We'll begin momentarily. Thank you for your
welcome to the pub public ca Sorry. Welcome to the
This is a public participation hearing in Southern
California Edison Companies application for authority
to increase its authorized revenues for electric service
in 2025. Among other things and reflect that increase
in rates. Judge Seiber you may begin. Thank you, operator
We will now be on the record. The commission will come
to order. This is the time and place set for the public
participation hearing in the general rate case application
of Southern California Edison Company application 23-05
dash 010. My name is Aaron Seibert and I'm one of the
administrative law judges assigned to this proceeding
I'm co assigned with Judge Sophia Park who's listening
in to today's hearing. We are also joined by Karen
Douglas who is the signed commissioner for this case
Commissioner Douglas, would you like to make any opening
remarks?
Yes, thank you, Judge Seibert. I would and um thank
you also to Judge Park. I'm the commissioner assigned
to this proceeding as Judge Seibert said and in this
proceeding, we will be reviewing Southern California
Edison 2025 general rate case. I want to start by thanking
everyone who's here today for taking the time out of
their busy day to participate in today's public participation
hearing. This being the first of six such hearings
These hearings are a very important way for the commission
to hear directly from individuals and communities who
are impacted um by the results of this proceeding.
And your feedback at these hearings gives us very valuable
insights into concerns and priorities that will go
a long way in helping us make informed and balanced
decisions. This phase of the general rate case determines
the total amount of revenue that Southern California
Edison would be authorized to collect to cover various
utility costs from 2025 through 2028. Right now, California
is wrestling with a number of very important priorities
that are necessary for the provision of affordable
safe, reliable and clean energy service. These priorities
include investments in clean energy programs, infrastructure
maintenance, upgrades, customer eng organization needs
and mitigation work against the continued threat of
catastrophic wildfires. I'm also well aware of the
affordability challenges that exist and that these
priorities could place on ratepayers going forward
to that end. We'll be scrutinizing the necessity of
Southern California Edison's requested funding authorization
and taking action to contain costs and minimize rate
increases. With that said, I appreciate the opportunity
to hear directly from community members today in order
to understand your priorities and concerns. And I also
want to thank the many staff who have made today's
hearing possible including Judge Park, Judge Seibert
the public Advisor's office, our court reporters and
our it staff. Thank you and, and back to you, Judge
Seibert. Thank you, Commissioner. The primary purpose
of today's hearing is to hear directly from Southern
California Edison, customers and the general public
about this particular application. Your input and comments
are very helpful as parties and the commission continue
to consider all aspects of Southern California Edison's
request prior to making a decision for participants
that wish to provide public comments today. You may
do so by calling 1 808 157 1917 and entering pass code
603 278 £8 for English or 379962 £7 for Spanish and
then press star one on your phone. These instructions
are also available on today's webcast. The operator
will maintain the queue of public commenters and announce
your name when it's your turn to speak. The overall
purpose of today's hearing is to obtain public feedback
and comments. If you have additional questions regarding
the application, you may go to the commission's website
at www.cpuc.ca.gov backslash PPH or contact the commission's
public advisor at public dot advisor at cpuc.ca.gov
If you have a question that is not directly related
to Southern California Edison's application such as
a question about your bill or service, we have two
representatives from Southern California Edison, who
are standing by today and are available to assist customers
during the public participation hearing. This includes
Yvette Esparza who may be contacted at 6268127362 or
Yve tt E dot Esparz A at see.com. Alternatively, you
may also contact Carrie Gardner at 909 7732269 or Kar
I dot Gardn er at S ce.com. This contact information
has also been posted to the webcast today. Before we
start hearing from the public, I would like to give
you a brief overview of the California Public Utilities
Commission and the application filed by Southern California
Edison Company. The Public Utilities Commission is
a state agency that regulates privately owned utilities
such as Southern California Edison Company. Among other
things, the commission decides how much money Southern
California Edison should be authorized to collect from
its customers and the actual rates that will be included
on customers' bills for electric service. The public
utilities Commission has five commissioners who are
appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State
Senate Judge Park and I manage the day to day activities
of the case. However, the five commissioners are ultimately
the ones who will decide and vote on whether or not
to approve Southern California Edison's request or
some other amount. Our job as the judges will be to
evaluate the evidence in the proceeding and to write
a proposed decision for the commission commissioners
to consider the five commissioners will deliberate
and ultimately decide whether to adopt the proposed
decision from the judges or adopt their own alternate
decision based on the evidence in the proceeding. It
is estimated that the commission will vote on this
decision in the first quarter of next year.
