WEBVTT

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Begin momentarily. Thank you for your patience.

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The feed for this streaming event brought to you by

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adminmonitor.com, will begin momentarily. California Public

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Utilities Commission Voting meeting on this day, Thursday

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February 2, 2023. Today's call is being recorded.

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If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this

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time. President Reynolds, you may begin. Thank you.

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Good morning everyone. We need to establish a quorum

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first. Agenda Clerk, could you please call the roll.

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Commissioner Douglas?

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Here. Commissioner John Reynolds? Here. Commissioner

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Houck?

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Here. Commissioner Shiroma? Here. President Alice Reynolds?

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Here. We have a quorum. Welcome to the California Public

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Utilities Commission. I am calling this meeting of

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February 2, 2023, Public Agenda No. 3522 to

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order. I'll start with a few housekeeping matters.

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Today, we are meeting virtually. This meeting is also

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being live streamed on the CPUC's website. You can

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view the meeting at www.adminmonitor.com/

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ca/cpuc. Closed captioning is available in

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English and Spanish through the webcast. To view the closed

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captioning, click on the green button beneath the webcast

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video player. And follow the instructions that appear

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on screen. Spanish interpretation is also available

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during the public comment portion of today's meeting.

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For Spanish interpretation, dial 800-857-1917, passcode

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3799627#. And follow the instructions to be connected

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to the Spanish line. I asked that my colleagues and

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today's speakers, remain mindful and speak clearly and

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slowly to allow for interpretation. Public engagement

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is critical to the CPUC process. At today's meeting,

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the public will have the opportunity to make public

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comment by telephone. If you wish to make a public

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comment by telephone, please dial into 800-857-1917 and

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enter passcode 989951#, and press *1. You will

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be placed into a queue and the operator will take your

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name and information. You will then be called upon

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to speak when we get to the public comment period in

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today's agenda. Please note, that if there are a large

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number of callers, the wait to speak may be long. If

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you encounter difficulty calling into the public telephone

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line, please email: votingmeetinghelp@cpuc.

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ca.gov. For those of you who are not able

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to provide oral public comments at today's public voting

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meeting or otherwise wish to lengthy comments. I want

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to remind you of the option to submit written comments.

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Written comments can be sent to us in two ways. First,

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via an online form found in each proceedings online

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docket card. And second, directly to our Public Advisor's

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Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

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More information about providing comments can be found

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on our website or you can email our Public Advisor's

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Office and again that email address is: public.advisor

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@cpuc.ca.gov. Or you may call 1-866-849-8390.

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With that, I would like to welcome everyone to the

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February 2, 2023 Voting Meeting. I want to start by

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announcing a new Commissioner that we have on our five

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member voting body, Commissioner Karen Douglas. We're

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very fortunate to have Commissioner Douglas join us

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here at the CPUC. Commissioner Douglas was most

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recently Senior Advisor for Energy in the Office of

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Governor Newsom. And previous to that she held, she

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has held various other energy. And she was the California

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Energy Commission member from 2008 to 2022. She

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has held various other energy and environmental roles,

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including Director of the California Climate Initiative

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for the Environmental Defense Fund from 2005

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to 2008. And several positions at the Planning and Conservation

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League from 2001 to 2005, including Acting Executive

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Director and General Counsel. Please join me in extending

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a warm welcome to Commissioner Douglas. Um, I would

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also like to take this opportunity to celebrate Black

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History Month, as we enter into the month of February.

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Um, February is Black History Month when we recognize

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and honor the generations of African-Americans who

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struggled and continue to struggle with adversity to

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achieve full citizenship in American society. The Black

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History Month 2023 theme, Black Resistance. Explores

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how African-Americans have resisted historic and ongoing

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oppression in all forms. Especially the racial terrorism

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of lynching um, racial pentagrams and police killings

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since the nation's earliest days. I find the focus

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of Black History Month to be sadly prophetic. As once

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again, events in the news remind us how important this

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is. And how it is more than a routine we go through

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one short month of every year. The killing of Tyre

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Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee at the hands of police.

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Brutally teaches us that Black History must be taught

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widely and thoroughly to prevent police brutality.

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A practice that has deep seated ties to the American

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history of slavery and Jim Crow. We must fully participate

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in Black History Month and endeavor to correct the

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suppression of Blackness. And the deliberate emission

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and misinformation in American history of the contributions

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of African-Americans. So this month, let us reflect

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on the fact that Black history is American history.

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The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth and docked in

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New England with the Puritans in 1620. The first enslaved

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Africans docked in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. But

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while every history of the European settler that came

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from the Mayflower has been preserved, taught and passed

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through literature and education. The African-Americans

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who arrived in Jamestown were stripped both literally

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and figuratively of everything they came with. And were

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left to preserve what they could themselves through

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oral tradition. Therefore, the CPUC recognizes Black

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History Month as a necessary time for all of us to

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broaden our understanding of Black history. And even

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to re-educate ourselves on American history. And the

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countless contributions of African-Americans to our

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country and our world. The CPUC joins our African-American

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Staff and community. In celebrating Black identity,

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educating ourselves about the past, and preparing the

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younger generation to fully, fully integrated and connected

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future with all Americans.

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With that, we'll now turn to public comment. If you

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wish to make a public comment by telephone and you

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have already dialed into the public comment telephone

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line. Please press *1 and a mute your phone to

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enter the public comment queue. CPUC rules do not

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allow for parties and proceedings to speak about open

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proceedings. The public can make comments, addressing

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items on the consent and regular agenda. As well as

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items not on the agenda. All speakers will have one

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minute to speak. You will hear, hear a bell sound when

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your time is up. Please be mindful of other speakers

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in the queue and keep to your allotted time. As a reminder,

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please speak clearly and slowly to accommodate Spanish

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interpreters. With that guidance in mind, I welcome

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today's speakers and we'll ask the operator to open

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the public comment telephone line.

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Operator.

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Thank you and at this time the public comment telephone

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line is now open. For those on the phone, if you wish

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to speak during the public comment period. Press *1,

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unmute your phone, and clearly record your name

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and organization when prompted.

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Our first caller is Laura Lee Melton, you may go ahead.

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I'm a Cal Am ratepayer. Please require the California

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American Water Company to sign the water purchase agreement

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you approved. For the Pure Water Monterey Expansion

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now. And require them to complete related infrastructure

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by a date certain too. We need your help. Cal Am can still

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ask you for more money, but you've already approved

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$60 million dollars. And we need to start work on the

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expansion now. Cal Am has already delayed this project

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for nearly 3 years. When we've been without the

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water needed for housing, a healthy economy, and drought

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protection. Please don't let them continue to do that.

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Thank you so much. Thank you. Operator, next caller

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please.

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Our next caller is Margaret Ann Coppernoll, you

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may go ahead. Yes. Um, Margaret Ann Coppernoll speaking.

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Uh, Cal Am is acting in a lawless, dishonorable, bad

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faith manner. Refusing to sign the Pure Water Monterey

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Expansion Water Purchase Agreement. While declaring

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it will illegally over pump the Seaside Basin. So it

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can maintain leverage for its unwanted, unnecessary

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desal plant. Cal Am already caused court adjudication

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for the Seaside Basin. And has been stealing Marinas

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 Aquifer water without a permit or water rights. Violating

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the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and the

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State Constitution. The CPUC has both the responsibility

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and the jurisdiction to compel Cal Am, to sign the water

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purchase agreement. And to refuse approval of the Cal Am

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requested additional millions for its unrelated desal

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project. Please honor your duty and respect for the

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ratepayers. God bless you and thank you so much. Thank

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you. Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Jane Haines, you may go ahead.

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Hello, can you hear me? Yes, we can. All right. I'm

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a Monterey Peninsula Cal Am customer and I'm calling

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as the others before me called. To request you to order

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Cal Am to sign the Water Purchase Agreement for the

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Pure Water Monterey Expansion. The refusal to sign

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is preventing meeting house, needed housing projects.

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22% of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District students

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are homeless. A fact that can be confirmed by googling

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Monterey Peninsula Unified School district homeless

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students. Until Cal Am signs the peninsula lacks sufficient

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water to proceed with housing projects. Please order

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Cal Am to sign the agreement. And thank you for your public

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service. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Julie Merchant, you may go ahead.

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Hi. I returned to Los Angeles from abroad for 8

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days in January. The only gas appliance I ran was

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my heater for a few hours each day. My bill in January

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for eight days was $90 for a one bedroom apartment.

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That's around $11 a day for a few hours of heat. Not

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only is this unacceptable, but there was no advanced

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notice on this. While SoCalGas claims that they sent

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out mailers. It doesn't apply to people who have opted

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for e-statements, a costly and severe flaw. Worse yet

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there are no viable alternatives for energy. You the

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CPUC, saw that with NEM 3.0. SoCalGas is a

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monopoly with no alternatives for energy. This is unacceptable.

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You need to revisit other energy options for when rates

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go up. And need to pressure SoCalGas, you properly

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notify customers in a multitude of ways, not just mailers.

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Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Tammy Jennings, you may go ahead.

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Yes, my name, can you hear me okay? Yes, we can. My name

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is Tammy Jennings. I am a Cal Am uh ratepayer

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in Monterey, California. We need you to step in and

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please help us. Please require Cal Am to sign

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the Water Purchase Agreement. That we have, that was

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already approved. Cal Am already has $60 million approved. They're holding our water hostage for another $20


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million dollars for their desal plant. It's not right,

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it's not fair. They've been stalling for three years.

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Please, please make them, make them sign the Water Purchase

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Agreement. It's the only fair thing to do. God bless

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you. Thank you for your service. Thank you very much.

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Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Saoirse Folsom, you may go ahead. Hi uh,

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good morning. I'm commenting in support of MPWMD's

00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:52.399
petition for modification of D.22-

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12-001. My name is Saoirse Folsom, I'm a Monterey Peninsula Cal Am

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ratepayer. Um, as you know, Cal Am has refused to sign

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the nationally recognized state of the art Pure Water

00:15:05.490 --> 00:15:10.039
Monterey Expansion Water Purchase Agreement. Um, this

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is unacceptable. Uh, we need that water. It's raining

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now. Uh, but uh we we've got to get the recycled water

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online as quickly as possible. Uh, we're being held

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hostage by Cal Am. A reliable and inexpensive water

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project, as such as the Pure Water Monterey Expansion.

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Is being held out and held hostage. In the midst of

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frankly what could be even be called a mega drought.

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Uh, this is uh totally incomprehensible. Uh, irresponsible

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Please compel them to sign the Water Purchase Agreement.

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Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

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Our next caller is Ana Thompson Carmel, you may go

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ahead. Yes, good morning. Um, uh my name is Ana Thompson.

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And I am a Cal Am ratepayer on the Monterey Peninsula.

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Please compel Cal Am to sign the Water Purchase Agreement

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for the Pure Water Monterey Expansion. Cal Am has

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no legitimate reason not to sign the Water Purchase

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Agreement. Cal Am can sign the Pure Water Expansion

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today. While continuing to request rate increases to

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recover any additional costs. But the company will

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be incurring, however Cal Am prefers to hold our community's

00:16:38.610 --> 00:16:43.129
water supply hostage. These delays are causing our

00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:48.299
overall cost of building the facility to go up. Interest

00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:51.750
rates are getting higher, material/construction costs

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are higher, and we might even lose the governmental

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grants that are available to us now. We can't afford

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any more delays and you are the regulators. And you

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are the only ones that can help us get this project

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going. Please support the Monterey Peninsula where

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the expectation to compel Cal Am to sign the Water Purchase

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Agreement so

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started. Thank you. Please do that for us. We, it's

00:17:21.750 --> 00:17:26.559
our rights to get the water. Thank you. Thank you. Operator,

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next caller please.

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Our next caller is Dan Pilsen, you may go ahead. Yeah,

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hi. I'm Dan Pilsen, I'm from Southern California and

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I have Southern California Gas. And unfortunately, a

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previous person indicated a ridiculous price of this

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month's bill. My bill was almost $800, double from last

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month. So the way there is a solution, but you can't

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go through Southern California Gas. They do not respond.

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And so they need to be forced into where they will

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take long term contracts. That will not immediately

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spurred up the price of gas. When the gas price is

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high in the United States. We must do that because

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we have no, no authority over Southern California

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Gas. And you are the only authority that can help us.

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:20.619
So please, uh notify Southern California Gas for long

00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:23.519
term contracts, and we won't have this problem ever

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:28.750
again. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:18:31.069 --> 00:18:36.579
Your next caller is Jan Hole, you may go ahead.

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:40.799
Yes, good morning. I'm from San Diego and affected

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:45.119
by San Diego Gas and Electric. Uh, the bills have been

00:18:45.130 --> 00:18:52.609
11 pages long. Um, impossible to understand. Um, the rates

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:57.150
are based on, we have to do our laundry and our main

00:18:57.160 --> 00:19:00.759
chores after midnight between midnight and 6am.

00:19:00.769 --> 00:19:04.369
Otherwise most people that get home from work or have

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:08.039
families are home between the hours of 4 and 9,

00:19:08.049 --> 00:19:11.900
and are being charged the highest rates. Were requesting

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:15.930
and begging at the CPUC discuss with San Diego

00:19:15.930 --> 00:19:21.180
Gas and Electric, the times of day usage. Because everybody

00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:24.640
here is finding they have to wait till after midnight

00:19:24.650 --> 00:19:28.750
to do anything. Otherwise, our bills have been up to

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:33.519
$800 to $1000. We really need the CPUC to

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:37.740
discuss with San Diego Gas and Electric. The confusing

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:42.319
non transparent bills that we're getting and the very

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:45.789
high rates. Plus being told at the last minute that

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:49.559
the rates are going down or going up. We have a feeling

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:53.230
that SDG&E is aware far in advance of what their

00:19:53.230 --> 00:19:56.730
rates are gonna be. But we don't get noticed as someone

00:19:56.730 --> 00:20:00.470
else mentioned. Different not getting a certain service.

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:03.809
Um like, you know, we don't always get the emails that

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:07.069
they say they're generating. So we need the CPUC

00:20:07.069 --> 00:20:11.690
to investigate the day to day management of SDG&E.

00:20:11.690 --> 00:20:16.549
Before any rate hikes are further approved. We

00:20:16.549 --> 00:20:18.490
need

00:20:18.490 --> 00:20:21.930
um, experiences to be checked so somebody knows what's

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:26.650
going on. Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller

00:20:26.650 --> 00:20:30.609
please.

00:20:30.609 --> 00:20:35.569
Our next caller is Shu Cheng, you may go ahead. I'm calling

00:20:35.569 --> 00:20:40.920
because I received my gas bill for um, January and saw

00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:46.680
that it was incredibly high. And I'm not turning the

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:50.059
heat on because I can't really afford to have my utilities

00:20:50.069 --> 00:20:55.710
um, over a certain rate. And I was hoping that somehow

00:20:55.710 --> 00:20:59.420
we would be able to make energy more affordable during

00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:03.079
times when it's really cold. Because houses in L. A.

00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:06.490
aren't really built to insulate during weather like

00:21:06.490 --> 00:21:09.519
this. Um, I also think it's really important for us

00:21:09.529 --> 00:21:14.069
to take the to um, help people who really need it. And may

00:21:14.069 --> 00:21:19.880
not be able to um, get other benefits. Thank you. Thank

00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:24.809
you. Operator, next caller please. Our next caller is

00:21:24.809 --> 00:21:29.079
Ruth Myers Porter, you may go ahead. Hi, can you hear

00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:33.029
me? Yes, we can. Good morning. My name is Ruth Myers

00:21:33.029 --> 00:21:36.710
Porter. I'm just calling on every utility. Um, they're

00:21:36.710 --> 00:21:39.130
saying that our bills, our water bills are up because

00:21:39.130 --> 00:21:41.799
we're in a drought. It's raining consistently. SoCal

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.470
Gas. We were paying $30 in our house and we're now

00:21:44.470 --> 00:21:49.089
paying $400. My wife has had ovarian cancer. I found

00:21:49.089 --> 00:21:51.890
a medical baseline allowance application that I'm currently

00:21:51.890 --> 00:21:55.839
filling out. But it shouldn't take, we we've done everything

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:58.150
right. We have three advanced degrees, we go to work,

00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:01.980
we do everything right. And we're, we have allegedly

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:05.140
good health insurance. But my wife needs this, right?

00:22:05.150 --> 00:22:07.769
We can't afford $400 when our deductible just went

00:22:07.769 --> 00:22:11.799
up. She's taking a drug that she needs to live at $15,000

00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:14.839
a month. And you want to charge me $4,000 for gas and

00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:17.190
you want to play lip service to Black History Month.

00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:20.410
The people of color, queer people, women, we cannot

00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:26.759
afford to be un, I just, I can't speak clearly. I cannot

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:29.339
afford this. We cannot afford this. I'm filling out

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:31.720
a medical base on an allowance application. Anyone

00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.420
else on this phone, if you have a medical one. They

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:36.890
have every utility company has a medical baseline allowance.

00:22:36.890 --> 00:22:40.640
But you guys gotta do something. You guys are when

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:44.049
you could be driven by humanity and capacity like just

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:46.799
just greed. Just greed because you don't need this

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:49.150
money. You can't take it with you when you die. And

00:22:49.150 --> 00:22:51.579
the only difference between me and you is I know my

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.900
wife's life is hanging in the bridge. But none of us

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:56.539
are guaranteed tomorrow. Please be better. Please give

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:59.339
us a break. Because this is unacceptable on every utility

00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:02.009
for the skyrocket like this. With no notification and

00:23:02.009 --> 00:23:04.380
the buck to be passed. And Gavin Newsom, I worked in

00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:07.089
your office when it was you versus Wendy Greuel. Whomever

00:23:07.089 --> 00:23:09.009
is the new Commissioner. Please holler at your guy and

00:23:09.009 --> 00:23:13.269
tell him to release a statement. Thank you. Thank you.

00:23:13.430 --> 00:23:17.309
Operator, next caller please.

00:23:17.309 --> 00:23:20.029
Our next caller is Karen Spruill, you may go ahead.

00:23:21.069 --> 00:23:24.529
Hi, yeah. I'm Karen Spruill, I'm a private citizen. I'm a customer

00:23:24.529 --> 00:23:27.490
of Southern California Gas and I share everybody's

00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:30.950
outrage about the exorbitant rise with very little

00:23:30.950 --> 00:23:36.430
warning. And no justification really. Um, I wrote

00:23:36.430 --> 00:23:38.900
to the your Commission and I received a letter that

00:23:38.910 --> 00:23:43.140
said I should call into this meeting. And that the national

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:46.430
gas prices are passed directly. The cost is directly

00:23:46.430 --> 00:23:49.500
passed to the customer and that your Commission does

00:23:49.509 --> 00:23:54.619
not regulate um, gas prices of producers, but who does?

