In momentarily. Thank you for your patience.
Online Public Participation Hearing for Bear Valley Electric
Services 2023 General Rate Case, GRC application.
Application number 22-08-010. Please note that
the audio and visual feed of this Public Hearing is
being recorded, and broadcasted on the Commission's website.
Good evening, my name is Elaine Lau. I'm the assigned
Administrative Law Judge, ALJ on this proceeding.
I am here with Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma, who is
the assigned Commissioner on this proceeding.
The purpose of today's hearing is for the California
Public Utilities Commission or CPUC to hear from
customers of Bear Valley Electric Services and members
of the public about this application. The CPUC is
a state agency that has regulatory authority over Bear
Valley Electric Services. The CPUC has 5 Commissioners
who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by
the State Senate. The Commissioners are the ones who
will determine the outcome of this proceeding. As a
Judge on this case, my role is to evaluate the evidence
in the proceeding, and then to write a proposed decision
based on the evidence. The Commissioners can then vote
to either adopt my proposed decision or they can vote
to adopt their own alternate decision. At this time,
I'd like to ask Commissioner Shiroma to see if she has
some opening remarks for us.
Yes, thank you Judge. Good evening, everyone. My name
is Genevieve Shiroma, my pronouns are she/her. I am the assigned
Commissioner for this proceeding. And I'm pleased to
join Judge Elaine Lao today, for this Public Participation
Hearing. Uh, Judge Lau and I will be working together
to carefully consider Bear Valley's requests in this
General Rate Case proceeding. And ensure that the utility
can both prepare for growing wildfire threats, and protect
ratepayers, and protect rate payers from undue bill
increases. As these General Rate Case proceedings may
have large impacts on ratepayers. We at the Public Utilities
Commission take public participation very seriously.
And work to ensure that customers have ample opportunity
to understand the proceedings that affect them, and
voice any concerns or questions. Today, we have an
opportunity for Bear Valley customers to learn more
about the General Rate Case application and express
your views. I look forward to hearing from all of you
and from our presenters today. Before I turn the microphone
back to Judge Lau. I would like to thank our court reporters
for this evening, Tamara Dawson and Doris Waman. Who
are working very hard to cover this Hearing and have
a tough job of capturing everything that will be said
here for the record. Thank you to our court reporters
and back to Judge Lau.
Thank you, Commissioner Shiroma. If you want to participate
today and provide public comments to this application.
You will need to call 1-800-857-1917, which is provided
on the screen. Enter passcode 1767567#, and then press
*1 on the phone. Uh, if you're a public official,
please also provide us with your title and position.
Your comments will be broadcasted live through the Commission's
website, and will also be recorded. If you do not wish
to be recorded or cannot call in today, but wish to
reflect some of your comments. You may also submit
written comments by visiting the link you see on the
screen, which is apps.cpuc
.ca.gov/c/A2208
010. Once on the website, please click on the Public
Comments tab. As of today, we have received a total
of 36 written comments. If you have any questions regarding
the application or questions about your bill or service.
A representative from Bear Valley Electric Service is
available this evening to answer your questions. From
5pm until the end of this Hearing, please call
them at 909-255-2769, as provided on the screen.
At this time, I will speak briefly about the request
in the application. In this application, Bear Valley
Electric Services is requesting that the CPUC approve
rate increases from 2023-2026. Specifically
Bear Valley is requesting to increase revenues by approximately
27% in 2023, 5% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 5% in 2026.
According to the company, these significant increases
are needed to recover the cost of wildfire mitigation
activities. Which constitute about 80% of the requested
increases. At this time, I want to introduce and invite
uh, invite uh Mr. Jon Pierotti, who is Bear Valley Electric
Services, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. To talk
more about the request in this application. Um, uh Robert
can you bring Mr. Pierotti to the stage?
Hi, can everyone hear me okay? Yes. Great. Okay, uh thank
you, Judge Lau and Commissioner Shiroma. Uh, good evening.
My name is Jon Pierotti. I'm the Vice President of
the Regulatory Affairs Department. My department is
responsible for filing the General Rate Case application.
Which is the subject of this Public Participation Hearing.
I want to welcome you to this virtual Hearing and thank
all of our customers who have taken the time to join
us this evening. We look forward to hearing from you
and understanding your perspectives. You just heard
Judge Lau provide an overview of Bear Valley's application,
and the purpose of today's meeting in the Commission's
process for reviewing the application. I'm going to
take just a few minutes to expand on Judge, Judge Lau's
comments. General Rate Case is the process that establishes
the company's overall budget or what we more commonly
refer to as our revenue requirement. To operate the
electric system in a manner that will allow us to provide
safe and reliable electric service. The rate case also
establishes the rates we charge for electric service.
Rates are set at a level that will generate the budget
or revenue requirement. That is approved by the Public
Utilities Commission in the rate case at the forecasted
levels of energy use. The general rate case process
is intended to be an open process where input from
customers is welcomed, encouraged and valued. Your participation
here tonight is an important part of that process.