I will now briefly summarize Southern California Edison's
application in May of 2023 Southern California. Edison
submitted its general rate case request asking the
commission for approval of their expected costs for
owning and operating the company for the years 2025
through 2028. The expenses included in Southern California
Edison's rate case application generally cover the
poles, wires, meters employees and all the other activities
needed to deliver electricity to your home or business
The application also includes capital expenditures
to upgrade the electric system, replace infrastructure
address wildfire risks related to Edison's equipment
and improve cyber security among others. It is important
to note that the costs that we are talking about in
this application are just one part of Southern California
Edison's annual operating expenses that can impact
customer rates separate from this proceeding. The commission
authorizes recovery of the costs that California utilities
actually incur to purchase electricity on the open
market. These costs are directly passed on to the consumers
and Southern California Edison is not allowed to earn
a profit on them. There is also another proceeding
that will determine how approved costs are distributed
among Southern California Edison's customers and the
specific rates that will be included on customer bills
This is generally referred to as the rate design proceeding
and the application should be filed later this month
right now though we are here to receive comments from
the public regarding Southern California Edison's request
to increase rates and revenue by $1.895 billion in
2025 and additional increases of $619 million in 2026
$664 million in 2027 and $705 million in 2028. If approved
Southern California Edison's total revenue requirement
will be approximately $10.27 billion in 2025. Representing
an approximate 23% increase over 2024. If the request
is approved, the impact on a typical residential customer
will be a monthly bill increase of approximately $17.49
in 2025. A typical residential customer's monthly bill
would approximately increase by an additional $5 in
2026 $5 in 2027 and approximately $5 in 2028. We want
to hear what you think about Southern California. Edison's
request comments from the public can help the Public
Utilities Commission reach an informed decision. The
commissioners judge Park and I pay close attention
to the opinions. We pay close attention to the opinions
expressed during today's public hearing. We have court
reporters transcribing today's hearing who will be
taking down everything that is said on the telephone
line. If you do speak, we ask that you speak slowly
and clearly so that the reporters are able to capture
everything that is said, the written transcript of
today's hearing will be available to Judge Park and
myself and the commissioners and posted publicly on
the docket card for this proceeding. If you or anyone
else, you know, are not able to make comments today
There are several other ways to provide input or become
involved. The commission considers written public comments
regarding Southern California Edison's application
which may be submitted any time on the docket card
for this proceeding by going to A PS dot CPUC dot C
a.gov backslash C backslash A 2305010. As of today
we have received over 100 written public comments if
you wish to find more information on how to become
involved in the preceding or stay updated on preceding
developments. The commission's public advisor is available
to assist you. Information regarding the public advisor
is posted on the commission's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov
or you can email the public advisor at public dot advisor
at cpuc.ca.gov. Ok. We will now hear from members of
the public again if you have a billing or service question
that is unrelated to Edison's application, you may
contact Yvette Esparza at 626 8127362 or carry Gardner
at 909 7732269. If you wish to provide public comments
on Southern California Edison's rate application, please
press star one on your phone now and the operator will
add you to the queue of speakers. When it's your turn
the operator will announce your name. Please begin
by spelling your full name. Provide your city and remember
to speak slowly to make sure everyone has an opportunity
to provide comments. Each speaker will have a time
limit of three minutes. A chime will sound when the
three minutes is up with that operator. Please call
in the first speaker in the queue.
Thank you again. As a reminder for those on the phone
If you would wish to speak during the public comment
period, please unmute your phone. Press star one and
record your first and last name slowly and clearly
when prompted. Our first caller is Michael Zinsky.
You may go ahead.
Hi. Can you hear me?
