05-09-03news3 -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 5/9/2003
Last Visited: 5/24/2003
Roland Tanner, SCWC's manager of regulatory affairs, confirmed that the company applies for general rate increase request every three years, and that, "even though Ojai isn't part of our Region III (the primary customer base), we are requesting a general rate increase for all of our districts under the provisions of the general office allocation, filed as a separate entity."
The allocation, per Tanner, relates to general office overhead - accounting, technological improvements, customer service - "all of the departments that apply" to the general operating costs of providing water to 75 communities (or, as parent company, American States Water, reports, one in 30 Californians.)
Tanner explained that the separate filing is necessary, "otherwise, we would never recover" from the ever-increasing general office expenses incurred by each district - and absorbed by SCWC's corporate office.Pursuant to SCWC's application, the CPUC held three public participation hearings, inviting public comment.The hearings were held on April 28, 29 and 30, in Claremont, Stanton, and Barstow, respectively.Asked why the CPUC - whose policy is to hold public meetings that are accessible to everyone - conducted these hearings in cities a minimum of 100 miles away from Ojai, Tanner said, "We were told that, due to the state's budget crisis, there would be a limited number of meetings held" on such applications.
"To my knowledge, no one from the Ojai district was in attendance at these meetings," said Tanner, acknowledging the fact that the city of Ojai will, however, receive any official documentation related to such.
...
Tanner assures SCWC customers that the rate increase, if approved, would not be retroactive."We can't, by law, 'go back and collect' rates," he said.
...
Roland Tanner may be reached at 909-394-3600, extension 712.