As customers of Bear Valley Electric Service Inc., you
received notice that Bear Valley filed its rate case
application in August 2022. That application requested
changes in our revenue requirement and rates beginning
January 2023. The Commission's final decision on our
application will set our revenue requirement and our
corresponding rates for a 4 year period. Calendar
years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. A quick word about the
timing of our application. Bear Valley is obligated
by law to file a general rate case application once
every 4 years. The Commission has a preset schedule
that establishes the date for our filing. For Bear Valley,
our last rate case application was filed in May 2017.
And the Commission's decision established rates for
the calendar year 2018-2022, which included
one additional year. The filing of the rate case application
in August of last year was the first step in a process
that takes at least 12 months to complete. Once we
file our application, the Office of Public Advocates
begins their process of reviewing our application. And
ultimately issuing their own recommendations to the
Commission regarding our 2023 revenue requirement.
Next steps include settlement negotiations, mediation,
evidentiary hearings. And then Judge Lau will issue
a proposed decision based on the facts presented in
the case. Resolving all of the issues in the application.
And finally, the Commissioners will vote and issue
a final decision, as Judge Lau mentioned.
I'll now provide some information about the application.
Bear Valley's General Rate Case application with the
Commission requests a revenue requirement of $50.28
million for 2023. Which is an increase of approximately
$10.54 million or 26 1/2% from the current
2022 revenue requirement. Bear Valley's also requesting
increases in revenues of $2.24 million or 4.45% in 2024,
$1.85 million or 3.53% in 2025, and $2.93 million or 5.39%
in 2026. Based upon this request, an average residential
customers monthly bill using 325 kilowatts per hour
per month. Would increase by approximately $28.19 or
30% in 2023. While Bear Valley realizes that these
requested increases are substantial. It is important
to note that the majority of these increases relate
to the recovery of costs that have been incurred. And
that Bear Valley will continue to incur to invest in
programs, and improvements to increase public safety
from the threat of wildfires and increase service reliability.
In response to the increasing threat of catastrophic
wildfires in California. The Commission and the California
Legislature have mandated a number of steps to mitigate
the risks of wildfires. Although necessary and prudent,
these Legislative and Commission mandates to reduce
the risk of wildfires. Have resulted in dramatic increases
in Bear Valley's costs of operation. As we all well
know, the threat of wildfire to this community is very
real. The Radford Fire last September, certainly reminded
us of this. Under a normal general rate case process,
Bear Valley would propose infrastructure investments
on a forward looking basis in its general rate case.
The Commission would review Bear Valley's request for
future infrastructure investments. Approve them, if
determined to be reasonable and in the interest of
customers. And grant cost recovery and rates for those
projects it approves. However, after the extreme wildfires
that occurred in 2017 and 2018. The Commission and
the State Legislature mandated all of the electric
utilities in the State, including Bear Valley. To begin
investing in wildfire safety projects right away. And
to seek funding and cost recovery for those projects
later. So in this General Rate Case application, a
portion of the increase being requested is to fund
wildfire safety projects that have already been completed.
And a portion of the increase is to fund future projects.
Bear Valley's number one priority is to provide safe
and reliable service to its customers. As stated, Bear
Valley has already undertaken a number of projects,
and implemented operations and maintenance programs.
That are intended to mitigate the risk to our customers
of a catastrophic wildfire caused by Bear Valley's
infrastructure. Some of those projects and programs
are completed and some will be ongoing during the upcoming
general rate case cycle. For instance, Bear Valley's
General Rate Case request includes approximately $62
million in new investments from 2023-2026. To
help customers face and reduce, help keep customers
safe and reduce the impacts of extreme weather and
the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Some of these
projects include the covered conductor replacement
project. Whereby Bear Valley aims to replace exposed
high voltage conductors with covered conductors on
all sub transmission lines and high risk distribution
lines. The evacuation route hardening project. Whereby
Bear Valley will strengthen its facilities along primary
and secondary evacuation routes, and make them more
fire resistant. To allow for the safe evacuation of
the public in the event of a wildfire. And just as important,
the safe passage of first responders and their resources
to combat fires. The enhanced vegetation management
program which encompasses regularly scheduled tree
trimming. To prevent trees from coming in contact with
power lines. As well as the use of aerial photography
and videography, laser imaging technology and third
party independent patrol inspections. To reduce the
risk of wildfires caused by power lines. The Radford
Line Replacement Project which replaces the Radford
Line 2.7 circuit miles of bare wire subtransmission
line that consists of 95 wood poles. With high performance
covered conductor and fire resistant ductile iron poles.
Because it is located in an area designated as extreme
fire risk. This line comes up the backside of snow
summit into the village. The ductile iron poles are
less susceptible to wildfire damage as well as being
better suited to withstanding inclement Winter weather.
Such as high winds than the existing wood poles and
the covered conductors are designed to reduce the chances
of electrical lines triggering wildfires. And the switch
and field device automation project which allows Bear
Valley to monitor its system remotely, and rapidly
deenergize sections of the system. If it is determined
to be at a high risk of causing an ignition. While these
efforts are aimed at public safety. It should be noted
that they will also improve system reliability and
resiliency resulting in less outages during Winter
storms. As Judge Lau mentioned, if you would like to
contact Bear Valley Electric Service Inc. directly with
a question during tonight's Public Participation
Hearing. You can do so by phone, Bear Valley has set
up a special call in number for customers. Who would
like to speak to a company representative about the
rate case application or have any questions about their
bills or service. That number once again is 909-
255-2769. Bear Valley employees are standing by at
that number to respond to your questions.