Can you please go ahead? Hi. My name is Michael Bey
V as in Victor Ensky. And I'd like to say why I
don't think Southern Carolina happens. Edison should
be able to increase its rates. Um It's not the job
of captive se rate players to assure the continued
profitability of se shareholders. In 2022 CEO Powell
made $2.8 million total compensation. Edison issued
three quarters of a dollar on stock dividends and since
the last 10 years, they've increase of stocks appreciated
by 32% overdue, an unnecessary mate or over. Excuse
me, I put this on the website also so I'm going to
try to speak but, and see if I can get it in
by the three minutes but overdue but necessary maintenance
was delayed until after the paradise disaster. Ben
Edson went on a spending spree with fast food costs
to the customers. I per personally witnessed huge convoys
of brand new se trucks, 15 or 20 in number with 30
or four staff upgrading our polls locally, they had
three or four people mining traffic alone on a quiet
back road where I live. These are country roads. I
could often see them gazing idly at their cell phones
The customers should not be penalized for as in speculation
in nuclear energy. Bell's attempts at power plants
fall squarely on the shoulders of helper management
with the upper with the ongoing climate crisis as in
claims to be going green yet slams their customers
in so called expensive green energy. Yet it takes three
or more years to get a solar project through the review
process. It's an endless series of delays. Instead
of listing all the conditions and corrections that
need to be done, they dribble them out two or three
at a time stretching out what have been two or three
week process in two years. It feels like a carefully
or calculated, slow walk because of the multiyear time
frames and multiple handoffs. Sen associates. Could
you forget what they've told you to correct after you've
already corrected it and have you recorrect it again
instead of putting you to the front of the queue in
the view process? They throw you to the back of the
queue along with thousands, sometimes tens of thousands
to try again. You re you resubmit the corrections again
and they either change their mind or they want to occasionally
or they occasionally do help you and do some clarification
The self generation incentive program for backup storage
is no better. Ok. I'm going to, I'm going to just refer
you to my comments on the website, but I'm going to
say something given the clear and established pattern
of misappropriation of customer money to the betterment
of corporate officers and shareholders. It would be
a, a trail of the public trust and dereliction of duty
of this commission to permit the hiking of rates instead
of see can better manage its funds. It needs to be
nationalized so its executives could be held accountable
as the public permitting a monopoly to exploit its
customers is reprehensible and you serious? The customers
are screaming rate. Who will help? I apologize for
interrupting. Can you just slow down a little bit so
that our court reporters can transcribe everything
Um If, if you're ok, I have only 17 seconds left, but
I did post this on your website. The complete the complete
text of what I and I apologize for speaking fast. I
just wanted to hit the three minutes but the complete
text. Yeah, the complete text of this is on your website
I apologize. The carriage return did not make it through
So,
thank you, Mr Minsky. We appreciate your comments today
Thank you. Thank you, honorable
operator. Next speaker.
Our next caller is Joanne mcburney. You may go ahead
Your line is open. Hi. Um This is, can you hear me
Yes. Ok. It's Joanne Joanne mcburney, MC Capital Birney
and I live in La Crescenta, California and I am all
for taking care of what needs to be taken care of in
terms of our grid and preventing fires and mostly I'm
very concerned about the environment. However, I have
been absolutely astounded at the cost of electricity
at my bill every month and I'm very careful with my
electricity and I just do not understand how I have
such a phenomenally high bill. And
uh there was something else that I was gonna, oh, I
know the other thing that I've had a problem with with
S ce is on being unable to communicate with them. At
some point, I had to actually get a hold of the um
the agency that oversees them because I was having
trouble with an issue and there was no way to reach
them by phone. They simply did not answer the phone
Um So I am concerned that a great deal of the money
is going to shareholders and CEO since it is a private
corporation. And I think that maybe some of the expenses
should come out of what they are getting paid as opposed
to raising our rates.
Thank you, Miss mcburney. I appreciate your comments
today, operator. Next, next speaker,
our next caller is Sylvia Messner. You may go ahead
Thank you Sylvia Messner, Sylvi, a Messner Messn, Er
and I'm in Laguna Hills to save a little time. I 100%
support with the speaker. Number one and number two
said um I don't think staying comfortable in your own
home should be a luxury. Um I know people who are spending
two and $300 a month for one room or one bedroom apartment
just to stay warm. Never mind the ac in the summer
I was gone a week and I returned out of town and
I returned my bills the same. I had no real help in
resolving that issue. That's the same thing. I think
this company should be non profit, not a profit making
company because utilities are a necessity for people
and should not be way way over their budget. More money
should be spent on looking into solar heat which is
more cost effective and also doesn't cause wildfires
I think that's all I have to say because number one
and number two help me out a lot. I support everything
they say Thank you. Thank you operator. Next speaker
Our next caller did not provide their name. They mentioned
anonymous from Laguna Woods Village. You may go ahead
Hi. I agree with all three of what they said. Our neighbors
in this community are in their eighties and their nineties
Their bills now are between $250 and $750 a month for
one or two bedroom units. They're now deciding if they
can eat or if they can get their medication because
they have to stay warm. And like number three just
said, it's not a, a luxury. It's a necessity for an
8090 year old to stay warm. Their houses are about
72 to 74 degrees. Their units homes, condos and co
ops are about the size of 890 square feet and a and
1000 square feet. So there should not be a reason to
have to pay between 2 to $700 a month just to keep
warm. They also, most of our neighbors have Children
that live out of state, adult Children in their fifties
sixties and seventies. Some live in the Dakotas where
it gets to about 30 below zero and their bills per
month in 5060 year old homes that are not all that
efficient are 60 $70 a month so that they can stay
warm in minus 30 degree weather. So Laguna Woods Village
it gets to about 50 degrees, maybe, maybe when it's
cold and senior citizens again, like I said, should
not have to choose between eating medication or trying
to stay warm. So again, we thank those first three
that spoke. We, we agree with everything and we hope
that somebody does listen to this so that senior citizens
do not have to extend budgets that they don't have
on social security just to pay to stay warm in the
summer or cool in the winter. It's for their health
Thank you very much for listening.
