 million or 26 1/2% from the current 00:09:19.830 --> 00:09:23.979 2022 revenue requirement. Bear Valley's also requesting 00:09:23.989 --> 00:09:30.538 increases in revenues of $2.24 million or 4.45% in 2024, 00:09:30.750 --> 00:09:39.389 $1.85 million or 3.53% in 2025, and $2.93 million or 5.39% 00:09:39.428 --> 00:09:44.038 in 2026. Based upon this request, an average residential 00:09:44.048 --> 00:09:48.779 customers monthly bill using 325 kilowatts per hour 00:09:48.788 --> 00:09:53.950 per month. Would increase by approximately $28.19 or 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:59.009 30% in 2023. While Bear Valley realizes that these 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:02.389 requested increases are substantial. It is important 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.989 to note that the majority of these increases relate 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:08.109 to the recovery of costs that have been incurred. And 00:10:08.119 --> 00:10:11.279 that Bear Valley will continue to incur to invest in 00:10:11.288 --> 00:10:14.389 programs, and improvements to increase public safety 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:18.119 from the threat of wildfires and increase service reliability. 00:10:18.928 --> 00:10:21.580 In response to the increasing threat of catastrophic 00:10:21.590 --> 00:10:25.149 wildfires in California. The Commission and the California 00:10:25.158 --> 00:10:28.500 Legislature have mandated a number of steps to mitigate 00:10:28.509 --> 00:10:32.219 the risks of wildfires. Although necessary and prudent, 00:10:32.229 --> 00:10:35.139 these Legislative and Commission mandates to reduce 00:10:35.149 --> 00:10:38.889 the risk of wildfires. Have resulted in dramatic increases 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:42.548 in Bear Valley's costs of operation. As we all well 00:10:42.558 --> 00:10:45.580 know, the threat of wildfire to this community is very 00:10:45.590 --> 00:10:50.090 real. The Radford Fire last September, certainly reminded 00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:53.849 us of this. Under a normal general rate case process, 00:10:53.859 --> 00:10:56.570 Bear Valley would propose infrastructure investments 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:59.210 on a forward looking basis in its general rate case. 00:10:59.859 --> 00:11:02.279 The Commission would review Bear Valley's request for 00:11:02.288 --> 00:11:05.408 future infrastructure investments. Approve them, if 00:11:05.418 --> 00:11:07.759 determined to be reasonable and in the interest of 00:11:07.769 --> 00:11:11.389 customers. And grant cost recovery and rates for those 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:15.629 projects it approves. However, after the extreme wildfires 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:19.788 that occurred in 2017 and 2018. The Commission and 00:11:19.798 --> 00:11:22.889 the State Legislature mandated all of the electric 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:25.808 utilities in the State, including Bear Valley. To begin 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:29.399 investing in wildfire safety projects right away. And 00:11:29.408 --> 00:11:32.029 to seek funding and cost recovery for those projects 00:11:32.038 --> 00:11:35.769 later. So in this General Rate Case application, a 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:38.619 portion of the increase being requested is to fund 00:11:38.629 --> 00:11:41.779 wildfire safety projects that have already been completed. 00:11:41.869 --> 00:11:44.889 And a portion of the increase is to fund future projects. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:48.649 Bear Valley's number one priority is to provide safe 00:11:48.658 --> 00:11:52.379 and reliable service to its customers. As stated, Bear 00:11:52.389 --> 00:11:55.649 Valley has already undertaken a number of projects, 00:11:55.658 --> 00:11:58.840 and implemented operations and maintenance programs. 00:11:58.849 --> 00:12:02.048 That are intended to mitigate the risk to our customers 00:12:02.058 --> 00:12:04.908 of a catastrophic wildfire caused by Bear Valley's 00:12:04.918 --> 00:12:07.908 infrastructure. Some of those projects and programs 00:12:07.918 --> 00:12:11.210 are completed and some will be ongoing during the upcoming 00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:14.359 general rate case cycle. For instance, Bear Valley's 00:12:14.369 --> 00:12:17.830 General Rate Case request includes approximately $62 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:22.330 million in new investments from 2023-2026. To 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:26.769 help customers face and reduce, help keep customers 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:29.649 safe and reduce the impacts of extreme weather and 00:12:29.658 --> 00:12:33.599 the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Some of these 00:12:33.609 --> 00:12:36.889 projects include the covered conductor replacement 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:40.629 project. Whereby Bear Valley aims to replace exposed 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:43.460 high voltage conductors with covered conductors on 00:12:43.469 --> 00:12:46.908 all sub transmission lines and high risk distribution 00:12:46.918 --> 00:12:51.200 lines. The evacuation route hardening project. Whereby 00:12:51.210 --> 00:12:54.019 Bear Valley will strengthen its facilities along primary 00:12:54.029 --> 00:12:57.019 and secondary evacuation routes, and make them more 00:12:57.029 --> 00:12:59.928 fire resistant. To allow for the safe evacuation of 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:03.629 the public in the event of a wildfire. And just as important, 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:06.658 the safe passage of first responders and their resources 00:13:06.668 --> 00:13:10.340 to combat fires. The enhanced vegetation management 00:13:10.349 --> 00:13:13.200 program which encompasses regularly scheduled tree 00:13:13.210 --> 00:13:15.769 trimming. To prevent trees from coming in contact with 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:19.210 power lines. As well as the use of aerial photography 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:23.000 and videography, laser imaging technology and third 00:13:23.009 --> 00:13:26.200 party independent patrol inspections. To reduce the 00:13:26.210 --> 00:13:30.229 risk of wildfires caused by power lines. The Radford 00:13:30.239 --> 00:13:33.058 Line Replacement Project which replaces the Radford 00:13:33.070 --> 00:13:37.229 Line 2.7 circuit miles of bare wire subtransmission 00:13:37.239 --> 00:13:41.719 line that consists of 95 wood poles. With high performance 00:13:41.729 --> 00:13:45.840 covered conductor and fire resistant ductile iron poles. 00:13:46.009 --> 00:13:49.509 Because it is located in an area designated as extreme 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:52.658 fire risk. This line comes up the backside of snow 00:13:52.668 --> 00:13:56.048 summit into the village. The ductile iron poles are 00:13:56.058 --> 00:13:59.080 less susceptible to wildfire damage as well as being 00:13:59.090 --> 00:14:01.940 better suited to withstanding inclement Winter weather. 00:14:01.950 --> 00:14:05.379 Such as high winds than the existing wood poles and 00:14:05.389 --> 00:14:07.940 the covered conductors are designed to reduce the chances 00:14:07.950 --> 00:14:12.149 of electrical lines triggering wildfires. And the switch 00:14:12.158 --> 00:14:15.580 and field device automation project which allows Bear 00:14:15.590 --> 00:14:18.590 Valley to monitor its system remotely, and rapidly 00:14:18.599 --> 00:14:21.408 deenergize sections of the system. If it is determined 00:14:21.418 --> 00:14:24.889 to be at a high risk of causing an ignition. While these 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:27.879 efforts are aimed at public safety. It should be noted 00:14:27.889 --> 00:14:30.580 that they will also improve system reliability and 00:14:30.590 --> 00:14:33.788 resiliency resulting in less outages during Winter 00:14:33.798 --> 00:14:38.200 storms. As Judge Lau mentioned, if you would like to 00:14:38.210 --> 00:14:40.989 contact Bear Valley Electric Service Inc. directly with 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.279 a question during tonight's Public Participation 00:14:43.288 --> 00:14:46.739 Hearing. You can do so by phone, Bear Valley has set 00:14:46.750 --> 00:14:49.119 up a special call in number for customers. Who would 00:14:49.129 --> 00:14:51.830 like to speak to a company representative about the 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:54.418 rate case application or have any questions about their 00:14:54.428 --> 00:14:57.719 bills or service. That number once again is 909- 00:14:57.729 --> 00:15:02.788 255-2769. Bear Valley employees are standing by at 00:15:02.798 --> 00:15:07.399 that number to respond to your questions. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:09.678 Before concluding my comments tonight, I would like 00:15:09.690 --> 00:15:12.279 to speak to the extraordinary and difficult circumstances 00:15:12.288 --> 00:15:15.250 that we all find ourselves in right now. I'm very proud 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:17.529 that Bear Valley employees have been working hard throughout 00:15:17.538 --> 00:15:20.859 the pandemic. Making sure that you, our customers have 00:15:20.869 --> 00:15:23.928 continued to receive uninterrupted, safe and reliable 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:27.288 electric service during this time. I also want to share 00:15:27.298 --> 00:15:29.879 that we recognize many of our customers are experiencing 00:15:29.889 --> 00:15:32.899 financial and economic hardships coming out of this 00:15:32.908 --> 00:15:36.739 pandemic situation. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 00:15:36.750 --> 00:15:40.038 pandemic, our customer service team has remained available 00:15:40.048 --> 00:15:42.750 to help customers answer questions and solve problems. 00:15:43.710 --> 00:15:46.009 Bear Valley has put in place protections to ensure that 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.830 customers continue to receive safe and reliable electric 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:52.308 service. Also included in our rate case is a provision 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.190 to offer a monthly credit on the bill to low-income 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:58.629 customers who meet specific income criteria. If you 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:03.099 go to the website bvesinc.com, you 00:16:03.109 --> 00:16:05.509 will find the link on the home page under customer 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:09.048 service to Bear Valley's Programs. Including its Low- 00:16:09.058 --> 00:16:12.320 Income California Alternative Rates for Energy Program, 00:16:12.408 --> 00:16:16.279 Medical Baseline program and COVID-19 Assistance Program. 00:16:17.029 --> 00:16:20.158 With that, I will close my comments. Again, I want to 00:16:20.168 --> 00:16:22.879 thank all of you for taking the time to join this meeting. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:25.678 And I look forward to your comments. Thank you, Judge 00:16:25.690 --> 00:16:28.710 Lau for this opportunity. 00:16:28.710 --> 00:16:33.200 Thanks Mr. Pierotti. Uh next, I'd like to invite uh, Ms. 00:16:33.210 --> 00:16:37.408 Ritta Merza from the Public Commissions Public Advocates 00:16:37.418 --> 00:16:46.369 Office to speak a few words. 00:16:46.369 --> 00:16:50.739 Uh Ms. Merza, I cannot hear you. You may on mute. Oh, 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:54.690 uh can you hear me now? 00:16:54.690 --> 00:17:00.119 Great. Uh good evening ALJ Lau, Commissioner Shiroma and members of 00:17:00.129 --> 00:17:03.788 the public. I am Ritta Merza, Attorney for the Public Advocates 00:17:03.798 --> 00:17:06.630 Office at the California Public Utilities Commission 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:11.199 in Bear Valley Electric's 2023 General Rate Case Proceeding. 00:17:11.868 --> 00:17:14.358 The Public Advocates Office at the California Public 00:17:14.368 --> 00:17:17.838 Utilities Commission also referred to as Cal Advocates. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:20.739 Is an independent consumer advocate at the California 00:17:20.750 --> 00:17:24.130 Public Utilities Commission. Cal Advocates represents 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:27.250 the interests of public utility customers with the 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:30.039 goal of obtaining the lowest possible rates. For service 00:17:30.049 --> 00:17:33.338 consistent with safe and reliable service and the safe 00:17:33.348 --> 00:17:36.500 environmental goals. Call Advocates is reviewing and 00:17:36.509 --> 00:17:41.150 analyzing Bear Valley Electric's 2023 GRC request and 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:44.250 well presented findings, independent forecasts and 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:47.019 recommendations in written testimony to be submitted 00:17:47.029 --> 00:17:52.318 on May 26, 2023. Uh, that includes Cal Advocates brief 00:17:52.328 --> 00:17:55.348 remarks. Thank you and we look forward to public comments. 00:17:57.118 --> 00:18:00.568 Thank you. At this time, we are ready to hear comments 00:18:00.578 --> 00:18:03.348 from the public on this application. Commissioner Shiroma 00:18:03.630 --> 00:18:06.900 and I are here today to hear your comments. A court 00:18:06.910 --> 00:18:11.279 reporter as well is on, um is on the phone. They will 00:18:11.289 --> 00:18:14.640 be transcribing everything that is said today. The 00:18:14.650 --> 00:18:18.348 written transcript of today's hearing will be posted 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:21.890 uh, publicly on the docket card of this proceeding. 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:26.269 Which is available on the CPUC website. Um, can 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:29.989 I ask if you're not speaking to mute your line. I'm 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.750 hearing some echoes. 00:18:33.750 --> 00:18:37.029 In addition. 00:18:37.029 --> 00:18:43.828 I'm carrying uh, some uh background noises. Uh, may I 00:18:43.838 --> 00:18:48.789 ask someone to uh, mute your line? Yes. Uh, so in addition 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:51.640 this hearing is being recorded and broadcasted live on 00:18:51.650 --> 00:18:54.410 the PUC website. If you do not wish to be 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:58.289 recorded alternatively, you may submit written comments. 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:01.719 By visiting the link on uh, on the screen. Uh, if 00:19:01.729 --> 00:19:04.719 you want to provide live comments now. May I remind 00:19:04.729 --> 00:19:13.709 you to please call 1-800-857-1917, enter passcode 00:19:14.709 --> 00:19:21.318 1767567#, and then press *1. Again, your comments 00:19:21.328 --> 00:19:24.709 will be broadcasted live and recorded. When it is your 00:19:24.719 --> 00:19:27.640 turn to speak. I ask that you provide us with your 00:19:27.650 --> 00:19:31.828 name, spelling your first name and last name. And then 00:19:31.838 --> 00:19:34.809 please also let us know which city you're calling from. 00:19:35.250 --> 00:19:38.880 Please again, speak slowly and clearly so that our 00:19:38.890 --> 00:19:44.559 court reporters can capture everything we say. Um Operator, 00:19:44.568 --> 00:19:48.229 at this moment how many calls do we have in, in queue? 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:54.699 Uh, we have uh 3 parties in the, in the queue at 00:19:54.709 --> 00:19:59.170 this time. Three um, were there 10 before. So there 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:03.559 were seven that dropped off? 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:08.078 There was 10 that had called in and, uh we only have 00:20:08.088 --> 00:20:11.979 three that have queued up for a comment. Oh okay. Are, is 00:20:11.989 --> 00:20:18.729 one of them a public official? Uh yes. Uh Randall Putz, 00:20:18.750 --> 00:20:24.509 uh Mayor of Big, Big Bear Lake. Yeah, can you bring 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:31.239 uh Mayor um. That uh, uh can you bring him uh, open 00:20:31.250 --> 00:20:37.250 his line up? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. 00:20:37.250 --> 00:20:40.880 Uh Mayor Putz , your line is open. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:44.410 Thank you everyone. Good evening. I'm Randall Putz 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:48.049 R. A. N. D. A. L. L. P. U. T. Z. and I'm 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:52.588 the Mayor of Big Bear Lake. And I'm compelled to speak 00:20:52.598 --> 00:20:56.750 on behalf of our community. Expressing concerns over 00:20:56.759 --> 00:21:00.618 an alarming approximately 40% increase in electricity 00:21:00.630 --> 00:21:05.979 rates over 3 years. I'll keep it short. I represent 00:21:05.989 --> 00:21:10.459 a small rural community, whose residents skew older 00:21:10.469 --> 00:21:14.439 and less resourced. In fact, about half of our residents 00:21:14.449 --> 00:21:19.368 don't work and many are retired on fixed incomes. The 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:23.358 proposed rate increases will be a significant burden 00:21:23.368 --> 00:21:28.088 to those who can least afford it. It's important to 00:21:28.098 --> 00:21:31.650 note that the ratepayers in Big Bear Lake already pay 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:35.000 a significantly higher rate than the state of California's 00:21:35.009 --> 00:21:41.160 average rate. And I understand the need to harden infrastructure 00:21:41.170 --> 00:21:45.250 in response to wildfire risk. I also understand that 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:48.219 such infrastructure investment shows up as an asset 00:21:48.229 --> 00:21:51.559 on Bear Valley Electric's balance sheet. That ends up 00:21:51.568 --> 00:21:55.568 getting funded by the ratepayers. So I urge the PUC 00:21:55.578 --> 00:21:59.969 to carefully scrutinize this rate request. Ensure that 00:21:59.979 --> 00:22:04.209 it follows the PUC's adopted affordability metrics. And 00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:08.809 make sure it isn't unreasonably rewarding the financial 00:22:08.818 --> 00:22:12.338 beneficiaries of this investor-owned utility. On the 00:22:12.348 --> 00:22:16.660 backs of our citizens. Thank you, uh for your help and 00:22:16.670 --> 00:22:19.250 your time. 00:22:19.250 --> 00:22:22.858 Thanks, Mayor. Um Operator is there another public 00:22:22.868 --> 00:22:28.189 official on the line? Uh no, ma'am, there is not. And 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:32.338 then can you introduce our next speaker? Our next caller 00:22:32.348 --> 00:22:43.689 is uh Chris, your line is open. 00:22:43.689 --> 00:22:46.529 Chris. 00:22:46.529 --> 00:22:51.118 Hi there. Uh, uh can you hear me? Yeah Chris, can you 00:22:51.130 --> 00:22:54.029 spell your first and last name, and provide us the city 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:57.719 you're calling from? Sure, absolutely. My name is Chris 00:22:57.729 --> 00:23:01.150 C. H. R. I S. My last name is Hanson, H. A. N. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:07.439 S. O. N. I live in Big Bear City. 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:12.150 Thank you, you may begin. Yeah, I just wanted to express 00:23:12.479 --> 00:23:16.549 my concern. Because I think that there are a lot of 00:23:16.729 --> 00:23:21.509 other people in Big Bear. That are struggling to make 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:25.759 rent, struggling to pay their bills, struggling with 00:23:25.769 --> 00:23:29.199 this economy. And I just don't think this is the right 00:23:29.209 --> 00:23:35.299 time. For us to bear the burden of having a 40 to 00:23:35.309 --> 00:23:41.729 47% rise in our utility rates. When we're forced at 00:23:41.979 --> 00:23:47.229 the pump to move to electricity. And now someone is 00:23:47.239 --> 00:23:51.068 controlling our electricity prices. I just don't think 00:23:51.078 --> 00:23:54.140 that's fair, and I just wanted to say that. That's all. 00:23:56.108 --> 00:24:02.750 Thanks Chris. Um, can we have the next commenter? 00:24:02.750 --> 00:24:06.420 Uh, yes. And as a reminder if you would like to make 00:24:06.430 --> 00:24:15.229 a public comment, please call 1-800-857-1917. Enter pass 00:24:15.239 --> 00:24:22.670 code 1767567, and then press *1 and provide your 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:27.969 name uh when prompted. Our next speaker is uh, Lupe Lugo. 00:24:28.630 --> 00:24:33.229 Your line is open. Uh Good evening. Uh Thank you for 00:24:33.239 --> 00:24:37.219 the opportunity to speak. My uh name is spelled L. U. 00:24:37.229 --> 00:24:41.509 P. E. Last name is L. U. G. O. And I am in 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:45.630 the City of Big Bear Lake. Um I, you know, I'm here 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:49.469 to just express how uh concerning, just alarming. The 00:24:49.479 --> 00:24:52.979 proposed increases are. Not sure how familiar you are 00:24:52.989 --> 00:24:56.660 with the situation in Big Bear Lake. But housing affordability 00:24:56.670 --> 00:25:01.699 is already quite difficult and so these types of increases 00:25:01.709 --> 00:25:05.858 really squeeze the community. Um I'm hearing a lot 00:25:05.868 --> 00:25:09.568 of why you need to raise the rates. But I'm not hearing 00:25:09.578 --> 00:25:13.140 a lot of options to work with the community. So that 00:25:13.150 --> 00:25:16.828 it can be something that is not, electricity should 00:25:16.838 --> 00:25:20.680 not be cost prohibitive. So I'd like to hear more about 00:25:20.910 --> 00:25:25.838 other solutions that you have to help ease that cost. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:29.779 So for example, perhaps offering rebates for solar 00:25:29.789 --> 00:25:34.078 where that's possible. For the solar and, um and for the 00:25:34.088 --> 00:25:37.410 batteries. I know that there's a federal rebates, but 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:41.539 something that you know the, the Bear Valley Electric 00:25:41.549 --> 00:25:44.979 can offer. To help offset some of that cost. So if we 00:25:44.989 --> 00:25:49.019 could hear more about those ideas. Um, that would be very 00:25:49.029 --> 00:25:53.170 much appreciated. 00:25:53.170 --> 00:25:58.750 Thank you um, for your comment. Um Operator, do we have 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:01.608 another caller? 00:26:01.608 --> 00:26:04.160 Your Honor. There are no more speakers in the public 00:26:04.170 --> 00:26:09.459 comment uh, telephone line at this time. Okay. Um, I think 00:26:09.469 --> 00:26:12.059 at this moment since there are no more speakers on 00:26:12.068 --> 00:26:16.269 the line. We can um, take maybe a 10 minute break. And 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:19.680 allow people, you know, maybe they're just coming home 00:26:19.689 --> 00:26:23.868 from work or whatnot uh to call in. So if right now 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:30.309 it's 5:27, 5:28pm on my watch. So, um let's 00:26:30.588 --> 00:26:33.130 come back. Let's go on a break and come back at 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:37.289 5:40pm. Thank you. 00:26:37.289 --> 00:26:40.598 We will begin momentarily. The noise. So we'll be back on 00:26:40.608 --> 00:26:46.189 the record. Um Operator, is there anyone who logged 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:50.309 or who called in during the break? Uh yes, ma'am. Uh 00:26:50.318 --> 00:26:56.229 we do have a, a few people that have called in. 00:26:56.229 --> 00:26:59.818 Can you uh introduce the first caller? Uh yes, that 00:26:59.828 --> 00:27:06.939 is Pat Inert, I believe your line's open. 00:27:06.939 --> 00:27:11.019 Yes, can you hear me? Yes. Can you please spell your 00:27:11.029 --> 00:27:13.630 first and last name and provide the city you're calling 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:18.809 from. Thank you. Uh, it's Pat or Patricia, P. A. T. R. 00:27:18.818 --> 00:27:25.009 I. C. I. A. Last name is Enyart, E. N. Y. A. R. T. And 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:33.279 my residence is Sugarloaf. And I wanted just to um, reinforce 00:27:33.289 --> 00:27:35.890 some of the comments that have been made. And also have 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:40.588 a couple of questions. Um as already stated, we have 00:27:40.598 --> 00:27:45.318 some of the highest rates already in the State. Um, 00:27:45.459 --> 00:27:48.289 I'm wondering if doesn't the federal government have 00:27:48.489 --> 00:27:53.789 a disaster relief program to aid with the fires? Um, 00:27:54.029 --> 00:27:59.118 I'm on a fixed income. Uh, there is assistance offered 00:27:59.130 --> 00:28:03.400 for 1 or 2 people with a total income of $36,000. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:07.189 If you consider the cost of rent or mortgage, property 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:11.930 taxes, and the huge cost for fire insurance. Plus other 00:28:11.939 --> 00:28:15.759 utilities costs, there isn't a whole lot left, left. 00:28:16.150 --> 00:28:19.608 Um, you're going to be cutting into people's food budgets. 00:28:20.358 --> 00:28:25.068 Finally, my understanding is that you cut the solar 00:28:25.078 --> 00:28:28.779 net metering credits. I'd like to understand better 00:28:28.789 --> 00:28:33.449 why? And if this could actually take some of the burden 00:28:33.459 --> 00:28:40.519 off of the grid, why it's happening? And I strongly 00:28:40.529 --> 00:28:45.439 oppose the rate increases. Thank you. 00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:48.390 Um, Pat I want to remind you. That if you do have 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:52.170 questions about your billing services, you may call 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:55.799 the uh Bear Valley's customer service rep line. Which 00:28:55.809 --> 00:28:59.699 is available all through the um, uh Hearing um through 00:28:59.709 --> 00:29:02.598 this online hearing. It's the phone number is on the 00:29:02.608 --> 00:29:10.789 screen which is 909-255-2769. Sorry, 2769. 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:14.799 Um, Commissioner Shiroma and I are here to hear public 00:29:14.809 --> 00:29:20.410 comments about this application. Um, where if Commissioner 00:29:20.858 --> 00:29:25.279 Shiroma feels um, like she wants to. Then she, you know, she 00:29:25.289 --> 00:29:28.890 can, but we're not here to opine on other Commission 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:31.549 proceedings. 00:29:31.549 --> 00:29:36.180 Yeah, all right. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Operator 00:29:36.189 --> 00:29:40.608 Do we have other commenters? I just, the next comment 00:29:40.618 --> 00:29:47.858 comes from Susan Chaidez. Your line is open. Thank you. I'm 00:29:47.890 --> 00:29:54.509 Susan Chaidez, S. U. S. A. N. C. H. A. I. D as in David, E. Z. 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:58.818 I live in Sugarloaf, I also live on a fixed income. 00:30:00.009 --> 00:30:03.699 I serve on two senior boards, the Senior Citizens of 00:30:03.709 --> 00:30:07.910 Big Bear Valley and the local AARP Chapter in 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:12.199 Big Bear Lake. A lot of things that seniors talk about 00:30:12.209 --> 00:30:15.880 is the price of heating their home, the price of gas. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:22.009 The price of just going to the grocery store and the 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:25.348 AARP serves the food bank. And it's at 77 00:30:25.358 --> 00:30:32.890 households every month. So this big increase would 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:35.959 put, make it hard for some seniors to be able to afford. 00:30:36.699 --> 00:30:41.709 That's all I have to say. 00:30:41.709 --> 00:30:45.380 Thank you. Um, thank you for your comments. Operator, 00:30:45.390 --> 00:30:54.219 do we have another commenter on the line? 00:30:54.219 --> 00:31:03.098 Operator? 00:31:03.098 --> 00:31:06.068 Uh, can people hear me? I cannot hear the operator. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:16.880 Um yes, but let's uh he may have dropped off. Give 00:31:16.890 --> 00:31:20.509 us one minute Judge. All right, thank you. Let's go 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:25.259 off the record. Um, and let's the IT people resolve 00:31:25.269 --> 00:31:31.150 their technical difficulties. Your Honor. Yes. I am here. 00:31:31.189 --> 00:31:35.449 I do apologize, I am here. Okay, let's go back on the 00:31:35.459 --> 00:31:38.390 record. Um Operator, do we have other callers on the 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:42.838 line? Uh Yes, ma'am. Uh, the next caller is Terra Anton 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:47.880 Georgi. Your line is open. Hello? Yes. My name is Tara 00:31:47.890 --> 00:31:52.500 Antongiorgi. T. A. R. A. The last name is A. N. 00:31:53.170 --> 00:31:58.199 T. O. N. G. I. O. R. G. I. And I'm also 00:31:58.209 --> 00:32:01.509 from Sugarloaf. I'm also going to reiterate many of 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:05.420 the comments already made. Um, Bear Valley Electric 00:32:05.430 --> 00:32:09.439 has some of the highest rates in the State. A 44% increase 00:32:09.449 --> 00:32:14.380 over 4 years is out of, out of control. Many in Big 00:32:14.390 --> 00:32:17.910 Bear are struggling financially. Rents are high, tourism 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:21.519 visitation has decreased significantly. And for many 00:32:21.529 --> 00:32:24.868 this is their sole form of income. And on top of it 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:27.709 Bear Valley Electric limited their net metering to 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:31.180 5% which is legally what they could do. But that's 00:32:31.189 --> 00:32:35.239 one way residential customers can take advantage, you 00:32:35.250 --> 00:32:39.858 know. One way they can control these kind of uh, high 00:32:39.868 --> 00:32:42.959 increases. And also I'm really curious because the 00:32:42.969 --> 00:32:47.769 very, Bear Valley Electric Solar Project is advertised 00:32:47.838 --> 00:32:52.068 on your website. As actually has the potential and was 00:32:52.078 --> 00:32:57.358 supposed to decrease rates. Um, it says customer rates 00:32:57.368 --> 00:33:00.539 will decrease over a time as a result of reduced supply 00:33:00.549 --> 00:33:03.838 cost. So I don't really understand why that is not 00:33:03.848 --> 00:33:06.818 a benefit or was it a cost? Is that why we are 00:33:06.828 --> 00:33:10.400 where we are? And I've also never understood as a company 00:33:10.410 --> 00:33:13.618 how you're able to charge different property owners 00:33:13.630 --> 00:33:16.588 different rates. Such as second homeowners or at a higher 00:33:16.598 --> 00:33:20.469 rate. So I strongly oppose this increase. Thank you 00:33:21.699 --> 00:33:24.868 Thank you. Um, thank you for your comments. As I said 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:28.709 before, Bear Valley has uh, a line open to answer 00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:35.209 specific questions which is 909-255-2769. Um, today 00:33:35.219 --> 00:33:39.328 Commissioner Shiroma and I are here to hear public comments. 00:33:39.848 --> 00:33:43.489 So um Operator, do we have another caller on the line? 00:33:44.769 --> 00:33:48.900 Yes. Our next caller is Randall Grumski. Your line is open 00:33:48.910 --> 00:33:56.000 please. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:34:06.640 I am here now. Thank you. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:09.070 Um. 00:34:09.070 --> 00:34:14.539 Go ahead. Go ahead. All right. Yeah, please uh state 00:34:14.550 --> 00:34:17.829 your, uh spell your first and last name, and uh provide 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:21.909 us with the city you're calling from. My name is Randall 00:34:21.978 --> 00:34:27.269 Guritzky. I'm calling from Monte California right now, 00:34:27.590 --> 00:34:32.438 but I have a residence in Big Bear Lake. Okay. Can you 00:34:32.447 --> 00:34:34.768 please spell your first and last name for us, please. 00:34:35.418 --> 00:34:39.867 Is Randall R. A. N. D. A. L. L. Guritzky, G. U. 00:34:39.878 --> 00:34:43.780 R. I. T. Z. K. Y. 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:49.128 Okay, thank you. You may begin. 00:34:49.128 --> 00:34:53.208 Thank you. First of all, even though I was on the line 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:57.128 at about 5:04, to hear most of what was said 00:34:57.139 --> 00:35:01.570 including the prior speakers. I do appreciate that 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:07.039 there was a break to resume, so that others could call 00:35:07.050 --> 00:35:12.918 in. Um with that, my wife and I own a home in 00:35:12.929 --> 00:35:18.159 Big Bear Lake. I, 2nd, 3rd and 4th the previous speakers 00:35:18.289 --> 00:35:23.708 including the Mayor. Uh this, I'm looking at the rate 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:31.418 schedules. It's appears out of line to be frank. Three 00:35:31.429 --> 00:35:39.079 years 43.7%, 43.1% overall. That, that's really my 00:35:39.090 --> 00:35:43.269 main thrust is the rate is unreasonable. The gas company 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:47.889 somehow has maintained their rates reasonably. Um, 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:52.688 it boils down to us, to my wife and I. That Big 00:35:52.750 --> 00:35:55.570 Bear Valley is just seeking an increase in profit. 