00:23:54.630 --> 00:23:57.960
And why is it okay for the rates to go up so

00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:01.569
high with no oversight? And why do these companies

00:24:01.569 --> 00:24:04.589
not have to trim their own budget? Why is it directly passed

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:08.650
to the customers? I live on Social Security and a $200

00:24:08.650 --> 00:24:12.180
increase totally blows my budget too. And

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:15.140
I don't qualify for the special rates. 20% is less

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:18.880
than 100% increase that just happened. I have a disabled

00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.849
son living with me, but he's because of his disability

00:24:21.849 --> 00:24:24.829
payments. I don't qualify because disability payments

00:24:24.829 --> 00:24:28.650
count as income on the.

00:24:28.650 --> 00:24:32.569
So that's, that's it. I think, I think you guys really

00:24:32.569 --> 00:24:35.420
need to pay attention to these price increases to the

00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:39.380
cost. And do something about it because we are truly

00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:42.450
suffering. We are suffering from this. And, and people

00:24:42.450 --> 00:24:45.289
that are not capable like you sort of hidden this whole

00:24:45.289 --> 00:24:47.690
meeting. It was hard for me to find where to go to

00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:50.799
attend this meeting. I don't think the general public

00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.859
is easily attending something like this. They're not

00:24:52.869 --> 00:24:56.559
able to express to you, you are not aware of how many

00:24:56.559 --> 00:25:00.279
people are suffering from this increase. I kept my,

00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:04.160
I'm keeping my gas my heat down and it's freezing. And

00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.980
it's not fair. I see these contrite letters from the

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:10.970
gas company, um put on extra jacket in your house or

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:14.220
lower your water. I mean that's, that's totally

00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:17.569
outrageous. We put on extra jackets in our home and

00:25:17.569 --> 00:25:21.740
we, we are using less of whatever we can. And it's

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:24.579
still not enough. And I'm also somebody like one of

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:28.829
the previous callers, worked my whole life. And I did

00:25:28.829 --> 00:25:31.890
not ask for this situation. You really have to help

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:35.700
the citizens of California and managing the utilities.

00:25:35.710 --> 00:25:39.730
You need to help control the increases in the cost.

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:44.319
This isn't fair. Thank you very much. Thank you. Operator,

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:47.809
your next caller please.

00:25:47.809 --> 00:25:49.890
And before we go to the next caller, if you wish to

00:25:49.890 --> 00:25:52.720
speak during the public comment period. Please press *1,

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:55.559
unmute your phone, and clearly state your first

00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:58.890
and last name slowly and clearly when prompted. Our

00:25:58.890 --> 00:26:02.769
next caller is Kate Mulligan, you may go ahead. Hello.

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:05.640
My name is Kate Mulligan and I am a Monterey resident.

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:09.880
Regarding Cal Am. No one really knows what the Cal Am

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:12.319
project might cost today because they're not telling

00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:16.799
us, but they need more. What authority would agree to

00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:21.950
that? Cal Am is holding us all hostage. We need a backbone

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:26.069
and you need to be it. We need the public to be

00:26:26.069 --> 00:26:28.589
in the deciding department to eliminate this public

00:26:28.589 --> 00:26:33.299
mistreatment from Cal Am. And I suggest that some residents

00:26:33.309 --> 00:26:38.440
are put on the Board. To stop the bending over backwards

00:26:38.829 --> 00:26:42.440
towards Cal Am, for some odd reason. The Pure Monterey

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:45.490
Water Project is approved. Cal Am needs to sign the

00:26:45.490 --> 00:26:49.779
Water Purchase Agreement or suffer some consequences.

00:26:49.789 --> 00:26:53.819
De genie rate increase also is to pay for their liability

00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:56.980
from the inattention to maintenance during the fire

00:26:56.980 --> 00:27:01.089
season. Haven't we paid enough?

00:27:01.089 --> 00:27:05.220
Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:27:08.410 --> 00:27:13.420
Our next caller is Mark Austin, you may go ahead.

00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:16.819
Hi, my name is Mark. I'm from Pasadena, California.

00:27:16.829 --> 00:27:20.890
I have two points. One, obviously the gas rate hikes

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:24.059
are ridiculous. The excuse from the gas company Southern

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:29.140
California Gas is a lack of pipes and the war in Russia.

00:27:29.150 --> 00:27:32.099
That is unacceptable, they need to be investigated.

00:27:32.109 --> 00:27:35.430
Why? I'm sure in about a month or two they're gonna

00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:39.589
claim record profits. Why isn't that money being invested

00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:42.160
infrastructure to prevent this from happening next

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:45.759
Winter, and the Winter after that. Uh, second point is

00:27:45.769 --> 00:27:50.190
the CPUC needs to get back to finding subsidies for

00:27:50.190 --> 00:27:54.480
solar. What happened to pushing the California in the

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:58.819
green energy direction? The State needs to push forward

00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:02.529
into the future and not return back to the past. And

00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:05.789
in end us in climate disaster, if we're not careful.

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:10.109
The CPUC has been cowardly with the electric companies

00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:13.829
in the past 10 years. And the CPUC has been cowardly

00:28:13.829 --> 00:28:17.589
with all utilities frankly. So the California voters

00:28:17.589 --> 00:28:21.500
are watching, we are ready,

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:24.029
and we're listening, and we're waiting for answers.

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:29.279
So the CPUC needs to do action now, immediately. Thank

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:34.650
you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:28:34.650 --> 00:28:37.369
Our next caller is Justine Schmidt, you may go ahead.

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:42.940
Hi. I'm also calling about the outrageous rate hikes.

00:28:42.950 --> 00:28:49.009
Last January, my gas bill was $88. Today, I got a gas

00:28:49.009 --> 00:28:53.559
bill of $550. There was no notification. There was

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:57.589
a little blurb in the, in the online about the fact

00:28:57.589 --> 00:29:01.349
that our gas prices were going up. Look, I have neighbors

00:29:01.349 --> 00:29:05.579
who do not have computers. Who do not have any, cannot

00:29:05.589 --> 00:29:10.420
pay this uh, rate hike. They're getting $500, $800.

00:29:10.430 --> 00:29:14.980
They don't have the money to pay. If this is a public

00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:18.660
utility, you should not have to have a computer in

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:22.000
order to get in touch with the gas company. To tell

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:24.640
them that you cannot pay and you need to get on some

00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:28.509
sort of rate. Some sort of, uh to figure out how to

00:29:28.509 --> 00:29:33.059
pay it. I tried to call the gas company. I was on

00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:37.549
hold for an hour and a half. Okay. So you finally hang

00:29:37.549 --> 00:29:39.680
up and you realize you have to go to the computer.

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:43.569
But they don't really give you any real good ways in

00:29:43.569 --> 00:29:49.190
order to figure this out. I think the gas company needs

00:29:49.190 --> 00:29:52.410
to be investigated, and I think that there is some fishy

00:29:52.410 --> 00:29:57.460
stuff going on. Because you don't just roll out a gas

00:29:57.470 --> 00:30:04.730
bill, but it's just outrageous. That's it.

00:30:04.730 --> 00:30:09.160
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:11.180
And again before we go to the next caller, if you

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:13.799
wish to speak during the public comment period. Please

00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:16.950
press *1, unmute your phone, and record your name

00:30:16.970 --> 00:30:20.319
slowly and clearly. Our next caller is Shane McCool,

00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:24.990
you may go ahead. Hi. It's 61 degrees in my house right

00:30:24.990 --> 00:30:28.279
now. I am wearing three layers and a beanie, but I have

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.730
a good feeling that you all get to be warm in your

00:30:30.730 --> 00:30:34.470
home Board. What are you going to do about this? From

00:30:34.470 --> 00:30:37.450
what I read and from your own CPUC employee

00:30:37.450 --> 00:30:41.009
when I called. You approved the rate hikes SDG&E,

00:30:41.009 --> 00:30:45.160
PG&E, SoCal Edison wanted. How about a no, to

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:48.720
them. Treat them like teenagers. Why would you allow

00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:52.049
for the people who fund your paychecks to be constantly

00:30:52.049 --> 00:30:56.009
cold in their own homes? You have allowed price gouging.

00:30:56.019 --> 00:31:00.430
You all are required to allow for safe, clean, and affordable,

00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:03.660
affordable utility services. That's on your own website.

00:31:03.670 --> 00:31:07.029
This is not affordable. For you, making six figures

00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:10.569
it is, and bonuses it is but not us. For everyone else

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:13.559
listening like me shivering in your own home. We need

00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:16.509
to file a class action suit against this Board and

00:31:16.509 --> 00:31:20.630
the CPUC. Besides all this, I'm wondering if

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:23.829
you Commissioners are making money off of energy stocks

00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:27.119
that should be made of. Remember while you bathe in

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:32.950
corruption. How do you sleep at night?

00:31:32.950 --> 00:31:37.900
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:41.849
Next caller is Heather Brown, you may go ahead.

00:31:41.849 --> 00:31:45.650
Good morning. I've been listening now for, since this

00:31:45.650 --> 00:31:49.930
meeting started. Um, I am certified water analyst but

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:53.549
I broke my neck so I am currently disabled. My gas

00:31:53.549 --> 00:31:57.660
bill is outrageous. The problem is, let's just call

00:31:57.670 --> 00:32:01.299
you know, call this what it is money. The corruption

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:04.329
level of California has reached an all time high. That's

00:32:04.329 --> 00:32:08.220
why everyone's moving out. But if you people think

00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:12.940
that you're going to get away with taking money from

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:16.210
people that are disabled and they can't afford it. Right

00:32:16.210 --> 00:32:19.880
back at you 10 times. Hope you feel the pain because

00:32:19.890 --> 00:32:24.200
this is not gonna go away. Your decisions you make

00:32:24.210 --> 00:32:28.410
today will haunt you for the rest of your life. If

00:32:28.410 --> 00:32:32.829
you don't do something to stand up for the common folk.

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:36.160
For the people that are citizens, you need to stand

00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:39.650
up to the gas company. Now, I have dealt with them

00:32:39.650 --> 00:32:43.359
for 30 years where I live. They tell you one thing

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:46.779
and they never keep their word. So unless you get it

00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:50.690
in writing and make it transparent for all to see.

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:53.700
I don't know, maybe have us decide whether they can

00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:57.390
really, you know raked up their, their uh, you know

00:32:57.400 --> 00:33:00.789
payments. Maybe you should let the citizens decide

00:33:00.789 --> 00:33:06.769
how much they can get. Because this is bilking us again

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:11.769
for things that they don't give a darn about. Okay.

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:18.190
Make your decision wisely. Thank you. Thank you. Operator,

00:33:18.190 --> 00:33:22.599
next caller please. Our next caller is Justin Crumley,

00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:25.799
you may go ahead.

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:28.289
Yes. This is a theme that we're gonna be hearing probably

00:33:28.289 --> 00:33:34.089
from a lot of citizens. Our bill went up 300%, and while

00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:36.420
it is a big hit to our wallet. There are people out

00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:40.460
there that are really struggling. (inaudible) percent over three

00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:45.240
years. And now you're talking about 300% rise in gas

00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:49.630
prices from SDG&E. This is unconscionable. How

00:33:49.630 --> 00:33:53.049
can we let this go on, when they have somewhat of a

00:33:53.049 --> 00:33:56.359
monopoly on the Southern California market? There has

00:33:56.369 --> 00:33:59.660
to be some sort of formula or business model that hedges

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:02.190
against these types of inflation or these types of

00:34:02.190 --> 00:34:06.480
fluctuations in the natural gas market. And so if you're

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:09.360
not going to do something about that, everybody is

00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:12.639
going to be held to the whims of this company or these

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:15.170
companies. That have a monopoly and they can charge

00:34:15.170 --> 00:34:17.590
people whatever they want. And one of the callers said

00:34:17.590 --> 00:34:20.110
it perfectly. They're going to state that they have

00:34:20.110 --> 00:34:24.389
record profits. We cannot allow these people to have record

00:34:24.389 --> 00:34:27.190
profits while they're gouging the little people. And

00:34:27.190 --> 00:34:31.190
paint, making us pay 300% of what we should be paying

00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:35.119
or normally pay. There's a just flatten that curve.

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:42.809
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:34:42.809 --> 00:34:44.900
And again before we go to the next caller, if you would

00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:48.199
like to make a comment. Please press *1, unmute

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:50.880
your phone, and clearly state your first and last name.

00:34:51.469 --> 00:34:54.130
Our next caller is Jennifer Haydu, you may go ahead.

00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:03.349
Again, Jennifer Haydu your line is open. We're not

00:35:03.349 --> 00:35:08.940
able to hear you. Can you hear me now? Yes, we can.

00:35:08.949 --> 00:35:12.590
Great. Uh, this is Jennifer Haydu, I am a ratepayer

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:17.059
of Cal Am and a resident of Monterey. Um, I'm calling

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:20.380
to echo some of the other comments that you've already

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:23.880
heard today. And to compel, to ask you to compel Cal Am

00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:26.440
to sign the Water Purchase Agreement for the expansion

00:35:26.449 --> 00:35:30.929
of the Pure Water Recycled Project. Cal Am keeps moving

00:35:30.929 --> 00:35:34.570
the goal post on this. Um and they keep saying that

00:35:34.570 --> 00:35:37.829
they want to incorporate recycled water as part of

00:35:37.829 --> 00:35:40.679
their three legged stool. That was their argument in

00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:43.139
front of the Coastal Commission. When they argued for

00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:46.500
approval of their desal project. They said that recycled

00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:51.789
water was a critical and specific part of their plans.

00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:55.599
But then after they got approved for the desal project

00:35:55.610 --> 00:35:59.969
they decided to refuse to sign the Purchase Agreement.

00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:02.639
But what that tells me and a lot of other ratepayers

00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:05.590
is that this negotiation is not being done honestly.

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:08.980
And if Cal Am is willing to negotiate in bad faith

00:36:08.989 --> 00:36:12.659
in order to extract the maximum amount of profits we

00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:15.090
really need the CPUC, to step in and do

00:36:15.090 --> 00:36:20.880
their job. Given them of this issue as water is a basic

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:23.860
human right. The CPUC needs to see what's really going

00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:29.659
on and compel Cal Am to be an honest broker on the Peninsula.

00:36:29.670 --> 00:36:33.780
Thank you. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:36:37.070 --> 00:36:47.750
Our next caller is James Polk, you may go ahead.

00:36:47.750 --> 00:36:49.789
Again, James Pope were not able to hear you. Please check

00:36:49.789 --> 00:36:56.460
your mute button. I'm here. Hello? Yes, we can

00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:58.780
hear you.

00:36:58.780 --> 00:37:02.619
Hi, is this the, I'm calling about the rate hikes for

00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:08.239
the um gas. I was wondering how is it possible that

00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:12.409
we're getting such a high rate price, rate raise. When

00:37:12.409 --> 00:37:15.420
the price of gas has actually gone down by almost 50%.

00:37:23.130 --> 00:37:30.829
Looking for an answer.

00:37:30.829 --> 00:37:32.849
Thank you for your comment. Do you have any further

00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:39.280
comments? Oh.

00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:42.469
And it looks so it disconnected. Okay, thank you. Operator,

00:37:42.469 --> 00:37:44.949
your next caller please.

00:37:44.949 --> 00:37:47.159
We have no additional callers at this time. But again,

00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:49.409
if you would like to make a comment. Please press *1,

00:37:49.409 --> 00:37:52.320
unmute your phone, and record your first and last

00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:56.019
name slowly and clearly. Okay, we'll pause for a minute

00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:58.320
to see if there is anyone else who needs to get in

00:37:58.320 --> 00:38:13.769
the queue.

00:38:13.769 --> 00:38:16.250
Our next caller is Mary Robinson, you may go ahead.

00:38:16.250 --> 00:38:22.110
Yes, I'm Mary Robinson. Um, I am a Senior Citizen,

00:38:22.110 --> 00:38:26.630
the temperature in my house right now is 48°. Because

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:32.670
of a $600 bill that I received on a limited budget.

00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:37.000
I've had to turn the heat off. I'm not drying my clothes

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:41.119
in the dryer. I'm not taking a shower every day and

00:38:41.119 --> 00:38:45.829
I'm not using the oven. Um, it's outrageous. My neighbors

00:38:45.829 --> 00:38:49.889
are also suffering in the same way. Something has to

00:38:49.889 --> 00:38:53.889
be done. I think the previous callers have all stated

00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:58.489
the overall realities and now we leave it to you. Something

00:38:58.500 --> 00:39:03.480
has to be done. This is so wrong, so outrageous that

00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:07.099
we have to live in our homes, as if we're camping out.

00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:10.139
Thank you.

00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:14.650
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:39:14.650 --> 00:39:16.559
And I have no additional callers at this time. But

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:18.880
again, that is *1, if you would like to make

00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:42.690
a comment.

00:39:42.690 --> 00:39:46.960
Our next caller is Jay Pope, you may go ahead. Yeah,

00:39:46.969 --> 00:39:50.519
my concern is with these rate hikes as high as they

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:53.570
are. I'm trying to find the justification. When I went

00:39:53.570 --> 00:39:57.820
and did some research. It appears as though the price

00:39:57.820 --> 00:40:02.489
of natural gas has actually been going down since July.

00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:05.809
So I'm trying to find the justification for such an

00:40:05.809 --> 00:40:10.440
extreme hike and it seems like there's no rhyme or

00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:14.070
reason to it. And on top of that, like I was out

00:40:14.070 --> 00:40:18.719
of town for almost the last month. And yet my bill

00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:22.380
went from a normal of about $100 at this time of year. To

00:40:22.389 --> 00:40:26.210
over $300, even though I wasn't using any of the utilities.

00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:31.130
So are you guys not checking meters? Is this just random?

00:40:31.130 --> 00:40:33.909
Is this just, just pure extortion? Is this part of the plan

00:40:33.909 --> 00:40:38.219
to try and outlaw natural gas appliances, which are

00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:41.570
far more efficient and clean than electric? Um, this

00:40:41.570 --> 00:40:44.269
is just something needs to be done. Somebody needs

00:40:44.269 --> 00:40:46.849
to be held accountable, because this is just straight

00:40:46.849 --> 00:40:49.969
out theft.