Before concluding my comments tonight, I would like
to speak to the extraordinary and difficult circumstances
that we all find ourselves in right now. I'm very proud
that Bear Valley employees have been working hard throughout
the pandemic. Making sure that you, our customers have
continued to receive uninterrupted, safe and reliable
electric service during this time. I also want to share
that we recognize many of our customers are experiencing
financial and economic hardships coming out of this
pandemic situation. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic, our customer service team has remained available
to help customers answer questions and solve problems.
Bear Valley has put in place protections to ensure that
customers continue to receive safe and reliable electric
service. Also included in our rate case is a provision
to offer a monthly credit on the bill to low-income
customers who meet specific income criteria. If you
go to the website bvesinc.com, you
will find the link on the home page under customer
service to Bear Valley's Programs. Including its Low-
Income California Alternative Rates for Energy Program,
Medical Baseline program and COVID-19 Assistance Program.
With that, I will close my comments. Again, I want to
thank all of you for taking the time to join this meeting.
And I look forward to your comments. Thank you, Judge
Lau for this opportunity.
Thanks Mr. Pierotti. Uh next, I'd like to invite uh, Ms.
Ritta Merza from the Public Commissions Public Advocates
Office to speak a few words.
Uh Ms. Merza, I cannot hear you. You may on mute. Oh,
uh can you hear me now?
Great. Uh good evening ALJ Lau, Commissioner Shiroma and members of
the public. I am Ritta Merza, Attorney for the Public Advocates
Office at the California Public Utilities Commission
in Bear Valley Electric's 2023 General Rate Case Proceeding.
The Public Advocates Office at the California Public
Utilities Commission also referred to as Cal Advocates.
Is an independent consumer advocate at the California
Public Utilities Commission. Cal Advocates represents
the interests of public utility customers with the
goal of obtaining the lowest possible rates. For service
consistent with safe and reliable service and the safe
environmental goals. Call Advocates is reviewing and
analyzing Bear Valley Electric's 2023 GRC request and
well presented findings, independent forecasts and
recommendations in written testimony to be submitted
on May 26, 2023. Uh, that includes Cal Advocates brief
remarks. Thank you and we look forward to public comments.
Thank you. At this time, we are ready to hear comments
from the public on this application. Commissioner Shiroma
and I are here today to hear your comments. A court
reporter as well is on, um is on the phone. They will
be transcribing everything that is said today. The
written transcript of today's hearing will be posted
uh, publicly on the docket card of this proceeding.
Which is available on the CPUC website. Um, can
I ask if you're not speaking to mute your line. I'm
hearing some echoes.
In addition.
I'm carrying uh, some uh background noises. Uh, may I
ask someone to uh, mute your line? Yes. Uh, so in addition
this hearing is being recorded and broadcasted live on
the PUC website. If you do not wish to be
recorded alternatively, you may submit written comments.
By visiting the link on uh, on the screen. Uh, if
you want to provide live comments now. May I remind
you to please call 1-800-857-1917, enter passcode
1767567#, and then press *1. Again, your comments
will be broadcasted live and recorded. When it is your
turn to speak. I ask that you provide us with your
name, spelling your first name and last name. And then
please also let us know which city you're calling from.
Please again, speak slowly and clearly so that our
court reporters can capture everything we say. Um Operator,
at this moment how many calls do we have in, in queue?
Uh, we have uh 3 parties in the, in the queue at
this time. Three um, were there 10 before. So there
were seven that dropped off?
There was 10 that had called in and, uh we only have
three that have queued up for a comment. Oh okay. Are, is
one of them a public official? Uh yes. Uh Randall Putz,
uh Mayor of Big, Big Bear Lake. Yeah, can you bring
uh Mayor um. That uh, uh can you bring him uh, open
his line up? Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
Uh Mayor Putz , your line is open.
Thank you everyone. Good evening. I'm Randall Putz
R. A. N. D. A. L. L. P. U. T. Z. and I'm
the Mayor of Big Bear Lake. And I'm compelled to speak
on behalf of our community. Expressing concerns over
an alarming approximately 40% increase in electricity
rates over 3 years. I'll keep it short. I represent
a small rural community, whose residents skew older
and less resourced. In fact, about half of our residents
don't work and many are retired on fixed incomes. The
proposed rate increases will be a significant burden
to those who can least afford it. It's important to
note that the ratepayers in Big Bear Lake already pay
a significantly higher rate than the state of California's
average rate. And I understand the need to harden infrastructure
in response to wildfire risk. I also understand that
such infrastructure investment shows up as an asset
on Bear Valley Electric's balance sheet. That ends up
getting funded by the ratepayers. So I urge the PUC
to carefully scrutinize this rate request. Ensure that
it follows the PUC's adopted affordability metrics. And
make sure it isn't unreasonably rewarding the financial
beneficiaries of this investor-owned utility. On the
backs of our citizens. Thank you, uh for your help and
your time.
Thanks, Mayor. Um Operator is there another public
official on the line? Uh no, ma'am, there is not. And
then can you introduce our next speaker? Our next caller
is uh Chris, your line is open.
