WEBVTT 00:00:08.470 --> 00:00:11.009 The feed for this streaming event brought to you by 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:14.589 Admin monitor.com will begin momentarily. Thank you 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:17.958 for your patience revenues for electric service in 00:00:17.969 --> 00:00:21.879 2025. Among other things and to reflect that increase 00:00:21.888 --> 00:00:25.920 in rates, Judge Seibert, you may begin. Thank you, 00:00:25.929 --> 00:00:29.199 operator. We will now be on the record. The commission 00:00:29.208 --> 00:00:32.340 will come to order. This is the time and place set 00:00:32.348 --> 00:00:34.969 for the public participation hearing in the general 00:00:34.978 --> 00:00:38.158 rate case application of Southern California Edison 00:00:38.168 --> 00:00:45.359 Company application 2350. My name is Aaron Seibert 00:00:45.429 --> 00:00:47.918 and I'm one of the administrative law judges assigned 00:00:47.929 --> 00:00:51.009 to this proceeding. I'm co assigned with Judge Sophia 00:00:51.020 --> 00:00:54.539 Park who is listening in to today's hearing. We are 00:00:54.548 --> 00:00:57.950 also joined by Karen Douglas who is the assigned commissioner 00:00:57.959 --> 00:01:00.200 for this case. Commissioner Douglas. Would you like 00:01:00.209 --> 00:01:04.448 to make any opening remarks? Um Yes, thank you, Judge 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:09.138 Cer. Um And I'd also like to thank Judge Park. Um, 00:01:09.409 --> 00:01:12.150 I'm the commissioner assigned to this proceeding where 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:15.680 we will be reviewing Southern California Edison's 2025 00:01:15.689 --> 00:01:19.230 general rate case. And I'd like to start by thanking 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:22.448 everyone for taking time out of their busy evening 00:01:22.459 --> 00:01:25.730 to participate in today's public participation hearing 00:01:25.989 --> 00:01:30.209 This being the second of six such hearings. These hearings 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:33.079 are an important way for the commission to hear directly 00:01:33.088 --> 00:01:35.980 from individuals and communities who are impacted by 00:01:35.989 --> 00:01:38.778 the results of this proceeding. Your feedback at these 00:01:38.790 --> 00:01:42.480 hearings gives us valuable insights including concerns 00:01:42.489 --> 00:01:45.138 and priorities that will go a long way in helping us 00:01:45.150 --> 00:01:49.189 make informed and balanced decisions. This phase of 00:01:49.198 --> 00:01:51.849 the general rate case determines the total amount of 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:55.379 revenue that Southern California Edison would be authorized 00:01:55.388 --> 00:01:59.250 to collect to cover various utility costs from 2025 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:03.939 through 2028. Right now, California is wrestling with 00:02:03.948 --> 00:02:06.750 a number of important priorities that are necessary 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:09.610 for the provision of affordable, safe, reliable and 00:02:09.618 --> 00:02:13.788 clean energy service. These priorities include investments 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:16.740 in clean energy programs, infrastructure maintenance 00:02:16.750 --> 00:02:20.629 and upgrades, customer energized needs and mitigation 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:24.758 work against the continued threat of catastrophic wildfires 00:02:25.629 --> 00:02:28.830 I'm also well aware of the affordability challenges 00:02:28.838 --> 00:02:32.520 that these priorities could place on ratepayers to 00:02:32.528 --> 00:02:36.528 that end. We'll be scrutinizing the necessity of Southern 00:02:36.538 --> 00:02:39.610 California Edison's requested funding authorization 00:02:39.618 --> 00:02:42.429 and taking action to contain costs and minimize rate 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:45.710 increases. With all of that said, I appreciate the 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:48.389 opportunity to hear directly from community members 00:02:48.399 --> 00:02:52.399 today to understand priorities and concerns from speakers 00:02:52.409 --> 00:02:55.710 today. And again, I'd like to thank the many staff 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:58.300 that made today's hearing possible, including Judge 00:02:58.308 --> 00:03:01.229 Seibert, Judge Park, the public advisor's office, our 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:05.618 court reporters and our it staff. Thank you and back 00:03:05.629 --> 00:03:09.199 to you, Judge Seibert Thank you, Commissioner. The 00:03:09.210 --> 00:03:11.939 primary purpose of today's hearing is to hear directly 00:03:11.949 --> 00:03:14.679 from Southern California Edison, customers and the 00:03:14.689 --> 00:03:18.319 general public about this particular application. Your 00:03:18.330 --> 00:03:21.360 input and comments are very helpful as parties and 00:03:21.368 --> 00:03:24.308 the commission continue to consider all aspects of 00:03:24.319 --> 00:03:27.038 Southern California Edison's request prior to making 00:03:27.050 --> 00:03:30.550 a decision for participants that wish to provide public 00:03:30.558 --> 00:03:36.169 comments today. You may do so by calling 1 808 157 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:44.750 197 and entering the passcode 603278 £8 for English 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:51.868 or 379962 £7 for Spanish and then pressing star one 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:55.149 on your phone. These instructions are also available 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:58.379 on today's webcast. The operator will maintain the 00:03:58.389 --> 00:04:01.419 queue of public commenters and announce your name when 00:04:01.429 --> 00:04:05.110 it is your turn to speak. The overall purpose of today's 00:04:05.118 --> 00:04:08.189 hearing is to obtain public feedback and comments. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:11.330 If you have additional questions regarding the application 00:04:11.558 --> 00:04:18.778 you may go to the commission's website, www.cpuc.ca.gov 00:04:19.028 --> 00:04:24.459 backslash P or contact the commission's public advisor 00:04:24.649 --> 00:04:31.600 at public dot advisor at cpuc.ca.gov. If you have a 00:04:31.608 --> 00:04:34.608 question that is not directly related to Southern California 00:04:34.619 --> 00:04:37.528 Edison's application such as a question about your 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:40.949 bill or service, we have two representatives from Southern 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:44.369 California Edison who are standing by and are available 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:47.399 to assist customers during today's public participation 00:04:47.410 --> 00:04:51.939 hearing. This includes Jerry Aguilar who may be reached 00:04:51.949 --> 00:05:05.649 at 6268157222 or J er Ry dot A Uilar at S ce.com 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:10.358 Alternatively, you may also contact carry Gardner at 00:05:10.369 --> 00:05:24.250 9097732269 or Kar I dot Gardn er at S ce.com. Again 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:27.579 this information is also posted currently on the webcast 00:05:29.298 --> 00:05:32.358 before we start hearing from the public. I'd like to 00:05:32.369 --> 00:05:35.569 give you a brief overview of the California Public 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:38.778 Utilities Commission and the application filed by Southern 00:05:38.790 --> 00:05:41.939 California Edison. The Public Utilities Commission 00:05:41.949 --> 00:05:45.939 is a state agency that regulates privately owned utilities 00:05:45.949 --> 00:05:49.428 such as Southern California Edison Company. Among other 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:52.500 things, the commission decides how much money Southern 00:05:52.509 --> 00:05:55.040 California Edison should be authorized to collect from 00:05:55.048 --> 00:05:58.298 its customers and the actual rates that will be included 00:05:58.309 --> 00:06:02.608 on customers' bills for electric service. The Public 00:06:02.619 --> 00:06:05.088 Utilities Commission has five commissioners who are 00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:07.920 appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state 00:06:07.928 --> 00:06:11.670 Senate Judge Park and I manage the day to day activities 00:06:11.678 --> 00:06:15.028 of the case. However, the five commissioners are ultimately 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:17.879 the ones who will decide and vote on whether or not 00:06:17.889 --> 00:06:21.588 to approve Southern California Edison's request or 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.379 some other amount. Our job as the judges will be to 00:06:25.389 --> 00:06:28.149 evaluate all the evidence in this proceeding and to 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:30.649 write a proposed decision for the commissioners to 00:06:30.660 --> 00:06:34.009 consider the five commissioners will deliberate and 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:36.769 ultimately decide whether to adopt the proposed decision 00:06:36.778 --> 00:06:40.209 from the judges or adopt their own alternate decision 00:06:40.269 --> 00:06:43.858 based on the evidence in the proceeding. It is estimated 00:06:43.869 --> 00:06:46.199 that the commission will vote on this decision in the 00:06:46.209 --> 00:06:50.420 first quarter of next year. I will now briefly summarize 00:06:50.428 --> 00:06:54.199 Southern California Edison's application in May of 00:06:54.209 --> 00:06:58.048 2023 Southern California Edison submitted its general 00:06:58.059 --> 00:07:01.389 rate case request asking the commission for approval 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:04.350 of their expected costs for owning and operating the 00:07:04.358 --> 00:07:09.579 company for the years 2025 through 2028. The expenses 00:07:09.588 --> 00:07:12.189 included in Southern California Edison's rate case 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:16.829 application generally cover the poles, wires, meters 00:07:16.838 --> 00:07:20.108 employees and all the activities that are needed to 00:07:20.119 --> 00:07:24.259 deliver electricity to your home or business. The application 00:07:24.269 --> 00:07:27.540 also includes capital expenditures to upgrade the electric 00:07:27.548 --> 00:07:31.579 system, replace infrastructure, address wildfire risks 00:07:31.588 --> 00:07:35.100 related to Edison's equipment and improve cyber security 00:07:35.108 --> 00:07:38.379 among others. It is important to note that the costs 00:07:38.389 --> 00:07:41.139 that we are talking about in this application are just 00:07:41.149 --> 00:07:44.678 one part of Southern California Edison's annual operating 00:07:44.689 --> 00:07:48.579 expenses that can impact customer rates separate from 00:07:48.588 --> 00:07:51.350 this proceeding. The commission authorizes recovery 00:07:51.358 --> 00:07:54.819 of the costs that California utilities actually incur 00:07:54.829 --> 00:07:58.379 to purchase electricity on the open market. These costs 00:07:58.389 --> 00:08:01.778 are directly passed on to consumers and Southern California 00:08:01.790 --> 00:08:05.439 Edison is not allowed to earn a profit on them. There's 00:08:05.449 --> 00:08:08.290 also another proceeding that will determine how approved 00:08:08.298 --> 00:08:11.809 costs are distributed among Southern California Edison's 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:15.199 customers and the specific rates that will be included 00:08:15.209 --> 