00:40:49.969 --> 00:40:56.239
Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:40:56.239 --> 00:40:58.050
And we have no additional callers at this time. But

00:40:58.050 --> 00:40:59.789
again, that is *1, if you would like to make

00:40:59.789 --> 00:41:03.889
a comment. Okay, we'll pause one more time. Thanks Operator.

00:41:19.289 --> 00:41:23.789
Our next caller is Kelly Brown, you may go ahead.

00:41:23.789 --> 00:41:26.679
Hi there. I'm a resident of Los Angeles. I have a one

00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:31.369
bedroom house and our bill was $500 last month. My parents

00:41:31.369 --> 00:41:35.309
have a three bedroom home in Pasadena. It was $2400

00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:38.800
for gas. This is very inhumane. I don't know what they're

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:41.309
doing. I feel like they're playing all of us. Nothing

00:41:41.309 --> 00:41:44.789
has changed. Um, they have a monopoly on the system

00:41:44.789 --> 00:41:47.599
and I would just really, really encourage you guys

00:41:47.610 --> 00:41:49.769
to step up to them. Thank you so much for all you

00:41:49.769 --> 00:41:56.710
do. Thank you. Operator, next caller please.

00:41:56.710 --> 00:41:58.650
And President Reynolds at this time we have no additional

00:41:58.650 --> 00:42:01.780
callers on the public comment telephone line. Okay,

00:42:01.780 --> 00:42:04.940
thank you Operator. With no more callers on the line,

00:42:04.949 --> 00:42:09.360
the public comment period is now closed.

00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:13.420
I will now turn to today's Public Agenda and I'll start

00:42:13.429 --> 00:42:20.780
with the following changes to the Agenda. Items 3, 5, 6, 9

00:42:20.789 --> 00:42:26.429
and 25 are held to the February 23, 2023 Voting Meeting.

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:31.969
Item 8 is held to the March 16, 2023 Voting Meeting,

00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:37.510
and Item 2 is held to the April 6, 2023 Voting Meeting.

00:42:38.079 --> 00:42:43.940
Item 24 has been moved to the Regular Agenda.

00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:47.989
We will now take up the consent items. I'd like to

00:42:47.989 --> 00:42:55.989
ask for a motion on the consent items. I'll move to consent.

00:42:55.989 --> 00:42:58.900
Motion from Commissioner Shiroma. Do we have a second?

00:42:59.690 --> 00:43:03.469
I'll second. Second from Commissioner Houck. Agenda Clerk,

00:43:03.469 --> 00:43:07.050
could you please call the roll? Commissioner Douglas?

00:43:09.159 --> 00:43:13.019
Aye. Commissioner John Reynolds?

00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:20.719
Yes. Commissioner Houck? Yes. Commissioner Shiroma? Aye.

00:43:22.079 --> 00:43:28.500
President Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote is 5-0. The Consent

00:43:28.510 --> 00:43:31.789
Agenda items have been approved. We'll now move to

00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:37.480
item 24 on the Regular Agenda. Item 24 is a decision

00:43:37.489 --> 00:43:41.039
on an order instituting rulemaking to address utility

00:43:41.039 --> 00:43:44.360
costs and revenue issues associated with greenhouse gas

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:48.190
emissions. Commissioner Houck, I turn to you to present

00:43:48.190 --> 00:43:51.150
this item.

00:43:51.150 --> 00:43:54.510
Thank you, President Reynolds. In late December, gas

00:43:54.510 --> 00:43:58.219
prices rose significantly. Uh, well above the historic prices

00:43:58.230 --> 00:44:01.440
for this time of year. Uh, as was noted by many of our

00:44:01.449 --> 00:44:05.429
public commenters today. Because these costs are passed

00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:08.690
through directly to consumers. Utilities projected

00:44:08.690 --> 00:44:12.469
massive increases in energy bills. In response, the California

00:44:12.469 --> 00:44:15.440
Public Utilities Commission's Public Advocate's Office

00:44:15.449 --> 00:44:18.210
filed an emergency motion asking the Commission to

00:44:18.210 --> 00:44:21.650
blunt the impact of this massive price and spike on

00:44:21.650 --> 00:44:25.190
customers. One of Cal advocates recommendations was

00:44:25.199 --> 00:44:29.670
to accelerate the semi-annual climate credit that customers

00:44:29.670 --> 00:44:32.440
receive on their bills. The climate credit comes from

00:44:32.440 --> 00:44:35.579
the California Air Resources Board's Cap-and-Trade Program.

00:44:35.579 --> 00:44:38.980
And approximate the cost that residential and commercial

00:44:38.980 --> 00:44:42.380
customers pay into the program each year. Typically

00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:45.449
this credit arrives in April, but accelerating the credit

00:44:45.449 --> 00:44:48.260
could provide some limited relief to customers sooner.

00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:51.869
This proposed decision before us today, orders the utilities

00:44:51.880 --> 00:44:54.429
to accelerate delivery of the climate credit in an

00:44:54.440 --> 00:44:57.010
effort to reduce the bill impacts from the December

00:44:57.010 --> 00:45:00.670
price sites and natural gas. Residential customers who

00:45:00.670 --> 00:45:03.619
receive both the electric and gas credit. Can expect

00:45:03.630 --> 00:45:07.260
between $90 and $120 credit on their bills during the

00:45:07.260 --> 00:45:10.579
month the climate credit is applied. The proposed decision

00:45:10.579 --> 00:45:13.769
was prepared on an expedited basis. Reflecting the rapid

00:45:13.769 --> 00:45:16.940
and urgent efforts of the PUC Staff and the party to

00:45:16.940 --> 00:45:19.619
provide a valuable comments on the proposed decision

00:45:19.619 --> 00:45:23.480
in an expedited timeframe. I want to recognize and thank

00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:26.130
our PUC Staff for their excellent work, while working

00:45:26.130 --> 00:45:28.829
under time pressure to get this cd out the door and

00:45:28.829 --> 00:45:31.889
onto the Voting Meeting Agenda. I'd like to thank the

00:45:31.889 --> 00:45:34.460
many Staff who worked extra hours to get this rate

00:45:34.460 --> 00:45:37.650
released to customers. And forgive me if I miss anyone

00:45:37.650 --> 00:45:40.619
as I know that there was a great effort by many people.

00:45:40.630 --> 00:45:45.570
Specifically, I'd like to thank Adam Banorjorgic, um Cheryl

00:45:45.570 --> 00:45:49.949
Cox, Kristin Rounds, ALJ Stevens, ALJ Doherty, Director

00:45:49.949 --> 00:45:53.480
Leuwam Tesfai, Deputy Director Simon Baker. My Bagley-Keene

00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:56.230
partner, President Reynolds, her Chief of Staff

00:45:56.239 --> 00:46:00.090
Kerry Fleisher, Teresa Buckley in the Legal Division.

00:46:00.099 --> 00:46:03.380
Adam Buchholz, my Energy Adviser, Karin Sung, my Chief

00:46:03.380 --> 00:46:06.769
of Staff, Natalie Davis. As well as other members of

00:46:06.769 --> 00:46:09.570
our team and Staff. And again, I know this was a team

00:46:09.570 --> 00:46:11.750
effort and I may be missing some people. But want to

00:46:11.760 --> 00:46:14.539
thank everyone for their dedication and excellent work.

00:46:14.539 --> 00:46:17.829
In getting this out as quickly as possible, and that

00:46:17.829 --> 00:46:20.539
these comments will be supporting today's decision.

00:46:22.650 --> 00:46:25.710
Thank you Commissioner Houck. I will also be supporting

00:46:25.719 --> 00:46:29.070
this very timely proposed decision. As Commissioner

00:46:29.070 --> 00:46:31.820
Houck made clear, California residents and businesses

00:46:31.820 --> 00:46:34.590
have been hit with unsustainably high energy bills

00:46:34.599 --> 00:46:38.260
this Winter. Due to a surge in natural gas prices throughout

00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:41.570
the West. And these prices are set by regional energy

00:46:41.579 --> 00:46:45.639
markets. We've heard from many commenters today about

00:46:45.639 --> 00:46:48.550
this issue. And it's very concerning that so many customers

00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:52.119
are struggling to pay their bills and we hear you that

00:46:52.130 --> 00:46:55.139
immediate relief is needed. As Commissioner Houck noted,

00:46:55.139 --> 00:46:59.400
the proposed decision will advance a $90 to $100 bill

00:46:59.400 --> 00:47:03.900
credit, as soon as possible. For customers of PG&E,

00:47:03.909 --> 00:47:06.659
Southern California Edison, SDG&E, and SoCal

00:47:06.659 --> 00:47:10.480
Gas customers. Bear Valley, Specific Core, Liberty and

00:47:10.480 --> 00:47:13.000
Southwest customers were also received a bill credit,

00:47:13.000 --> 00:47:18.909
as soon as possible. Um, I'd also like to note that

00:47:18.920 --> 00:47:23.530
um, we understand that this credit is not enough to

00:47:23.530 --> 00:47:26.880
mitigate the current situation with the natural gas

00:47:26.889 --> 00:47:31.469
price spike. And I wanted to note um, that each utility

00:47:31.469 --> 00:47:34.960
has resources for customers to provide additional support.

00:47:35.280 --> 00:47:37.849
Um, I'll also note that you can visit the utility's

00:47:37.849 --> 00:47:40.820
website or call them to enroll in discounted billing

00:47:40.820 --> 00:47:44.079
programs. Find information on how to conserve natural

00:47:44.079 --> 00:47:47.369
gas and reduce your bills, sign up for bill forecasting

00:47:47.369 --> 00:47:50.929
tools. And income qualified SoCalGas customers

00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:55.570
may also be eligible for a one time $100 bill credit

00:47:55.579 --> 00:48:00.099
from an assistance fund. And while the proposed decision

00:48:00.099 --> 00:48:02.840
and accelerated climate credit will provide immediate

00:48:02.840 --> 00:48:05.550
relief to customers. It's not intended to be a long

00:48:05.550 --> 00:48:08.800
term solution, and in fact, it's not a long term solution.

00:48:08.809 --> 00:48:11.519
To the turn that we're seeing around volatile natural

00:48:11.519 --> 00:48:15.760
gas prices. And that's why we're also taking other actions

00:48:15.769 --> 00:48:19.480
to get to the bottom of the causes behind the recent

00:48:19.489 --> 00:48:23.920
price spikes. The CPUC, in coordination with the California

00:48:23.929 --> 00:48:26.579
Energy Commission, and the California Independent System

00:48:26.579 --> 00:48:30.340
Operator will be hosting an En Banc meeting next Tuesday.

00:48:30.349 --> 00:48:34.320
To examine all the possible drivers behind these unusually

00:48:34.329 --> 00:48:37.570
high natural gas prices. Which are not just impacting

00:48:37.570 --> 00:48:41.829
California, but other Western states as well. And

00:48:41.829 --> 00:48:45.230
while the CPUC does not regulate the price of natural

00:48:45.230 --> 00:48:48.949
gas or natural gas producers. Since this issue has

00:48:48.960 --> 00:48:52.500
such a direct impact on California ratepayers, we feel

00:48:52.500 --> 00:48:55.170
a responsibility to shine a spotlight on the issue

00:48:55.170 --> 00:48:59.420
through this Public En Banc. We know that exceptionally

00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:02.630
cold weather early in the Winter season is playing

00:49:02.630 --> 00:49:05.760
a role here. As well as outages on multiple interstate

00:49:05.760 --> 00:49:09.929
pipelines and limitations to natural gas storage. The

00:49:09.929 --> 00:49:13.289
En Banc will convene market experts, regulators and ratepayer

00:49:13.300 --> 00:49:16.199
advocates to dig into these known factors. But also

00:49:16.199 --> 00:49:20.019
to examine other potential drivers behind the unprecedented

00:49:20.019 --> 00:49:22.989
trend in high natural gas prices in California and

00:49:22.989 --> 00:49:27.130
across the Western states. I encourage, encourage everyone

00:49:27.139 --> 00:49:32.210
to attend to listen in. I also want to echo Commissioner Houck's thanks

00:49:32.219 --> 00:49:36.170
with respect to the current P.D. I'd like to thank

00:49:36.170 --> 00:49:39.619
in particular Judge, Judge Doherty and Judge Wong. For

00:49:39.619 --> 00:49:42.889
their speedy and yet thorough as always drafting of the

00:49:42.889 --> 00:49:46.820
proposed decision. And I also want to thank um, Adam

00:49:46.969 --> 00:49:50.659
Muzak and Cheryl Cox in the Energy Division for their 

00:49:50.659 --> 00:49:53.139
support. And I would also like to thank my Bagley-Keene

00:49:53.139 --> 00:49:57.769
partner, Commissioner Houck and her Adviser Adam Buchholz. Um, for

00:49:57.769 --> 00:50:01.070
their swift attention and for Commissioner Houck's leadership

00:50:01.079 --> 00:50:04.380
on this critical issue. With that, I'll turn to other

00:50:04.380 --> 00:50:09.389
Commissioners to comment.

00:50:09.389 --> 00:50:12.769
Commissioner Shiroma.

00:50:12.769 --> 00:50:17.239
Thank you, President Reynolds. I also support this proposed

00:50:17.250 --> 00:50:21.699
decision. Uh, it is important and urgent for the Commission

00:50:21.699 --> 00:50:25.940
to take this action today. To reduce customer bills

00:50:25.949 --> 00:50:30.429
especially (inaudible) customers. I think it's also important

00:50:30.440 --> 00:50:34.809
that focus going forward, includes a means to inform

00:50:34.809 --> 00:50:39.880
customers in advance, if at all possible. About gas efficiency,

00:50:39.900 --> 00:50:45.150
impacts about gas prices, about gas efficiency measures,

00:50:45.150 --> 00:50:48.630
as well as discount programs that are available for

00:50:48.630 --> 00:50:53.130
low income customers. As well as plans towards further

00:50:53.139 --> 00:50:57.730
easing of bills. Thank you Commissioner Houck. Thank

00:50:57.730 --> 00:51:01.699
you, President Reynolds for the leadership on this proposed

00:51:01.699 --> 00:51:05.389
decision. Thank you to the Judges, the Energy Division team,

00:51:05.400 --> 00:51:07.920
and all the folks who helped make this happen and very

00:51:07.920 --> 00:51:12.269
quickly. Uh, I stand support. Thank you. Thank you

00:51:12.269 --> 00:51:14.650
Commissioner Shiroma. I'll go next to Commissioner Reynolds.

00:51:17.900 --> 00:51:21.710
Thank you President Reynolds. I concur with my colleagues

00:51:21.719 --> 00:51:23.940
that this is a necessary action for the Commission

00:51:23.940 --> 00:51:27.659
to take to help protect customers. But I recognize

00:51:27.670 --> 00:51:30.340
that it is not sufficient to fully mitigate the bills

00:51:30.349 --> 00:51:33.639
Californians are seeing. I want to thank Commissioner Houck

00:51:33.880 --> 00:51:36.179
for her leadership and acting very swiftly in this

00:51:36.179 --> 00:51:39.460
proceeding. To provide support for Californians who

00:51:39.460 --> 00:51:42.340
have received shockingly high bills in January, due

00:51:42.340 --> 00:51:45.969
to the natural gas price spikes.

00:51:45.969 --> 00:51:48.769
As my colleagues have mentioned, natural gas is a global

00:51:48.769 --> 00:51:52.230
commodity and prices are impacted by a range of factors.

00:51:52.940 --> 00:51:56.000
Cold weather means we need more gas to heat our homes,

00:51:56.010 --> 00:51:58.670
and the colder temperatures across the West contributed

00:51:58.670 --> 00:52:02.289
to these price increases. Most of the gas we use comes

00:52:02.289 --> 00:52:04.809
from out of state. And as President Reynolds mentioned,

00:52:04.820 --> 00:52:07.699
there are disruptions to interstate pipelines that

00:52:07.699 --> 00:52:10.559
have limited the supply of gas into California, which

00:52:10.559 --> 00:52:14.219
also contributed to the spike.

00:52:14.219 --> 00:52:18.320
Further, additional factors like the increasing demand

00:52:18.329 --> 00:52:21.590
for liquefied natural gas, particularly in Europe is an alternative

00:52:21.599 --> 00:52:24.539
to gas that was historically provided by Russia. With

00:52:24.539 --> 00:52:27.489
additional price pressure on natural gas as a commodity

00:52:27.500 --> 00:52:29.579
is something that we should be paying attention to

00:52:29.579 --> 00:52:32.670
moving forward.

00:52:32.670 --> 00:52:34.869
The bills were seeing reflects the commodity price

00:52:34.869 --> 00:52:37.630
increase, which gas utilities we regulate do not profit

00:52:37.639 --> 00:52:40.960
from. These commodity prices reflect broader market

00:52:40.969 --> 00:52:43.980
forces and the range of services we rely on gas for

00:52:43.980 --> 00:52:47.750
today. Base heating, water heating and power generation

00:52:48.260 --> 00:52:52.530
means the high prices (inaudible) utility bills.

00:52:52.530 --> 00:52:54.920
I think it's notable that the program providing its

00:52:54.920 --> 00:52:58.710
relief from high fossil fuel prices. Is the state's

00:52:58.710 --> 00:53:01.880
program to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

00:53:02.730 --> 00:53:05.039
And if the cap-and-trade auctions continue to see high

00:53:05.039 --> 00:53:08.210
prices over time, the ability for this program to deliver

00:53:08.210 --> 00:53:11.880
benefits (inaudible). That is a success story

00:53:11.889 --> 00:53:15.619
even though the relief here may not fully offset these historic

00:53:15.619 --> 00:53:19.920
natural gas price spikes.

00:53:19.920 --> 00:53:23.260
Big thank you to Staff for moving incredibly quickly

00:53:23.269 --> 00:53:25.909
getting this on the Agenda in just a matter of weeks.

00:53:25.920 --> 00:53:29.949
After we've seen the price spikes that are having such

00:53:29.949 --> 00:53:34.360
expressed impact on customers. Unfortunately, gas utilities

00:53:34.360 --> 00:53:37.190
are reporting that February natural gas prices have

00:53:37.190 --> 00:53:39.679
dropped significantly. And that should be a much lower

00:53:39.679 --> 00:53:43.809
bills next month. So we all recognize the committed

00:53:43.809 --> 00:53:46.610
impact January bills are having on Californian's household

00:53:46.610 --> 00:53:50.320
budgets. I think we should also take this month's bills

00:53:50.329 --> 00:53:52.969
as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting

00:53:52.969 --> 00:53:56.510
ourselves from the price of one commodity. By reducing

00:53:56.510 --> 00:54:00.809
our reliance on gas. Californians need access to improvements

00:54:00.809 --> 00:54:03.239
in technology that will help them get the same energy

00:54:03.239 --> 00:54:06.889
benefits. While using less natural gas to receive them.