Chris.
Hi there. Uh, uh can you hear me? Yeah Chris, can you
spell your first and last name, and provide us the city
you're calling from? Sure, absolutely. My name is Chris
C. H. R. I S. My last name is Hanson, H. A. N.
S. O. N. I live in Big Bear City.
Thank you, you may begin. Yeah, I just wanted to express
my concern. Because I think that there are a lot of
other people in Big Bear. That are struggling to make
rent, struggling to pay their bills, struggling with
this economy. And I just don't think this is the right
time. For us to bear the burden of having a 40 to
47% rise in our utility rates. When we're forced at
the pump to move to electricity. And now someone is
controlling our electricity prices. I just don't think
that's fair, and I just wanted to say that. That's all.
Thanks Chris. Um, can we have the next commenter?
Uh, yes. And as a reminder if you would like to make
a public comment, please call 1-800-857-1917. Enter pass
code 1767567, and then press *1 and provide your
name uh when prompted. Our next speaker is uh, Lupe Lugo.
Your line is open. Uh Good evening. Uh Thank you for
the opportunity to speak. My uh name is spelled L. U.
P. E. Last name is L. U. G. O. And I am in
the City of Big Bear Lake. Um I, you know, I'm here
to just express how uh concerning, just alarming. The
proposed increases are. Not sure how familiar you are
with the situation in Big Bear Lake. But housing affordability
is already quite difficult and so these types of increases
really squeeze the community. Um I'm hearing a lot
of why you need to raise the rates. But I'm not hearing
a lot of options to work with the community. So that
it can be something that is not, electricity should
not be cost prohibitive. So I'd like to hear more about
other solutions that you have to help ease that cost.
So for example, perhaps offering rebates for solar
where that's possible. For the solar and, um and for the
batteries. I know that there's a federal rebates, but
something that you know the, the Bear Valley Electric
can offer. To help offset some of that cost. So if we
could hear more about those ideas. Um, that would be very
much appreciated.
Thank you um, for your comment. Um Operator, do we have
another caller?
Your Honor. There are no more speakers in the public
comment uh, telephone line at this time. Okay. Um, I think
at this moment since there are no more speakers on
the line. We can um, take maybe a 10 minute break. And
allow people, you know, maybe they're just coming home
from work or whatnot uh to call in. So if right now
it's 5:27, 5:28pm on my watch. So, um let's
come back. Let's go on a break and come back at
5:40pm. Thank you.
We will begin momentarily. The noise. So we'll be back on
the record. Um Operator, is there anyone who logged
or who called in during the break? Uh yes, ma'am. Uh
we do have a, a few people that have called in.
Can you uh introduce the first caller? Uh yes, that
is Pat Inert, I believe your line's open.
Yes, can you hear me? Yes. Can you please spell your
first and last name and provide the city you're calling
from. Thank you. Uh, it's Pat or Patricia, P. A. T. R.
I. C. I. A. Last name is Enyart, E. N. Y. A. R. T. And
my residence is Sugarloaf. And I wanted just to um, reinforce
some of the comments that have been made. And also have
a couple of questions. Um as already stated, we have
some of the highest rates already in the State. Um,
I'm wondering if doesn't the federal government have
a disaster relief program to aid with the fires? Um,
I'm on a fixed income. Uh, there is assistance offered
for 1 or 2 people with a total income of $36,000.
If you consider the cost of rent or mortgage, property
taxes, and the huge cost for fire insurance. Plus other
utilities costs, there isn't a whole lot left, left.
Um, you're going to be cutting into people's food budgets.
Finally, my understanding is that you cut the solar
net metering credits. I'd like to understand better
why? And if this could actually take some of the burden
off of the grid, why it's happening? And I strongly
oppose the rate increases. Thank you.
Um, Pat I want to remind you. That if you do have
questions about your billing services, you may call
the uh Bear Valley's customer service rep line. Which
is available all through the um, uh Hearing um through
this online hearing. It's the phone number is on the
screen which is 909-255-2769. Sorry, 2769.
Um, Commissioner Shiroma and I are here to hear public
comments about this application. Um, where if Commissioner
Shiroma feels um, like she wants to. Then she, you know, she
can, but we're not here to opine on other Commission
proceedings.
Yeah, all right. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Operator
Do we have other commenters? I just, the next comment
comes from Susan Chaidez. Your line is open. Thank you. I'm
Susan Chaidez, S. U. S. A. N. C. H. A. I. D as in David, E. Z.
I live in Sugarloaf, I also live on a fixed income.
I serve on two senior boards, the Senior Citizens of
Big Bear Valley and the local AARP Chapter in
Big Bear Lake. A lot of things that seniors talk about
is the price of heating their home, the price of gas.
The price of just going to the grocery store and the
AARP serves the food bank. And it's at 77
households every month. So this big increase would
put, make it hard for some seniors to be able to afford.
That's all I have to say.
Thank you. Um, thank you for your comments. Operator,
do we have another commenter on the line?
Operator?
Uh, can people hear me? I cannot hear the operator.
Um yes, but let's uh he may have dropped off. Give
us one minute Judge. All right, thank you. Let's go
off the record. Um, and let's the IT people resolve
their technical difficulties. Your Honor. Yes. I am here.
