Proceeding Number A.12-04-019 ASSIGNED COMMISSIONER AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING SETTING PREHEARING CONFERENCE AND IDENTIFYING ISSUES FOR FURTHER HEARINGS

ABSTRACT: Re: Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Approval of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project and Authorization to Recover All Present and Future Costs in Rates, the ASSIGNED COMMISSIONER AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING SETTING PREHEARING CONFERENCE AND IDENTIFYING ISSUES FOR FURTHER HEARINGS document copy is embedded. 

IT IS RULED that:

1. A Prehearing Conference shall be held at 1:00 p.m. on August 18, 2017 in the Commission Courtroom, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California for the purpose of hearing proposals from parties on the remaining schedule for the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity portion of this proceeding, and anything else parties recommend for the Commission to efficiently and equitably complete this proceeding by June 30, 2018.

2. Parties may file and serve Prehearing Conference Statements and shall do so by 12 noon on August 17, 2017. Parties shall make all reasonable efforts to file one Joint PHC Statement. If unable to do so, parties should seek to agree with as much as possible of the Joint PHC Statement and concurrently file their own PHC Statement which states their differing or opposing views.

3. As the scheduling of this PHC may impact the August 17 and 18, 2017 evidentiary hearing in Application (A.) 15-07-019, this ruling is being served on parties to this proceeding and A.15-07-019.

Ac and Alj's Ruling Setting Prehearing Conference and Identifying Issues for Further Hearing 8-07-17 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

FILED 8-07-17
ASSIGNED COMMISSIONER AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING SETTING PREHEARING CONFERENCE AND IDENTIFYING ISSUES FOR FURTHER HEARINGS

Proceeding Number A.15-07-019 DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT

ABSTRACT: RE: Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District, the DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT and Public Results of Commission Meeting December 1, 2106 –Agenda 3389 document copies are embedded. At the Commission Meeting December 1, 2016, Commissioners Michael Picker, President, Michel Peter Florio, Carla J. Peterman, Liane M. Randolph, Catherine J.K. Sandoval “Signed.” (D.16-12-003)
DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND
RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall request recovery of the 2013 and 2014 Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism/Modified Cost Balancing Account (WRAM/MCBA) balance through 2014 for the Monterey District of $39.8 million authorized in this decision, reduced by collections from existing WRAM/MCBA surcharges, to be recovered over five years with interest at the 90-day commercial paper rate. The advice letter shall clearly and fully itemize the WRAM/MCBA balance through 2014, including adjustments for collections from existing surcharges. The recovery shall be by a fixed monthly surcharge assessed on the basis of meter size using standard meter ratios. The multiple volumetric surcharges now in place for this recovery shall be terminated concurrent with the advice letter becoming effective. When the rates are to become effective, Cal-Am shall provide customer notice and explanation of the rate changes, with the notice first reviewed by the Commission’s Public Advisor.

2. Future Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism/Modified Cost Balancing Account (WRAM/MCBA) advice letters filed and served by California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) for the Monterey District shall request recovery of under-collections (or refunds of over-collections) by a uniform surcharge (or surcredit) on each unit of water sold (volumetric rate) including Tier 1. This applies to all WRAM/MCBA balances recovered once the new rate design is implemented. Cal-Am shall provide customer notice of each such advice letter consistent with General Order (GO) 96-B. In addition, for each of the next three advice letter requests, Cal-Am shall notify all customers in the Monterey District by bill insert or direct mail of the request even if that notice is not otherwise required by GO 96-B. The Notice shall be approved by the Commission’s Public Advisor before it is issued by Cal-Am.

3. California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) shall, within 3060 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall include tariffs for the Monterey District that: (a) eliminate the residential allotment system, (b) recover 30 percent of residential customer fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge, (c) use the temporary modification to standard residential meter ratios recommended by

Cal-Am for recovery of the increased percentage of fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge, (d) use the standardized residential rate design recommended by Cal-Am in which each customer gets the same amount of water in each tier at the tier break points and modified block widths, (e) reduce the multiple of Tier 5 to Tier 1 residential rates to 8 as proposed by Cal-Am, (f) use 2015 residential consumption data for rate development, (g) apply a 30 percent discount from the monthly service charge and the rates in Tier 1 through 4 for customers in the low income ratepayer assistance program, and (h) move 8.4 percent of forecast revenue collection from residential to non-residential customers. Cal-Am shall, and parties may, as soon as feasible, recommend elimination of the temporary modification to the standard residential meter ratios for recovery of the increased percentage of fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge. , and shall do so by the time of Cal-Am’s next general rate case (after Application 16-07-002) or explain in that general rate case why not. When the rates are to become effective, Cal-Am shall provide customer notice and explanation of the rate changes, with the notice first reviewed by the Commission’s Public Advisor.

4. California-American Water Company shall study the following issue and report its findings along with its recommendations in Application 16-07-002. The issue is the potential for automatic enrollment in the low income ratepayer assistance program, along with coordination with energy utilities, municipalities, and community based organizations to provide conservation information and tools to its customers.