00:54:08.000 --> 00:54:10.889
We also really need utilities to improve their communication

00:54:10.889 --> 00:54:13.579
with the customers. Who should not be caught unaware

00:54:13.590 --> 00:54:17.360
of this type of price increase. More proactive communication

00:54:17.360 --> 00:54:19.849
can help customers take action to reduce their bills.

00:54:19.860 --> 00:54:23.389
By turning down, turning down their thermostat, turning

00:54:23.389 --> 00:54:25.630
down their hot water heater and using colder water

00:54:25.630 --> 00:54:28.250
to watch the laundry. I will be supporting this

00:54:28.250 --> 00:54:33.199
item. Thank you so much again to uh, Commissioner Houck for your leadership,

00:54:33.210 --> 00:54:36.429
Staff who have been supporting this, and to my fellow Commissioners.

00:54:38.130 --> 00:54:39.920
Thank you Commissioner Reynolds. I'll now turn to

00:54:39.920 --> 00:54:42.840
Commissioner Douglas.

00:54:42.840 --> 00:54:46.769
Thank you President Reynolds. Um, I'm also in strong

00:54:46.769 --> 00:54:51.400
support of this item and recognize as you and others

00:54:51.400 --> 00:54:55.010
have said. This isn't, this is neither a full

00:54:55.010 --> 00:54:58.710
mitigation of the issue nor a long term solution. But

00:54:58.710 --> 00:55:01.909
it's something we can do now to mitigate the impact

00:55:01.920 --> 00:55:04.909
on customers of these high natural gas prices. And

00:55:04.909 --> 00:55:09.280
I think we clearly need to do it and I really appreciate

00:55:09.280 --> 00:55:14.199
your leadership and Commissioner Houck's. And um, the

00:55:14.210 --> 00:55:17.860
Judge and the Staff just really pulling this item together

00:55:17.860 --> 00:55:21.329
quickly. So that we can move this forward in a timely

00:55:21.329 --> 00:55:25.199
way. I'm very much looking forward to the En Banc where

00:55:25.199 --> 00:55:29.929
we can dig in more. In terms of the cause and impacts,

00:55:29.929 --> 00:55:34.579
and potential strategies to mitigate high natural gas

00:55:34.590 --> 00:55:38.449
prices. And and uh, also electricity market prices that

00:55:38.449 --> 00:55:42.579
are caused by these high natural gas prices. And so,

00:55:42.989 --> 00:55:45.730
I'm very much looking forward to that conversation.

00:55:45.739 --> 00:55:49.260
Really enjoying a lot of the comments of, of all of

00:55:49.260 --> 00:55:54.150
you and look forward to supporting this item.

00:55:54.150 --> 00:55:57.039
All right. Thank you Commissioner Douglas. Um with that,

00:55:57.039 --> 00:56:04.000
I would like to ask for a motion on item 24. 

00:56:04.000 --> 00:56:08.210
So moved. Motion from Commissioner Reynolds. Is there a

00:56:08.210 --> 00:56:10.869
second?

00:56:10.869 --> 00:56:14.369
I'll second. Second from Commissioner Douglas. Agenda

00:56:14.369 --> 00:56:17.119
Clerk, could you please call the roll? Commissioner

00:56:17.119 --> 00:56:19.699
Douglas? Aye.

00:56:19.699 --> 00:56:24.230
Commissioner John Reynolds? Yes. Commissioner Houck?

00:56:25.250 --> 00:56:31.469
Yes. Commissioner Shiroma? Aye. President Alice Reynolds?

00:56:32.329 --> 00:56:38.929
Yes. The vote is 5-0. The item passes. I will now turn

00:56:38.929 --> 00:56:47.530
to item 28, items 28 and 28A. Items 28 and 28A

00:56:47.539 --> 00:56:51.710
relate to the recovery of wildfire mitigation costs

00:56:51.719 --> 00:56:57.369
for Pacific Gas and Electric. Um I will start with

00:56:57.380 --> 00:57:00.769
the presentation of these items and to be clear. Item

00:57:00.769 --> 00:57:04.340
28 is a proposed decision that makes determinations

00:57:04.349 --> 00:57:07.539
regarding the amount to allow PG&E to recover, for

00:57:07.550 --> 00:57:10.659
each expenditure category of costs that PG&E incurred.

00:57:10.670 --> 00:57:14.019
For activities carried out to mitigate wildfire risks

00:57:14.030 --> 00:57:17.869
and respond to certain catastrophic events. Item 28

00:57:17.880 --> 00:57:23.409
closes this proceeding. Item 28A is an alternate proposed

00:57:23.420 --> 00:57:26.250
decision that resolves this proceeding by approving

00:57:26.250 --> 00:57:29.369
a settlement agreement between PG&E, the Public

00:57:29.380 --> 00:57:33.159
Advocate's Office, and the Federal Executive Agencies.

00:57:33.170 --> 00:57:38.500
Item 28A clarifies next steps and closes this proceeding.

00:57:39.079 --> 00:57:43.510
Um, item 28A is my alternate decision and I am asking

00:57:43.510 --> 00:57:48.269
for your support today, for item 28A. To describe a

00:57:48.269 --> 00:57:52.260
little bit of the context for this alternate proposed

00:57:52.269 --> 00:57:56.699
decision. Um, I did want to note that uh, the majority

00:57:56.699 --> 00:57:59.389
of wildfire mitigation costs at issue in this proceeding

00:57:59.389 --> 00:58:04.079
were incurred between 2017 and 2019. I flagged this

00:58:04.090 --> 00:58:07.389
because it was during this time period that our regulatory

00:58:07.389 --> 00:58:11.260
landscape in relation to catastrophic wildfires transitioned.

00:58:11.260 --> 00:58:15.050
To become, to begin an intense focus on increasing utility

00:58:15.050 --> 00:58:18.690
actions and investments to prevent ignitions from utility

00:58:18.690 --> 00:58:22.900
infrastructure. For example, it was in 2018 that our

00:58:22.900 --> 00:58:26.179
Legislature in response to recent catastrophic wildfires

00:58:26.190 --> 00:58:28.739
and the growing threat of future wildfires. Enacted

00:58:28.750 --> 00:58:32.969
Senate Bill 901, which requires utilities like PG&E

00:58:32.969 --> 00:58:36.159
to submit Wildfire Mitigation Plans for review and

00:58:36.159 --> 00:58:40.389
approval. In the next year, the Legislature again took

00:58:40.389 --> 00:58:43.250
up the issue of catastrophic wildfires. Enacting

00:58:43.250 --> 00:58:47.789
AB-1054, for which included new requirements and required

00:58:47.789 --> 00:58:50.800
the utilities to do even more for wildfire mitigation.

00:58:50.809 --> 00:58:53.760
Including actions that go into wildfire mitigation

00:58:53.760 --> 00:58:57.610
plans. Some of the costs at issue in this proceeding

00:58:57.610 --> 00:59:00.860
pertain to activities that were included in PG&E's first

00:59:00.860 --> 00:59:05.760
wildfire mitigation plan under SB 901 in 2019. And reflect

00:59:05.769 --> 00:59:09.460
the urgency of the time. As well as the beginning stages

00:59:09.469 --> 00:59:12.579
of growing maturity of PG&E and other electric IOUs,

00:59:12.579 --> 00:59:16.949
in wildfire mitigation activities. The cost of

00:59:16.960 --> 00:59:20.469
issue in this proceeding, consists of two types of costs.

00:59:20.480 --> 00:59:23.500
Both the wildfire mitigation and catastrophic events

00:59:23.500 --> 00:59:28.139
account include O&M expenses and capital expenditures.

00:59:28.150 --> 00:59:31.969
In this proceeding, when PG&E originally requested

00:59:31.980 --> 00:59:36.030
a total cost recovery of approximately $1.9 billion.

00:59:36.039 --> 00:59:40.789
It claimed that $1.1 billion of the total were reasonably

00:59:40.789 --> 00:59:44.519
and incrementally incurred O&M expenses. And $800

00:59:44.519 --> 00:59:49.610
million of the $1.9 billion dollars total were reasonably

00:59:49.610 --> 00:59:53.639
and experimentally incurred. (inaudible)

00:59:53.639 --> 00:59:55.909
Sorry, I wanna make sure everybody's muted. I'm hearing some

00:59:55.909 --> 00:59:58.670
background noise.

00:59:58.670 --> 00:59:59.159
All right.

00:59:59.159 --> 01:00:02.538
As this proceeding unfolded, several interveners and ratepayer

01:00:02.538 --> 01:00:05.449
advocates participated and contested these claims of

01:00:05.449 --> 01:00:08.838
reasonableness incrementality. Several months

01:00:08.848 --> 01:00:13.299
after evidentiary hearings, uh were held. PG&E, the Public Advocate's

01:00:13.299 --> 01:00:17.009
Office, and the Federal Executive Agencies. Filed a joint

01:00:17.009 --> 01:00:20.069
settlement agreement for our approval. And proposed

01:00:20.069 --> 01:00:23.099
to settle on the basis of a 5 year, year revenue

01:00:23.099 --> 01:00:29.099
requirement. Um, the proposed decision uh, rejects the settlement

01:00:29.099 --> 01:00:32.738
agreement and resolves the proceeding. Um with each,

01:00:32.749 --> 01:00:35.628
considering each individual category of costs, authorizing

01:00:35.628 --> 01:00:39.969
a total cost recovery of approximately $1.2 billion.

01:00:40.509 --> 01:00:44.409
In contrast, the alternative proposed decision approves

01:00:44.418 --> 01:00:48.918
the settlement agreement and clarifies next steps. Pursuant

01:00:48.918 --> 01:00:51.918
to the settlement agreement, the settling parties agree

01:00:51.929 --> 01:00:57.208
that PG&E, can recover approximately $1.037 billion

01:00:57.219 --> 01:01:02.869
in revenue requirement for the 2017-2022 time period.

01:01:02.878 --> 01:01:06.708
This agreed upon total consists of approximately $958

01:01:06.708 --> 01:01:10.128
million of approved O&M expenses, and $79 million in

01:01:10.128 --> 01:01:15.139
approved capital expenditures. This is 81% of PG&E's

01:01:15.148 --> 01:01:20.068
original revenue requirement for the 2017-2022 period.

01:01:20.818 --> 01:01:24.538
Um, as for next step, um according to the terms of the

01:01:24.549 --> 01:01:27.589
settlement agreement. Future revenue requirements associated

01:01:27.589 --> 01:01:30.368
with capital expenditures will be included in future

01:01:30.368 --> 01:01:36.228
GRCs or as authorized. In other words of PG&E's total $1.9

01:01:36.228 --> 01:01:40.329
billion cost request, the settling parties have fully

01:01:40.329 --> 01:01:43.128
resolved the recovery issues around the requested O&M

01:01:43.128 --> 01:01:47.669
expenses, but not the capital expenditures. I believe

01:01:47.669 --> 01:01:51.169
this is a fair and reasonable result. A well respected

01:01:51.169 --> 01:01:53.909
and very skilled ratepayer advocate, The Public Advocate's

01:01:53.909 --> 01:01:56.559
Office is party to the settlement agreement. And the

01:01:56.568 --> 01:01:59.898
settling parties explicitly as the settlement agreement

01:01:59.909 --> 01:02:03.068
essentially reflects the Public Advocate's Office litigation

01:02:03.068 --> 01:02:07.848
position. The APD, alternate, alternate proposed

01:02:07.848 --> 01:02:10.358
decision. By approving the settlement agreement, also

01:02:10.369 --> 01:02:13.358
furthers the Commission's policy of supporting settlements

01:02:13.358 --> 01:02:16.798
among the parties. I do want to take a moment to thank

01:02:16.809 --> 01:02:19.318
all the parties to this proceeding. They provided

01:02:19.318 --> 01:02:22.538
valuable input. And while all positions of all parties

01:02:22.548 --> 01:02:25.228
may not have been adopted, they greatly impacted our

01:02:25.228 --> 01:02:29.568
deliberations. I also want to thank Chief ALJ Cook,

01:02:29.578 --> 01:02:33.679
ALJ Nojon, my Advisor, Drew Hurdol, and my former

01:02:33.679 --> 01:02:37.089
advisor, Jason Reger. As well as my Bagley-Keene partner

01:02:37.089 --> 01:02:39.679
Commissioner Reynolds and his Advisors, Suzanne Casazza,

01:02:39.679 --> 01:02:44.489
and Sasha Goldberg. Each of them provided constant,

01:02:44.499 --> 01:02:47.739
dedicated work to this very complex proceeding. And

01:02:47.739 --> 01:02:50.128
of course I want to thank the Staff who also helped

01:02:50.128 --> 01:02:54.358
enormously. In particular Energy Divisions Julia Ende,

01:02:54.369 --> 01:02:57.709
and Legal Divisions Candace Murray, Sarah Thomas, and

01:02:57.709 --> 01:03:02.068
Matt Yergovich. And with that, I turn to other Commissioners

01:03:02.078 --> 01:03:05.108
for any comments they have, and aptly your support of

01:03:05.119 --> 01:03:09.269
the alternate proposed decision.

01:03:09.269 --> 01:03:12.128
Commissioner Reynolds.

01:03:12.128 --> 01:03:15.519
Thank you President Reynolds. The proposed decision

01:03:15.519 --> 01:03:17.899
and alternate proposed decision here reflects a lot

01:03:17.899 --> 01:03:21.288
of critical thinking on hard ranking issues. At a

01:03:21.288 --> 01:03:23.638
high level, we have two different decisions that really

01:03:23.638 --> 01:03:26.659
significantly reduce what PG&E originally requested in

01:03:26.659 --> 01:03:30.309
this case. I (inaudible) of this proceeding as you mentioned,

01:03:30.589 --> 01:03:34.659
requested authorization to recover about $1.3 billion

01:03:34.659 --> 01:03:38.318
dollars related to wildfire mitigation. And certain

01:03:38.318 --> 01:03:41.219
catastrophic events in six different memo accounts.

01:03:43.168 --> 01:03:46.179
incurred these costs as a result of different wildfire

01:03:46.179 --> 01:03:49.249
mitigation measures. Pursuant to State Legislation

01:03:49.258 --> 01:03:53.029
that was a necessary step to occur, the spread of catastrophic

01:03:53.029 --> 01:03:56.048
wildfires in our State. And one of the challenges in

01:03:56.048 --> 01:03:59.339
this proceeding is that the costs incurred were the

01:03:59.339 --> 01:04:02.019
result of these wildfire mitigation efforts. Based

01:04:02.019 --> 01:04:05.698
on the tools and knowledge available during that snapshot in time.

01:04:05.709 --> 01:04:10.019
Not based on what we know today in 2023.

01:04:10.019 --> 01:04:12.399
The alternate proposed decision adopts a settlement

01:04:12.399 --> 01:04:15.748
agreement that was the result of negotiations, and on parties to this

01:04:15.759 --> 01:04:20.188
proceeding, including ratepayer advocates.

01:04:20.188 --> 01:04:23.118
As the APD notes, a settlement can be unreasonable

01:04:23.129 --> 01:04:25.688
and the Commission will not be persuaded to approve

01:04:25.699 --> 01:04:28.159
unreasonable settlements. Simply because of a general

01:04:28.159 --> 01:04:32.579
policy favoring the approval of settlements. On review

01:04:32.579 --> 01:04:36.379
of this settlement agreement between PG&E, the Public

01:04:36.379 --> 01:04:40.348
Advocate's Office, and Federal Executive Agencies. I

01:04:40.348 --> 01:04:43.459
think it represents a reasonable and balanced compromise.

01:04:43.469 --> 01:04:47.839
Resulting in a 19% reduction from what PG&E originally

01:04:47.839 --> 01:04:51.168
requested. As I agreed the settlement agreement, I

01:04:51.168 --> 01:04:55.579
agree and, and understand that capital cost recovery outside

01:04:55.579 --> 01:04:58.498
of the agreed upon 5 year period. Will be considered

01:04:58.498 --> 01:05:02.608
in a future general, future general case.

01:05:02.608 --> 01:05:05.348
In supporting the APD, and ultimately the underlying

01:05:05.358 --> 01:05:08.449
settlement agreement. I expect to see future revenue

01:05:08.449 --> 01:05:12.269
requirements associated with capital expenditures, um

01:05:12.279 --> 01:05:15.298
that were part of this proceeding to be included in

01:05:15.308 --> 01:05:18.949
future GRCs. Which is a reasonable outcome in my mind.

01:05:19.709 --> 01:05:22.438
I'll note that whenever utility seeks recovery of capital

01:05:22.438 --> 01:05:25.728
costs. It bears the burden of demonstrating both that

01:05:25.728 --> 01:05:29.048
those costs are used and useful in utility service

01:05:29.569 --> 01:05:32.358
and that those costs were prudently incurred. As you

01:05:32.358 --> 01:05:36.019
did at the time the starting occurred. As with many of our

01:05:36.029 --> 01:05:38.858
complex proceedings, there are a few individuals that

01:05:38.858 --> 01:05:41.009
have been working extremely hard. To ensure that we

01:05:41.009 --> 01:05:44.238
had a PD and AP to vote on today. And I will echo

01:05:44.848 --> 01:05:50.159
President Reynolds thanks. Um, I will first thank her,

01:05:50.168 --> 01:05:53.178
for her leadership in this proceeding. And her Advisor

01:05:53.178 --> 01:05:56.899
Drew Hurdol and her former Advisor, Jason Reger. I

01:05:56.899 --> 01:06:00.009
would also like to thank Advisory Attorneys Sarah Thomas, Matt

01:06:00.488 --> 01:06:04.808
Yergovich, and Candace Murray. I would like to thank um, Judge Nojon

01:06:05.829 --> 01:06:09.909
and Acting Chief ALJ Cook. I would like to thank

01:06:09.909 --> 01:06:13.928
Energy Division including Julia Ende, (inaudible) Chang and for their support during

01:06:13.928 --> 01:06:16.928
this proceeding. And finally I'd like to thank my Chief of Staff, Suzanne Casazza

01:06:18.829 --> 01:06:21.029
and my Advisor Sasha Goldberg.