00:35:56.329 --> 00:36:01.300 And um, we respectfully request that this application 00:36:01.309 --> 00:36:06.510 be denied. 00:36:06.510 --> 00:36:10.070 Okay. Thank you for your comments. Um Operator, do we 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:13.878 have another caller on the line? Yes our next caller 00:36:13.889 --> 00:36:18.878 comes from Stephen Fritch. Your line is open. Stephen 00:36:18.889 --> 00:36:24.050 Fritch, S. T. E. P. H. E. N. F. R. I. T. 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:33.789 C. H, and my home is in Big Bear Lake. Hm. 00:36:33.789 --> 00:36:38.739 Thank you, you may begin. Okay. Um you know, everybody 00:36:38.750 --> 00:36:42.429 that has spoken I totally agree with. And I've heard 00:36:42.438 --> 00:36:46.110 from so many people even before this increase. That, 00:36:46.349 --> 00:36:49.099 that the prices of electric were so much higher than 00:36:49.110 --> 00:36:53.168 everywhere else. Uh, many people know that the prices 00:36:53.179 --> 00:36:58.269 are as much as twice as high already. And I think that 00:36:58.280 --> 00:37:01.958 the electric utility company should be able to find 00:37:01.969 --> 00:37:05.289 some assistance from the Fire Department, with the fires. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:08.219 They should be able to maybe get a grant or some other 00:37:08.228 --> 00:37:13.938 help elsewhere. I know I had a problem where the, we 00:37:13.949 --> 00:37:18.059 had a surge in power and had damage in our home. And 00:37:18.070 --> 00:37:21.378 I called Bear Electric. And they said, just put in a form 00:37:21.389 --> 00:37:23.860 they'll take care of it for you. I put in the form 00:37:23.869 --> 00:37:26.309 and took my time. It was just a couple of $100, it 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:29.260 wasn't a lot of money. And I got an answer back from 00:37:29.269 --> 00:37:33.139 them. That it was a tree limb that hit, um you know 00:37:33.148 --> 00:37:36.519 hit one of their transformers. And it was uh, you know 00:37:36.530 --> 00:37:39.289 nature of God or something. And that they weren't going 00:37:39.300 --> 00:37:42.079 to pay for it. So they're not willing to really share 00:37:42.090 --> 00:37:46.639 the cost of any damage anyway. So I can't really see. 00:37:46.938 --> 00:37:50.159 But anyway to go on, you know, the price is already 00:37:50.168 --> 00:37:55.039 high. Um, we want everybody in California and across 00:37:55.050 --> 00:37:57.938 the Nation to go all electric with their cars, all 00:37:57.949 --> 00:38:00.820 of their cooking, all of their heating and everything. 00:38:00.829 --> 00:38:04.289 And this, these price increases are going to be a major 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:06.559 impact. And I really think that's why they're wanting 00:38:06.570 --> 00:38:08.429 to raise the rates now is because they want to get 00:38:08.438 --> 00:38:12.228 ahead of the things that are going to happen to increase 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:16.909 their bills. Um, another thing is the parent company 00:38:16.918 --> 00:38:21.349 is a water company. And if you look at Big Bear Electric 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:23.969 as a part of this whole corporation, they're a very 00:38:23.978 --> 00:38:27.478 small portion of it. And maybe it's just that they're 00:38:27.489 --> 00:38:31.090 inefficient because they have a 24,000 people on the 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:33.869 electric bill and they don't want to charge commercial 00:38:33.878 --> 00:38:36.809 as much. They do not want to charge industrial as much. 00:38:37.110 --> 00:38:39.679 And the lighting, I don't quite understand that portion 00:38:39.688 --> 00:38:42.559 of it. But my suspicion is that's going to come on 00:38:42.570 --> 00:38:46.260 the city. Which is going to come back on the residents 00:38:46.269 --> 00:38:49.969 in taxes. So, and then the final thing I just wanted 00:38:49.978 --> 00:38:53.909 to, to say. Is I believe that, that there, there the 00:38:53.918 --> 00:38:56.898 public is still going to be responsible for helping 00:38:56.909 --> 00:39:00.769 those who can't pay. And it's also going to be responsible 00:39:00.909 --> 00:39:04.918 for um, for the cost increases of what it costs them 00:39:04.929 --> 00:39:08.659 to get the primary electricity or whatever that they 00:39:08.668 --> 00:39:11.530 either buy a derivative to buy during the market year 00:39:11.708 --> 00:39:15.699 or the price that they pay. And I was wondering if 00:39:15.844 --> 00:39:18.945 there's a chance that they could go to another utility 00:39:18.954 --> 00:39:22.934 company. Compare the prices and possibly Big Bear Lake 00:39:22.945 --> 00:39:26.434 could go off to, I don't really want to mention any 00:39:26.445 --> 00:39:28.715 other names. But one of the big electric companies 00:39:28.724 --> 00:39:31.655 where they have more, better control over the cost 00:39:31.664 --> 00:39:35.103 of their resources. And that's pretty much all I have 00:39:35.114 --> 00:39:37.735 to say. Other than I appreciate everybody else's comments. 00:39:40.148 --> 00:39:45.300 Thanks Mr. Fritch. Um, uh do Operator, do we have another 00:39:45.309 --> 00:39:50.688 caller on the line? Yes. Our next caller is Poma Llama. 00:39:50.699 --> 00:40:05.820 Your line is open. 00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:11.208 online. Yes. Uh our next caller. 00:40:11.208 --> 00:40:14.050 I'm having a hard time hearing you. Can you put your 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:28.050 phone closer to you? 00:40:28.050 --> 00:40:31.800 We can hear too, if you'd like to go ahead with 00:40:31.809 --> 00:40:54.199 your comments. 00:40:54.199 --> 00:41:06.478 Hello? Are you still on the line? 00:41:06.478 --> 00:41:09.429 I'll move, I'll move to the next caller, and we can come 00:41:09.438 --> 00:41:13.570 back. Okay, thank you. 00:41:13.570 --> 00:41:17.500 Our next caller is Robbyn Tucker. Your line is open. 00:41:18.938 --> 00:41:21.889 Hi. My name is Robbyn Tucker and I live in Big Bear 00:41:21.898 --> 00:41:25.820 City and I'm calling you guys today over my concern 00:41:25.849 --> 00:41:31.619 for this huge hike in um, the electricity bill. And 00:41:31.628 --> 00:41:34.739 my concern is for people like myself. I live here and 00:41:34.750 --> 00:41:37.929 I'm a full time resident. I'm disabled, so I'm on a 00:41:37.938 --> 00:41:41.938 fixed income. So I already have to watch my bills so 00:41:41.949 --> 00:41:44.579 that I could afford to pay them on a monthly basis 00:41:44.590 --> 00:41:48.019 without being behind or making payment arrangements. 00:41:49.458 --> 00:41:53.280 And I believe that the overall total percentage of 00:41:53.289 --> 00:41:57.269 43.1 over the next few years is just, three years is 00:41:57.280 --> 00:42:01.469 just way too high. I think it's outrageous. They just 00:42:01.478 --> 00:42:05.699 raised everything this year, last year. And my concern 00:42:05.708 --> 00:42:08.570 is for like for myself, there's a lot of disabled people 00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:11.469 up here on fixed incomes. There's also a lot of elderly 00:42:11.478 --> 00:42:15.750 people up here, that are on fixed incomes. And that use 00:42:15.760 --> 00:42:18.918 the bus, the free bus as their transportation. And 00:42:18.929 --> 00:42:23.369 I just feel like this hike is, it's massive. And I 00:42:23.378 --> 00:42:26.550 know for myself, my electricity bill this month was 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:32.668 $13.13. So to raise it $28 on top of that, I will 00:42:32.679 --> 00:42:36.639 be in trouble trying to pay my electricity. So, and 00:42:36.648 --> 00:42:39.735 I don't want to be in, in that position. I own 00:42:39.744 --> 00:42:42.445 my property. So I already have homeowners insurance 00:42:42.454 --> 00:42:45.715 property taxes, plus utilities and being on a fixed 00:42:45.724 --> 00:42:48.715 income it's very tight. You know, to even to afford 00:42:48.724 --> 00:42:51.313 to eat. So thank God for the churches up here that 00:42:51.324 --> 00:42:54.235 help with that. So that's my concern is that the and 00:42:54.244 --> 00:42:57.478 I want to request that they deny the application. For 00:42:57.489 --> 00:43:00.809 people for all the people, but especially for the disabled 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:04.418 people and the senior people that live on fixed incomes. 