00:08:18.660 on customer bills. This is generally referred to as 00:08:18.670 --> 00:08:21.588 the rate design proceeding and that application should 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.899 be filed later this month 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:27.209 right now though we are here to receive comments from 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:30.629 the public regarding southern California Edison's request 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:35.450 to increase rates and revenue by $1.895 billion in 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:41.928 2025 and additional increases of $619 million in 2026 00:08:41.950 --> 00:08:50.369 $664 million in 2027 and $705 million in 2028. If the 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:53.779 request is approved, the impact on a typical residential 00:08:53.788 --> 00:08:57.379 customer will be a monthly bill increase of approximately 00:08:57.389 --> 00:09:03.259 $17.49 in 2025 or an increase of approximately 10% 00:09:04.168 --> 00:09:07.229 A typical residential customer's monthly bill would 00:09:07.239 --> 00:09:11.629 approximately increase by an additional $5 in 2026 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:17.639 $5 in 2027 and $5 in 2028. We want to hear what 00:09:17.649 --> 00:09:20.178 you think about Southern California. Edison's requests 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:23.279 comments from the public can help the Public Utilities 00:09:23.288 --> 00:09:27.678 Commission reach an informed decision. The commissioners 00:09:27.690 --> 00:09:30.538 Judge Park and I will pay close attention to the opinions 00:09:30.548 --> 00:09:33.538 expressed during today's public hearing. We have court 00:09:33.548 --> 00:09:36.239 reporters transcribing today's hearing who will be 00:09:36.250 --> 00:09:38.558 taking down 00:09:38.558 --> 00:09:42.428 everything that is said on the telephone line. 00:09:42.428 --> 00:09:46.168 If you do speak, we ask that you speak slowly and clearly 00:09:46.190 --> 00:09:48.619 so that the reporters are able to capture everything 00:09:48.629 --> 00:09:52.219 that is said. The written transcript of today's hearing 00:09:52.229 --> 00:09:55.178 will be available to Judge Park and myself and the 00:09:55.190 --> 00:09:58.070 commissioners and post it publicly on the DACA card 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:01.889 for this proceeding. If you or anyone else are not 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:04.548 able to make comments today. There are several other 00:10:04.558 --> 00:10:08.168 ways to provide input or become involved. The commission 00:10:08.178 --> 00:10:10.750 considers written public comments regarding Southern 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:14.129 California S application which may be submitted any 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:17.168 time on the DACA card for this proceeding by going 00:10:17.178 --> 00:10:33.808 to a ps.cpuc.ca.gov backslash c backslash A 2305010 00:10:34.739 --> 00:10:38.259 As of today, we have received over 130 written public 00:10:38.269 --> 00:10:41.658 comments if you wish to find more information on how 00:10:41.668 --> 00:10:44.599 to become involved in the proceeding or stay updated 00:10:44.609 --> 00:10:47.599 on preceding developments. The commission's public 00:10:47.609 --> 00:10:52.080 advisor is available to assist you information regarding 00:10:52.219 --> 00:10:55.038 the commission's public advisor is posted on the commission's 00:10:55.048 --> 00:11:02.379 website, www.cpuc.ca.gov or you can email the public 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:10.668 advisor at public dot advisor at cpuc.ca.gov. 00:11:10.668 --> 00:11:13.969 Ok. We will now hear from members of the public again 00:11:13.979 --> 00:11:17.509 If you have a billing or service question that is unrelated 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:21.190 to Addison's application, you may contact Jerry Aguilar 00:11:21.690 --> 00:11:35.048 at 626 805 7222 or carry Gardner at 909 773 2269. If 00:11:35.058 --> 00:11:37.759 you wish to provide public comments on Southern California 00:11:37.769 --> 00:11:41.190 Edison's rate application, please press star one on 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:43.820 your phone now and the operator will add you to the 00:11:43.830 --> 00:11:47.229 queue of speakers. When it is your turn to speak, the 00:11:47.239 --> 00:11:50.629 operator will announce your name. Please begin by spelling 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.269 your full name. Provide your city and remember to speak 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:57.460 slowly to make sure everyone has an opportunity to 00:11:57.469 --> 00:12:00.109 provide comments. Each speaker will have a time limit 00:12:00.119 --> 00:12:03.149 of three minutes and the chime will sound when the 00:12:03.158 --> 00:12:06.908 three minutes is up with that operator. Please call 00:12:06.918 --> 00:12:10.658 in the first speaker in the queue. Thank you. Our first 00:12:10.668 --> 00:12:13.639 public comment comes from Greg Dawood, Commissioner 00:12:13.649 --> 00:12:23.109 County of Riverside. Your line is open. 00:12:23.109 --> 00:12:25.869 I'm sorry. Could the operator please repeat that this 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:29.399 is the court reporter? Your audio was very, very quiet 00:12:30.168 --> 00:12:33.250 Oh, sorry about that. Is that better? That's better 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:36.489 Thank you. Oh, you're welcome. Our first public comment 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:45.889 comes from Greg Dawood Commissioner Kia Riverside 00:12:45.889 --> 00:12:49.668 and give me just a moment here. I'm having an issue 00:12:49.678 --> 00:12:57.989 bringing Greg on one moment 00:12:57.989 --> 00:13:01.750 and Greg your line is open. All righty. Thank you. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:04.509 My name is Greg Dawood. I'm in the County of Riverside 00:13:04.859 --> 00:13:07.259 I am representing myself as a private citizen, but 00:13:07.269 --> 00:13:10.279 I do a lot of volunteer work for, ah, mental health 00:13:10.288 --> 00:13:14.288 and so on. My questions are as follows regarding the 00:13:14.298 --> 00:13:19.009 fires and so on. I'm hoping Edison had insurance which 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:23.090 could have reduced or helped greatly with the costs 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:27.750 of the fires and possible lawsuits. Also, if enough 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:32.469 increases occur. I'm wondering if people will be more 00:13:32.479 --> 00:13:36.070 motivated to get solar power, thereby decreasing the 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:39.678 funds paid to Edison. I've been a loyal customer for 00:13:39.690 --> 00:13:44.330 many years and though I'm retired now while I was working 00:13:44.558 --> 00:13:48.450 I have never had a 10% increase in just one year from 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:51.710 my employer. So it would be really nice if we could 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:57.190 look over issues and try to find ways to mitigate possibly 00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:00.759 reduce the amount that's actually needed. And I appreciate 00:14:00.769 --> 00:14:03.759 everyone's time if there is need for clarification 00:14:03.769 --> 00:14:07.048 Please let me know. 00:14:07.048 --> 00:14:09.619 Thank you, Commissioner Dan Wood. Your comments are 00:14:09.629 --> 00:14:14.269 much appreciated operator. Next speaker, our next public 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:18.279 comment comes from Jennifer Mickelson. Your line is 00:14:18.288 --> 00:14:20.308 open. 00:14:20.308 --> 00:14:23.928 Thank you. My name is Jennifer Mikelson. Um Riverside 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:27.080 County City of Marietta. Uh, what was I supposed to 00:14:27.090 --> 00:14:33.779 give? What else? Sorry, Mekel Mekkelsen. Um, I am a 00:14:33.788 --> 00:14:37.489 mother of three Children. I do work part time. We own 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.928 a home. Um, unfortunately, we, we've lived in California 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:46.509 my entire life, um, been a homeowner for 15 years now 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:49.229 and it just seems that things are getting increasingly 00:14:49.239 --> 00:14:53.298 increasingly out of touch with, um, uh, every day. 00:14:53.308 --> 00:14:56.788 Um, resident of Riverside County as far as price wise 00:14:56.798 --> 00:14:59.849 I see the increase again as the last gentleman of 10% 00:14:59.859 --> 00:15:04.619 And I'm like, wow, that is higher than any increase 00:15:04.629 --> 00:15:09.869 for pay for, for anything that we receive. And some 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:13.359 of these expenses, I mean, there may be a small, a 00:15:13.369 --> 00:15:16.369 small, you know, increase that's needed, but there's 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:21.418 got to be ways to look at options of seeing how, you 00:15:21.428 --> 00:15:24.308 know, cuts can be made in other places versus out of 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:26.658 our pocket that's just getting thinner and thinner 00:15:26.668 --> 00:15:30.710 It's, it's not feasible for many citizens. Um, in Riverside 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:34.090 County or homeowners or even people that just pay rent 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:37.529 it's getting harder and harder to provide just basic 00:15:37.538 --> 00:15:40.639 necessities. And I think sometimes people that, you 00:15:40.649 --> 00:15:44.288 know, are up here don't realize, you know, maybe their 00:15:44.298 --> 00:15:47.288 income is a little higher than others. But, um, they 00:15:47.298 --> 00:15:50.369 don't see that on day to day lives of the citizens 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:53.509 that this is affecting. Um, also I noticed that the 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.500 residential increase is higher than any of the other 00:15:56.509 --> 00:16:00.359 increases. So maybe distribution can be looked at otherwise 00:16:00.769 --> 00:16:05.808 But just as far as um like the fires that the previous 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:08.349 gentleman said, there's got to be ways to mitigate 00:16:08.359 --> 00:16:13.599 some of these changes and increases. Thank you. 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:16.590 Thank you, Miss Nicholson 00:16:16.590 --> 00:16:19.759 operator. Will you call him the next speaker? Our next 00:16:19.769 --> 00:16:22.750 public comment comes from Esther Wise, your line is 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:28.489 open. Uh My name is Esther Wise Wise. I moved into 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:33.918 this house that I'm living in in October of 69. I live 00:16:33.928 --> 00:16:38.149 alone. I basically do the same things I have in had 00:16:38.158 --> 00:16:41.389 increases through the years, but it's really kind of 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:46.590 exorbitant and as a senior citizen, I don't think that 00:16:46.599 --> 00:16:51.979 this is being considered after 50 some years. I would 00:16:51.989 --> 00:16:55.678 think that I could get a little more consideration 00:16:55.750 --> 00:16:59.989 Everything is definitely higher, I definitely understand 00:17:00.369 --> 00:17:05.269 but it, it's, it's gotten to the point. It's ridiculous 00:17:06.358 --> 00:17:10.209 So if there's anything or any more consideration that 00:17:10.219 --> 00:17:14.140 can be given, I would appreciate it. 