01:06:21.029 --> 01:06:23.889
With that, I will be supporting APD, and back to you President

01:06:23.889 --> 01:06:28.659
Reynolds. Thank you Commissioner Reynolds. Uh, I think

01:06:28.659 --> 01:06:35.579
I saw Commissioner Shiroma's hand.

01:06:35.579 --> 01:06:41.649
Thank you President Reynolds. I will be supporting the APD.

01:06:42.178 --> 01:06:46.469
Which approved a settlement between PG&E, the Public

01:06:46.478 --> 01:06:50.649
Advocate's Office, and Federal Executive Agencies Which

01:06:50.659 --> 01:06:55.469
is approximately 81% of PG&E's original request on its

01:06:55.469 --> 01:07:01.548
application. In doing so, I want to thank Judge Nojon for his work

01:07:01.558 --> 01:07:06.509
on the PD. And the multi-disciplinary team that provided

01:07:06.509 --> 01:07:10.048
the legal and technical support for both the PD,

01:07:10.058 --> 01:07:13.709
and the APD, proposed decision and alternate proposed

01:07:13.719 --> 01:07:17.659
decision. I also thank the parties who weighed in on this

01:07:17.709 --> 01:07:22.498
important matter. The settling parties assert that

01:07:22.509 --> 01:07:25.798
the settlement agreement is consistent with the law.

01:07:25.808 --> 01:07:29.069
Because the costs of the activities that carry out

01:07:29.079 --> 01:07:32.759
important California State and Commission policy objectives.

01:07:33.409 --> 01:07:37.238
For a wildlife mitigation, catastrophic events, memorandum

01:07:37.238 --> 01:07:41.798
accounts, a response activities, and other environmental

01:07:41.798 --> 01:07:45.678
and customer focused initiatives. And were tracked, and

01:07:45.678 --> 01:07:48.938
the costs were tracked and recorded and previously,

01:07:48.978 --> 01:07:53.488
previously approved memorandum accounts. And that they

01:07:53.498 --> 01:07:56.949
are aware of no statutory provisions or controlling

01:07:56.949 --> 01:08:00.938
law. That would be contravened or compromised by the

01:08:00.938 --> 01:08:04.719
settlement agreement. Something parties conclude that

01:08:04.728 --> 01:08:06.699
the settlement agreement is in the public interest

01:08:06.709 --> 01:08:10.438
because it substantially reduces the cost that customers

01:08:10.449 --> 01:08:13.009
will cover.

01:08:13.009 --> 01:08:17.438
Uh, as others have indicated, the Commission has long favored

01:08:17.449 --> 01:08:21.259
the settlement of disputes. The policy supports many

01:08:21.269 --> 01:08:25.308
worthwhile goals. Including reducing the experience of

01:08:25.308 --> 01:08:29.149
litigation, conserving resources, allowing parties

01:08:29.159 --> 01:08:33.958
to reduce the risk that litigation would produce unacceptable

01:08:33.958 --> 01:08:37.739
results. That while our policy is to drive a settlement

01:08:37.749 --> 01:08:41.468
of disputing issues. Our standard of review for settlements

01:08:41.468 --> 01:08:44.869
is designed to ensure that settlements meet a minimum

01:08:44.869 --> 01:08:48.288
standard of reasonableness, and under the law. And

01:08:48.288 --> 01:08:51.409
the regular the proceeding, a settlement can be unreasonable

01:08:51.409 --> 01:08:55.869
and we need not be persuaded to approve unreasonable settlements

01:08:55.869 --> 01:08:59.499
simply because of the general policy of favoring the

01:08:59.499 --> 01:09:03.718
approval of settlements. Here the settlement agreement

01:09:03.729 --> 01:09:08.298
as a result of negotiations after the evidential hearings

01:09:08.308 --> 01:09:13.308
amongst the parties over a period of time. That necessitated

01:09:13.318 --> 01:09:17.859
an extended settlement deadline. They took the time

01:09:17.859 --> 01:09:21.489
to go through everything and to result in a settlement.

01:09:21.499 --> 01:09:24.739
The parties here are knowledgeable and experienced

01:09:24.739 --> 01:09:28.188
parties who have a loyal documented history of strongly

01:09:28.188 --> 01:09:33.729
held positions. I appreciate that the APD tackles all

01:09:33.729 --> 01:09:36.588
of the issues raised by the parties who were not a

01:09:36.588 --> 01:09:39.688
part of the settlement including, include (inaudible)

01:09:39.688 --> 01:09:43.298
towards not approving activity which was approved in

01:09:43.298 --> 01:09:47.269
previous general rate cases. Further, as others have

01:09:47.279 --> 01:09:50.529
said, the ADP clarifies that future revenue requirements

01:09:50.529 --> 01:09:55.269
associated with capital expenditure, in our 2020 decision.

01:09:55.279 --> 01:10:00.769
Will be included in future general rate cases. The

01:10:00.779 --> 01:10:06.119
Commission or parties may raise provisions of the settlements

01:10:06.129 --> 01:10:11.149
uh, and all must go through the rigor of the general

01:10:11.149 --> 01:10:15.088
rate, general rate case proceeding. I want to thank

01:10:15.088 --> 01:10:18.259
you President Reynolds and your BK partner, Commissioner John

01:10:18.259 --> 01:10:24.838
Reynolds your work on this. Uh, I also echo thanks to the Judges,

01:10:24.849 --> 01:10:31.198
the multi-interdisciplinary theme, of the team. Uh, which

01:10:31.198 --> 01:10:36.578
was extensive. Uh, and I am supporting the APD.

01:10:36.588 --> 01:10:41.009
Thank you and back to you President Reynolds. Thank you Commissioner

01:10:41.009 --> 01:10:45.599
Shiroma. I think I saw your hands next Commissioner

01:10:45.599 --> 01:10:47.788
Houck.

01:10:47.788 --> 01:10:51.458
Thank you President Reynolds. And I want to thank you

01:10:51.458 --> 01:10:54.438
President Reynolds and Commissioner Reynolds for all

01:10:54.438 --> 01:10:58.418
of your thoughtful work. And um, this difficult matter

01:10:58.418 --> 01:11:01.899
I know that this wasn't easy. There was a lot of complex

01:11:02.438 --> 01:11:07.538
um, information to assess and to wade through a lot

01:11:07.538 --> 01:11:11.869
of competing interests. Um and very sophisticated parties

01:11:11.879 --> 01:11:17.019
presenting different positions. Um, so I respect um

01:11:17.019 --> 01:11:20.418
where you ended up and the analysis that you've done.

01:11:20.428 --> 01:11:24.918
Um, I also want to thank ALJ Nojon, ALJ Cook, Energy

01:11:24.918 --> 01:11:29.269
Division Staff. And acknowledge that um again, this was

01:11:29.279 --> 01:11:35.099
not an easy decision. And that um, you know, there are

01:11:35.109 --> 01:11:39.359
two different um, proposals before us. And in reviewing

01:11:39.359 --> 01:11:45.088
the proposals, um I came down um, differently. And that

01:11:45.099 --> 01:11:48.218
the alternate proposed decision here approves the settlement

01:11:48.218 --> 01:11:51.649
related to PG&E's wildfire mitigation efforts. As

01:11:51.649 --> 01:11:55.349
well as costs associated with some other non-wildfire

01:11:55.349 --> 01:11:58.389
related accounts. It includes a set of discounted

01:11:58.389 --> 01:12:02.318
amounts for operations and maintenance expenses, with

01:12:02.318 --> 01:12:06.788
no determination, um on what ultimately would be discounted

01:12:06.798 --> 01:12:09.918
for the overall capital expenses. Is it leaves

01:12:09.928 --> 01:12:14.688
some of that determination, um to later GRCs. And while

01:12:14.688 --> 01:12:18.568
I believe that the disallowances to PG&E's requested amounts,

01:12:18.578 --> 01:12:22.568
um in the settlements are merited. I also believe that

01:12:22.578 --> 01:12:26.489
additional scrutiny of these costs are required. The

01:12:26.489 --> 01:12:29.519
alternate proposed decisions again, approved the settlement

01:12:29.529 --> 01:12:32.538
between PG&E Cal advocates, and the Federal Executive

01:12:32.548 --> 01:12:35.889
Agencies. This was not an all party settlement. And

01:12:35.889 --> 01:12:39.619
a number of parties including, um TURN and Wild Tree

01:12:39.619 --> 01:12:43.698
Foundation, did not agree with the outcome of the settlement.

01:12:43.708 --> 01:12:47.869
Um, the assigned Administrative Law Judge issued a proposed

01:12:47.879 --> 01:12:51.599
decision based on the records and rejected the settlement.

01:12:51.609 --> 01:12:54.889
The proposed decision raises questions regarding whether

01:12:54.889 --> 01:12:58.218
specific additional disallowances to what is reflected

01:12:58.218 --> 01:13:01.119
in the settlement should be applied. To PG&E's

01:13:01.119 --> 01:13:05.139
requested recovery here. These this disallowances include,

01:13:05.149 --> 01:13:09.619
um what was initially proposed as a reduction in, um

01:13:09.629 --> 01:13:12.869
the first version of the alternate decision. The 930,

01:13:12.879 --> 01:13:18.438
approximately $937,000 for philip graphic, philanthropic

01:13:18.438 --> 01:13:22.068
costs. That um, was again set out in the initial

01:13:22.068 --> 01:13:25.519
APD as a modification to the settlement. But is not

01:13:25.519 --> 01:13:28.479
in the decision before us today. The revision of PG&E

01:13:28.479 --> 01:13:31.899
was unwilling to accept that modification. It

01:13:31.899 --> 01:13:34.869
also appears the APD allows for full recovery,

01:13:34.989 --> 01:13:38.239
either allows or has the potential to allow for full

01:13:38.239 --> 01:13:42.058
recovery of capital expenses. While the record would

01:13:42.068 --> 01:13:44.928
support some level of disallowance, maybe not the

01:13:44.938 --> 01:13:47.889
significant disallowances set out in the PD. But

01:13:47.889 --> 01:13:50.999
I am concerned that the record does not justify full

01:13:50.999 --> 01:13:54.489
recovery or the potential for full recovery of these

01:13:54.499 --> 01:13:59.558
capital expenses. Um, which the APD potentially

01:13:59.558 --> 01:14:03.879
supports. Which also is, it makes it unclear to what

01:14:03.879 --> 01:14:07.279
extent Cal advocates litigation position is represented

01:14:07.288 --> 01:14:11.198
in the APD. Without knowing what the actual recovery

01:14:11.198 --> 01:14:14.818
will be on those capital expenses. Based on the record

01:14:14.818 --> 01:14:17.379
and the proceeding, PG&E does not appear to have

01:14:17.379 --> 01:14:20.769
met its burden for all of the O&M expenses requested

01:14:20.769 --> 01:14:23.409
or allowed under the settlement. It appears some of

01:14:23.409 --> 01:14:26.259
the requested recovery here may have already been recovered

01:14:26.269 --> 01:14:29.718
through other work authorized in PG&E's GRC.

01:14:29.729 --> 01:14:32.999
That was deferred to prior, to prioritize the wildfire

01:14:32.999 --> 01:14:35.879
mitigation efforts. And the record shows that PG&E

01:14:35.879 --> 01:14:38.989
could not substantiate all of the costs set out on

01:14:38.989 --> 01:14:42.029
its request for recovery. All of this said, I want

01:14:42.029 --> 01:14:47.479
to acknowledge that um, recently PG&E has made significant

01:14:47.479 --> 01:14:50.409
efforts in improving implementation of wildfire mitigation

01:14:50.418 --> 01:14:53.879
efforts, and other operational and safety practices.

01:14:53.889 --> 01:14:56.668
That no party to the proceeding disputed PG&E's

01:14:56.668 --> 01:14:59.568
wildfire mitigation work is critical to supporting

01:14:59.568 --> 01:15:03.249
the safe operation of PG&E system. All parties to the

01:15:03.259 --> 01:15:06.568
proceeding agree that wildfire mitigation work is essential.

01:15:06.568 --> 01:15:09.468
And that it is necessary for PG&E to repair damaged

01:15:09.479 --> 01:15:12.958
facilities and restore electrical and gas services

01:15:12.968 --> 01:15:16.489
following catastrophic events. And while I also recognize

01:15:16.499 --> 01:15:19.678
that this spending happened during an emergency situation.

01:15:19.688 --> 01:15:22.318
We cannot ignore the fact that during this same time

01:15:22.318 --> 01:15:25.259
period PG&E was found to have not acted as a

01:15:25.259 --> 01:15:28.428
prudent manager. In regard to maintaining its system

01:15:28.428 --> 01:15:31.718
causing one of the state's most deadly wildfires. PG&E

01:15:31.718 --> 01:15:34.218
was also placed into step one of the Enhanced

01:15:34.218 --> 01:15:37.438
Enforcement Process for failing to prioritize vegetation

01:15:37.438 --> 01:15:41.399
management and high fire risk areas. That um, some of

01:15:41.399 --> 01:15:45.879
which is recorded in these accounts that we're looking

01:15:45.879 --> 01:15:49.168
at today, and deciding um, what should be recovered on.

01:15:49.178 --> 01:15:52.119
And that PG&E received several letters of warning

01:15:52.119 --> 01:15:55.409
and notices of violation for various wildfire mitigation

01:15:55.409 --> 01:15:58.649
related matters. During this same time period, that

01:15:58.649 --> 01:16:02.159
costs were recorded. These circumstances require us

01:16:02.159 --> 01:16:05.038
as regulators to closely scrutinize the cost recovery

01:16:05.038 --> 01:16:07.538
requested for the time period that these costs were

01:16:07.538 --> 01:16:10.538
recorded. Particularly given the high energy bills

01:16:10.538 --> 01:16:16.619
ratepayers are currently facing. And um again, I understand

01:16:16.629 --> 01:16:18.659
that there was a lot of work, time, and thoughts that

01:16:18.659 --> 01:16:22.389
went into the APD. But given um, the information

01:16:22.389 --> 01:16:25.338
and the record before us, I will not be able to support

01:16:25.349 --> 01:16:30.869
the APD today. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner

01:16:30.869 --> 01:16:35.548
Houck. Going now to Commissioner Douglas. Thank you

01:16:35.558 --> 01:16:42.068
President Reynolds. Um and uh, appreciate your work and

01:16:42.068 --> 01:16:46.019
your and Commissioner Reynolds work on the APD.

01:16:46.029 --> 01:16:50.409
I have um, carefully considered both decisions. I found

01:16:50.409 --> 01:16:53.068
both to be thorough and thoughtful. And I understand

01:16:53.068 --> 01:16:58.558
the reasoning articulated in both. Um, I am convinced

01:16:58.568 --> 01:17:00.948
that the settlement between PG&E, and the Public

01:17:00.948 --> 01:17:03.678
Advocate's Office achieved the fair and reasonable

01:17:03.678 --> 01:17:08.018
outcome in this matter. And it represents a meaningful

01:17:08.018 --> 01:17:11.498
compromise among the parties. The settlement provides

01:17:11.498 --> 01:17:14.889
ratepayer savings while funding wildfire mitigation.

01:17:14.889 --> 01:17:18.458
Which is one of the essential safety functions that

01:17:18.458 --> 01:17:21.948
utilities must undertake. And it complies with the

01:17:21.948 --> 01:17:24.758
Commission's rules of practice and procedure applicable to

01:17:24.768 --> 01:17:28.129
settlements. In that it's reasonable in light of the

01:17:28.129 --> 01:17:30.988
whole record consistent with law and in the public

01:17:30.988 --> 01:17:35.589
interest. So I will be supporting the APD. Um, I

01:17:35.589 --> 01:17:40.359
also find it significant that the settlement, um approved

01:17:40.359 --> 01:17:44.139
in the APD was negotiated by the ratepayer advocates.

01:17:44.688 --> 01:17:47.528
That provides a meaningful cost decrease from PG&E's

01:17:47.528 --> 01:17:52.409
requested amount. And also that the alternate is

01:17:52.418 --> 01:17:55.918
not deciding the issue of whether the adopted decreases

01:17:55.918 --> 01:17:58.748
in capital costs should be made permanent. That's an

01:17:58.748 --> 01:18:01.399
issue that will be taken up in the appropriate future

01:18:01.399 --> 01:18:06.418
general rate case. And um, as envisioned in the settlement

01:18:06.418 --> 01:18:09.639
and I think that's an appropriate outcome. So with

01:18:09.639 --> 01:18:13.498
that, I just want to thank President Reynolds, uh for

01:18:13.498 --> 01:18:16.789
her leadership on this matter. Uh, Commissioner Reynolds

01:18:16.799 --> 01:18:21.248
and also the team that briefed my office and answered

01:18:21.248 --> 01:18:24.958
some of my questions. Including Judge Nojon and Chief

01:18:24.968 --> 01:18:30.839
Judge Cook. And um, Attorneys Sarah Thomas, Matt uh

01:18:30.849 --> 01:18:36.049
Yergovich and Energy Divisions Julia Ende. So, um I

01:18:36.049 --> 01:18:39.609
think that concludes my comments. Thank you.

01:18:39.609 --> 01:18:43.579
Thank you Commissioner Douglas. That concludes Commissioner

01:18:43.579 --> 01:18:47.518
comments. And so I would now like to ask for a motion

01:18:47.518 --> 01:18:53.859
on Item 28A.

01:18:53.859 --> 01:18:58.119
Um, I'll move Item 28A. No wait, is that A or?

01:18:58.968 --> 01:19:05.678
Let me make sure, I put the right one. 28A, yes. So um let me, I'm gonna read

01:19:05.688 --> 01:19:08.319
the Item to make sure. Thank you Commissioner Douglas

01:19:08.319 --> 01:19:12.549
for clarifying. So this would be a motion on 28A. Which

01:19:12.549 --> 01:19:17.758
is the alternate to A-20-09-019, Pacific Gas and Electric

01:19:17.758 --> 01:19:20.909
Company for recovery of wildfire mitigation, catastrophic

01:19:20.909 --> 01:19:26.458
event expenditure. So a motion on 28A. Thank you. I

01:19:26.458 --> 01:19:30.389
move approval of Item 28A. Okay, motion from Commissioner

01:19:30.389 --> 01:19:34.228
Douglas. Do we have a second? I'll second the motion.

