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Local Government NewsletterNo. 08 Nov. 2004
This newsletter is intended to inform you about recent actions undertaken and issues pending before the CPUC that may affect your community.
Statewide Interest
New! Local governments and community organizations interested in low-income programs may want to get involved in a new proceeding the Commission has begun to preserve $330 million in federal funds, which are used in California’s Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS) program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an order requiring states to document customers' income qualifications or federal funds will be withheld. Presently, the California ULTS program allows participants to self-certify their income with no process in place for documentation of customers' income. In order to comply with the FCC's order, the Commission must adopt a process to certify participants' income and parties may comment by January 14, 2005. Those interested in becoming parties to the proceeding may contact the Public Advisor’s office, should you need assistance. In Northern California, call 866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074. In Southern California, call 866-849-8391 or 213-576-7055. TDD use 866-836-7825. Here’s a link to the order for the proceeding:
New! Communities served by PG&E, SDG&E and Southern California Gas may want to let constituents know that the Commission has granted increased funding for natural gas energy efficiency programs. To help lower demand on natural gas supplies, the Commission has approved the utilities’ requests to offer various energy efficiency programs such as rebates for purchasing specific energy efficient devices. Consumers may want to call their utilities directly for more information. Here’s a link to the press release: (proceeding R.01-08-028).
New! If interested in Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). As part of the proceeding to update the Commission's policies and procedures related to electromagnetic fields emanating from regulated utility facilities, parties have been given an opportunity to comment by December 31 and reply to comments by January 28 on three issues: 1/The results of the Commission's current "low-cost/no cost" mitigation policy and the need for modifications, 2/ Exploring improvements in the implementation of the existing "low cost/no cost" mitigation policy, and 3/ new or revised Commission EMF mitigation policies as new EMF related scientific data becomes available. Here’s a link to the ruling: (proceeding R.04-08-020).
New! To cover power purchases made by the California Department of Water Resources, the Commission has adopted a permanent cost allocation methodology for PG&E, Edison and SDG&E. There is $7.4 billion in projected above market costs for 2004-2013, and it is allocated as follows: PG&E customers receive 44.8 percent of the above-market costs, Edison customers receive 45.3 percent, and SDG&E customers receive 9.9 percent. The result is a $418 million decrease for PG&E; a $315 million decrease for Edison and a $733 million increase for SDG&E. Here’s a link to the press release: (proceeding A.00-11-038).
Local Governments may be interested in purchasing and selling electricity for customers in their jurisdiction. The CPUC is developing rules to implement “Community Choice Aggregation,” which will permit cities and counties to purchase and sell electricity on behalf of utility customers in their jurisdictions.Update! A Prehearing Conference for the second phase of the proceeding is scheduled for January 11 at 11 a.m. in the Commission Courtroom, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. (proceeding R.03-10-003). More information:
New! Those interested in the governor’s Solar Roof Initiative may want to comment. The Commission seeks ideas for supporting the Governor's initiative by tailoring the Commission's existing Self-Generation Incentives Program (SGIP) or developing new funding sources. Those who are not already parties to the proceeding regarding self generation may contact the Public Advisor’s Office for assistance in commenting. Here’s a link to the ruling which provides specifics on serving and filing the comments and ways to support the governor’s initiative: (proceeding R.04-03-017).
New! Officials concerned about utility bills at Mobile Home Parks. The Commission has issued a decision on issues involved in the submetering discount for mobile home parks and obligations of the utility to tenants. Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding R. 03-03-017).
Southern California Interest
New! Santa Barbara County will soon have the 211 service. The 211 service is a means for consumers to get in touch with various social services simply by dialing 211. The service in Santa Barbary County will be provided by Family Services Agency and assistance will be available in English and Spanish. Here’s a link to the resolution:
New! Revenue requirements for Southern California Gas and SDG&E have been set. The Commission has authorized revenues for the two utilities’ gas and electricity distribution costs which results ina $33 million revenue decrease for Southern California Gas customers. For SDG&E, it’s an $8 million decrease in electricity revenue and a $1.6 million increase in gas revenue. Here’s a link to the press release: (proceeding A.02-12-027).
Los Angeles elected officials may want to comment on San Gabriel Water Company’s request to increase rates in its Los Angeles district by 29% next year, 3% in 2006 and 3% in 2007. Update! A scoping memo has been issued outlining a schedule which includes a public participation hearing on January 20 – time and location to be determined. Here’s a link to the scoping memo: (proceeding A.04-09-005).
Long Beach and other Los Angeles South Bay communities interested in Sound Energy Solutions’ proposal to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Long Beach. Update! LNG is in the news because a recent Congressional Report suggests that the states should not be involved in siting LNG projects. Because the law hasn’t changed, however, California will continue to fulfill its regulatory obligations to review safety and market impacts of the SES proposal (proceeding I.04-04-024).
