WEBVTT 00:00:06.009 --> 00:00:08.829 Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:11.640 Public Participation hearing on this day, Tuesday, 00:00:11.648 --> 00:00:17.579 March 12th, 2024. Judge Melvin, you may begin. 00:00:17.579 --> 00:00:21.829 Thank you. Uh court reporters, please confirm that 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:25.388 you hear me and are ready 00:00:25.388 --> 00:00:27.908 your honor. I can hear you and I'm ready to go. Thank 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:31.370 you. We are on the record. The commission will come 00:00:31.379 --> 00:00:35.908 to order. Good afternoon. This is the time and place 00:00:35.918 --> 00:00:39.679 for the public participation hearing pertaining to 00:00:39.798 --> 00:00:48.750 application. 2310007, the application of the C A or 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:53.490 telephone company to modify interest, state revenue 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:58.569 requirement and rate design and adjust selected rates 00:00:58.899 --> 00:01:04.099 I am Marjorie L Melvin, the assigned ad administrative 00:01:04.109 --> 00:01:08.930 law judge for this proceeding. We are joined today 00:01:08.948 --> 00:01:13.838 by commissioner, excuse me, we are joined today by 00:01:13.849 --> 00:01:19.329 adviser Carolyn Chin. To those listening that wish 00:01:19.338 --> 00:01:23.799 to speak. Please call the number on your screen which 00:01:23.808 --> 00:01:36.980 for English is one 8008571917 and input passcode zer 00:01:37.028 --> 00:01:51.948 603278 £8. And for Spanish, the number is 1 808 571917 00:01:52.290 --> 00:02:01.980 and input passcode 379962 £7 and then press star one 00:02:01.989 --> 00:02:07.689 on your phone to be placed in line after pressing star 00:02:07.698 --> 00:02:13.258 one, you will be prompted for your name. Please also 00:02:13.270 --> 00:02:18.750 add, if you are an elected official, 00:02:18.750 --> 00:02:22.729 you may decide at any time before we end the form to 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:28.750 speak simply by pressing star one. The purpose of this 00:02:28.758 --> 00:02:33.069 afternoon's hearing is to hear directly from the public 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:38.758 about CAL or's general rate case application seeking 00:02:38.770 --> 00:02:43.960 modifications to its revenue requirement and rate design 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:50.719 If you have a specific question regarding your bill 00:02:50.729 --> 00:02:55.520 or service, we have a CAL or customer service representative 00:02:56.210 --> 00:03:01.028 Elizabeth Jimenez, lead customer service representative 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:07.990 and Mindy Hill Insight plant engineer available on 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.849 a separate line throughout the hearing. And for an 00:03:11.860 --> 00:03:22.758 hour after the number to call, MS Jimenez is 5306672297 00:03:23.449 --> 00:03:34.538 And for Miss Hill, the number is 5303972211. 00:03:34.538 --> 00:03:39.118 The number is also displayed on the video slide for 00:03:39.129 --> 00:03:42.929 your information. 00:03:42.929 --> 00:03:46.710 The Public Utility Commission has five commissioners 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:50.469 who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:56.300 the state Senate including Commissioner Reynolds. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:03:59.849 My responsibility is to manage the day to day activities 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:03.849 of this proceeding and to help Commissioner Reynolds 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:08.360 evaluate all of the evidence in the proceeding including 00:04:08.368 --> 00:04:10.929 your input. 00:04:10.929 --> 00:04:16.459 My job as the administrative law judge again is to 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:22.750 write a proposed decision based upon the evidence in 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:27.500 this proceeding. The five commissioners are ultimately 00:04:27.509 --> 00:04:31.588 the ones who will decide and vote on whether to grant 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:37.509 Ko's general rate case application. Each piece of information 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:41.379 on which we base, our decision is listed and, and available 00:04:41.389 --> 00:04:44.850 for you to review on a commission web page. We call 00:04:44.858 --> 00:04:49.809 the docket card. In fact, your comments this afternoon 00:04:49.838 --> 00:04:53.209 will also be listed and published on the docket card 00:04:54.048 --> 00:04:57.459 because our court reporters are transcribing this afternoon's 00:04:57.470 --> 00:05:02.298 hearing, taking down everything that is said 00:05:02.298 --> 00:05:06.600 if an expedited transcript is ordered, it will be available 00:05:06.608 --> 00:05:10.319 five business days from the date of the hearing, non 00:05:10.329 --> 00:05:13.608 expedited transcripts will be available eight weeks 00:05:13.619 --> 00:05:16.838 from the date of the hearing. 