00:43:04.429 --> 00:43:08.978 But also for every one of us because we do, most of 00:43:08.989 --> 00:43:11.829 us probably can't afford it. It's a lot. So that's 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:14.019 all I had to say. And I thank you for listening to 00:43:14.030 --> 00:43:16.889 me and taking the time to have this meeting to listen 00:43:16.898 --> 00:43:20.679 to all the concerns from all the residents. Robbyn, 00:43:20.688 --> 00:43:23.639 can you provide us with your first, uh spell your first 00:43:23.648 --> 00:43:28.139 and last name? My first name is Robbyn, R. O. B. B. 00:43:28.148 --> 00:43:34.449 Y. N. Last name Tucker, T. U. C. K. E. R. And I'm 00:43:34.458 --> 00:43:39.070 in Big Bear City. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank 00:43:39.079 --> 00:43:42.469 you for your comments. Operator, can you uh queue the next 00:43:42.478 --> 00:43:52.969 person in line. 00:43:52.969 --> 00:44:00.010 Operator, can you introduce the next uh, caller? 00:44:00.010 --> 00:44:04.820 Our next caller is Patty Lerma. Your line is open. Hi 00:44:04.829 --> 00:44:08.750 thank you so much. My name is Patty P. A. T. T. Y. Lerma, 00:44:09.030 --> 00:44:15.099 L. E. R. M. A. and I'm calling from Sugarloaf, California 00:44:15.750 --> 00:44:21.800 Um, I wanted to just voice my concerns and my objection 00:44:21.809 --> 00:44:26.969 to the raising the rates. I just bought a cabin in 00:44:26.978 --> 00:44:31.780 Sugarloaf last June. And I currently am not working. 00:44:31.909 --> 00:44:35.949 Um, I'm unemployed. The, the storm with the blizzard 00:44:35.958 --> 00:44:39.570 was uh, took a real big toll on a lot of the 00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:43.309 short term rental homeowners. That already have higher 00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:47.159 rates that we have to pay with all the fees and the 00:44:47.168 --> 00:44:50.010 permits and everything that, that we have to pay. But 00:44:50.019 --> 00:44:54.000 for myself, I haven't worked since last June. And I 00:44:54.010 --> 00:44:57.840 have zero income. And so the people that are on the 00:44:57.849 --> 00:45:01.250 fixed. I understand that for me, like my unemployment 00:45:01.260 --> 00:45:06.110 ran out. I'm completely like, struggling hard for, 00:45:06.119 --> 00:45:10.378 for any type of income. And these increase in rates like 00:45:10.489 --> 00:45:13.239 I feel like it's almost like a monopoly. Because they're 00:45:13.250 --> 00:45:16.878 the BVE is the only company out there that we 00:45:16.889 --> 00:45:21.168 can get electricity from. Um, when I first bought my 00:45:21.179 --> 00:45:24.539 cabin, I asked if I could go solar. And they said that 00:45:24.550 --> 00:45:29.829 they didn't give back for the solar. But that they 00:45:29.840 --> 00:45:33.179 don't allow solar because they don't buy back the unused 00:45:33.188 --> 00:45:36.668 portion, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. But 00:45:36.679 --> 00:45:41.168 for myself and for the rest of the community, it's 00:45:41.179 --> 00:45:45.719 been a tough Winter. Um It's, you know, we had the 00:45:45.728 --> 00:45:50.309 national disaster deemed as far as the blizzard. And 00:45:50.320 --> 00:45:54.500 then a lot of people's roofs were damaged and caved 00:45:54.510 --> 00:45:56.719 in. And the electricity rates were through the roof, 00:45:56.728 --> 00:45:59.789 because it was so cold that people were running their 00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:03.360 heaters and trying to stay warm with these increase 00:46:03.369 --> 00:46:07.418 in rates. It's, it's going to be absolutely undoable. 00:46:07.429 --> 00:46:10.849 For the majority of the people that live in this little 00:46:10.860 --> 00:46:15.610 tiny area. It would be better if there was another 00:46:15.728 --> 00:46:19.929 you know, company that could come in and, and we could 00:46:19.938 --> 00:46:23.679 have a choice. But I had no choice, I had to use 00:46:23.688 --> 00:46:26.139 Bear Valley Electric. Because they're the only ones 00:46:26.148 --> 00:46:30.199 that offer electricity. But if these rate increases 00:46:30.208 --> 00:46:34.494 are approved, it's gonna hurt so many, so many people. 00:46:34.704 --> 00:46:39.164 Um, and I just hope that, that you guys take that into 00:46:39.175 --> 00:46:43.603 consideration and not approve these ridiculous asks 00:46:43.614 --> 00:46:46.813 for rate increases. When there's so many other options. 00:46:46.824 --> 00:46:50.445 There's California grants and there's all these loans. 00:46:50.454 --> 00:46:54.128 And there's all of these other um, options that they 00:46:54.139 --> 00:46:57.179 have, that we as homeowners don't have. To be able to 00:46:57.188 --> 00:47:01.590 get these rates paid for, um on our own. So I appreciate 00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:04.628 you taking the time to listen to my concerns. And I 00:47:04.639 --> 00:47:08.369 just wanted to state the facts of, you know, I hope 00:47:08.378 --> 00:47:11.610 that it does not get approved. I'm very opposed to 00:47:11.619 --> 00:47:16.219 it with having no income at all. 00:47:16.219 --> 00:47:19.688 Thank you for your comments. Um, operator. Uh, is there 00:47:19.699 --> 00:47:23.918 another caller on the line? Your honor? I am showing 00:47:23.989 --> 00:47:27.079 no more speakers on the public comment at this time 00:47:31.688 --> 00:47:36.110 Um uh, let's go off the record. There is some echo 00:47:36.119 --> 00:47:39.179 noise. 00:47:39.179 --> 00:47:43.489 Um Commissioner Shiroma, do you feel that we can take another 00:47:43.500 --> 00:47:49.188 5, 10 minute break for other callers, to call in? 00:47:49.188 --> 00:47:54.208 Oh, yes. Okay. Okay. Um, let's go back on 00:47:54.219 --> 00:47:58.340 the record. Um, it is now 6:01. There is currently 00:47:58.349 --> 00:48:01.458 not a caller on the line yet, but we'd like to take 00:48:01.469 --> 00:48:04.530 a short 10 minute break. To see if any callers will 00:48:04.539 --> 00:48:08.300 call in. So we will resume at 6:10pm. Thank you. 00:48:08.309 --> 00:48:15.300 Let's go off the record. 00:48:15.300 --> 00:48:18.869 Do we have additional callers on the line? Uh yes, 00:48:18.878 --> 00:48:23.590 ma'am. We do have uh a couple additional note, uh callers 00:48:23.599 --> 00:48:28.188 queued up for a comment. Thank you. Can you please 00:48:28.199 --> 00:48:33.280 introduce your first caller? Our first caller is uh, Jack 00:48:33.289 --> 00:48:40.750 Mills. Your. Oh, one moment I lost, I lost him. Let 00:48:40.760 --> 00:48:53.369 me find him. One. 00:48:53.369 --> 00:48:57.280 You guys are definitely having audio problems. 00:48:57.280 --> 00:49:05.438 The. Hi. Hi. Who, who's speaking? This is Jack Mills. Hi. J. A. C. K. 00:49:07.099 --> 00:49:12.449 M. I. L. L. S, I'm a resident of uh Big Bear City. And I have 00:49:12.458 --> 00:49:17.570 been for 47 or eight years now. Excuse me, I lost my 00:49:17.579 --> 00:49:21.728 voice a while back. Otherwise, uh yeah I definitely 00:49:21.739 --> 00:49:26.530 oppose this uh, increase. Um, it seems really extreme 00:49:26.539 --> 00:49:33.159 and uh, um with uh everything else going on. Sorry. 00:49:34.668 --> 00:49:37.039 Um, 00:49:37.039 --> 00:49:40.119 the world is falling apart. We don't need a 43% increase 00:49:40.128 --> 00:49:44.530 on our electric bill. Um, you know, my bill used to 00:49:44.539 --> 00:49:47.978 be like $65 every two months when it was billed. You 00:49:47.989 --> 00:49:51.610 know, bimonthly or whatever. Um, and now it's, you 00:49:51.619 --> 00:49:55.300 know, at least 65 bucks or 70 bucks a month. And, uh 00:49:56.300 --> 00:50:01.030 so that's uh, doubled already. So it was gonna almost 00:50:01.039 --> 00:50:07.019 double again then, I'm really gonna have trouble. But, uh as far as the 00:50:07.030 --> 00:50:10.599 wildfire prevention part of it. Uh, that's a heck of 00:50:10.610 --> 00:50:12.219 a lot of money for that. And, yeah, there should be 00:50:12.228 --> 00:50:15.519 funding for that in California since it got so much 00:50:15.530 --> 00:50:20.179 money or whatever. Um, as far as the uh, the Radford line 00:50:20.188 --> 00:50:24.309 uh you know and putting in steel poles. And, and 00:50:24.320 --> 00:50:27.478 covering the wires. I'm not sure why you don't, uh 00:50:27.708 --> 00:50:30.079 consider direct barrier, put it underground. So you 00:50:30.090 --> 00:50:33.188 don't have any problems at all. You know? And in fact 00:50:33.199 --> 00:50:37.110 I haven't heard any, any talk of uh, you know, converting 00:50:37.119 --> 00:50:40.309 the whole valley to underground wiring. So that there's 00:50:40.320 --> 00:50:45.398 no, no chance of fire, you know. And, uh 00:50:45.398 --> 00:50:48.750 otherwise, yeah uh the problem is that what I see 00:50:48.760 --> 00:50:53.188 with this is. It's forecasted costs and, uh yeah I 00:50:53.199 --> 00:50:56.760 know you got, you know, some information on the future. 