5. The June 17, 2016 Motion for Adoption of Settlement Agreement Between California-American Water Company and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District on the Annual Consumption True-Up Pilot Program and on the Modifications to Monterey District Rule 14.1.1 and Tariff Schedule MO-14.1.1 is denied. California-American Water Company and parties are encouraged to file and serve a motion for Commission adoption of an improved annual consumption true-up pilot program, with the improvements incorporating those stated in the body of this decision as well as addressing the issues also stated in the body of the decision. That motion, if any, shall be filed and served within 60 days of the date of this decision. The Administrative Law Judge may extend the 60 day deadline for good cause.

6. California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall include a modified Monterey District Rule 14.1.1 and Tariff Schedule MO-14.1.1 that is consistent with the proposal attached to July 13, 2016 Reply Comments filed by Cal-Am and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District with one modification: Schedule 14.1.1 part B.4 (and related part(s) in Rule 14.1.1 if any) shall be modified to read: “Once the Schedule is activated, utility can implement Stages 2, 3, and 4 or change levels of the Emergency Conservation Rates, of the Schedule by filing a Tier 2 advice letter.”

7. Application 15-07-019 remains open in Phase 3 to address (a) a motion, if filed, for Commission adoption of an improved annual consumption true-up pilot program, and (b) a penalty phase. Parties in Phase 3 shall address by evidence and briefs, as appropriate, whether or not a penalty (if any is ultimately assessed) can be returned directly to ratepayers, including the desirability, feasibility, legality, and any other relevant factors that must be considered in doing so.

Proposed Decision of Alj Weatherford 12-1-16 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT

Public Results of Commission Meeting 12-01-16 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

 Public Utilities Commission of the State of California

Results of Public Agenda 3389
ThursdayDecember 1, 2016 9:30 a.m.
San Francisco, California
(Item #7)

Proceeding Number A.15-07-019 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REVISING SUMMARY TABLE AND ATTACHMENT A TO OCTOBER 8, 2016 PROPOSED DECISION

ABSTRACT: Re: Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District, the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REVISING SUMMARY TABLE AND ATTACHMENT A TO OCTOBER 8, 2016 PROPOSED DECISION document copy is embedded. IT IS RULED that a revised Summary Table and revised Attachment A are attached to this Ruling. Comments on the Proposed Decision shall include comments, if any, on the revised items attached to this Ruling.
REVISED SUMMARY TABLE
Re: October 18, 2016 Proposed Decision at page 4
The resulting average monthly increases for the majority of customers are:

RATEPAYER GROUP [1]	WRAM SURCHARGE	METER CHARGE	QUANTITY CHARGE	TOTAL
SINGLEFAMILY	$13.11 130%	$7.03 70%	$2.51 6%	$22.65 42%
MULTIFAMILY	$13.11 130%	$7.03 70%	$8.42 [2] 3%	$28.56 11%
LOW-INCOME	$13.11 163%	$3.91 49%	-$5.24 [3] -14%	$11.78 26%
NON-RESIDENTIAL	$5.69 28%	$0.00 0%	$35.71 28%	$41.39 20%

[1] Based on 5/8 inch meter.
[2] Includes master meter customers with multiple tenants.
[3]􀈱Includes􀈱30%􀈱discount􀈱on􀈱Tiers􀈱3􀈱and􀈱4.􀈱
􀈱􀈱
Alj's Ruling Revising Summary Table 10-26-16 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

FILED 10-26-16
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REVISING SUMMARY TABLE AND ATTACHMENT A TO OCTOBER 8, 2016 PROPOSED DECISION

Proceeding Number A.15-07-019 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REGARDING ACCOUNTING OF LIRA REVENUES IN 2013 AND 2014 WRAM/MCBA

ABSTRACT: Re: Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District, the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REGARDING ACCOUNTING OF LIRA REVENUES IN 2013 AND 2014 WRAM/MCBA document copy is embedded. IT IS RULED that parties may comment on adding a third item in the continued phase of this proceeding. That item is the correct accounting of revenues in the 2013 and 2014 Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism/Modified Cost Balancing Account as it related to customers in the low income ratepayer assistance program. Those comments shall be included in comments due by November 7, 2016 on the Proposed Decision. Parties may also comment on anything else relevant to the Commission’s treatment of this issue.