00:05:16.838 --> 00:05:20.399 I thank you for spending your time with us this afternoon 00:05:21.750 --> 00:05:26.059 and sharing your thoughts on Cal's Cal or's general 00:05:26.069 --> 00:05:31.428 rate case application or perhaps just listening in 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:35.209 today, the commissioner and I will be paying close 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:38.689 attention to what you say 00:05:38.689 --> 00:05:42.928 this afternoon is not your only opportunity to share 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:47.269 your thoughts on Ko's general rate case application 00:05:48.069 --> 00:05:51.980 We accept written public comments through a form on 00:05:51.988 --> 00:05:55.928 our website. The public comments section of the docket 00:05:55.939 --> 00:06:01.009 card to access the docket card, go to the commission's 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:04.889 website, scroll down to the bottom of the page, then 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:09.170 click on proceedings and rule making, then click on 00:06:09.178 --> 00:06:21.119 docket card and then type a 0.23 dash 10-007 and click 00:06:21.129 --> 00:06:26.269 search when you land on the preceding page and click 00:06:26.278 --> 00:06:31.588 on the add public comment button. 00:06:31.588 --> 00:06:35.298 The basic purpose of this afternoon's hearing is to 00:06:35.309 --> 00:06:40.209 hear directly from C or, or customers and members of 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:44.088 the public about this application. 00:06:44.088 --> 00:06:47.649 Again, we are very appreciative that you've joined 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:53.649 us this afternoon. Now, we will hear from Commissioner 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:59.119 Reynolds advisor, Carolyn Chen. 00:06:59.119 --> 00:07:02.230 Thank you, Judge Melvin. Welcome everyone. My name 00:07:02.238 --> 00:07:05.619 is Carolyn Chen. I'm an advisor to Commissioner John 00:07:05.629 --> 00:07:08.850 Reynolds and I am the lead advisor for reviewing Cal 00:07:09.048 --> 00:07:12.100 Orr's General right case application. On behalf of 00:07:12.108 --> 00:07:14.588 the commissioner, I want to acknowledge and thank the 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:17.629 community members and members of the public who are 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.350 here today to share their thoughts and concerns about 00:07:20.358 --> 00:07:23.399 Cal Orr's request. The commissioner appreciates hearing 00:07:23.410 --> 00:07:26.059 from you before any decision on this application is 00:07:26.069 --> 00:07:31.028 made. Thank you and back to you, Judge Melvin. 00:07:31.028 --> 00:07:36.608 Thank you, Carolyn Hannah Steiner of the Communications 00:07:36.619 --> 00:07:39.608 Division. Would you like to introduce yourself and 00:07:39.619 --> 00:07:43.629 explain a bit about the communication division's role 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:46.608 in this proceeding? 00:07:46.608 --> 00:07:49.528 Hello, everyone. I'm Hannah Steiner and I'm here representing 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:52.309 the communications division. The role of my team is 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:55.220 proceeding is to provide advice and technical, technical 00:07:55.230 --> 00:07:58.009 expertise to the judge and the commissioner. Thank 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.170 you. 00:08:00.170 --> 00:08:07.149 Thank you, Hannah. Now we'll have calor calor. We now 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:10.220 have five minutes to present a summary of his position 00:08:10.230 --> 00:08:14.910 on its general rate case application. You may proceed 00:08:16.608 --> 00:08:19.338 Thank you your honor. Good afternoon, Judge Melvin 00:08:19.369 --> 00:08:21.949 MS Chen from Commissioner reynolds' office and everyone 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:25.100 else participating on this public participation hearing 00:08:25.528 --> 00:08:29.350 my name once again is Sean Beatty. I'm a lawyer who 00:08:29.358 --> 00:08:34.210 helps or who works with C or telephone company on matters 00:08:34.219 --> 00:08:37.149 that take place for the Public Utilities Commission 00:08:37.979 --> 00:08:40.808 Um First off, I want to thank everyone who's on the 00:08:40.817 --> 00:08:43.359 bridge uh for taking the time to participate in this 00:08:43.369 --> 00:08:47.908 PPH. Uh The PPH is part of the