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:17.568 Thank you for your comments. Today, operator. Will 00:17:17.578 --> 00:17:20.828 you call the next speaker? Our next public comment 00:17:20.838 --> 00:17:23.519 comes from Kenneth Henderson. Kenneth. Your line is 00:17:23.529 --> 00:17:25.468 open. 00:17:25.468 --> 00:17:32.048 Hi, I'm Kenneth Henderson. That's Kenneth Henderson 00:17:32.057 --> 00:17:40.390 Hend. Er, son. Uh, I moved to California in 2020 and 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:44.049 put solar panels on the house, uh, doing everything 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:48.368 to conserve electricity and we moved from Illinois 00:17:48.430 --> 00:17:52.289 and I owned a company there for 38 years and as a 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:55.660 company owner, I've never been able to increase cost 00:17:55.670 --> 00:18:00.539 to my customers by 10% a year. I believe that Edison 00:18:00.750 --> 00:18:05.539 actually went up 7.6% this year. They're also looking 00:18:05.549 --> 00:18:09.549 at income based charges that could be, uh, anywhere 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:14.680 from $20 to 100 and $70 a month based on your income 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:20.039 plus the 10% increase. This is ridiculous. I mean, 00:18:20.489 --> 00:18:24.549 we're retired now and, and you kind of have to look 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:27.880 at a lot of people in California are here because they're 00:18:27.890 --> 00:18:31.500 retired. They're on fixed incomes. Social Security 00:18:31.509 --> 00:18:35.160 isn't raising the prices. Uh, I think you guys have 00:18:35.170 --> 00:18:38.459 to go back to the drawing board and say 10% 10.6 is 00:18:38.469 --> 00:18:42.180 ridiculous. I mean, if it's two or 3% that's not horrible 00:18:42.189 --> 00:18:44.250 But I think you're, you're trying to get it too much 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:46.729 at one time and you want to do this every year. This 00:18:46.739 --> 00:18:50.719 is impossible to keep up with, uh, people that want 00:18:50.729 --> 00:18:54.809 to get solar panels and then now they want to get electric 00:18:54.818 --> 00:18:58.140 car. Well, then they have to pay $5000 or something 00:18:58.150 --> 00:19:00.469 like that. They have a charging station put in their 00:19:00.479 --> 00:19:04.848 garage so they can charge the cars and, and you guys 00:19:04.858 --> 00:19:07.709 are the ones pushing, everything's got to go electric 00:19:07.719 --> 00:19:11.180 No, no gas stoves. No, this, no, that, so now you're 00:19:11.189 --> 00:19:14.868 forcing everybody to use more electricity, raise the 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:18.779 rates. Now, income based on top of that, I, I would 00:19:18.789 --> 00:19:22.368 say please do not allow them to get this increased 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:27.380 through. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr Henderson 00:19:28.170 --> 00:19:31.650 operator. Please call the next speaker. Our next public 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:34.509 comment comes from Carolina Corey. Your line is open 00:19:36.390 --> 00:19:44.539 Carolina Coy, uh L A County, uh Carolin A last name 00:19:44.549 --> 00:19:50.769 is Khoury. Um This is the first time we've uh called 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:56.568 in but our electric bill has increased 85%. Um Our 00:19:56.588 --> 00:20:01.250 our bill to 624 was 100 and $1 plus the additional 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:06.078 fees which came out to 100 and $87. It's becoming unaffordable 00:20:06.088 --> 00:20:10.309 Our salaries do not increase at this rate and we're 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:13.348 I mean, we're lucky if we get a 3 to 4% increase 00:20:14.029 --> 00:20:17.630 So um come summer, our electric bill, I'm sure will 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:21.519 increase um due to, you know, air conditioning and 00:20:21.529 --> 00:20:25.049 all that. So at this rate, it's just becoming unaffordable 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:30.338 and that's the end of my comments. Thank you for your 00:20:30.348 --> 00:20:32.949 comments today, 00:20:32.949 --> 00:20:35.890 operator, were you calling the next speaker? Our next 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:39.289 public comment comes from Andre Gregson Your line is 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:41.380 open. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:45.479 Hi, good evening. My name is Andrew Gregson. A Ndrew 00:20:45.489 --> 00:20:50.900 Gregson, Gregson. I'm the CEO and steward of North 00:20:50.910 --> 00:20:53.930 Orange County Chamber of Commerce who has represented 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:59.150 our vibrant business community since 1893. I want to 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.670 express our support for Southern California medicine 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:05.449 in their general rate case. It's a critical factor 00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:09.000 in maintaining a strong energy infrastructure beyond 00:21:09.009 --> 00:21:11.900 just numbers. It's about securing the backbone of our 00:21:11.910 --> 00:21:15.640 regional Economic Engine so that California Edison 00:21:15.650 --> 00:21:19.250 is more than just a utility provider. They are a critical 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:23.088 partner in our region's economic prosperity. Their 00:21:23.098 --> 00:21:26.670 reliable services are the lifeblood of our business 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:29.750 