CPUC To Hold Public Forums on California-American Water Company Rate Requests

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold several public forums for customers of California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) to offer input about the company’s rate requests, as follows.

WHAT: The public forums will begin with a brief overview of Cal-Am’s rate requests, then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from Cal-Am will be available to customers during the public forums for individual service, including billing issues.

REMOTE ACCESS OPTIONS FOR APRIL 11 PUBLIC FORUMS:

• Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast:
  • 2 p.m.: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/hearing/20230411
  • 6 p.m.: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/hearing/202304112
  • Participants who choose to participate via webcast will only have audio and video capabilities but will not be able to make verbal comments. If you would like to make a comment during the forum, the phone-in information is below.
  • For captions, after clicking on the name of the forum, click the green button at the bottom of the video for captions. Then select captions by clicking on the white icon next to the word “live” at the bottom of the video.
  • The forums will also be recorded and archived for future viewing.
• Public participation phone comment line:
  • English: 800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#
  • Spanish: 800-857-1917, passcode: 3799627#
  • Participants will have audio and will be able to make comments. (To make a comment, after entering the passcode, when prompted press *1, unmute your phone, and record your name.)
  • Wait times depend on the number of speakers in the public comment queue. During times of high call volumes, wait times will be longer. The operator will call on you when it is your turn to speak.

Customers from Cal-Am service areas are encouraged to participate in one of the public forums.

You can also make your voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for the proceeding at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2207001.

Members of the public can attend the public forums (formally known as Public Participation Hearings) remotely by phone or Internet on April 11 or in-person (no remote access) on April 13, April 25, and May 2. Those who would like to make public comment at the remote public forums on April 11 must participate by telephone and make comment through the toll-free phone line. Those intending to make public comment in-person on April 13, April 25, or May 2 can sign up to speak at the Public Advisor’s Office’s table prior to the start of the public forums.

BACKGROUND: On July 1, 2022, Cal-Am submitted an application to the CPUC seeking approval to increase its revenues for water and wastewater services in each of its districts statewide for 2024 through 2026. Cal-Am also seeks approval of 20 special requests, which include authorization for various fees, surcharges, programs, mechanisms, balancing and memorandum accounts, consolidations, and changes to reporting requirements. On January 27, 2023, Cal-Am filed an updated application requesting approval of a water revenue adjustment mechanism.

The CPUC welcomes attendance and comments at the public forums, as public comments help the CPUC reach an informed decision. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceeding is scheduled to issue a Proposed Decision in the case for consideration by the CPUC within a year.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the public forums, no official action will be taken on this matter.

If special accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll-free at 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the public forums.

Further information on public forums is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph.

The Ruling setting the public forums is available at docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M503/K824/503824804.PDF.

Documents related to this proceeding are available at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/p/A2207001.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release