00:50:56.769 --> 00:51:01.030 And what it might cost but it seems to me it's guess work. And 00:51:01.039 --> 00:51:05.340 uh, considering that we're pretty much uh, having 00:51:05.349 --> 00:51:07.929 to deal with Bear Valley Electric, don't have a choice. It's 00:51:07.938 --> 00:51:11.550 definitely a monopoly. Um, 00:51:11.550 --> 00:51:15.688 otherwise, uh let me see. In fact, it shows it says 00:51:15.699 --> 00:51:20.958 here on this little, uh flyer here. That uh, um Bear 00:51:21.148 --> 00:51:26.309 valley will recover forecasted costs uh, you know 00:51:26.320 --> 00:51:31.168 yeah, in the rates over a 4 year period, 43% is 00:51:31.188 --> 00:51:35.329 uh, just way over the top. And, uh and it just seems 00:51:35.340 --> 00:51:39.918 like it's uh, beyond reasonable. No doubt about it. 00:51:39.929 --> 00:51:43.500 Um, otherwise I'd like to encourage other people to 00:51:43.510 --> 00:51:49.090 call in. And um, just state their concerns and, you 00:51:49.099 --> 00:51:53.090 know, it's not that big a deal. I can hardly talk and 00:51:53.099 --> 00:51:56.228 uh hopefully you can hear me. But uh otherwise, um 00:51:56.619 --> 00:51:59.489 yeah, I call in and uh don't know how you feel about 00:51:59.500 --> 00:52:03.369 it. So, thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Um Mr. 00:52:03.478 --> 00:52:05.760 Mills, can you provide the spelling of your name again. 00:52:05.769 --> 00:52:08.228 I think I spoke over you when you were doing that. 00:52:08.708 --> 00:52:13.329 Okay. Sure, no problem. Yes Jack, J A C. K. Mills, M. I. 00:52:13.340 --> 00:52:16.010 L. L. S. 00:52:16.010 --> 00:52:19.289 Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mills 00:52:19.289 --> 00:52:22.719 Operator? Um do you, do we have another caller on the 00:52:22.728 --> 00:52:24.579 line? 00:52:24.579 --> 00:52:28.208 Yes. Our next caller is Sally Bullard. Your line is 00:52:28.219 --> 00:52:32.679 open. Hi. Um, my name is Sally Bullard. Um I've been 00:52:32.688 --> 00:52:36.869 here for about 6 years. Um, I've never had to deal 00:52:36.878 --> 00:52:40.809 with Bear Valley Electric. Um, I was a Southern California 00:52:40.820 --> 00:52:47.500 Edison person. And I just, I really, I can't believe 00:52:47.510 --> 00:52:54.418 that this company is asking for 45% increase in costs. 00:52:54.429 --> 00:53:00.139 When nothing has been done to get smart meters to houses 00:53:00.148 --> 00:53:04.750 or anything like that. It doesn't seem like anything 00:53:04.760 --> 00:53:09.500 has been done. When I try to go in, I get home 00:53:09.510 --> 00:53:14.800 at 6 o'clock and my electric bill has tripled. I'm 00:53:14.809 --> 00:53:18.619 only, I'm only up until 10. So that's four hours a 00:53:18.628 --> 00:53:21.869 day. And my bill has tripled since I've been here. 00:53:22.668 --> 00:53:28.769 Um, and also um it really was very infuriating when 00:53:29.010 --> 00:53:32.978 I worked every day through COVID. But I couldn't get 00:53:32.989 --> 00:53:37.750 anyone in the office for years. The office was closed 00:53:37.760 --> 00:53:42.250 up and up here in Big Bear. And to me that's just 00:53:42.260 --> 00:53:47.159 I mean, if you want to say you have customer service 00:53:47.469 --> 00:53:51.769 and that's part of the cost of all of this. Um, it 00:53:51.780 --> 00:53:56.110 wasn't open at all. And for people who work like me 00:53:56.119 --> 00:54:00.449 that have issues. Um, we can't get a hold of anyone 00:54:02.708 --> 00:54:06.458 And to me that's ridiculous. I, I've never had to deal 00:54:06.469 --> 00:54:09.059 with something like this with Southern California Edison. 00:54:09.139 --> 00:54:11.949 I've never had to call Southern California Edison, 00:54:12.070 --> 00:54:15.599 but I've called Bear Valley Electric about 8 times. 00:54:16.989 --> 00:54:20.969 And I just don't feel like that uh there, there is 00:54:20.978 --> 00:54:26.469 a warrant for a 45% increase. 00:54:26.469 --> 00:54:31.530 I, I just think it's ridiculous. And also um, I think 00:54:31.539 --> 00:54:35.090 if you're working for the people, then you need to 00:54:35.099 --> 00:54:41.199 be open past 5 o'clock. And most people are working 00:54:42.938 --> 00:54:46.378 That's all I have to say, 00:54:46.378 --> 00:54:49.010 Ms. Bullard. Um, can you provide the spelling of her 00:54:49.019 --> 00:54:54.610 name? Bullard, B. U. L. L. A. R. D. 00:54:54.610 --> 00:54:58.829 and your first name is Sally, correct? Correct. 00:54:58.829 --> 00:55:02.409 Um and I, I do wanna uh, I'm not sure when you 00:55:02.418 --> 00:55:05.619 logged in. Uh, we do have someone from Bear Valley 00:55:05.628 --> 00:55:08.938 this evening to answer any questions about your bill 00:55:08.949 --> 00:55:12.030 or the application, your service. And that number is 00:55:12.039 --> 00:55:15.648 provided on the screen. Um, on our webex screen, it 00:55:15.659 --> 00:55:22.250 is 909-255-2769. 00:55:22.250 --> 00:55:25.969 Okay. Well, I don't need help now. I needed help when 00:55:25.978 --> 00:55:31.139 they're closed. And it's, it's horrible when um, it 00:55:31.148 --> 00:55:35.139 was closed to the extreme. 00:55:35.139 --> 00:55:39.090 Um, I didn't have any opportunity to take off from 00:55:39.099 --> 00:55:44.550 work during COVID. Um, yet that office was closed for 00:55:44.559 --> 00:55:47.610 almost a year. 00:55:47.610 --> 00:55:52.668 That's ridiculous. I mean, I just think that you have 00:55:52.679 --> 00:55:56.119 to warrant this type of increase and I just don't see 00:55:56.128 --> 00:55:59.610 anything happening. All of the things are outsourced 00:55:59.619 --> 00:56:05.639 is what I see. So, it's not even like Bear Valley is 00:56:05.739 --> 00:56:10.820 is getting high costs from that. Um, every time I look 00:56:10.829 --> 00:56:14.398 at when electric poles are being taken care of and 00:56:14.409 --> 00:56:16.878 usually it's not in Big Bear City, it's usually in 00:56:16.889 --> 00:56:21.469 Big Bear Lake sometimes in Big Bear City, but very 00:56:21.478 --> 00:56:24.619 rarely. Um, because I guess we're county and they don't 00:56:24.628 --> 00:56:28.289 care about us. Um, but it's an outsourced company. 00:56:29.969 --> 00:56:35.570 So I'm just I, I mean I'm just I, I can't believe 00:56:35.918 --> 00:56:40.139 that you want a 45% increase for nothing. Like, I don't 00:56:40.148 --> 00:56:44.070 even have a smart meter. 00:56:44.070 --> 00:56:47.958 So, I mean I don't even. I can't even get an option 00:56:47.969 --> 00:56:52.938 of a pay, uh a level payment plan. Which is very typical 00:56:52.949 --> 00:56:55.679 with um, you know, when I was with Edison. You could 00:56:55.688 --> 00:56:59.090 just go ahead and have a level payment plan. So you 00:56:59.099 --> 00:57:03.039 that you're aware of like what's coming up and I'm 00:57:03.050 --> 00:57:06.699 gonna tell you this Summer it's gonna be like the gas 00:57:06.708 --> 00:57:09.438 company. Where you guys are gonna like quadruple the 00:57:09.449 --> 00:57:14.769 rates and then go. Oh, oh it's ok. Um, and that's my 00:57:14.780 --> 00:57:19.119 big concern is that Summer is coming up. And my, my 00:57:19.128 --> 00:57:22.769 bill is gonna quadruple. 00:57:22.769 --> 00:57:26.579 So I mean, that's my biggest concern. 00:57:26.579 --> 00:57:29.349 Um, and I just don't see anything being done up here. 00:57:29.519 --> 00:57:33.659 So that's just um, I come from Arcadia and everything 00:57:33.668 --> 00:57:38.949 is done. Like we get service here. I don't see anything 00:57:38.958 --> 00:57:44.199 happening, but you could prove me wrong. 00:57:44.199 --> 00:57:47.340 Um, there's nothing to talk to them about what they're 00:57:47.349 --> 00:57:51.628 gonna say, pay your bill and I have no choice. So, 00:57:52.239 --> 00:57:58.889 um, there has to be a reality check 00:57:58.889 --> 00:58:03.969 and 45% is ridiculous. 