New! Coronado customers of California American Water Company. The Commission has approved a 16% increase to offset a purchase water rate increase by the City of San Diego. Here’s a link to the resolution:
New! San Juan Capistrano has been given authority to construct a pedestrian/bicycle path under a new bridge for railroad tracks crossing the city. The Orange County Transit Authority provided the city the funds to construct the underpass Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding A.04-07-006).
New! Local Officials may be interested in SDG&E’s request to sell property in San Juan Capistrano to Whispering Hills, LLC. Residents have argued that the sale price is significantly too low. Since property there sells for about $1 million per acre, the property could be worth $14 million compared to SDG&E’s estimate of $100,000. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the proceeding providing SDG&E an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Here’s a link to the ruling: (proceeding A04-07-049).
Northern California Interest
New! Local officials may be relieved to know that the Commission reduced, by an amount estimated between $450 million and $625 million, the cost consumers pay as part of the PG&E bankruptcy settlement. The Commission did this by approving a financing order giving PG&E authority to refinance PG&E's bankruptcy regulatory asset by issuing up to $3 billion in bonds. Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding A.04-07-032).
New! Bay area officials please take note that the Commission has taken more measures to bring in more reliable electricity transmission and to speed closure of the Hunter’s Point Power Plant by approvingPG&E’s request for a permit to construct a 115 kilovolt electric transmission line and associated substation modifications in San Francisco. Here’s a link to the press release: (proceeding A.03-12-039).
New! Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe area – Sierra Pacific has been granted an $8 million or 15% revenue increase. The increase covers Sierra Pacific’s projected costs for fuel and power. Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding A.04-05-004).
New! Elected officials in Salinas area may be interested in attending a meeting to discuss Alisal Water Company’s request to increase rates by $1,009,944 or 24%. The meeting will be on December 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the La Paz Middle School gymnasium located at 1300 N. Sanborn Road in Salinas.
New! Officials and consumers in the Lake Tahoe area may want to know that Southwest and Avista utilities have filed a joint request for Southwest to acquire Avista’s California gas properties and take over service to Avista’s 15,000 customers. Currently Avista’s rates are lower and Southwest is not asking in this application to increase those rates. The companies have asked for an expedited proceeding. The Commission will issue a ruling outlining the proceeding schedule (proceeding A04-09-009).
Reminder!Local elected officials may be interested in the PG&E rate change proposal and the public hearings scheduled for it. Last May, the Commission approved revenue increases for PG&E in the amount of $236 million in electric distribution revenues, $52 million in gas distribution revenues, and $38 million in generation revenues. Now the Commission is considering how to set the utility’s rates to recover its costs. Five Public Participation Hearings, where consumers may express concern or ask questions, are scheduled for Chico on January 19, San Francisco on February 1, Santa Rosa on February 2, Santa Clara on February 3 and Tulare on February 7. See the community calendar in this newsletter for specifics, proceeding A.04-06-024. (proceeding A.04-07-044).
New! West Water’s customers, near Cloverdale, will see a $4.95 surcharge on their bills each month for 24 months. The increases is granted to offset an unanticipated but critical plant expense and a Department of Health Services chemical testing cost required once every three years. Here’s a link to the resolution:
Update! Officials in Salinas, South San Francisco, Los Altos, Stockton and Chico may want to attend the hearings on California Water Service’s request to increase rates. The Commission has scheduled Public Participation Hearings to answer questions and listen to comments from consumers about California Water Service’s request to increase rates in the areas noted above. Times and locations of the meetings are noted in the community calendar at the end of this newsletter (proceeding A.04-09-028).
Monterey and Felton businesses and residents. California American Water Company has asked to consolidate these two districts. The water company wants to combine these two districts to spread the costs among more customers. Reminder!Public Participation Hearings will be held in Monterey on Dec. 6 and in Felton on Dec. 7. Evidentiary hearings will begin on Jan. 4 in San Francisco (proceeding A.04-08-012).
New! Spreckels, Oak Hills and Indian Springs (in Monterey County) wastewater customers who are served by Watertek may be interested to know that the Commission has approved sale of the service to California American Water Company (Cal-Am). Cal-Am's acquisition satisfies all four requirements of the California Public Utilities Code § 2720(b): improved system reliability; better health and regulatory compliance; improved efficiencies with economies of scale; and, lower rates and better service for customers. Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding A.04-09-011).
New!Santa Maria, Rancho Cordova and Pittsburg-Bay Point officials may want to comment about Southern California Water Company’s request to increase rates in those service areas. Public Participation Hearings have been scheduled. See details in our Community calendar in this newsletter (proceeding A.04-08-042).
New! Greater Sacramento area customers of SureWest Telephone will see credits on their bills as part of a settlement that resolves SureWest’s (formerly Roseville Telephone Company) request to eliminate the “sharing mechanism” that requires the company to allocate to customers 50 percent of its annual earnings in excess of a “benchmark” rate of return. Here’s a link to the decision: (proceeding A.99-03-025).