01:19:34.889 --> 01:19:37.758
Second from Commissioner Shiroma. Agenda Clerk, please

01:19:37.758 --> 01:19:40.948
call the roll.

01:19:40.948 --> 01:19:46.369
For Item 28A, Commissioner Douglas? Aye. Commissioner

01:19:46.369 --> 01:19:53.849
John Reynolds? Yes. Commissioner Houck? No.

01:19:53.849 --> 01:20:01.258
Commissioner Shiroma? Aye. President Alice Reynolds? Yes. The vote

01:20:01.258 --> 01:20:07.829
is 4-1. The item passes. And with the approval of Item

01:20:07.839 --> 01:20:14.748
28A, Item 28 is withdrawn. I will now go to Item

01:20:14.758 --> 01:20:21.059
29. Um, 29 is a, the annual report on Community Help

01:20:21.069 --> 01:20:24.069
and Awareness of Natural Gas and Electric Services

01:20:24.079 --> 01:20:28.738
or (CHANGES) Program. Um, we have a presentation on this

01:20:28.738 --> 01:20:32.869
item. And I will turn to Alison Brown to open the item.

01:20:32.879 --> 01:20:37.319
Allison.

01:20:37.319 --> 01:20:39.039
Thank you President Reynolds. Can you hear me all

01:20:39.039 --> 01:20:41.639
right?

01:20:41.639 --> 01:20:45.938
Sounds great. Perfect. Item 29 on our Agenda, under

01:20:45.938 --> 01:20:49.248
Management Reports. Is an annual update on our Community

01:20:49.248 --> 01:20:51.998
Help and Awareness of Natural Gas and Electricity

01:20:52.008 --> 01:20:55.629
Services Program, also known as CHANGES. We are now

01:20:55.629 --> 01:20:58.799
starting our 12th year of running this program. We

01:20:58.799 --> 01:21:03.099
launched changes in February 2011, with a specific

01:21:03.099 --> 01:21:06.059
distributive justice goal. Which was to help limited

01:21:06.069 --> 01:21:09.089
English proficient customers manage their energy services.

01:21:09.629 --> 01:21:11.768
And we designed it so that we could collaborate with

01:21:11.768 --> 01:21:14.859
California's incredible community based organization

01:21:14.859 --> 01:21:18.619
network to do this. So for 12 years and going, this

01:21:18.619 --> 01:21:21.839
program has led to the creation and sustaining of jobs.

01:21:21.849 --> 01:21:25.528
A community based organization and ensuring that California's

01:21:25.528 --> 01:21:28.988
dynamic and diverse residents can understand and manage

01:21:28.998 --> 01:21:32.089
their electric and gas bills. I'm gonna showcase a

01:21:32.089 --> 01:21:34.889
little bit of what Ravinder will speak about by highlighting

01:21:34.889 --> 01:21:39.208
some key facts. We are working with 36 community-based

01:21:39.208 --> 01:21:42.909
organizations to deliver these services. We're delivering

01:21:42.909 --> 01:21:45.988
it to senior citizens, the Hmong community in the Central

01:21:45.988 --> 01:21:49.549
Valley, and recent immigrants and refugees from Afghanistan

01:21:49.549 --> 01:21:55.188
and Ukraine. In 2021-22, services were provided in

01:21:55.188 --> 01:21:59.649
29 languages. People who receive these services are

01:21:59.659 --> 01:22:02.629
eligible for the CARE benefit, which is means tested

01:22:02.639 --> 01:22:06.928
and is below income California. CHANGES is unique to

01:22:06.928 --> 01:22:10.228
our knowledge. California is the only state regulatory

01:22:10.228 --> 01:22:13.549
Commission that specifically provides the program designated

01:22:13.549 --> 01:22:16.248
to reach people in communities and language, languages

01:22:16.258 --> 01:22:19.948
other than English. And last, I'd like to note that

01:22:19.948 --> 01:22:23.039
CHANGES has a commitment to the environmental and social

01:22:23.039 --> 01:22:26.349
justice action plan. Which you approved last year and

01:22:26.349 --> 01:22:29.319
which is a priority for you and our Executive Director

01:22:29.319 --> 01:22:33.498
Rachel Peterson. Environmental and Social Justice Action

01:22:33.498 --> 01:22:36.099
Plan has a set of definitions that we at the Staff

01:22:36.099 --> 01:22:39.539
level are applying to our work. In the case of CHANGES,

01:22:39.549 --> 01:22:42.879
the program is a commitment to equity because it empowers

01:22:42.889 --> 01:22:46.099
people in disadvantaged communities to manage the utility

01:22:46.099 --> 01:22:49.678
services. It is distributive justice because we are

01:22:49.678 --> 01:22:53.258
committing people and resources to the program. And

01:22:53.258 --> 01:22:55.708
it is a mitigation of potentially disproportionate

01:22:55.708 --> 01:22:58.448
impacts. We're helping people with limited English

01:22:58.448 --> 01:23:01.549
proficiency manage the utility services that are basic

01:23:01.549 --> 01:23:04.938
to modernize. I'm pleased to turn the microphone over

01:23:04.938 --> 01:23:07.909
to Robbie Minget, our Senior Analyst, who manages the

01:23:07.909 --> 01:23:12.329
program in our news and outreach office.

01:23:12.329 --> 01:23:15.409
Um, thank you Allison. Um, and I just wanna check,

01:23:15.409 --> 01:23:20.059
can you, can Commissioners, can you hear me okay?

01:23:20.059 --> 01:23:25.028
Okay, thank you very much. Allison and thank you to

01:23:25.039 --> 01:23:28.988
the President Reynolds and to the Commissioners for

01:23:28.998 --> 01:23:33.238
having this item on the Agenda today. This is the annual

01:23:33.238 --> 01:23:37.208
update for the CHANGES program. Consumer Help and

01:23:37.208 --> 01:23:40.708
Awareness of Natural Gas and Electricity Services.

01:23:41.329 --> 01:23:45.418
I'm Ravi Manga uh, I'm the Contract Manager for the

01:23:45.418 --> 01:23:50.819
program. Also uh, integral to the program is the other

01:23:50.819 --> 01:23:54.319
contractors, Annie Chang from Self Help the Elderly,

01:23:54.329 --> 01:23:57.998
and Casey McFall from Milestone Consulting. Um, could

01:23:57.998 --> 01:24:03.609
have the next slide please.

01:24:03.609 --> 01:24:06.228
I just want to say I'm more than happy to have questions

01:24:06.238 --> 01:24:09.589
ideally we could have them after the presentation.

01:24:09.599 --> 01:24:13.708
Um, that would be great, thank you so much. Um, in terms

01:24:13.708 --> 01:24:16.909
of this presentation today, we wanted to provide the

01:24:16.918 --> 01:24:21.409
highlights of CHANGES service delivery over the last

01:24:21.409 --> 01:24:24.768
program year 21-22. And we also have the chance to

01:24:24.768 --> 01:24:28.238
give you 6 months of data from the current program

01:24:28.238 --> 01:24:33.059
here as well. Um, we will overall be providing the background

01:24:33.059 --> 01:24:36.458
and aims of the CHANGES program. And I think what we

01:24:36.458 --> 01:24:39.879
really wanted to leave behind for the Commissioners

01:24:39.889 --> 01:24:44.339
today. Is an intent, is to give a description of the

01:24:44.339 --> 01:24:46.698
energy related issues that are affecting limited English

01:24:46.698 --> 01:24:51.809
customers. Um, and also how CHANGES helps that, that

01:24:51.819 --> 01:24:55.859
our target population for the program. Can I have the

01:24:55.869 --> 01:24:59.409
next slide please.

01:24:59.409 --> 01:25:04.139
So um, so the main takeaways from the, for the presentation

01:25:04.139 --> 01:25:08.468
today. Um, there are 3 major services and since the

01:25:08.468 --> 01:25:13.018
pandemic they've all significantly increased. Um, consistently

01:25:13.028 --> 01:25:15.708
over the, over that time period. Which has been very

01:25:15.708 --> 01:25:20.589
positive. The most resource intense, intensive and

01:25:20.589 --> 01:25:25.258
highest value added, um program component is case assistance.

01:25:25.268 --> 01:25:28.359
We're we help individuals with their range of needs.

01:25:28.859 --> 01:25:33.859
Um, approximately 80% of case assistance relates to two

01:25:33.859 --> 01:25:38.708
areas. One is emergency payments for outstanding bills

01:25:38.768 --> 01:25:42.748
and secondly is helping target population reduce their

01:25:42.758 --> 01:25:48.218
monthly bill.

01:25:48.218 --> 01:25:52.738
Thank you, go to the next slide please.

01:25:52.738 --> 01:25:58.208
Um, so a quick slide on background here. So um, the CHANGES

01:25:58.208 --> 01:26:01.369
program is modeled on an existing program, which is

01:26:01.379 --> 01:26:05.998
the TEAM program. Um, and the TEAM program has, um three

01:26:05.998 --> 01:26:09.859
as Allison touched on as well. Three elements, um which

01:26:09.859 --> 01:26:14.668
are integral to the TEAM program. Which is one supporting

01:26:14.668 --> 01:26:17.539
limited English customers and other vulnerable populations,

01:26:17.549 --> 01:26:22.069
uh to manage their energy services. The TEAM program

01:26:22.079 --> 01:26:26.589
has the same aim but is targeted at the Telco industry.

01:26:26.599 --> 01:26:31.599
Um, there are three major components: outreach, education

01:26:31.599 --> 01:26:36.208
and individual case assistance. Um, and the program

01:26:36.208 --> 01:26:39.629
is delivered on the ground by 26 different community

01:26:39.629 --> 01:26:44.349
based organizations and their across, um their statewide.

01:26:44.359 --> 01:26:47.958
Uh, from as far down South of San Diego and as far North

01:26:47.958 --> 01:26:54.319
as uh, Sonoma and Napa. And the program, the CBOs are

01:26:54.329 --> 01:26:58.109
overseen by um, the two organizations I mentioned at

01:26:58.109 --> 01:27:00.528
the beginning of the presentation, Self Help the Elderly,

01:27:00.539 --> 01:27:06.069
um and Milestone Consulting. Um, in terms of CPUC oversight,

01:27:06.079 --> 01:27:09.708
um it's through the Consumer Affairs Branch Analytics

01:27:09.708 --> 01:27:13.629
Group within the News and Outreach Office. In terms

01:27:13.629 --> 01:27:17.589
of funding, the funding is approved through the CARE

01:27:17.589 --> 01:27:26.018
proceeding at just over $1.75 million, um per year.

01:27:26.018 --> 01:27:30.228
Could have the uh, could I have the next slide please.

01:27:30.228 --> 01:27:34.039
So I wanted to give you an overview of uh, case assistance

01:27:34.049 --> 01:27:36.569
which is as I mentioned is the most high value added,

01:27:36.579 --> 01:27:40.639
um component of the program. Um, there are two parts

01:27:40.639 --> 01:27:44.619
to need assistance. Case assistance, one is needs assistance

01:27:44.629 --> 01:27:47.889
and the other is dispute. Um, needs assistance which

01:27:47.899 --> 01:27:53.289
typically is over 90% of all case assistance. Um, falls

01:27:53.299 --> 01:27:58.228
into two categories, um uh mainly in two categories.

01:27:58.238 --> 01:28:03.849
The first of those is help support meeting help, helping

01:28:03.849 --> 01:28:07.488
clients meet their bill commitments. And some of the

01:28:07.498 --> 01:28:10.938
services that are offered under, under that, that subcategory

01:28:10.948 --> 01:28:16.059
are help applying for LIHEAP assistance. Help with emergency

01:28:16.059 --> 01:28:22.369
assistance plans and also, also for payment plans, in

01:28:22.369 --> 01:28:27.228
particular the Arrearage Management Plan. The second subcategory

01:28:27.238 --> 01:28:30.329
underneath systems, it help with reducing monthly

01:28:30.339 --> 01:28:34.579
bill charges. So that's helped with for instance applying

01:28:34.579 --> 01:28:38.698
for care, medical baseline, energy savings assistance,

01:28:39.228 --> 01:28:43.728
um

01:28:43.728 --> 01:28:47.918
and sorry for FERA as well, uh family electrical rate

01:28:47.918 --> 01:28:52.309
assistance. Um, so I mentioned that, you know, the majority of

01:28:52.389 --> 01:28:57.129
case assistance is uh, through need assistance. There is a percentage

01:28:57.129 --> 01:28:59.738
around about 10% we'll provide some more data in the

01:28:59.738 --> 01:29:04.948
next slide, which are disputes. Typically involving issues

01:29:04.948 --> 01:29:09.379
with suppliers being switched for gas. That would be

01:29:09.379 --> 01:29:12.958
CORE Transport Agents uh, and for electric that would

01:29:12.958 --> 01:29:18.768
be CCAs. The CORE Transport Agents, um types of issues

01:29:18.938 --> 01:29:21.899
are very common and has been on, since I've been working

01:29:21.899 --> 01:29:25.139
the program last several years. Typically tend to be

01:29:25.149 --> 01:29:28.049
amongst the highest. Um, the most common type of issue

01:29:28.049 --> 01:29:31.928
that the CHANGES program deals with. Um, could I have

01:29:31.928 --> 01:29:35.198
the next slide please?

01:29:35.198 --> 01:29:39.988
So on this slide I wanted to provide the data and the

01:29:39.998 --> 01:29:43.119
time period we're looking at is the last, the last program

01:29:43.119 --> 01:29:47.839
year 21-22. And the first 6 months of the current

01:29:47.839 --> 01:29:51.389
program 22-23. And I think that, I want to draw your

01:29:51.389 --> 01:29:55.039
attention to ,uh the sum of the numbers in the sub totals.

01:29:55.049 --> 01:29:58.928
You see there under needs assistance around 92%. In the

01:29:58.928 --> 01:30:03.789
last um, program year was needs assistance and, and disputes

01:30:03.789 --> 01:30:07.889
was um, you know, much closer to 7 or 8%. So, you

01:30:07.889 --> 01:30:10.948
know, that that shows that needs assistance is the main

01:30:10.948 --> 01:30:14.528
issue. Um that the main set of services that are being

01:30:14.528 --> 01:30:18.958
offered under CHANGES. Um, prior to the pandemic actually

01:30:18.958 --> 01:30:21.438
there were a lot more disputes, uh certainly higher

01:30:21.448 --> 01:30:25.258
proportion. And that's because a lot of issues related

01:30:25.258 --> 01:30:28.258
to disconnection. Um, with the disconnection moratorium

01:30:28.258 --> 01:30:32.109
that, that the need for dispute is also um, you know,

01:30:32.109 --> 01:30:37.559
proportionately reduced as well.

01:30:37.559 --> 01:30:40.289
We're looking at um, needs assistance and just break the

01:30:40.299 --> 01:30:45.389
numbers down a little bit. So uh the, the heat uh LIHEAP

01:30:45.448 --> 01:30:49.468
has typically been the most um, frequently provided

01:30:49.478 --> 01:30:54.099
service for CHANGES. Followed closely by other emergency

01:30:54.109 --> 01:30:57.089
assistance programs. Taken together they tend to be

01:30:57.089 --> 01:31:06.178
over 50% of all um, issues that the clients need.

01:31:06.178 --> 01:31:11.498
Payment plans typically also around 15% of services.

01:31:11.508 --> 01:31:15.899
The Arrearage Management Plan and also other payment plans. Um,

01:31:15.909 --> 01:31:20.159
also help lowering bills, which is the the CARE/FERA

01:31:20.168 --> 01:31:24.698
(inaudible) medical baseline. Um typically 15-18% range.

01:31:24.708 --> 01:31:27.379
But I think by looking at data it's very clear that the

01:31:27.379 --> 01:31:32.208
majority of issues that CHANGES um, results are related

01:31:32.208 --> 01:31:38.028
to the client's financial issues.

01:31:38.028 --> 01:31:40.748
Could I have the next slide please?

01:31:40.748 --> 01:31:45.258
Um just very, so this is the Trends and Needs Assistance.

01:31:45.268 --> 01:31:48.389
We wanted to give the trend since June 2020, which is

01:31:48.389 --> 01:31:51.389
the height of the pandemic. Um, you know, what we have

01:31:51.389 --> 01:31:53.599
seen is that there was, you know, actually quite a

01:31:53.599 --> 01:31:57.829
collapsing numbers in 2020, during the pandemic. But

01:31:57.839 --> 01:32:00.468
since then the trend has been consistently upward.

01:32:00.478 --> 01:32:03.448
Um, client service numbers have rebounded significantly

01:32:03.458 --> 01:32:06.188
since the pandemic. And I think that's a testament

01:32:06.188 --> 01:32:09.738
to the lead contractor, consumer uh, you know, community

01:32:09.738 --> 01:32:13.389
based organizations and in partnership with CPUC. Really try to

01:32:13.389 --> 01:32:17.958
pivot and offer a range of different options

01:32:17.968 --> 01:32:20.728
to clients, that couldn't always get into the office.

01:32:20.738 --> 01:32:25.349
Uh, for example, finding remote services, drive-

01:32:25.359 --> 01:32:31.718
by services at food pickups, and really, really diverse

01:32:31.728 --> 01:32:35.988
um, uh set of approaches. Which each community based

01:32:35.988 --> 01:32:40.028
organization has shown to be very innovative in delivering.

01:32:40.079 --> 01:32:43.289
Could I have the next slide, please?

01:32:43.289 --> 01:32:46.168
And I think for the last two of these, last three slides

01:32:46.168 --> 01:32:48.139
I wanted we wanted to give you a quick overview of

01:32:48.149 --> 01:32:51.839
community outreach. And in terms of context, the slide

01:32:51.839 --> 01:32:56.099
on the left is the uh, the 20 program year 20-21, the height

01:32:56.099 --> 01:33:01.178
of the pandemic. Um, and the middle is 21-22, that's the

01:33:01.178 --> 01:33:03.518
last program year. And then on the right, is the last

01:33:03.518 --> 01:33:06.918
6 months of the current program. Um and what

01:33:06.918 --> 01:33:10.809
we think for community events is that there's definitely

01:33:10.809 --> 01:33:16.018
been a large increase in, in events. Um 21-22, and for

01:33:16.018 --> 01:33:19.099
the first 6 months of this year. We've seen that

01:33:19.109 --> 01:33:22.928
community events attendance has increased in general.

01:33:22.938 --> 01:33:28.008
Um and that's a number of uh, the attendance also. The

01:33:28.008 --> 01:33:31.059
number of events that are hosted by CBOs has increased.