enabling us to operate effectively and efficiently 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:33.250 We understand the complexity of the situation with 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:37.239 large projects and programs contributing to all overall 00:21:37.250 --> 00:21:41.439 costs. About half the consumer rates are influenced 00:21:41.449 --> 00:21:45.680 by decisions in this general rate case, impacting the 00:21:45.689 --> 00:21:49.640 service of our quality or quality. We appreciate Edison's 00:21:49.650 --> 00:21:53.029 efforts towards a cleaner sustainable energy future 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:56.358 and encourage further investment aligning with the 00:21:56.368 --> 00:21:59.890 commitment to the environmental responsibility. Another 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:02.108 third of these rates are linked with energy source 00:22:02.118 --> 00:22:06.209 costs. It's vital that our rates strike a delicate 00:22:06.219 --> 00:22:10.150 balance, supporting operational needs while keeping 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:15.140 energy affordable for businesses and residents. As 00:22:15.150 --> 00:22:18.459 the commission considers rate adjustments, we urge 00:22:18.469 --> 00:22:24.108 prioritizing stable reasonable and fair rates. We recognize 00:22:24.118 --> 00:22:27.479 southern California Ed's commitment to upgrading the 00:22:27.489 --> 00:22:30.818 grid and encouraging finding a balance that allows 00:22:30.828 --> 00:22:33.709 necessary investments without burdening businesses 00:22:33.719 --> 00:22:37.039 and the residents. Thank you for awarding the North 00:22:37.049 --> 00:22:39.549 Orange County Chamber. The opportunity to speak this 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:42.750 evening, we sincerely appreciate your attention and 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:46.009 the eager to and are eager to embark on a collaborative 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:49.380 journey towards a sustainable, reliable and affordable 00:22:49.390 --> 00:22:52.989 energy future. Your support enables the growth of our 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:56.739 business community and amplifies our collective efforts 00:22:56.750 --> 00:22:59.650 for a prosperous and resilient future together, we 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:02.699 can achieve new heights and contribute to the positive 00:23:02.709 --> 00:23:05.489 development of our community. Thank you so very much 00:23:06.729 --> 00:23:09.709 Thank you, Mr Brickson operator. Please call in the 00:23:09.719 --> 00:23:13.088 next speaker. Our next public comment comes from Dottie 00:23:13.098 --> 00:23:17.680 Bishop. Dottie. Your line is open. Hi. Hi. This is 00:23:17.689 --> 00:23:24.000 actually Patty Bishop P att Y Bishop. Bishop. I live 00:23:24.009 --> 00:23:26.989 in Lake Forest, California in the Orange County area 00:23:27.239 --> 00:23:32.588 and my rate has increased by 12% from last year and 00:23:32.598 --> 00:23:37.400 I'm a, I'm a homeowner. I'm a native Californian and 00:23:37.410 --> 00:23:41.578 I also own a small business and with COVID hitting 00:23:41.588 --> 00:23:43.858 a few last few years, we've been forced to work out 00:23:43.868 --> 00:23:47.818 of our home and it's just killing us right now because 00:23:48.098 --> 00:23:51.160 we want to be here in California. I can't qualify for 00:23:51.170 --> 00:23:53.660 solar. I've had several people come out. My roof is 00:23:53.670 --> 00:23:58.578 too small to handle the increase of the rate and we're 00:23:58.588 --> 00:24:02.739 just frustrated as business owners and homeowners that 00:24:02.750 --> 00:24:05.598 this is killing us. We, we're actually making decisions 00:24:05.608 --> 00:24:09.009 to think about leaving California our, our home for 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:12.769 our whole life because of these rate increases and 00:24:13.029 --> 00:24:17.568 we, we pay ourselves. So I can't ask my customers to 00:24:18.009 --> 00:24:22.358 to say, hey, I wanna, I wanna increase in, in, in funds 00:24:22.368 --> 00:24:24.838 and I, I can't, I can't do that. It doesn't, it doesn't 00:24:24.848 --> 00:24:28.660 work that way in a small business world and I'm frustrated 00:24:29.170 --> 00:24:34.328 Thank you. Thank you for your comments, MS Bishop 00:24:34.328 --> 00:24:36.269 Operator. Will you please call in the next speaker 00:24:37.150 --> 00:24:40.328 Our next public comment comes from Sophie B. Sophie 00:24:40.338 --> 00:24:48.289 Your line is open. Hello. My name is Sophie Sofibbee 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:51.989 I live in Long Beach. I am 25 years old. I work 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:55.259 to support me and my girlfriend. I'm a um first time 00:24:55.269 --> 00:25:01.789 apartment renter and um I wanted to, 00:25:01.789 --> 00:25:05.299 I, I heard um I, I have Autopay on so I didn't 00:25:05.309 --> 00:25:08.368 even see the notice for this. Um I had to be told 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:11.309 about it and when I was told about it that they were 00:25:11.318 --> 00:25:14.910 increasing the rates. It makes me quite furious. Um 00:25:15.229 --> 00:25:18.459 Just doing a quick Google search. I see that uh Pedro 00:25:18.469 --> 00:25:22.229 Pizarro, the president of see makes $12.19 million 00:25:22.239 --> 00:25:28.068 per year. The VPN CFO Maria Brigati makes $3.45 million 00:25:28.078 --> 00:25:32.439 per year. The executive VP makes $2.86 million per 00:25:32.449 --> 00:25:38.568 year. And these numbers go on. Um in the year of 2022 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:44.549 F pe made a net income of $954 million and in 2021 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:49.588 it was $935 million. I imagine that these numbers have 00:25:49.598 --> 