process, the rate case 00:08:47.918 --> 00:08:51.658 process before the Public Utilities Commission. As 00:08:51.668 --> 00:08:55.879 a brief background on Kor telephone company, the telephone 00:08:55.889 --> 00:08:58.750 company has provided telephone service to portions 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:03.719 of sis cu in Modoc counties dating back to the 19 thirties 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:11.869 It currently serves about 1,651,650 telephone lines 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:16.629 in its expansive rural, sparsely populated service 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:21.330 area. It has consistently provided reliable voice service 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:23.849 to its subscribers over the course of its history. 00:09:25.149 --> 00:09:29.000 Pursuant to puc rules. Calor is required to file a 00:09:29.009 --> 00:09:32.529 general rate case approximately every 5 to 6 years 00:09:33.070 --> 00:09:37.450 This requirement stems in part because Calor receives 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:41.529 financial support from the state through the state's 00:09:41.538 --> 00:09:44.269 Universal Service program known as the California High 00:09:44.538 --> 00:09:49.849 Cost Fund A uh which was formed uh in order to help 00:09:49.859 --> 00:09:53.570 companies like caller to provide telephone service 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:58.379 in high costs service areas. As a result, Ker filed 00:09:58.389 --> 00:10:03.548 a general rate case application in October of 2023 00:10:03.558 --> 00:10:11.129 October 2nd 2023 to be precise um at a very high level 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:16.190 and most importantly, Cal's rate case filing does not 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:19.629 seek to increase the rates. It charges for telephone 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:24.548 service. Calor currently charges $25 per month for 00:10:24.558 --> 00:10:30.178 residential service and $32.10 per monthly business 00:10:30.190 --> 00:10:34.178 service. So just to be absolutely clear on this point 00:10:34.190 --> 00:10:37.570 although it's called a rate case filing. In this particular 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:41.450 instance, Calor is not seeking to increase rates for 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:44.849 residential or business service through this proceeding 00:10:46.509 --> 00:10:50.849 in its October filing. Though Calor did request support 00:10:50.859 --> 00:10:54.489 from the previously mentioned CHC 00:10:54.489 --> 00:10:59.710 in the amount of approximately $2.16 million since 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:02.000 the filing in October of last year. However, there 00:11:02.009 --> 00:11:04.899 have been changes in the levels of support from the 00:11:04.908 --> 00:11:09.269 federal government that Calor receives. Such that the 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:11.869 increase in federal support means that there will be 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:16.158 a reduction in the amount of CHD 00:11:16.158 --> 00:11:20.710 that Calor is seeking through this process. We only 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:22.989 have an estimate at this point, but it's in the neighborhood 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:28.250 of about a $500,000 reduction, which means that effectively 00:11:28.479 --> 00:11:32.779 Cal will be seeking about $1.6 million from the CHC 00:11:33.250 --> 00:11:39.269 FA which is a relatively slight increase over its current 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:42.700 level of support. 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:47.840 We've also been um uh privy to a um a powerpoint slide 00:11:47.849 --> 00:11:50.469 or set of slides that the Public Advocate's Office 00:11:50.479 --> 00:11:54.989 will use during this PPH. And note that it focuses 00:11:55.000 --> 00:12:01.000 those slides uh um focus in part on uh rates for internet 00:12:01.009 --> 00:12:04.820 access charged by Cal's um internet service provider 00:12:04.830 --> 00:12:11.009 affiliate. Um while Calor the telephone company is 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:14.989 responsible for much of the physical network over which 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:18.639 internet service is provided. The actual provision 00:12:18.649 --> 00:12:21.849 of internet access service is not undertaken by the 00:12:21.859 --> 00:12:25.548 telephone company and it's actually provided by its 00:12:25.658 --> 00:12:30.058 ISP or internet service provider affiliate. 