01:33:31.069 --> 01:33:34.139
Generally, this is because social distancing requirements

01:33:34.139 --> 01:33:37.629
have been relaxed. Um so we, you know, that's a very

01:33:37.629 --> 01:33:40.168
positive outcome. Although we are still much lower

01:33:40.168 --> 01:33:45.918
than we were pre uh, pre-pandemic. Um, in terms of the

01:33:45.918 --> 01:33:49.369
media and social media. In 2021, is slight different trends.

01:33:49.379 --> 01:33:52.639
We saw actually there was a lot more um, um outreach through

01:33:52.639 --> 01:33:56.319
media in 2021. And that's because we didn't have community

01:33:56.319 --> 01:33:58.998
events. There were very little or none at all during

01:33:58.998 --> 01:34:02.309
that period. So media became much more of a prevalent

01:34:02.319 --> 01:34:06.339
method to do outreach. Um and, and the need has actually

01:34:06.339 --> 01:34:10.068
reduced the last 18 months. So we were seeing media

01:34:10.068 --> 01:34:12.909
outreach decrease, because the numbers have increased

01:34:12.919 --> 01:34:16.218
so much. That we're almost back to the levels we we're

01:34:16.218 --> 01:34:20.258
at in parts of the program that we were at pre-pandemic.

01:34:20.269 --> 01:34:24.508
So, go to the next slide please.

01:34:24.508 --> 01:34:27.988
Um and a similar story with the education. We've seen

01:34:27.988 --> 01:34:30.508
that we've seen education increase significantly the

01:34:30.508 --> 01:34:35.079
last 18 months. Um, as social distancing protocols have

01:34:35.079 --> 01:34:41.088
been relaxed. Um, we've seen that also the other benefit

01:34:41.088 --> 01:34:44.269
has been improved remote delivery of education. And

01:34:44.278 --> 01:34:47.139
that helped to boost numbers for education about 18

01:34:47.139 --> 01:34:50.959
months. So I think again a positive story there. And

01:34:50.968 --> 01:34:56.238
just on to that last slide now. Next slide please. Okay just a

01:34:56.249 --> 01:34:59.999
couple of quick developments. So the program is uh, approved through

01:35:00.008 --> 01:35:03.798
the CARE decision. And we have two independent evaluations

01:35:03.809 --> 01:35:06.988
that are, have been approved to be delivered before

01:35:06.988 --> 01:35:09.849
2026. And the first of those actually gonna be delivered

01:35:09.858 --> 01:35:13.698
within a month or two. I think by April we're expecting

01:35:13.698 --> 01:35:17.389
the final, and next month we're expecting some preliminary

01:35:17.389 --> 01:35:22.189
findings. Um and, you know, as a Staff here we're working,

01:35:22.329 --> 01:35:25.639
we're working on making some improvements to the report,

01:35:25.648 --> 01:35:28.689
the reports. For example, the Arrearage Management Plan,

01:35:28.689 --> 01:35:30.979
we know there's been a lot of focus on that. We want

01:35:30.979 --> 01:35:34.079
to see if we can get better data on client enrollment

01:35:34.088 --> 01:35:36.818
in AMP. And to see how long folks have to stay

01:35:36.818 --> 01:35:39.628
on in the stay the course for the program. And that

01:35:39.628 --> 01:35:42.968
will conclude the presentation. Um, thank you for your

01:35:42.968 --> 01:35:47.059
attention. And if you have any questions, uh happy to

01:35:47.059 --> 01:35:49.409
receive that now.

01:35:49.409 --> 01:35:52.689
Thank you Ravi and thank you Alison as well. I think

01:35:52.689 --> 01:35:55.568
it's really fantastic to see all the efforts of the

01:35:55.568 --> 01:35:59.128
CHANGES outreach program. And it's such a critical program

01:35:59.128 --> 01:36:02.189
for people who need help navigating the many assistance

01:36:02.189 --> 01:36:06.648
programs that are available. And um, I am also encouraged

01:36:06.659 --> 01:36:09.479
to see that CHANGES is supporting not only the longstanding

01:36:09.479 --> 01:36:12.358
programs. But also the newer assistance programs like

01:36:12.358 --> 01:36:16.309
the Arrearage Management Plans program that you mentioned. Um,

01:36:16.318 --> 01:36:18.608
and so I'm just really looking forward to seeing the

01:36:18.619 --> 01:36:22.378
further work. Um and really, you know, happy to hear

01:36:22.378 --> 01:36:24.948
your report. And all of the great things that you've

01:36:24.948 --> 01:36:28.358
been undertaking. And that the team, um the Staff team

01:36:28.358 --> 01:36:32.008
has been undertaking. So thank you. Um, I will ask other

01:36:32.008 --> 01:36:37.608
Commissioners, if they have questions or comments?

01:36:37.608 --> 01:36:41.499
Commissioner Houck first? I just want to echo your comments

01:36:41.499 --> 01:36:44.669
President Reynolds. And um, thank you for the presentation

01:36:44.669 --> 01:36:47.959
and all of the work that you're doing. Um, being the

01:36:47.959 --> 01:36:50.169
Assigned Commissioner on the Disconnections Proceeding.

01:36:50.169 --> 01:36:53.919
And looking at some of the programs um, like the PIT

01:36:53.919 --> 01:36:57.648
Program and the Arrearages. It's just um, I understand

01:36:57.648 --> 01:37:00.608
just how critical the work you're doing is. And that

01:37:00.608 --> 01:37:03.258
the coordination with the community based organizations

01:37:03.258 --> 01:37:05.928
is just really imperative. To ensure that customers

01:37:05.939 --> 01:37:09.019
that are most in need are able to participate in these

01:37:09.019 --> 01:37:13.349
programs. And understand um, how to get access to the

01:37:13.349 --> 01:37:16.238
resources they need. So um, just really want to commend

01:37:16.238 --> 01:37:18.628
you and thank you for all of the work that you're doing.

01:37:18.628 --> 01:37:21.898
And for the presentation you provided here today. Um

01:37:21.909 --> 01:37:25.729
it's, it's just really imperative especially um, right

01:37:25.729 --> 01:37:29.838
now. When we're seeing um, high electric bills. And just

01:37:29.838 --> 01:37:35.539
again, thank you. Thank you, thank you Commissioner. Great, Commissioner

01:37:35.539 --> 01:37:40.608
Shiroma. Thank you President Reynolds. And, and thank you Ravi

01:37:40.608 --> 01:37:46.249
and Alison for the presentation. I think it's very

01:37:46.258 --> 01:37:50.409
timely. It's very important for us to hear the latest

01:37:50.409 --> 01:37:54.398
on this really essential work. The California is a

01:37:54.409 --> 01:37:57.698
very diverse state. We have many languages being spoken

01:37:57.698 --> 01:38:03.229
in this State. Many uh, communities of uh ethnicity,

01:38:03.238 --> 01:38:09.519
uh indigenous uh, long time and each in each of these

01:38:09.519 --> 01:38:14.818
communities. As uh community members, as residents,

01:38:14.818 --> 01:38:20.639
as customers avail themselves of this program. Uh, you

01:38:20.639 --> 01:38:25.639
have been very agile in adjusting for the needs. To

01:38:25.639 --> 01:38:31.829
have the best effectiveness during the pandemic. Uh,

01:38:31.838 --> 01:38:35.948
you presented at the Low Income Oversight Board. And

01:38:35.959 --> 01:38:40.059
so you know, I was privileged to hear in the early

01:38:40.068 --> 01:38:44.999
stages of the pandemic in 2020. It was very hard to

01:38:44.999 --> 01:38:48.829
have uh, the extensive outreach that you had been doing

01:38:48.829 --> 01:38:54.579
before. But still the CHANGES team adjusted and managed.

01:38:54.588 --> 01:38:58.229
And as we have come out of all the three years of

01:38:58.229 --> 01:39:02.619
the pandemic. Um, I'm really pleased to see things going

01:39:02.619 --> 01:39:08.059
back to in-person and safely of course. That there's

01:39:08.059 --> 01:39:13.838
also the, the um you know, virtual opportunities for

01:39:13.838 --> 01:39:19.358
folks. And that virtual opportunity can provide for

01:39:19.369 --> 01:39:23.608
uh more participation. I think there is much for us

01:39:23.608 --> 01:39:29.008
to learn from your experience with the community based

01:39:29.008 --> 01:39:32.948
organizations. We are looking to expand with our efforts

01:39:32.959 --> 01:39:37.249
uh at the Commission. We have uh, instructed the utilities

01:39:37.258 --> 01:39:41.218
to expand their efforts. And with your, your many, many

01:39:41.218 --> 01:39:45.139
years of experience with the CHANGES team and your many years of

01:39:45.139 --> 01:39:49.959
experience. I hope that we can build further on that.

01:39:49.968 --> 01:39:55.169
I look forward to the report in April. Uh and uh thank

01:39:55.169 --> 01:39:58.289
you for, for your service. You're welcome Commissioner,

01:39:58.289 --> 01:40:01.298
thank you very much.

01:40:01.298 --> 01:40:03.198
Thank you Commissioner Shiroma. Commissioner Reynolds?

01:40:05.238 --> 01:40:08.628
Thank you. I will echo the thanks of my colleagues for the

01:40:08.628 --> 01:40:11.289
presentation, for all the great work in that program.

01:40:11.298 --> 01:40:16.818
It's really wonderful to see um, the tremendous uh, increase

01:40:16.818 --> 01:40:19.479
in participation in the community meetings at 74,000

01:40:19.479 --> 01:40:23.398
that's really tremendous number to hit. Um, out of

01:40:23.409 --> 01:40:28.139
curiosity is that a number that includes both um, in-

01:40:28.139 --> 01:40:31.398
person participation, as well as remote participation

01:40:31.398 --> 01:40:34.849
in the community meetings? Um, I think those, those

01:40:34.849 --> 01:40:37.608
are actually in-person. Those are all in-person numbers.

01:40:40.689 --> 01:40:44.409
Thank you so much for the work. Absolutely.

01:40:44.409 --> 01:40:46.559
Thank you Commissioner.

01:40:46.559 --> 01:40:50.559
Great, and Commissioner Douglas. I just briefly wanted

01:40:50.568 --> 01:40:53.559
to join in the thanks for the presentation. And, and,

01:40:53.559 --> 01:40:55.968
you know, as I've been going through and getting my

01:40:55.968 --> 01:40:59.428
briefings. You know, I may uh, have a chance to get

01:40:59.428 --> 01:41:01.749
a little more detail on it. But just appreciate the

01:41:01.749 --> 01:41:05.448
good work and thank you. You're welcome. Thank you very

01:41:05.448 --> 01:41:07.389
much.

01:41:07.389 --> 01:41:12.178
Great. Um, so thank you Ravi. Thank you Alison. And

01:41:12.178 --> 01:41:17.439
with that, that concludes item 29. And we will now move

01:41:17.448 --> 01:41:21.079
to item 30. Uh, which is managed report on administrative

01:41:21.088 --> 01:41:24.159
actions and consumer protection and safety activities.

01:41:24.169 --> 01:41:28.689
We have no report on this item. So I will turn then

01:41:28.689 --> 01:41:31.588
to Commissioner reports. This is the final item on our

01:41:31.588 --> 01:41:36.008
Agenda. Um, I'm looking for a volunteer to have a Commissioner

01:41:36.008 --> 01:41:39.628
wants to go first. I see Commissioner Reynolds. Thank

01:41:39.628 --> 01:41:42.389
you President Reynolds. I'll be relatively brief, but

01:41:42.389 --> 01:41:44.838
I do want to provide a quick update about one of my

01:41:44.838 --> 01:41:48.358
proceedings. Focused on preserving energy access for

01:41:48.358 --> 01:41:51.298
a small community in Central Valley. We are having

01:41:51.309 --> 01:41:54.889
a community meeting next Thursday, February 9th at

01:41:54.898 --> 01:41:59.919
6pm at Romero Elementary School in Santa Nella. Uh,

01:41:59.928 --> 01:42:03.099
where the gas supplier for the entire subdivision intends

01:42:03.108 --> 01:42:06.898
to stop operating. The community is going to be served

01:42:06.909 --> 01:42:10.568
by PG&E going forward. And the proceeding is considering

01:42:10.568 --> 01:42:14.599
whether to replace the gas service, provide gas as well

01:42:14.599 --> 01:42:18.648
as electric upgrades. Or to fully electrify the community

01:42:18.659 --> 01:42:22.588
and its household appliances. Our meeting next week,

01:42:22.599 --> 01:42:26.358
will provide information to residents and ALJ Brian

01:42:26.369 --> 01:42:30.249
Stephens and I will be there along with my Staff. We

01:42:30.249 --> 01:42:32.789
welcome you to join us. This is a small community but

01:42:32.789 --> 01:42:35.829
a critically important issue. And one that highlights

01:42:35.838 --> 01:42:38.419
many of the challenges and considerations of long term

01:42:38.419 --> 01:42:41.539
gas planning and our electrification goals. Along with

01:42:41.539 --> 01:42:44.729
our duty to ensure reliable service and center investments

01:42:44.738 --> 01:42:48.729
on disadvantaged communities. My office and I will

01:42:48.738 --> 01:42:52.139
also be doing a site visit of the community beforehand.

01:42:52.148 --> 01:42:54.798
Inspecting the electric infrastructure as well as the

01:42:54.798 --> 01:42:58.378
currently master metered gas lines.

01:42:58.378 --> 01:43:02.349
The following week we will hold a remote presentation

01:43:02.349 --> 01:43:05.689
hearing and soon after keep an eye out for a proposed

01:43:05.689 --> 01:43:09.869
decision of that proceeding. Thank you. Thank you

01:43:09.869 --> 01:43:12.258
Commissioner Reynolds. I think I saw Commissioner Douglas'

01:43:12.258 --> 01:43:15.019
hand.

01:43:15.019 --> 01:43:17.798
Thank you President Reynolds. I, I just wanted to say

01:43:17.798 --> 01:43:22.718
that it's a real honor to be here. And to be um,

01:43:22.729 --> 01:43:26.878
joining all of you on the diose as colleagues here at

01:43:26.878 --> 01:43:29.659
the Public Utilities Commission. And I'm really looking

01:43:29.659 --> 01:43:33.548
forward to working with all of you in this new capacity.

01:43:33.559 --> 01:43:37.039
Um, I've had a chance of course to work with all of

01:43:37.039 --> 01:43:41.849
you with my past roles. And um, really have come to appreciate

01:43:41.849 --> 01:43:44.939
the commitment to public service and to the work of

01:43:44.939 --> 01:43:48.409
the PUC that you all bring to this work. Um,

01:43:48.409 --> 01:43:51.939
I'm really looking forward to working with you more.

01:43:51.948 --> 01:43:55.139
Though, of course, probably talking less given how

01:43:55.139 --> 01:44:00.579
things work on a Commission. And in any case I'm uh,

01:44:00.588 --> 01:44:04.068
excited to be here. I'm excited to lean into this full

01:44:04.068 --> 01:44:10.169
range of issues that the PUC handles. Uh, for the benefit

01:44:10.178 --> 01:44:16.639
of all Californians and um, uh I am still of course

01:44:16.648 --> 01:44:21.749
just ramping up here at, at the PUC. I've had the opportunity

01:44:21.749 --> 01:44:27.499
to focus in my uh, initial days here on um, meeting with

01:44:27.508 --> 01:44:31.889
CPUC Staff and leadership. I'll be doing more of that

01:44:31.889 --> 01:44:35.798
I'm getting briefings. Um, I really appreciated the

01:44:35.809 --> 01:44:40.729
warm welcome that uh, my team and I have received from

01:44:40.738 --> 01:44:44.919
from Rachel, and the leadership team, and the Staff. That

01:44:44.928 --> 01:44:47.928
I have had a chance to meet with and, and all of

01:44:47.928 --> 01:44:53.669
you. Um, my team starting out includes Courtney Vaquero

01:44:53.669 --> 01:44:58.858
who uh, was appointed to be uh, my Technical Advisor

01:44:58.858 --> 01:45:02.678
from the CEC. Where she served for some time as

01:45:02.678 --> 01:45:06.568
a Commissioner, but has also served as um my Advisor.

01:45:06.579 --> 01:45:12.028
Uh and in many other roles as well. Um, as well as

01:45:12.039 --> 01:45:16.428
John Simon, Julia Schmidt, uh Simi George, Winnie Chen,

01:45:16.439 --> 01:45:23.148
and Inna Vinogradov. And um, I uh would also just take

01:45:23.148 --> 01:45:26.428
a moment and congratulate Commissioner Reynolds for

01:45:26.428 --> 01:45:31.448
his confirmation. And also uh, Matt Baker of Public Advocates

01:45:31.459 --> 01:45:39.139
for the Rules Committee. Um uh, you know, uh vote yesterday.

01:45:39.148 --> 01:45:43.639
So thank you, that's all I've got.

01:45:43.639 --> 01:45:48.139
Thank you Commissioner Douglas.

01:45:48.139 --> 01:45:53.758
Anyone else? Uh, Commissioner Houck.

01:45:53.758 --> 01:45:57.298
Thank you President Reynolds. Um, I also want to congratulate

01:45:57.309 --> 01:46:00.988
um Commissioner Reynolds and Director Baker for their

01:46:00.988 --> 01:46:06.548
House Rules Committee. And um, congratulate Commissioner

01:46:06.548 --> 01:46:08.878
Douglas. Um and we'll look forward to congratulating

01:46:08.878 --> 01:46:11.128
her when she goes through her House Rules Committee.

01:46:11.139 --> 01:46:14.829
Welcome to the PUC and looking forward to working with

01:46:14.829 --> 01:46:21.218
you as well. Um, I also um just want to make, would

01:46:21.218 --> 01:46:25.189
like to make some comments um, in my report today. And

01:46:25.189 --> 01:46:30.249
take a moment um, to reflect on, on the tragic losses

01:46:30.258 --> 01:46:33.698
from the mass shootings in Monterey Park. Um, Half

01:46:33.698 --> 01:46:39.088
Moon Bay and um, across the country. In January alone,

01:46:39.099 --> 01:46:43.028
um, there have been 54 mass shootings in the Nation.