00:58:03.969 --> 00:58:07.829 So anyway that, that's all I have to say. And um, I'm 00:58:07.840 --> 00:58:10.019 sure you're gonna do it anyways because that's how 00:58:10.030 --> 00:58:12.840 this company is. That's how I feel. This company is 00:58:12.849 --> 00:58:19.389 very, I don't think honest is at all. 00:58:19.389 --> 00:58:22.438 Um again, like I said, I've been with Southern California 00:58:22.449 --> 00:58:27.530 Edison and I've never had to call in about this. So 00:58:27.590 --> 00:58:29.989 but I thank you for listening to me and I'm sure you're 00:58:30.000 --> 00:58:33.320 gonna do whatever you're gonna do. Thank you, Ms. 00:58:35.000 --> 00:58:37.659 Bullard. Okay, 00:58:37.659 --> 00:58:41.579 Thank you. Operator, do we have another caller on the 00:58:41.590 --> 00:58:46.590 line? Yes, we do have another caller Patrice Duncan. 00:58:46.599 --> 00:58:50.159 Your line is open. 00:58:50.159 --> 00:58:53.289 Thank you very much. Uh My name is Patrice Duncan, 00:58:53.300 --> 00:58:58.889 P.A. T. R. I. C. E. D. U. N. C. A. N. I'm 00:58:58.898 --> 00:59:02.148 a resident of Sugarloaf and I'm also President of the 00:59:02.159 --> 00:59:06.239 Sugarloaf Property Owners Association. Which is a voluntary 00:59:06.250 --> 00:59:09.559 membership, residential membership um association up 00:59:09.570 --> 00:59:12.688 here in the community of Sugarloaf. And I just want 00:59:12.699 --> 00:59:16.789 to reiterate a lot of things that Mayor Putz said. Pat 00:59:17.079 --> 00:59:21.269 Enyart said, some other residents said. Um are very true as 00:59:21.280 --> 00:59:24.699 well as my biggest concern. I'm a huge fan actually 00:59:24.708 --> 00:59:27.458 of Bear Valley Electric. I think they do an awesome 00:59:27.469 --> 00:59:32.574 job with well, fire mitigation tree trimming. Um I 00:59:32.583 --> 00:59:34.875 know some folks think they don't service them. But 00:59:34.885 --> 00:59:40.003 if you compare our mountain services, um through inclement 00:59:40.014 --> 00:59:43.635 weather. Our snowstorms, we had one of the worst snowstorms 00:59:43.644 --> 00:59:46.043 in our valley's history and we did not lose power at 00:59:46.054 --> 00:59:49.715 all. And I believe that says a lot to the proactive 00:59:49.724 --> 00:59:54.844 approach that Bear Valley has taken to tree trimming. Um wire 00:59:54.853 --> 00:59:58.175 replacement, floor replacement, infrastructure stability. 00:59:58.458 --> 01:00:02.070 Um however, I do am concerned in reading through the 01:00:02.079 --> 01:00:05.090 documentation. I don't think there's been a strong 01:00:05.099 --> 01:00:07.840 enough case made on behalf of Bear Valley. That they 01:00:07.849 --> 01:00:11.989 have pursued other monies available from people like 01:00:12.000 --> 01:00:15.699 the California Energy Commission grants. Um, additional 01:00:15.708 --> 01:00:20.878 funding um for these state imposed changes that they 01:00:20.889 --> 01:00:23.909 have to make. So I would just like to see that if 01:00:23.918 --> 01:00:25.878 that has been done. I don't believe they showed it 01:00:25.889 --> 01:00:28.550 to the community. I think the easiest thing is to always 01:00:28.559 --> 01:00:31.010 go out to the community and ask for an increase. Um, 01:00:31.019 --> 01:00:33.840 without doing their diligence because we are sort of 01:00:33.849 --> 01:00:37.878 forced to just take it as the previous caller had said. 01:00:37.889 --> 01:00:42.199 So I would just like to see a better um, argument or 01:00:42.208 --> 01:00:45.139 statements that they have pursued all available grants 01:00:45.148 --> 01:00:48.139 and funding from the state, from the federal government. 01:00:48.360 --> 01:00:50.469 Um, because there are additional, there is additional 01:00:50.478 --> 01:00:52.070 funding from the federal government for a while, our 01:00:52.079 --> 01:00:55.208 mitigation as well. So that's just my comment. Um, 01:00:55.219 --> 01:00:58.128 again I, I do think what they're doing is positive. 01:00:58.139 --> 01:01:00.418 But, um but they need to make a better case before 01:01:00.429 --> 01:01:03.208 coming to the public and asking for such a huge increase 01:01:03.219 --> 01:01:05.469 which I'm absolutely opposed to. Thank you for the 01:01:05.478 --> 01:01:07.449 time. 01:01:07.449 --> 01:01:10.860 Thank you. Um Operator, do we have another caller 01:01:10.869 --> 01:01:14.978 on the line? Uh, Your Honor there are no more uh, speakers 01:01:14.989 --> 01:01:19.418 on the public comment telephone line. Okay. Commissioner 01:01:19.530 --> 01:01:22.300 Shiroma uh, let's go off the record. Uh, Commissioner 01:01:22.489 --> 01:01:25.239 Shiroma, how do you feel? Do you want to give it another 01:01:25.250 --> 01:01:27.739 five minutes and see if other people want to call in 01:01:29.369 --> 01:01:34.059 Well, I think we uh, we started at 5. It's now 01:01:34.070 --> 01:01:39.188 uh, 6:23. So I think, I think it's ok. We, we 01:01:39.199 --> 01:01:41.079 to 01:01:41.079 --> 01:01:45.360 I think it's ok to um, adjourn. Ok, that sounds good. 01:01:45.550 --> 01:01:50.889 Let's go back on the record. It is now 6:23. We 01:01:50.898 --> 01:01:53.530 have no more speakers on the line. I want to thank 01:01:53.539 --> 01:01:56.668 everyone who participated today. Thank you for your 01:01:56.679 --> 01:02:00.139 comments. They were very informative and I saw that 01:02:00.148 --> 01:02:04.148 during uh the the public hearing that there were additional 01:02:04.159 --> 01:02:06.340 written comments submitted, I think there were at least 01:02:06.349 --> 01:02:09.530 three. So thank you for those comments as well. Um 01:02:09.539 --> 01:02:12.739 before we end Commissioner Shiroma, do you have any additional 01:02:12.750 --> 01:02:15.510 comments for us? 01:02:15.510 --> 01:02:18.500 Yes, thank you Judge Lau. I also want to echo, uh 01:02:18.530 --> 01:02:22.648 thanks to uh the folks who called in. Took the time 01:02:22.659 --> 01:02:26.809 to uh call in and provide their comments and feedback. 01:02:26.918 --> 01:02:31.050 Thank you to our presenters, again to our court reporters. 01:02:31.059 --> 01:02:37.800 And to the uh, Public Advisors Office uh and uh, Robert 01:02:37.898 --> 01:02:40.849 Stanford who has been taking care of our audio visual. 01:02:41.228 --> 01:02:45.119 Thank you and thank you to the public for participating 01:02:45.188 --> 01:02:49.500 in this Hearing. Back to you Judge Lau. Thank you. 01:02:49.699 --> 01:02:53.889 Mr. Pierotti, um do you mind having the line open till 01:02:53.898 --> 01:02:58.090 7pm today? For uh, members of the public to call 01:02:58.139 --> 01:03:01.648 if they have any questions about the application or 01:03:01.760 --> 01:03:10.889 just uh questions about their bills. 01:03:10.889 --> 01:03:14.329 Um Judge Lau, that shouldn't be an issue. I will, uh I will 01:03:14.340 --> 01:03:16.949 contact the customer service representative and let 01:03:16.958 --> 01:03:20.969 them know. All right. Thank you. So if you do have 01:03:20.978 --> 01:03:24.628 more questions about the application or the bill. You 01:03:24.639 --> 01:03:28.820 may call that number that was on the screen. Um, that 01:03:28.829 --> 01:03:35.168 is 909-255-2769 and they will be, they will be 01:03:35.179 --> 01:03:38.969 open and available until 7pm this evening. Um, 01:03:38.978 --> 01:03:42.978 so before we conclude. I want to remind you that you 01:03:42.989 --> 01:03:45.978 will be able to further submit written comments on 01:03:45.989 --> 01:03:48.699 the proceeding by visiting the link that you see on 01:03:48.708 --> 01:03:51.800 the screen. Which is apps.cpuc 01:03:51.809 --> 01:03:56.860 .ca.gov/c/A220 01:03:56.869 --> 01:04:02.289 8010. Um if you need further assistance in providing 01:04:02.300 --> 01:04:05.530 public comments, you may also contact the Commission's 01:04:05.539 --> 01:04:08.739 Public Advisers Office during business hours. You 01:04:08.750 --> 01:04:22.090 may call 1-866-849-8390. And uh again, it's 1-866-849-8390. 01:04:22.208 --> 01:04:26.719 You may also email the public adviser's office which 01:04:26.728 --> 01:04:31.139 is uh public.advisor@cpuc. 01:04:31.148 --> 01:04:35.500 ca.gov and their email is on the screen. That concludes 01:04:35.510 --> 01:04:38.679 today's Public Participation Hearing. Thank you all 01:04:38.688 --> 01:04:45.019 for your comments. Um, let's go off the record. 01:04:45.019 --> 01:04:48.478 Thank you all. Have a good evening. Thank you. You 01:04:48.489 --> 01:04:48.829 too.