00:12:30.058 --> 00:12:33.090 Furthermore, we note that the Public Utilities Commission 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:37.940 does not regulate rates for internet access. And even 00:12:37.950 --> 00:12:40.879 if it did, we're concerned about the slide that Cal 00:12:40.889 --> 00:12:44.158 Advocates are showing because it shows outdated information 00:12:44.548 --> 00:12:48.200 for the rates that the Public Advocate's Office will 00:12:48.210 --> 00:12:53.690 talk to during this. Ph for example, the fiber broadband 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:59.879 service of 100 megabits per service uh down in 50 megabits 00:12:59.889 --> 00:13:03.460 per service up. Uh It's a, it's a speed for internet 00:13:03.469 --> 00:13:07.979 service um is currently priced at $59 per month, not 00:13:08.009 --> 00:13:12.548 100 and $99 per month identified in the Public Advocates 00:13:12.558 --> 00:13:17.769 um uh powerpoint. So we wanted to make those uh points 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:20.210 clear for the purposes of people who might be listening 00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:24.418 in and in conclusion, just want to say that Kor appreciates 00:13:24.428 --> 00:13:28.500 everyone's attendance and uh we look hearing uh hearing 00:13:28.509 --> 00:13:32.029 your feedback. Thank you your honor. 00:13:32.029 --> 00:13:37.149 Thank you very much Sean Daddy from C or we'll now 00:13:37.158 --> 00:13:40.869 hear from the Public Advocate's Office of the commission 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:46.298 also known as C Advocates. You will now have five minutes 00:13:46.308 --> 00:13:51.019 to present your summary on CAL or, or's general rate 00:13:51.029 --> 00:13:57.418 case application. You may begin 00:13:57.418 --> 00:14:00.489 the problem to your honor, 00:14:00.489 --> 00:14:02.879 right? 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:07.269 Uh Thank you. Uh Thank you your honor. Um I have slide 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:10.538 so should I share my slide by myself or should I please 00:14:10.548 --> 00:14:15.058 share it? 00:14:15.058 --> 00:14:22.460 Ok. Should I proceed? Yes, you may proceed. Ok, thank 00:14:22.469 --> 00:14:25.928 you, Anna. Uh Good afternoon, everyone. My name is 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:30.519 B Xia. Ye, I am an analyst in the public advocate office 00:14:30.529 --> 00:14:34.359 and the commission also known as Cal Advocate. Next 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:37.759 line, please. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:41.460 Child Advocate is an independent customer advocacy 00:14:41.469 --> 00:14:45.489 group within the commission. We advocate on behalf 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:50.580 of California Repairers. Our statutory mission is to 00:14:50.590 --> 00:14:55.090 overturn the lowest possible rate for serving consistent 00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:59.239 with safe and reliable service levels and the state's 00:14:59.250 --> 00:15:03.989 environmental goals. We participate in this general 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:08.629 case to represent the best interests of customers and 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:13.908 achieve access to affordable, safe and reliable communication 00:15:13.918 --> 00:15:18.629 service. Next light please. 00:15:18.629 --> 00:15:22.058 The commission provides subsidies to Kro through the 00:15:22.070 --> 00:15:26.080 California high cost fund, a program or a fund program 00:15:26.558 --> 00:15:30.739 The A fund subsidies are paid for by California repair 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:35.288 statewide through their telephone bill. The commission 00:15:35.298 --> 00:15:40.029 must ensure the subsidies are not excessive. This table 00:15:40.038 --> 00:15:46.538 shows that in 2024 this year C is expected to receive 00:15:46.548 --> 00:15:52.759 about 1.5 million in subsidy that over 53% of the total 00:15:52.769 --> 00:16:00.950 revenue X has a total of 1716 customers. This translates 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:08.158 to an estimate $858 subsidy per customer. Lastly, please 00:16:10.168 --> 00:16:16.229 to receive a fund co is required to submit a January 00:16:16.239 --> 00:16:20.580 case application. The commission's review include the 00:16:20.590 --> 00:16:24.190 service quality, the reasonable needs of the company's 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:28.139 expense and the affordability of the communication 00:16:28.149 --> 00:16:32.538 service. Next flight, please. 00:16:32.538 --> 00:16:36.879 One focus of our review is the service quality of ko 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:41.558 broadband and telephone service. We review customers 00:16:41.570 --> 00:16:45.960 complaints, the company's restoration of service after 00:16:45.969 --> 00:16:50.908 an outage and its response to customers request. Next 00:16:50.918 --> 00:16:53.979 slide, please. 