00:25:53.900 only gone up over the years. So as someone who is struggling 00:25:53.910 --> 00:25:59.219 who is struggling to support um my family um and to 00:25:59.229 --> 00:26:01.660 live in an apartment, I'm working full time. Uh I'm 00:26:01.670 --> 00:26:05.630 working uh picking up extra gigs where I can, it infuriates 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:10.439 me to hear that. Um Our rates are increasing when the 00:26:10.449 --> 00:26:13.539 people that are making these decisions live in a completely 00:26:13.549 --> 00:26:16.348 different world than, than me or anyone that I know 00:26:16.358 --> 00:26:20.400 as far as money, what seems like a, a 10% increase 00:26:20.410 --> 00:26:23.469 you know, doesn't seem that bad. Um, is actually a 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:26.989 huge deal and it adds up to be a big deal. Um 00:26:27.479 --> 00:26:29.989 I don't make millions of dollars. I'm not a million 00:26:30.250 --> 00:26:38.509 do 100 multimillion dollar making company. Um 00:26:38.509 --> 00:26:41.630 I, I think it's outrageous that, that a company that 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:46.170 makes so much money is passing the um charges to continue 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:49.848 operating off to the consumer instead of looking at 00:26:49.858 --> 00:26:55.209 how that money of profit. Um, any processes that can 00:26:55.219 --> 00:27:00.088 be done to have that those charges of operation. Um 00:27:00.098 --> 00:27:03.568 just be less profit. It, it just seems greedy. Um, 00:27:06.868 --> 00:27:10.209 um I don't know what else to add other than the police 00:27:10.219 --> 00:27:14.979 Look at other ways to, um, to not pass the, the fact 00:27:14.989 --> 00:27:18.150 to the consumers because this is just very unfair. 00:27:18.989 --> 00:27:22.410 Thank you. Thank you, Miss B we appreciate all your 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:24.739 comments today. 00:27:24.739 --> 00:27:28.180 Operator. Can we call on the next speaker? Our next 00:27:28.189 --> 00:27:31.098 public comment comes from Michael Garr, Michael, your 00:27:31.108 --> 00:27:40.449 line is open. Yes, my name is Michael Garr, M IC Haelggarr 00:27:40.979 --> 00:27:45.500 I'm a tax person. I deal with, I have many, many clients 00:27:45.509 --> 00:27:50.519 hundreds of clients. And I see with all these clients 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:54.608 the effect that utilities have on their businesses 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:59.189 and it's not pretty and it goes up time and it went 00:27:59.199 --> 00:28:01.900 up during COVID, it went up before COVID. It goes up 00:28:01.910 --> 00:28:05.910 during COVID and now it's going up after COVID and 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:10.568 ah, ah, it's, it's not, it's not right for these people 00:28:10.910 --> 00:28:14.519 in my personal experience. As long as I've been in 00:28:14.529 --> 00:28:19.469 my house, the electric bill has gone up over 100% over 00:28:19.479 --> 00:28:22.588 over time. And it's, you know, it's a terrible thing 00:28:22.598 --> 00:28:26.199 to watch. Now, you guys, when I say you guys, I mean 00:28:26.209 --> 00:28:29.430 the utility companies have come up with all these different 00:28:29.439 --> 00:28:34.789 versions of the S ce and the various things where you 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:41.108 um, you go and, and don't use utilities during, uh 00:28:41.250 --> 00:28:45.140 during certain hours from 5 to 8 and 4 to 9 or 00:28:45.150 --> 00:28:49.239 whatever it is. It seems more of a mi to me than 00:28:49.250 --> 00:28:54.039 an actual answer because our bills don't go down no 00:28:54.049 --> 00:28:56.239 matter which way we do. And I've switched in different 00:28:56.250 --> 00:29:03.250 ways. Um, I would like to say that, that getting money 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:07.979 passing these bills and getting money is an easy way 00:29:08.170 --> 00:29:12.078 for the utility companies. What they should be doing 00:29:12.088 --> 00:29:18.420 is looking to management because the management is 00:29:18.430 --> 00:29:20.368 what makes this thing work. And it doesn't matter how 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:23.088 much money we throw at it. If the management doesn't 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:28.299 work properly, then we don't benefit and, and they'll 00:29:28.309 --> 00:29:30.670 just ask for more money because that's the way the 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:34.229 game is played and that's the way they've found it 00:29:34.239 --> 00:29:37.519 works best for them. You know, the other thing I want 00:29:37.529 --> 00:29:40.578 to say is that a lot of people have been encouraged 00:29:40.588 --> 00:29:44.209 over time to spend a lot of money on solar and they 00:29:44.219 --> 00:29:48.088 get the solar and then all of a sudden the solar comes 00:29:48.098 --> 00:29:51.328 in and then the utility companies have less customers 00:29:51.338 --> 00:29:53.098 and then they say, well, we have less customers, so 00:29:53.108 --> 00:29:56.199 we have less money. So now we have to raise the prices 00:29:56.209 --> 00:29:58.939 to make up for the uh for the customers who aren't 00:29:58.949 --> 00:30:04.459 here. Ah, it's a vicious circle and it's a bad business 00:30:04.890 --> 00:30:09.759 and, um, I, I think it all comes down to management 00:30:10.088 --> 00:30:12.618 and if they are getting millions of dollars, they should 00:30:12.630 --> 00:30:17.279 have some idea of where they are going. That's all 00:30:17.289 --> 00:30:19.680 I want to say. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:22.390 Thank you for your comments and participation. Mr Carr 00:30:23.358 --> 00:30:26.559 Operator. Can we move to the next speaker? Thank you 00:30:26.568 --> 00:30:28.969 If you'd like to leave a public comment, please press 00:30:28.979 --> 00:30:31.769 star one, unmute your phone and clearly state your 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:35.160 first and last name slowly. Our next public comment 00:30:35.170 --> 00:30:39.118 comes from Vic Victoria Bop. Your line is open. Uh 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:47.009 Hello. Um My name is Victoria, V I CTO Ria Banta, B 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:53.910 like boy A N like Nancy, T like Tom A U. Um 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:57.170 I would like to say that I agree with everyone who 00:30:57.180 --> 00:31:03.709 has spoken so far um in just about in every way. Um 00:31:03.719 --> 00:31:08.269 But what I was calling in about mainly was the fact 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:13.219 on the uh legal notice. It says one of the costs um 00:31:13.608 --> 00:31:18.358 that Edison incurs for the reason for their increase 00:31:18.368 --> 00:31:23.219 in rates is street and area lighting. My street uh 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:32.489 has no lighting and so my neighbors and I if you provide 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:38.588 our own security lighting, so I'm paying extra to do 00:31:38.598 --> 00:31:42.250 the job that supposedly Edison is doing or that I'm 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:46.309 paying for if you're going to increase the rates. And 00:31:46.318 --> 00:31:52.088 I'd like to know if there's any plan to reimburse me 00:31:52.098 --> 00:31:56.890 and other folks that need to do this, uh for the expense 00:31:56.900 --> 00:32:02.189 the extra expense that we're incurring. And also this 00:32:02.199 --> 00:32:04.858 is based on, um, one of the other comments someone 00:32:04.868 --> 00:32:07.750 else made about the executives making so much money 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:12.608 Um Is there any consideration for those folks to take 00:32:12.618 --> 00:32:19.059 a reduction in their salaries um to offset the increase 00:32:19.068 --> 00:32:23.868 in the rates that are so difficult for us? And the 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:28.500 other comment I I'd like to make is that there's no 00:32:28.509 --> 00:32:33.039 competition. So we, it's not like we can choose another 00:32:33.049 --> 00:32:39.039 company. You know, we can't change how we, we are stuck 00:32:39.049 --> 00:32:43.199 We don't have any choice. Um, but I appreciate the 00:32:43.209 --> 00:32:47.838 the ability to, to voice our opinions and hope that 00:32:47.848 --> 00:32:52.739 you will consider the two two items I brought up about 00:32:52.750 --> 00:32:56.608 the executives taking a reduction in their pay and 00:32:56.618 --> 00:33:01.180 also us being reimbursed for the extra electricity 00:33:01.189 --> 00:33:06.088 we're using to secure our neighborhoods. Um And I don't 00:33:06.098 --> 00:33:09.170 think I got my uh location in there. I'm in Yokai, 00:33:10.150 --> 00:33:14.568 in San Bernardino County. Thank you. Thank you, Miss 00:33:14.608 --> 00:33:17.108 Bento. We will, we appreciate and we'll consider all 00:33:17.118 --> 00:33:22.118 of your comments today. Thank you operator. Do we have 00:33:22.130 --> 00:33:25.279 ah anyone else joining on the queue? We the public 00:33:25.289 --> 00:33:28.199 comment queue is currently empty. Um If you wish to 00:33:28.209 --> 00:33:30.799 speak, if you wish to make a public comment, please 00:33:30.809 --> 00:33:34.269 unmute your phone. Press star one and record your first 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:37.009 and last name slowly and clearly when prompted one 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:39.618 moment. 00:33:39.618 --> 00:33:59.608 Thank you. We'll give it a minute or two, 00:33:59.608 --> 00:34:02.459 a reminder to please press star one if you want to 00:34:02.469 --> 00:34:22.688 speak during today's public participation hearing 00:34:22.688 --> 00:34:25.969 operator. Do we still have uh no one in the queue. 00:34:26.458 --> 00:34:29.840 We have no additional public comments, your honor. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:34.907 Ok. Then that concludes all of the speakers who signed 00:34:34.918 --> 00:34:39.548 up to speak. I want to thank our it staff, court reporters 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:42.528 public Advocate's office and Commissioner Douglas for 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:45.708 their participation and support today. Most of all 00:34:45.717 --> 00:34:48.588 I want to thank our public speakers for your input 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:51.447 and comments and for your patience in waiting in the 00:34:51.458 --> 00:34:54.128 queue to provide your comments. And thank you also 00:34:54.137 --> 00:34:57.197 to everyone who took the time to listen in or phone 00:34:57.208 --> 00:35:01.550 or watch online. If you, if any of you would like to 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:05.208 provide additional input or comments after this hearing 00:35:05.438 --> 00:35:08.128 you may submit written comments on the docket card 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:11.148 for this proceeding, which can be found on the commission's 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:23.179 website at A ps.cpuc.ca.gov backslash c backslash A 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:30.438 2305010. If you need assistance with providing additional 00:35:30.449 --> 00:35:33.728 comments, please contact the commission's public adviser's 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:37.570 office that concludes this evening's public participation 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:40.559 hearing. This meeting is adjourned. We will be off 00:35:40.570 --> 00:35:41.090 the record.