I do apologize, I am here. Okay, let's go back on the
record. Um Operator, do we have other callers on the
line? Uh Yes, ma'am. Uh, the next caller is Terra Anton
Georgi. Your line is open. Hello? Yes. My name is Tara
Antongiorgi. T. A. R. A. The last name is A. N.
T. O. N. G. I. O. R. G. I. And I'm also
from Sugarloaf. I'm also going to reiterate many of
the comments already made. Um, Bear Valley Electric
has some of the highest rates in the State. A 44% increase
over 4 years is out of, out of control. Many in Big
Bear are struggling financially. Rents are high, tourism
visitation has decreased significantly. And for many
this is their sole form of income. And on top of it
Bear Valley Electric limited their net metering to
5% which is legally what they could do. But that's
one way residential customers can take advantage, you
know. One way they can control these kind of uh, high
increases. And also I'm really curious because the
very, Bear Valley Electric Solar Project is advertised
on your website. As actually has the potential and was
supposed to decrease rates. Um, it says customer rates
will decrease over a time as a result of reduced supply
cost. So I don't really understand why that is not
a benefit or was it a cost? Is that why we are
where we are? And I've also never understood as a company
how you're able to charge different property owners
different rates. Such as second homeowners or at a higher
rate. So I strongly oppose this increase. Thank you
Thank you. Um, thank you for your comments. As I said
before, Bear Valley has uh, a line open to answer
specific questions which is 909-255-2769. Um, today
Commissioner Shiroma and I are here to hear public comments.
So um Operator, do we have another caller on the line?
Yes. Our next caller is Randall Grumski. Your line is open
please.
I am here now. Thank you.
Um.
Go ahead. Go ahead. All right. Yeah, please uh state
your, uh spell your first and last name, and uh provide
us with the city you're calling from. My name is Randall
Guritzky. I'm calling from Monte California right now,
but I have a residence in Big Bear Lake. Okay. Can you
please spell your first and last name for us, please.
Is Randall R. A. N. D. A. L. L. Guritzky, G. U.
R. I. T. Z. K. Y.
Okay, thank you. You may begin.
Thank you. First of all, even though I was on the line
at about 5:04, to hear most of what was said
including the prior speakers. I do appreciate that
there was a break to resume, so that others could call
in. Um with that, my wife and I own a home in
Big Bear Lake. I, 2nd, 3rd and 4th the previous speakers
including the Mayor. Uh this, I'm looking at the rate
schedules. It's appears out of line to be frank. Three
years 43.7%, 43.1% overall. That, that's really my
main thrust is the rate is unreasonable. The gas company
somehow has maintained their rates reasonably. Um,
it boils down to us, to my wife and I. That Big
Bear Valley is just seeking an increase in profit.
And um, we respectfully request that this application
be denied.
Okay. Thank you for your comments. Um Operator, do we
have another caller on the line? Yes our next caller
comes from Stephen Fritch. Your line is open. Stephen
Fritch, S. T. E. P. H. E. N. F. R. I. T.
C. H, and my home is in Big Bear Lake. Hm.
Thank you, you may begin. Okay. Um you know, everybody
that has spoken I totally agree with. And I've heard
from so many people even before this increase. That,
that the prices of electric were so much higher than
everywhere else. Uh, many people know that the prices
are as much as twice as high already. And I think that
the electric utility company should be able to find
some assistance from the Fire Department, with the fires.
They should be able to maybe get a grant or some other
help elsewhere. I know I had a problem where the, we
had a surge in power and had damage in our home. And
I called Bear Electric. And they said, just put in a form
they'll take care of it for you. I put in the form
and took my time. It was just a couple of $100, it
wasn't a lot of money. And I got an answer back from
them. That it was a tree limb that hit, um you know
hit one of their transformers. And it was uh, you know
nature of God or something. And that they weren't going
to pay for it. So they're not willing to really share
the cost of any damage anyway. So I can't really see.
But anyway to go on, you know, the price is already
high. Um, we want everybody in California and across
the Nation to go all electric with their cars, all
of their cooking, all of their heating and everything.
And this, these price increases are going to be a major
impact. And I really think that's why they're wanting
to raise the rates now is because they want to get
ahead of the things that are going to happen to increase
their bills. Um, another thing is the parent company
is a water company. And if you look at Big Bear Electric
as a part of this whole corporation, they're a very
small portion of it. And maybe it's just that they're
inefficient because they have a 24,000 people on the
electric bill and they don't want to charge commercial
as much. They do not want to charge industrial as much.
And the lighting, I don't quite understand that portion
of it. But my suspicion is that's going to come on
the city. Which is going to come back on the residents
in taxes. So, and then the final thing I just wanted
to, to say. Is I believe that, that there, there the
public is still going to be responsible for helping
those who can't pay. And it's also going to be responsible
for um, for the cost increases of what it costs them
to get the primary electricity or whatever that they
either buy a derivative to buy during the market year
or the price that they pay. And I was wondering if
there's a chance that they could go to another utility
company. Compare the prices and possibly Big Bear Lake
could go off to, I don't really want to mention any
other names. But one of the big electric companies
where they have more, better control over the cost
of their resources. And that's pretty much all I have
to say. Other than I appreciate everybody else's comments.