00:16:53.979 --> 00:16:58.830 We also ensure kos expense including network investment 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:02.529 in broadband and telephone service must be just and 00:17:02.538 --> 00:17:07.279 reasonable and beneficial to customers. Miss Lai. Please 00:17:09.358 --> 00:17:13.930 Uh We assess the, we assess the affordability of K 00:17:14.229 --> 00:17:18.318 OS telephone service. We are still in the discovery 00:17:18.328 --> 00:17:22.890 process. This table shows the preliminary residential 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:28.170 rate that is subject to change. Kao currently charged 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:33.259 $25 per month, which was determined in its last GRC 00:17:33.269 --> 00:17:38.880 in 2018. If adjust for inflation from 2018 through 00:17:38.890 --> 00:17:45.630 2025 this rate would be $31. 8 cents cancel, the rate 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:50.170 must be comparable to urban rate. We obtain the wage 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:57.568 Average rate paid by urban customer is $31.74. The 00:17:57.578 --> 00:18:03.799 average of at least three a month is $29.27. Adding 00:18:03.809 --> 00:18:07.848 the mandatory government surcharge and fee. The monthly 00:18:07.858 --> 00:18:14.598 charge is $39.73. This amount is within the range of 00:18:14.608 --> 00:18:19.118 reasonable need established by the commission and it 00:18:19.130 --> 00:18:24.259 is significantly lower than KOS broadband price. Next 00:18:24.269 --> 00:18:27.229 like please, 00:18:27.229 --> 00:18:31.189 we assess the affordability of ko provide broadband 00:18:31.199 --> 00:18:35.189 service. The national standard for minimum broadband 00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:39.309 speed is 25 megabit per second download and three megabit 00:18:39.318 --> 00:18:44.059 per second upload but it will soon become 120 megabits 00:18:44.068 --> 00:18:48.479 per second. Xiao currently sell a price for the broadband 00:18:48.489 --> 00:18:52.608 service but not a commission. This table shows its 00:18:52.618 --> 00:18:56.858 broadband price. Since the account will require customer 00:18:56.868 --> 00:19:00.739 to purchase phone service to have broadband service 00:19:00.989 --> 00:19:06.019 The current phone rate is included in the table 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:10.880 and the price included in this table are the most recent 00:19:10.890 --> 00:19:14.680 available data we obtained from K OS data request. 00:19:16.318 --> 00:19:19.920 But for broadband download speed if you subscribe to 00:19:19.930 --> 00:19:24.539 the broadband service of 25 3 megabit per second, the 00:19:24.549 --> 00:19:30.809 total monthly price is $88.90 for low-income customer 00:19:30.828 --> 00:19:35.078 After applying the state and federal life life discount 00:19:35.289 --> 00:19:42.170 the price is still high at $50.65 for broadband download 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:47.059 speed of 100 megabit per second. The price are about 00:19:47.068 --> 00:19:55.420 128 178 and even 228 per month for low-income customer 00:19:55.578 --> 00:20:02.709 the price are high at 101 152 100 per month because 00:20:02.719 --> 00:20:07.059 of at least a high price, only a few Ks customers are 00:20:07.068 --> 00:20:11.858 subscribing to the broadband service. XO does not offer 00:20:11.868 --> 00:20:15.559 a bro. Low-income broadband plan even though it is 00:20:15.568 --> 00:20:19.858 receiving the subsidy from late payers statewide. In 00:20:19.868 --> 00:20:23.719 comparison, some companies offer a low-income broadband 00:20:23.729 --> 00:20:29.250 plan. For example, Comcast provide a plan called internet 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:33.549 essential, which charge only $10 per month for speed 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:39.160 up to 50 megabit per 2nd and $30 per month for 120 00:20:39.170 --> 00:20:41.939 megabits per second. 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:46.160 The state and federal government have declared broadband 00:20:46.170 --> 00:20:50.509 as an essential service that everyone should have access 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:55.019 to. So the broadband price must be affordable. May 00:20:55.108 --> 00:20:58.539 I fly please? 