Alj's Ruling Regarding Accounting of Lira Revenues 10-27-16 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

FILED 10-27-16

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S RULING REGARDING ACCOUNTING OF LIRA REVENUES IN 2013 AND 2014 WRAM/MCBA 

Proceeding Number A.15-07-019 DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT

ABSTRACT: Re: Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District, the PROPOSED DECISION, DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT document copy is embedded. IT IS ORDERED that:
1. California-American Water Company shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall request recovery of the 2013 and 2014 Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism/Modified Cost Balancing Account balance for the Monterey District of $39.8 million authorized in this decision, to be recovered over five years with interest at the 90-day commercial paper rate. The recovery shall be by a fixed monthly surcharge assessed on the basis of meter size using standard meter ratios. The multiple volumetric surcharges now in place for this recovery shall be terminated concurrent with the advice letter becoming effective.
2. Future Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism/Modified Cost Balancing Account advice letters filed and served by California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) for the Monterey District shall request recovery of under-collections (or refunds of over-collections) by a uniform surcharge (or surcredit) on each unit of water sold (volumetric rate) including Tier 1. Cal-Am shall provide customer notice of each such advice letter consistent with General Order (GO) 96-B. In addition, for each of the next three advice letter requests, Cal-Am shall notify all customers in the Monterey District by bill insert or direct mail of the request even if that notice is not otherwise required by GO 96-B. The Notice shall be approved by the Commission’s Public Advisor before it is issued by Cal-Am.
3. California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall include tariffs for the Monterey District that: (a) eliminate the residential allotment system, (b) recover 30 percent of residential customer fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge, (c) use the temporary modification to standard residential meter ratios recommended by Cal-Am for recovery of the increased percentage of fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge, (d) use the standardized residential rate design recommended by Cal-Am in which each customer gets the same amount of water in each tier at the tier break points and modified block widths, (e) reduce the multiple of Tier 5 to Tier 1 residential rates to 8 as proposed by Cal-Am, (f) use 2015 residential consumption data for rate development, (g) apply a 30 percent discount from the monthly service charge and the rates in Tier 1 through 4 for customers in the low income ratepayer assistance program, and (h) move 8.4 percent of forecast revenue collection from residential to non-residential customers. Cal-Am shall, and parties may, as soon as feasible, recommend elimination of the temporary modification to the standard residential meter ratios for recovery of the increased percentage of fixed costs in the residential monthly service charge.
4. California-American Water Company shall study the following issue and report its findings along with its recommendations in Application 16-07-002. The issue is the potential for automatic enrollment in the low income ratepayer assistance program, along with coordination with energy utilities, municipalities, and community based organizations to provide conservation information and tools to its customers.
5. The June 17, 2016 Motion for Adoption of Settlement Agreement Between California-American Water Company and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District on the Annual Consumption True-Up Pilot Program and on the Modifications to Monterey District Rule 14.1.1 and Tariff Schedule MO-14.1.1 is denied. California-American Water Company and parties are encouraged to file and serve a motion for Commission adoption of an improved annual consumption true-up pilot program, with the improvements incorporating those stated in the body of this decision as well as addressing the issues also stated in the body of the decision. That motion, if any, shall be filed and served within 60 days of the date of this decision. The Administrative Law Judge may extend the 60 day deadline for good cause.
6. California-American Water Company (Cal-Am) shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file a Tier 2 advice letter in conformance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall include a modified Monterey District Rule 14.1.1 and Tariff Schedule MO-14.1.1 that is consistent with the proposal attached to July 13, 2016 Reply Comments filed by Cal-Am and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District with one modification: Schedule 14.1.1 part B.4 (and related part(s) in Rule 14.1.1 if any) shall be modified to read: “Once the Schedule is activated, utility can implement Stages 2, 3, and 4 or change levels of the Emergency Conservation Rates, of the Schedule by filing a Tier 2 advice letter.”
7. Application 15-07-019 remains open to address (a) a motion, if filed, for Commission adoption of an improved annual consumption true-up pilot program, and (b) a penalty phase.

Proposed Decision of Alj Weatherford a1507019 10-18-16 by L. A. Paterson on Scribd

FILED 10-18-16
DECISION ADDRESSING WRAM BALANCES, RATE DESIGN, CONSERVATION AND RATIONING RULES, AND OTHER ISSUES FOR THE MONTEREY DISTRICT 

Proceeding Number A.15-07-019 PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Resolution ALJ 176-3360 Administrative Law Judge Division July 23, 2015 RESOLUTION ALJ 176-3360. Preliminary determinations of category and need for hearing for proceedings initiated by application pursuant to Rule 7.1 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure

ABSTRACT: Re: Application of California-American Water Company (U-210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District, the PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Resolution ALJ 176-3360 Administrative Law Judge Division July 23, 2015 RESOLUTION ALJ 176-3360. Preliminary determinations of category and need for hearing for proceedings initiated by application pursuant to Rule 7.1 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure document copy is embedded.

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The category and need for hearing for each proceeding initiated by application listed in the attached Schedule of Preliminary Determinations are preliminarily determined, as noted.

2. This resolution is effective today.

NUMBER TITLE A15-07-019
California American Water Company, Application of California-American Water Company (U210W) for Authorization to Modify Conservation and Rationing Rules, Rate Design, and Other Related Issues for the Monterey District.
PROPOSED CATEGORY Ratesetting
PRELIM. CATEGORY Ratesetting
HEARING YES

Resolution ALJ 176-3360 7-23-15

Filing Date 7-23-15
RESOLUTION ALJ 176-3360. Preliminary determinations of category and need for hearing for proceedings initiated by application pursuant to Rule 7.1 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Administrative Law Judge Division
July 23, 2015