Thanks Mr. Fritch. Um, uh do Operator, do we have another
caller on the line? Yes. Our next caller is Poma Llama.
Your line is open.
online. Yes. Uh our next caller.
I'm having a hard time hearing you. Can you put your
phone closer to you?
We can hear too, if you'd like to go ahead with
your comments.
Hello? Are you still on the line?
I'll move, I'll move to the next caller, and we can come
back. Okay, thank you.
Our next caller is Robbyn Tucker. Your line is open.
Hi. My name is Robbyn Tucker and I live in Big Bear
City and I'm calling you guys today over my concern
for this huge hike in um, the electricity bill. And
my concern is for people like myself. I live here and
I'm a full time resident. I'm disabled, so I'm on a
fixed income. So I already have to watch my bills so
that I could afford to pay them on a monthly basis
without being behind or making payment arrangements.
And I believe that the overall total percentage of
43.1 over the next few years is just, three years is
just way too high. I think it's outrageous. They just
raised everything this year, last year. And my concern
is for like for myself, there's a lot of disabled people
up here on fixed incomes. There's also a lot of elderly
people up here, that are on fixed incomes. And that use
the bus, the free bus as their transportation. And
I just feel like this hike is, it's massive. And I
know for myself, my electricity bill this month was
$13.13. So to raise it $28 on top of that, I will
be in trouble trying to pay my electricity. So, and
I don't want to be in, in that position. I own
my property. So I already have homeowners insurance
property taxes, plus utilities and being on a fixed
income it's very tight. You know, to even to afford
to eat. So thank God for the churches up here that
help with that. So that's my concern is that the and
I want to request that they deny the application. For
people for all the people, but especially for the disabled
people and the senior people that live on fixed incomes.
But also for every one of us because we do, most of
us probably can't afford it. It's a lot. So that's
all I had to say. And I thank you for listening to
me and taking the time to have this meeting to listen
to all the concerns from all the residents. Robbyn,
can you provide us with your first, uh spell your first
and last name? My first name is Robbyn, R. O. B. B.
Y. N. Last name Tucker, T. U. C. K. E. R. And I'm
in Big Bear City. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank
you for your comments. Operator, can you uh queue the next
person in line.
Operator, can you introduce the next uh, caller?
Our next caller is Patty Lerma. Your line is open. Hi
thank you so much. My name is Patty P. A. T. T. Y. Lerma,
L. E. R. M. A. and I'm calling from Sugarloaf, California
Um, I wanted to just voice my concerns and my objection
to the raising the rates. I just bought a cabin in
Sugarloaf last June. And I currently am not working.
Um, I'm unemployed. The, the storm with the blizzard
was uh, took a real big toll on a lot of the
short term rental homeowners. That already have higher
rates that we have to pay with all the fees and the
permits and everything that, that we have to pay. But
for myself, I haven't worked since last June. And I
have zero income. And so the people that are on the
fixed. I understand that for me, like my unemployment
ran out. I'm completely like, struggling hard for,
for any type of income. And these increase in rates like
I feel like it's almost like a monopoly. Because they're
the BVE is the only company out there that we
can get electricity from. Um, when I first bought my
cabin, I asked if I could go solar. And they said that
they didn't give back for the solar. But that they
don't allow solar because they don't buy back the unused
portion, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. But
for myself and for the rest of the community, it's
been a tough Winter. Um It's, you know, we had the
national disaster deemed as far as the blizzard. And
then a lot of people's roofs were damaged and caved
in. And the electricity rates were through the roof,
because it was so cold that people were running their
heaters and trying to stay warm with these increase
in rates. It's, it's going to be absolutely undoable.
For the majority of the people that live in this little
tiny area. It would be better if there was another
you know, company that could come in and, and we could
have a choice. But I had no choice, I had to use
Bear Valley Electric. Because they're the only ones
that offer electricity. But if these rate increases
are approved, it's gonna hurt so many, so many people.
Um, and I just hope that, that you guys take that into
consideration and not approve these ridiculous asks
for rate increases. When there's so many other options.
There's California grants and there's all these loans.
And there's all of these other um, options that they
have, that we as homeowners don't have. To be able to
get these rates paid for, um on our own. So I appreciate
you taking the time to listen to my concerns. And I
just wanted to state the facts of, you know, I hope
that it does not get approved. I'm very opposed to
it with having no income at all.
Thank you for your comments. Um, operator. Uh, is there
another caller on the line? Your honor? I am showing
no more speakers on the public comment at this time
Um uh, let's go off the record. There is some echo
noise.
Um Commissioner Shiroma, do you feel that we can take another
5, 10 minute break for other callers, to call in?
Oh, yes. Okay. Okay. Um, let's go back on
the record. Um, it is now 6:01. There is currently
not a caller on the line yet, but we'd like to take
a short 10 minute break. To see if any callers will
call in. So we will resume at 6:10pm. Thank you.
Let's go off the record.
Do we have additional callers on the line? Uh yes,
ma'am. We do have uh a couple additional note, uh callers
queued up for a comment. Thank you. Can you please
introduce your first caller? Our first caller is uh, Jack
Mills. Your. Oh, one moment I lost, I lost him. Let
me find him. One.