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:02.118 We want to hear from you regarding your experience 00:21:02.130 --> 00:21:07.289 with ko serving your comments, help build our understanding 00:21:07.348 --> 00:21:12.689 analysis and recommendations. Here is my contact information 00:21:12.699 --> 00:21:16.689 If you have any questions after today, your presence 00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:21.328 here is greatly, greatly appreciated and we look forward 00:21:21.338 --> 00:21:25.170 to listening to your comment and consent. Thank you 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:33.309 Thank you, Analyst Yay for your presentation. On behalf 00:21:33.318 --> 00:21:37.959 of cow advocates, we'll now turn to the public if you 00:21:37.969 --> 00:21:42.598 would like to speak and have not already done. So please 00:21:42.608 --> 00:21:48.189 press star one on your phone now and the operator will 00:21:48.199 --> 00:21:53.019 add you to the queue of speakers operator. How many 00:21:53.029 --> 00:21:56.709 individuals are in the queue 00:21:56.709 --> 00:22:01.269 right now? We have one. 00:22:01.269 --> 00:22:07.920 OK, I understand that we have one caller and I understand 00:22:07.930 --> 00:22:12.818 her name is Maureen. 00:22:12.818 --> 00:22:17.479 We ask that you, if you do when you speak, you speak 00:22:17.489 --> 00:22:21.380 slowly and clearly so that the reporter is able to 00:22:21.390 --> 00:22:26.390 capture everything that you say. We ask that you speak 00:22:26.789 --> 00:22:30.900 and spell your name. And if you'd like the city you 00:22:30.910 --> 00:22:34.049 are calling from, 00:22:34.049 --> 00:22:37.630 you may decide at any time before we end the forum 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:44.459 to speak. Simply by pressing star one, 00:22:44.459 --> 00:22:50.068 you will have three minutes to speak. 00:22:50.068 --> 00:22:56.618 A chime will be sounded when the minute is up. We will 00:22:56.630 --> 00:23:01.299 be able to hear you most clearly. If you speak directly 00:23:01.309 --> 00:23:06.630 into your phone or headset, it is best not to use speaker 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:11.578 phones with that operator. Please proceed to the first 00:23:11.588 --> 00:23:16.588 speaker in the queue, 00:23:16.588 --> 00:23:22.078 Maureen. Your line is open. Thank you. My name is Maureen 00:23:22.328 --> 00:23:28.150 My name is spelled Ma Ureen. My last name is spelled 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:34.689 Donohoe. Donohoe. I want to clarify that I am calling 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:38.410 about landline service being taken away as part of 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:44.269 a 23 03-003. Are my comments appropriate with this 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:47.650 hearing? 00:23:47.650 --> 00:23:52.578 Yes, you may proceed in speaking. Ok, I have a daughter 00:23:52.588 --> 00:23:57.160 with disabilities and I've had a landline with AT&T 00:23:57.170 --> 00:23:59.358 the entire time. I've lived in California which is 00:23:59.368 --> 00:24:02.809 17 years in the other states. I've lived, I've always 00:24:02.818 --> 00:24:05.699 had to have a landline because of her disabilities 00:24:06.250 --> 00:24:09.799 I need the 911 landline registry in case of emergency 00:24:09.809 --> 00:24:13.140 or disaster or a need to evacuate because she signed 00:24:13.150 --> 00:24:17.078 up with that service and she needs help with evacuation 00:24:17.088 --> 00:24:20.729 Should we need it? It's a crucial life and death situation 00:24:20.739 --> 00:24:24.338 for her to have a landline. The highest percentage 00:24:24.348 --> 00:24:27.660 of all landlines are used by elderly or people like 00:24:27.670 --> 00:24:30.588 my daughter with disabilities. The highest number of 00:24:30.598 --> 00:24:33.979 fatalities in California wildfires were the elderly 00:24:33.989 --> 00:24:38.818 or disabled during the wildfires of 2017 through 20 00:24:38.828 --> 00:24:42.640 Our landline was the only phone line that worked reliably 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:46.380 texting ceased during high smoke and hazardous days 00:24:46.390 --> 00:24:49.309 and cell towers were burned out and the cell phones 00:24:49.318 --> 00:24:53.848 did not work. We are lifeline customers and at and 00:24:53.858 --> 00:24:57.959 T is currently raising our landline rates but not servicing 00:24:57.969 --> 00:25:00.939 our lines, the service and the customer service is 00:25:00.949 --> 00:25:05.489 poor. I can't call the East Bay right now on my landline 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:07.920 And when I call them, they say that they will look 00:25:07.930 --> 00:25:12.239 into it but nobody corrects the problem. So our landline 00:25:12.250 --> 00:25:15.469 has always been crucial to us. And the experiences 00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:19.000 like I mentioned with the fires have proved that it 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:23.318 is a crucial resource for people with disabilities 00:25:23.328 --> 00:25:26.559 and the elderly. Most of us who have landlines have 00:25:26.568 --> 00:25:32.039 them