CPUC Hearing in San Francisco This Week Regarding Bear Valley Electric’s Proposed Rate Increase
February 23, 2009 by Catherine Sandstrom
Filed under Current News, Government
The California Public Utilities Commission is this week taking testimony on the proposed rate increase for electric service offered by Bear Valley Electric. Administrative Law Judge Jonathan Lakritz took testimony in Big Bear Lake during a hearing on December 2, and this week’s hearings, which extend through February 27, are taking place in San Francisco. The DRA, or Division of Ratepayer Advocates, which is an independent consumer advocacy division of the CPUC, is among those protesting the rate increase. Per a statement issued by the DRA in December, they are opposed to the $6.8 million in revenue increases being sought by Bear Valley Electric’s parent company Golden State Water Company, and instead suggesting $4.4 million—in a conversation with a DRA representative today, he tells KBHR that this is still their position, as they have not released a statement since the December one, which was refered to as an “Un-Bear-Able Rate Hike.” Big Bear Mountain Resorts has also sent representatives to the CPUC hearing in San Francisco this week, as the initially proposed 22.7% rate hike could be potentially drastic for Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Though there is the potential for negotiations during formal hearings this week, Judge Lakritz told us earlier, “I would not expect on answer on this until summer.” Testimony this week is being heard by Administrative Law Judge Darwin Farrar, though CPUC Commissioner Timothy Simon, who had been in Big Bear for the December forum, is also on the panel.
Related posts:
- A Year Later, the Verdict Is Still Out on Bear Valley Electric’s Proposed Rate Increase
- Judge’s Ruling Announced in Bear Valley Electric’s Rate Increase Proposal; CPUC to Vote on First Year Increase of 15.85%
- CPUC Approves General Rate Increase for Bear Valley Electric Customers; 19.97 Percent Rate Increase to Be Phased In Over Four Years
- Proposition 218 Protest Hearing Regarding DWP’s Water Rate Increase Takes Place Tomorrow
- DWP’s Proposed Water Rate Increase Moves Forward, Will Be on October 12 City Council Agenda
After graduating from BBHS, Catherine moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University. In her 20 years off the mountain, most recently in Manhattan Beach, Catherine's career has included publishing, broadcasting, public relations and public education; she served as KBHR's News Director from April 2007 to July 2010.