You guys are definitely having audio problems.
The. Hi. Hi. Who, who's speaking? This is Jack Mills. Hi. J. A. C. K.
M. I. L. L. S, I'm a resident of uh Big Bear City. And I have
been for 47 or eight years now. Excuse me, I lost my
voice a while back. Otherwise, uh yeah I definitely
oppose this uh, increase. Um, it seems really extreme
and uh, um with uh everything else going on. Sorry.
Um,
the world is falling apart. We don't need a 43% increase
on our electric bill. Um, you know, my bill used to
be like $65 every two months when it was billed. You
know, bimonthly or whatever. Um, and now it's, you
know, at least 65 bucks or 70 bucks a month. And, uh
so that's uh, doubled already. So it was gonna almost
double again then, I'm really gonna have trouble. But, uh as far as the
wildfire prevention part of it. Uh, that's a heck of
a lot of money for that. And, yeah, there should be
funding for that in California since it got so much
money or whatever. Um, as far as the uh, the Radford line
uh you know and putting in steel poles. And, and
covering the wires. I'm not sure why you don't, uh
consider direct barrier, put it underground. So you
don't have any problems at all. You know? And in fact
I haven't heard any, any talk of uh, you know, converting
the whole valley to underground wiring. So that there's
no, no chance of fire, you know. And, uh
otherwise, yeah uh the problem is that what I see
with this is. It's forecasted costs and, uh yeah I
know you got, you know, some information on the future.
And what it might cost but it seems to me it's guess work. And
uh, considering that we're pretty much uh, having
to deal with Bear Valley Electric, don't have a choice. It's
definitely a monopoly. Um,
otherwise, uh let me see. In fact, it shows it says
here on this little, uh flyer here. That uh, um Bear
valley will recover forecasted costs uh, you know
yeah, in the rates over a 4 year period, 43% is
uh, just way over the top. And, uh and it just seems
like it's uh, beyond reasonable. No doubt about it.
Um, otherwise I'd like to encourage other people to
call in. And um, just state their concerns and, you
know, it's not that big a deal. I can hardly talk and
uh hopefully you can hear me. But uh otherwise, um
yeah, I call in and uh don't know how you feel about
it. So, thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Um Mr.
Mills, can you provide the spelling of your name again.
I think I spoke over you when you were doing that.
Okay. Sure, no problem. Yes Jack, J A C. K. Mills, M. I.
L. L. S.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mills
Operator? Um do you, do we have another caller on the
line?
Yes. Our next caller is Sally Bullard. Your line is
open. Hi. Um, my name is Sally Bullard. Um I've been
here for about 6 years. Um, I've never had to deal
with Bear Valley Electric. Um, I was a Southern California
Edison person. And I just, I really, I can't believe
that this company is asking for 45% increase in costs.
When nothing has been done to get smart meters to houses
or anything like that. It doesn't seem like anything
has been done. When I try to go in, I get home
at 6 o'clock and my electric bill has tripled. I'm
only, I'm only up until 10. So that's four hours a
day. And my bill has tripled since I've been here.
Um, and also um it really was very infuriating when
I worked every day through COVID. But I couldn't get
anyone in the office for years. The office was closed
up and up here in Big Bear. And to me that's just
I mean, if you want to say you have customer service
and that's part of the cost of all of this. Um, it
wasn't open at all. And for people who work like me
that have issues. Um, we can't get a hold of anyone
And to me that's ridiculous. I, I've never had to deal
with something like this with Southern California Edison.
I've never had to call Southern California Edison,
but I've called Bear Valley Electric about 8 times.
And I just don't feel like that uh there, there is
a warrant for a 45% increase.
I, I just think it's ridiculous. And also um, I think
if you're working for the people, then you need to
be open past 5 o'clock. And most people are working
That's all I have to say,
Ms. Bullard. Um, can you provide the spelling of her
name? Bullard, B. U. L. L. A. R. D.
and your first name is Sally, correct? Correct.
Um and I, I do wanna uh, I'm not sure when you
logged in. Uh, we do have someone from Bear Valley
this evening to answer any questions about your bill
or the application, your service. And that number is
provided on the screen. Um, on our webex screen, it
is 909-255-2769.
Okay. Well, I don't need help now. I needed help when
they're closed. And it's, it's horrible when um, it
was closed to the extreme.
Um, I didn't have any opportunity to take off from
work during COVID. Um, yet that office was closed for
almost a year.
That's ridiculous. I mean, I just think that you have
to warrant this type of increase and I just don't see
anything happening. All of the things are outsourced
is what I see. So, it's not even like Bear Valley is
is getting high costs from that. Um, every time I look
at when electric poles are being taken care of and
usually it's not in Big Bear City, it's usually in
Big Bear Lake sometimes in Big Bear City, but very
rarely. Um, because I guess we're county and they don't
care about us. Um, but it's an outsourced company.
So I'm just I, I mean I'm just I, I can't believe
that you want a 45% increase for nothing. Like, I don't
even have a smart meter.