for that reason. So I was told to call and speak 00:25:32.049 --> 00:25:36.670 on this now um as a resident of Marin County California 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:39.160 because our landline service, like most of the other 00:25:39.170 --> 00:25:43.029 counties in California is going to be um they're proposing 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:47.630 to take it away. So that's those are my comments. Um 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:50.549 I hope that this is the appropriate time to make them 00:25:51.098 --> 00:25:55.640 and um thank you for having these hearings. Can I ask 00:25:55.650 --> 00:25:58.799 one other question if I need to make additional comments 00:25:58.809 --> 00:26:01.269 Can you please direct me again to where I need to do 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:06.269 that? Ok, so thank you for your comment, Maureen, first 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:09.920 of all, and I'd like to tell you that if you'd like 00:26:09.930 --> 00:26:15.338 to make a comment on a specific proceeding, you may 00:26:15.348 --> 00:26:21.203 go to the dock card for that proceeding and that required 00:26:21.213 --> 00:26:29.983 information and I understand the case number is a 2303003 00:26:30.213 --> 00:26:36.243 You may do so on the docket card for that specific 00:26:36.375 --> 00:26:41.045 proceeding. Ok. Ok. And I go to the commissioner's 00:26:41.055 --> 00:26:45.959 website for that, the C PC puc. 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:48.739 That is correct. And, and let me, uh, I'll go through 00:26:48.750 --> 00:26:53.529 the steps and I'm with you and I think that will be 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:57.650 helpful. So, what you're going to do is you're going 00:26:57.660 --> 00:27:01.289 to go to the commission's website and then you're going 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:07.039 to access the docket card. Ok. You, you scroll down 00:27:07.049 --> 00:27:11.170 to the bottom of the page, then click on proceedings 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:18.489 and rule making, then click on do card and then type 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:25.250 the case number and click search. 00:27:25.250 --> 00:27:30.500 Ok. Ok. And then when you land on the preceding page 00:27:30.509 --> 00:27:38.969 then click on the add public comment button. Ok. 00:27:38.969 --> 00:27:41.858 Thank you very much for calling. And I wanted to for 00:27:41.868 --> 00:27:46.118 the record to note that the comment provided was for 00:27:46.130 --> 00:27:53.640 proceeding. A 2303003. And at this time, I'd like to 00:27:53.650 --> 00:27:59.539 take a 15 minute break to give other callers an opportunity 00:27:59.549 --> 00:28:04.039 to come on to the line to be heard. So we are 00:28:04.049 --> 00:28:07.799 now off the record, 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:12.309 the feed for this streaming event brought. Thank you 00:28:13.118 --> 00:28:20.279 We're back on record and I'd like to ask the operator 00:28:20.289 --> 00:28:23.650 if there are any addition, additional callers on the 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:26.719 line, 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:31.640 I am showing no callers on the line at this time. 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:48.390 Thank you 00:28:48.390 --> 00:28:52.779 that this will conclude all of the speakers who signed 00:28:52.789 --> 00:28:58.118 up to speak. If anyone who's listening in would like 00:28:58.130 --> 00:29:01.608 to provide additional input or comments after this 00:29:01.618 --> 00:29:05.269 hearing. You may submit written comments on the docket 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:08.949 card for this proceeding, which can be found on the 00:29:08.959 --> 00:29:20.039 commission's website at A PP dot CPUC dot C A dot gov 00:29:20.239 --> 00:29:32.880 backslash c backslash A 2310007. 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:36.299 If you need assistance with providing additional comments 00:29:36.309 --> 00:29:41.029 please contact the commission's Public Advisor's office 00:29:41.219 --> 00:29:55.439 at public dot advisor at CPUC dot C a.gov, 00:29:55.439 --> 00:29:59.160 Carolyn Chin from Commissioner Don reynolds' office 00:29:59.479 --> 00:30:03.930 Would you like to add any additional comments? 00:30:03.930 --> 00:30:08.410 No further comments. Thank you. 00:30:08.410 --> 00:30:12.709 Thank you, everyone. This concludes this afternoon's 00:30:12.719 --> 00:30:17.029 public participation hearing. Thank you all for your 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:21.189 your input and comments and we are adjourned and we 00:30:21.199 --> 00:30:24.608 will be off the record. 00:30:24.608 --> 00:30:24.880 They.