Upcoming Commission business meetings – Thu. Dec. 16, Thu. Jan 13, Thu., Jan 27
Most items discussed at the meetings are distributed publicly 30 days in advance of the respective meeting. Read, print and download decisions that are issued through our “Official Documents” page, selecting “Currently Open for Comment.” Here’s the link to the official documents page: The Agenda for a business meeting is posted on the website 10 days before a meeting and at the meeting you may comment on most items on the agenda. Contact the Public Advisor for specifics. Here’s a link to the website.
December and January Community Calendar
Here is a list of workshops and public meetings, which your community may want to follow or participate in. Since items could be added or removed daily, you may want to access our daily calendar for complete information. Also you can get on the “Information Only” list for any of our proceedings and be notified of meetings, ruling and decisions on the proceedings you select. Also if you have any questions, contact our Public Advisor’s Office.
Mon., Dec. 6, 7 p.m.Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California-American Water Company’s request to restructure and consolidate rates for its Monterey and Felton Districts. Monterey Conference Center, Ferrante Rooms II & III, One Portola Plaza, Monterey.
Tue., Dec 7, 10 am to 3 pm
Workshop / This meeting will discuss standardizing (for the small and multi-jurisdictional energy utilities) low-income energy programs that provide discounts on low-income customers’ electric and gas bills (CARE) and provide energy efficiency measures for low-income customers (LIEE). You may attend in person or listen to the meeting through a teleconference by calling 866-675-0748, passcode 554377#. CPUC conference room 5100, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.
Tue., Dec 7, 1 – 4:30 pm
Public Meeting / An Energy Action Plan Meeting will be held to discuss implementing the plan and time has been set aside for the public to comment. You may attend in person or listen to it through a webcast found at CPUC Auditorium 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.
Tue., Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California-American Water Company’s request to restructure and consolidate rates for its Monterey and Felton Districts. Felton Community Hall, Main Auditorium, 6191 Highway 9, Felton.
Tue., Dec. 14, 7 to 9 pm
Public Meeting / Commission staff will hold a public meeting to discuss and listed to consumer’s comments about Alisal Water Company’s request to increase revenue in Salinas. La Paz Middle School Gymnasium, 1300 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas.
Wed., Jan. 5, 4:30 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California American Water Company’s request to increase rates in Salinas. Salinas Sports Complex, Rodeo Room, 1034 N. Main Street. Salinas
Thu., Jan. 6, 4:30 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California Water Service Company’s request to increase rates in its South San Francisco and Los Altos areas. The Onetta Harris Community Center, 100 Terminal Ave, Menlo Park. .
Wed., Jan. 12, 4:30 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California Water Service Company’s request to increase rates in its Stockton area. Stockton Public Library, Stewart Hazleton Room, 605 N. El Dorado St, Stockton.
Wed., Jan. 19, 4:30 p.m.
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on changes to PG&E’s rates to recover increase costs previously approved in May 2004. Chico Public Library, Conference Room, 1108 Sherman Ave (note: four more hearings will be held in February in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, San Jose and Tulare).
Wed., Jan 19, 2 and 7 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on Southern California Water Company’s request to increase rates in Santa Maria area. Santa Maria High School, Ethel Pope Auditorium, 902 S. Broadway, Santa Maria.
Thu., Jan 20, 4:30 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on California Water Service Company’s request to increase rates in the Chico area. Chico Area Recreation and Parks District, the Arts and Crafts Room, 545 Vallombrosa Ave., Chico.
Tue., Jan 25, 2 and 7 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on Southern California Water Company’s request to increase rates in its Rancho Cordova area. Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Center, Community Room A & B, 106, 10665 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova.
Wed., Jan 26, 7 pm
Public Participation Hearing / The public is invited to attend and comment on Southern California Water Company’s request to increase rates in its Pittsburg-Bay Point area. Pittsburg City Hall Council Chamber, 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg.
A word about our website: CPUC posts its public documents on its website. You can access them by searching through the Official Documents page (link on the left) or by using the search engine linked on the right. If you want information about participating in formal proceedings, the Public Advisor’s page can help you (link under “quick hits”). The home page lists information in the CPUC spotlight and it provides a link to special announcements on other important issues. A Consumer Information Center (link on the left) is loaded with information about utility programs the commission has authorized. The News Room (link on left) provides press releases and other information to the media. Our industry divisions have posted numerous industry-related decisions, presentations, reports and other information on their pages (see Regulated Areas selection on the left).
If you have problems finding the documents you need, call or e-mail us and we’ll help you.
Published by the CPUC’s Local Government Liaison Program, this newsletter is distributed by e-mail. Please e-mail us at: if you would like to be added, or to be removed from our distribution list. We do not share this distribution list with any company or agency. The newsletter will also be posted on the CPUC website: (select the Public Advisor link under Quick Hits).
If you have questions about anything in this newsletter, please e-mail Kyle DeVine at . If you wish to participate in a CPUC proceeding, have questions about a proceeding, want to automatically receive CPUC-issued documents, or want to comment at a Commission meeting, our Public Advisor’s Office is here to help. Contact us at:
San Francisco Office: 866-849-8390, or
Los Angeles Office: 866-849-8391, or