So, I mean I don't even. I can't even get an option
of a pay, uh a level payment plan. Which is very typical
with um, you know, when I was with Edison. You could
just go ahead and have a level payment plan. So you
that you're aware of like what's coming up and I'm
gonna tell you this Summer it's gonna be like the gas
company. Where you guys are gonna like quadruple the
rates and then go. Oh, oh it's ok. Um, and that's my
big concern is that Summer is coming up. And my, my
bill is gonna quadruple.
So I mean, that's my biggest concern.
Um, and I just don't see anything being done up here.
So that's just um, I come from Arcadia and everything
is done. Like we get service here. I don't see anything
happening, but you could prove me wrong.
Um, there's nothing to talk to them about what they're
gonna say, pay your bill and I have no choice. So,
um, there has to be a reality check
and 45% is ridiculous.
So anyway that, that's all I have to say. And um, I'm
sure you're gonna do it anyways because that's how
this company is. That's how I feel. This company is
very, I don't think honest is at all.
Um again, like I said, I've been with Southern California
Edison and I've never had to call in about this. So
but I thank you for listening to me and I'm sure you're
gonna do whatever you're gonna do. Thank you, Ms.
Bullard. Okay,
Thank you. Operator, do we have another caller on the
line? Yes, we do have another caller Patrice Duncan.
Your line is open.
Thank you very much. Uh My name is Patrice Duncan,
P.A. T. R. I. C. E. D. U. N. C. A. N. I'm
a resident of Sugarloaf and I'm also President of the
Sugarloaf Property Owners Association. Which is a voluntary
membership, residential membership um association up
here in the community of Sugarloaf. And I just want
to reiterate a lot of things that Mayor Putz said. Pat
Enyart said, some other residents said. Um are very true as
well as my biggest concern. I'm a huge fan actually
of Bear Valley Electric. I think they do an awesome
job with well, fire mitigation tree trimming. Um I
know some folks think they don't service them. But
if you compare our mountain services, um through inclement
weather. Our snowstorms, we had one of the worst snowstorms
in our valley's history and we did not lose power at
all. And I believe that says a lot to the proactive
approach that Bear Valley has taken to tree trimming. Um wire
replacement, floor replacement, infrastructure stability.
Um however, I do am concerned in reading through the
documentation. I don't think there's been a strong
enough case made on behalf of Bear Valley. That they
have pursued other monies available from people like
the California Energy Commission grants. Um, additional
funding um for these state imposed changes that they
have to make. So I would just like to see that if
that has been done. I don't believe they showed it
to the community. I think the easiest thing is to always
go out to the community and ask for an increase. Um,
without doing their diligence because we are sort of
forced to just take it as the previous caller had said.
So I would just like to see a better um, argument or
statements that they have pursued all available grants
and funding from the state, from the federal government.
Um, because there are additional, there is additional
funding from the federal government for a while, our
mitigation as well. So that's just my comment. Um,
again I, I do think what they're doing is positive.
But, um but they need to make a better case before
coming to the public and asking for such a huge increase
which I'm absolutely opposed to. Thank you for the
time.
Thank you. Um Operator, do we have another caller
on the line? Uh, Your Honor there are no more uh, speakers
on the public comment telephone line. Okay. Commissioner
Shiroma uh, let's go off the record. Uh, Commissioner
Shiroma, how do you feel? Do you want to give it another
five minutes and see if other people want to call in
Well, I think we uh, we started at 5. It's now
uh, 6:23. So I think, I think it's ok. We, we
to
I think it's ok to um, adjourn. Ok, that sounds good.
Let's go back on the record. It is now 6:23. We
have no more speakers on the line. I want to thank
everyone who participated today. Thank you for your
comments. They were very informative and I saw that
during uh the the public hearing that there were additional
written comments submitted, I think there were at least
three. So thank you for those comments as well. Um
before we end Commissioner Shiroma, do you have any additional
comments for us?
Yes, thank you Judge Lau. I also want to echo, uh
thanks to uh the folks who called in. Took the time
to uh call in and provide their comments and feedback.
Thank you to our presenters, again to our court reporters.
And to the uh, Public Advisors Office uh and uh, Robert
Stanford who has been taking care of our audio visual.
Thank you and thank you to the public for participating
in this Hearing. Back to you Judge Lau. Thank you.
Mr. Pierotti, um do you mind having the line open till
7pm today? For uh, members of the public to call
if they have any questions about the application or
just uh questions about their bills.
Um Judge Lau, that shouldn't be an issue. I will, uh I will
contact the customer service representative and let
them know. All right. Thank you. So if you do have
more questions about the application or the bill. You
may call that number that was on the screen. Um, that
is 909-255-2769 and they will be, they will be
open and available until 7pm this evening. Um,
so before we conclude. I want to remind you that you
will be able to further submit written comments on
the proceeding by visiting the link that you see on
the screen. Which is apps.cpuc
.ca.gov/c/A220
8010. Um if you need further assistance in providing
public comments, you may also contact the Commission's
Public Advisers Office during business hours. You
may call 1-866-849-8390. And uh again, it's 1-866-849-8390.
You may also email the public adviser's office which
is uh public.advisor@cpuc.
ca.gov and their email is on the screen. That concludes
today's Public Participation Hearing. Thank you all
for your comments. Um, let's go off the record.
Thank you all. Have a good evening. Thank you. You
too.