01:46:43.039 --> 01:46:46.548
And 7 of those were in California. 31 people died

01:46:46.548 --> 01:46:51.439
in California in the first month of 2023. While California

01:46:51.439 --> 01:46:53.939
has the strictest gun laws in the Nation and one of

01:46:53.939 --> 01:46:57.178
the lowest gun homicide rates in the Nation. We still

01:46:57.178 --> 01:47:00.398
have the highest rates of ongoing mass shootings. The

01:47:00.398 --> 01:47:04.309
attacks in Monterey Park where 12 people were killed

01:47:04.318 --> 01:47:07.099
and Half Moon Bay, where 7 people were killed. Are

01:47:07.099 --> 01:47:10.829
especially painful because of both being targeted against

01:47:10.838 --> 01:47:14.809
Asian-Americans during Lunar New Year. An ethnic holiday

01:47:14.818 --> 01:47:17.528
for festivities with families and friends. On a day

01:47:17.528 --> 01:47:20.358
when Asian-Americans celebrate the future and vow not

01:47:20.369 --> 01:47:23.738
to speak negatively or shed tears. Many families were

01:47:23.738 --> 01:47:27.468
left with no option but to mourn. These locations are

01:47:27.468 --> 01:47:30.818
home to communities that add to California's diversity

01:47:30.829 --> 01:47:33.849
and make California better for it. Lunar New Year is

01:47:33.849 --> 01:47:36.669
a day for us to celebrate our differences. But this

01:47:36.669 --> 01:47:40.548
year we're left to grieve instead. Let us take a moment

01:47:40.559 --> 01:47:43.669
to remember the victims of these horrific attacks and

01:47:43.669 --> 01:47:46.669
recognize Brandon Tsay, who single handedly prevented

01:47:46.669 --> 01:47:51.249
another attack in Alhambra. I wanted, it's a moment

01:47:51.249 --> 01:47:53.749
to reflect on the victims in the communities in San

01:47:53.749 --> 01:47:58.278
Francisco, Ocean, Monterey Park, Oakland, Half Moon

01:47:58.278 --> 01:48:09.329
Bay, San Diego and Beverly Hills.

01:48:09.329 --> 01:48:12.968
And I also want to acknowledge um, Tyre Nichols and

01:48:12.968 --> 01:48:16.559
Keenan Anderson. Um, and reflect on the shocking and

01:48:16.559 --> 01:48:20.309
horrifying deaths of Tyre Nichols, two years following

01:48:20.309 --> 01:48:23.318
George Floyd's death. And the courageous Black Lives

01:48:23.329 --> 01:48:26.599
Matter protests against racialized policing. We continue

01:48:26.599 --> 01:48:29.088
to see higher rates of deaths among Black and Brown

01:48:29.088 --> 01:48:32.439
people due to police violence. Another victim who has

01:48:32.448 --> 01:48:35.128
not gotten as much press and deserves recognition.

01:48:35.128 --> 01:48:38.349
Is Los Angeles' Keenan Anderson, who also died last

01:48:38.349 --> 01:48:41.729
month at the hands of police, due to excessive force.

01:48:41.738 --> 01:48:44.698
And our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

01:48:44.709 --> 01:48:48.079
We must find solutions to increase inclusion and alter

01:48:48.079 --> 01:48:51.028
the systems that perpetrate harms against communities.

01:48:51.039 --> 01:48:53.678
That are already disproportionately affected by violence

01:48:53.678 --> 01:48:56.858
in this country. Now is the time to reach out to your

01:48:56.858 --> 01:48:59.628
loved ones and use the resources you have as public

01:48:59.628 --> 01:49:02.878
servants. To make our community better and kinder in

01:49:02.878 --> 01:49:06.568
the face of these senseless tragedies. President Reynolds

01:49:06.568 --> 01:49:08.378
mentioned at the beginning of the meeting. This is

01:49:08.389 --> 01:49:11.979
Black History Month and I know that um, we at the Commission

01:49:11.979 --> 01:49:15.238
will be celebrating that. And providing some noontime

01:49:15.238 --> 01:49:19.628
events, um to help inform and educate people. And I

01:49:19.628 --> 01:49:22.818
think we need to take this time, not just during Black

01:49:22.818 --> 01:49:25.579
History Month, but throughout the year. To again embrace

01:49:25.579 --> 01:49:30.669
all communities in California and um, again um, make

01:49:30.669 --> 01:49:33.439
our communities better and kinder. And just wanted to

01:49:33.439 --> 01:49:36.249
acknowledge um, those events that have happened so

01:49:36.258 --> 01:49:43.209
early in 2023. And also um, want to recognize that next

01:49:43.218 --> 01:49:49.439
week on um, February 7th. Um, Tribes from across the

01:49:49.448 --> 01:49:52.389
State will be gathering for a missing and murdered

01:49:52.389 --> 01:49:55.519
Indigenous People's Day of Action at the State Capitol.

01:49:55.528 --> 01:49:58.858
Um to advocate for the State government to adopt Tribally

01:49:58.858 --> 01:50:01.849
supported solutions. To stop the crisis of missing and

01:50:01.849 --> 01:50:05.318
murdered Indigenous peoples. And just would encourage

01:50:05.329 --> 01:50:09.979
people that um, get more information about that event.

01:50:09.988 --> 01:50:14.829
And um, to show up and support California's Native

01:50:14.838 --> 01:50:18.258
people in regards to addressing this, this crisis as

01:50:18.269 --> 01:50:20.599
well.

01:50:20.599 --> 01:50:24.369
Thank you President Reynolds, that concludes my report.

01:50:26.028 --> 01:50:29.079
Thank you Commissioner Houck. Turning to Commissioner

01:50:29.079 --> 01:50:34.858
Shiroma to report on any of your activities. Thank you

01:50:34.869 --> 01:50:39.148
President Reynolds. And thank you uh, for your opening

01:50:39.148 --> 01:50:45.178
remarks on Black History Month. Uh, and thank you to

01:50:45.189 --> 01:50:52.108
our colleagues where the reports many, many amazing

01:50:52.119 --> 01:50:56.919
activities going on. Uh, both at the Commission and

01:50:56.919 --> 01:51:00.729
in the communities. I have several things that first

01:51:00.729 --> 01:51:04.068
of all, indeed February marks the start of Black History

01:51:04.068 --> 01:51:08.148
Month. The federally recognized celebration of the

01:51:08.148 --> 01:51:11.278
contributions of African-Americans that have been made

01:51:11.278 --> 01:51:14.919
in this country. And a time to reflect on the continued

01:51:14.928 --> 01:51:19.059
struggle for racial justice. At the Commission, this

01:51:19.269 --> 01:51:24.898
theme is History in the Making. And the African-American

01:51:24.898 --> 01:51:28.909
Coalition for Employment Equity, our employee resource

01:51:28.909 --> 01:51:32.358
group. Is putting together lunch and learn event.

01:51:33.928 --> 01:51:37.198
There is one this coming Friday, oh tomorrow.

01:51:37.729 --> 01:51:42.869
Now we will have a lunch and learn event opportunity, and we'll hear

01:51:42.869 --> 01:51:48.068
from Robert Grimes, Program Manager, Rail Safety Division,

01:51:48.079 --> 01:51:53.028
Rail Operation Safety Branch. And Tory Rabb is a Rail

01:51:53.028 --> 01:51:56.818
Safety Inspector within the Rail Safety Division, Rail

01:51:56.829 --> 01:52:01.428
Operations Safety Branch. And both will be during their

01:52:01.439 --> 01:52:07.128
amazing journeys with careers in the railroad uh, sector.

01:52:07.128 --> 01:52:11.459
And before they came to the CPUC. Uh, and then I

01:52:11.459 --> 01:52:15.088
have the honor of moderating a panel on February 16th

01:52:15.099 --> 01:52:19.088
from Noon to 1, featuring the San Francisco Reparation

01:52:19.088 --> 01:52:23.409
Generation. Reparation Generation is a national organization

01:52:23.409 --> 01:52:27.159
taking action to demonstrate (inaudible), help

01:52:27.159 --> 01:52:30.008
heal our communities, and improve African-Americans

01:52:30.008 --> 01:52:34.249
opportunity for wealth building. In the Japanese-American

01:52:34.249 --> 01:52:40.508
community receive reparations uh, uh from the incarceration

01:52:40.508 --> 01:52:46.318
during World War II. President Reagan back in 1988

01:52:46.329 --> 01:52:51.169
uh, the Legislation, it was effectuated 20 years later

01:52:51.738 --> 01:52:59.289
by President Bush. Now uh, I want to thank the African-

01:52:59.289 --> 01:53:04.409
American Coalition for uh, Employment Equity for all of

01:53:04.409 --> 01:53:10.559
the uh, organization. Keep an eye out for further announcements

01:53:10.568 --> 01:53:15.689
by email. The Committee members are Tory Rabb, Mona Silva,

01:53:15.698 --> 01:53:22.659
Andrew Johnson, uh, Ramon Mona, Derek Gray, Carolyn Moseley,

01:53:23.909 --> 01:53:30.378
Uh, Savon martin, (inaudible)

01:53:30.378 --> 01:53:34.059
And they are very active group within our Commission.

01:53:34.068 --> 01:53:38.539
Well, I also want to highlight that February is significant

01:53:38.548 --> 01:53:42.919
indeed for Japanese-Americans. Because on February 19,

01:53:42.928 --> 01:53:47.269
1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the aftermath

01:53:47.278 --> 01:53:50.878
of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. Signed an Executive

01:53:50.878 --> 01:53:56.148
Order 9066, which gave the U. S. Army the authority

01:53:56.148 --> 01:53:59.689
to remove civilians from the military zones established

01:53:59.689 --> 01:54:03.189
in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California in

01:54:03.189 --> 01:54:06.659
World War II. That ended up being the entire state.

01:54:06.669 --> 01:54:10.669
Uh, this led to the forced removal and incarceration

01:54:10.669 --> 01:54:15.619
of some 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry living

01:54:15.619 --> 01:54:19.318
on the West Coast. Who had to abandon their jobs, their

01:54:19.318 --> 01:54:23.028
homes, their pets and their lives to be sent to one

01:54:23.028 --> 01:54:27.349
of 10 concentration camps. Scattered in desolate remote

01:54:27.349 --> 01:54:31.119
regions of the country. Japanese-Americans were

01:54:31.128 --> 01:54:38.198
ever charged ever are convicted of espionage or, I mean. They

01:54:38.198 --> 01:54:42.159
weren't charged, they weren't convicted of espionage or sabotage

01:54:42.159 --> 01:54:44.389
against the United States. Yet they were targeted,

01:54:44.398 --> 01:54:48.169
rounded up, and imprisoned for years simply for having

01:54:48.178 --> 01:54:52.298
the face of the enemy. Every February, the Japanese-American

01:54:52.298 --> 01:54:57.818
community commemorates Executive Order 9066. As a reminder

01:54:57.818 --> 01:55:01.508
to never forget. The impact of the incarceration experience

01:55:01.508 --> 01:55:05.329
has had on our families, our community and our country.

01:55:05.889 --> 01:55:09.479
It's an opportunity to educate others on the fragility

01:55:09.488 --> 01:55:12.928
of civil liberties in times of crisis. And the importance

01:55:12.939 --> 01:55:15.829
of remaining vigilant and protecting the rights and

01:55:15.829 --> 01:55:18.718
presence of all. There are many events occurring all

01:55:18.718 --> 01:55:22.798
over California and this year, the Northern California

01:55:22.798 --> 01:55:25.608
time of remembrance will be held at the California

01:55:25.608 --> 01:55:29.099
Museum in Sacramento. It's ordinarily held close to

01:55:29.099 --> 01:55:32.119
February 19th. But this year, it will be held on March

01:55:32.128 --> 01:55:36.588
11, which is when the museum's long time signature

01:55:36.588 --> 01:55:42.189
exhibit will reopen called Uprooted. Taking a new look

01:55:42.189 --> 01:55:45.878
at the wartime mass incarceration and Japanese-Americans

01:55:45.878 --> 01:55:49.588
ongoing efforts to safeguard the civil rights of all

01:55:49.588 --> 01:55:54.939
Americans. You know, there are still children of the camp, who

01:55:54.948 --> 01:55:59.669
frankly are still alive. We've lost many of our, of

01:55:59.669 --> 01:56:04.409
our seniors. And um, I'm privileged to know many of

01:56:04.409 --> 01:56:09.028
these folks in the secondary and wider California area.

01:56:09.039 --> 01:56:13.508
Very many stories and individuals who protested during

01:56:14.378 --> 01:56:18.079
the incarceration include Fred Korematsu.

01:56:18.079 --> 01:56:22.209
Who was commemorated on January 30, with Fred Korematsu

01:56:22.209 --> 01:56:28.838
Day. In 1942, he was an Oakland born work, working as

01:56:28.838 --> 01:56:32.119
a welder. He refused to go to camp, he was arrested

01:56:32.119 --> 01:56:35.028
he was convicted. He fought all the way to the Supreme

01:56:35.028 --> 01:56:39.198
Court. 40 years later, a group of Asian lawyers contested

01:56:39.198 --> 01:56:42.789
the decision and the Federal Court overturned his criminal

01:56:42.798 --> 01:56:46.289
conviction. And President Clinton awarded him the Presidential

01:56:46.289 --> 01:56:50.979
Medal of Freedom in 1998. I had the privilege

01:56:50.988 --> 01:56:55.968
of meeting him before he passed in 2005. And finally

01:56:55.979 --> 01:57:02.378
I wrap up with at our last meeting. I highlighted

01:57:02.559 --> 01:57:08.128
the then upcoming Lunar New Year. Since that very meeting,

01:57:08.139 --> 01:57:12.238
and during the Lunar New Year itself and after. Uh, Commissioner

01:57:12.238 --> 01:57:16.729
Houck discussed, we experienced yet again horrific acts

01:57:16.729 --> 01:57:21.878
of violence in California, across the country, in the

01:57:21.889 --> 01:57:26.889
San Joaquin Valley. Uh, and I say his name Tyre Nichols.

01:57:28.059 --> 01:57:32.099
Many efforts are being made to stop gun violence and

01:57:32.099 --> 01:57:39.398
address the root causes of gun violence. Which has to be

01:57:39.398 --> 01:57:43.928
part of the effort, the root causes of gun violence. And

01:57:43.928 --> 01:57:47.419
thankful that our communities are strong and that the

01:57:47.428 --> 01:57:53.178
CPUC itself is focusing on lifting all. As you heard from CHANGES, the

01:57:53.178 --> 01:57:58.229
report. Lifting all through access to contracting opportunities,

01:57:58.238 --> 01:58:03.619
connectivity in the digital age and economic development

01:58:03.619 --> 01:58:07.709
vitality. I'm privileged to serve with all of you.

01:58:07.718 --> 01:58:12.318
Thank you and back to you President Reynolds. Thank

01:58:12.318 --> 01:58:16.238
you Commissioner Shiroma. Um and thanks everyone for

01:58:16.238 --> 01:58:20.459
your reports today. I just have two items. Um, two

01:58:20.459 --> 01:58:24.088
events to mention for my report. Um, as I mentioned

01:58:24.099 --> 01:58:26.709
earlier in my comments regarding the California Climate

01:58:26.709 --> 01:58:30.818
Credit Decision. The CPUC in collaboration with the

01:58:30.818 --> 01:58:33.928
California Energy Commission and the California Independent

01:58:33.939 --> 01:58:37.939
System Operator will soon be hosting an En Banc meeting

01:58:37.939 --> 01:58:41.519
on the recent high natural gas prices. The En Banc

01:58:41.519 --> 01:58:44.488
will be held virtually this coming Tuesday, February

01:58:44.488 --> 01:58:50.028
7th, from 9am to 1pm. The En Banc will examine all possible

01:58:50.028 --> 01:58:53.269
drivers behind the price spikes, impacting California

01:58:53.269 --> 01:58:57.159
customers and other Western states. It will explain how

01:58:57.159 --> 01:59:01.119
gas prices impact electric markets. And it will explore

01:59:01.128 --> 01:59:05.278
potential measures to mitigate price volatility. The

01:59:05.278 --> 01:59:08.619
meeting is open to the public and I encourage listeners

01:59:08.628 --> 01:59:12.258
to attend. Uh, more information is available on our website

01:59:12.269 --> 01:59:18.818
www.cpuc.ca.gov/events. And

01:59:18.829 --> 01:59:23.439
um, my second item to report is an update on the Lithium

01:59:23.439 --> 01:59:26.019
Valley Commission. I've reported on this several times

01:59:26.019 --> 01:59:29.329
in the past. This is a Commission um, that I sit on

01:59:29.329 --> 01:59:32.858
a 14 member Committee Commission convened by the CDC.

01:59:32.869 --> 01:59:36.488
Since 2021 to investigate lithium extraction from the

01:59:36.499 --> 01:59:40.028
Salton Sea region and its use in California. A couple

01:59:40.028 --> 01:59:42.928
of weeks ago, we had our final meeting where the members

01:59:42.928 --> 01:59:45.329
voted to make a recommendation that we have completed

01:59:45.329 --> 01:59:50.028
our work. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1657 and the final

01:59:50.028 --> 01:59:53.508
report of the Commission has been posted on the CDC's

01:59:53.519 --> 01:59:56.999
website. You can find it at the page regarding the

01:59:56.999 --> 02:00:02.488
Lithium Valley. And um, I wanted to note also that Commissioner

02:00:02.488 --> 02:00:05.798
Douglas has done extensive work on this issue in the

02:00:05.798 --> 02:00:09.099
past. And we look forward to the CPUC's

02:00:09.099 --> 02:00:12.738
role in um, the development of geothermal production

02:00:12.738 --> 02:00:17.318
in the area. And to continue to follow and contribute

02:00:17.318 --> 02:00:20.838
in the statewide efforts to encourage lithium extraction

02:00:20.838 --> 02:00:24.488
in California. As well as consideration of community

02:00:24.488 --> 02:00:29.619
benefits and community impacts. Um with that, that concludes

02:00:29.628 --> 02:00:34.269
my report. And that also concludes the Commissioner Reports

02:00:34.278 --> 02:00:37.329
section of the Agenda. Which is the last item on our

02:00:37.329 --> 02:00:41.988
agenda. And so our, the Public Meeting of the California

02:00:41.999 --> 02:00:45.639
uh, the California Public Utilities Commission is now

02:00:45.648 --> 02:00:49.749
adjourned. Thank you everyone.

02:00:49.749 --> 02:00:52.119
And this concludes today's conference. Thank you for

02:00:52.119 --> 02:00:54.349
participating. You may disconnect at this time.