Thank you very much operator. Next speaker,
our next caller is Brian Kaplan. You may go ahead.
Uh Yes, hi. Uh My name is Brian Kaplan B Ria N
uh yeah, slow it down a little bit. Um Well, my wife
and I are uh retired customers. Um We're on a tight
budget and I the increases are like a undue burden
on us. Um uh Southern California Edison has been increasing
rates over the years and the amount of increases are
are coming faster and faster. Um Like uh when I moved
here, it was uh below 19 cents a kilowatt hour. Now
it's 33 cents and they restructured their tier system
too where um tier one is smaller. So when you get a
bump into tier two increase rates, uh it comes faster
So they, they manipulated the tier system where you're
gonna be in tier two faster and your rates will be
increased Um, yeah, it's just, uh, uh, you, you said
earlier that you, uh, would scrutinize this. Um, I
hope you take a really good look at it, um, because
the increases are outrageous and, um, I just, um, I
think it's, it's really gonna hurt the middle class
Um, we are on a tight budget. We, we are not, um
you know, uh, people that are on, that can qualify
the non care, um, or the care customers. Uh We are
non carere customers because we don't qualify um because
that threshold is so low, but we we are not real. I
mean, we've, you know, we're lower middle class people
and um the rate increases is gonna be uh undue burden
on us and we really appreciate if you guys um do increase
it, that, that you moderate it and um and take a really
good look at what they're doing to us. Thank you.
Thank you, Mister Kaplan operator. Next speaker. Our
next caller is Gary Curtis. You may go ahead. Your
line is open. Hi there. My name is Gary Curtis. Uh
Gary Garry, last name Curtis Cu Rt is and I'm calling
from Hanford, California or the Central valley of central
California. I'm calling because I have noticed including
my utilities has been going up every month. I've noticed
that Edison constantly are sending those little white
pamphlets with our bill every single month, asking
for more money for this, asking for more money for
that we are not made out of money. Ok. We do not
have trees that grow money in our backyard. I agree
with the other callers. They are asking too much money
Now, you guys on the other end probably make a lot
of more money than we do. And you guys can afford these
increases. But people on fixed incomes and disabled
like myself has to go by a budget and they continue
to increase our rates. You do not see us filing paperwork
with the commission asking for a decrease in rates
every month because there's no such thing that exists
But Edison's allowed to send a request in every single
month for increase. And it's getting to the point where
you know, people are gonna be not for that, they're
gonna afford, they'll have to, you know, they just
don't have the extra money. Everything else is going
up, you have rent insurance, car insurance, fuel groceries
your your rent, you know your gas bill, you know, we
do not have extra money coming out. You know, please
stop this altogether. That's all I'm asking. Please
say no this, this cannot continue. You know, we have
to live, we're all humans, you know, you got to make
it reasonable. Thank you.
Thank you, Mister Curtis operator. Next speaker,
our next speaker is Tracy Carlo. You mean go ahead
Ok. Hello, sorry. Can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you. Ok. My name is Tracy Cutter Skill
My name is Tr Ac Ycarrasquillo. And so I do agree with
all the callers that have spoken. I see a large increase
in my bill every month, 3 to $400. And that is just
that's outrageous. We have to live and, you know, somebody
needs to really take a long hard look at this and I
just don't think that it is fair, you know, with everything
that is going on inflation, you know, the cost of rent
and everything else that is going up and, you know
with prices and then, you know, let alone you trying
to enjoy your life and your family paying a 304 $100
light bill every month. That's not fair. So I agree
with every caller that have spoken and I just ask that
you please reconsider this and think of others as you
would think of yourself. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments today, operator, next speaker
our next caller is Lynn Wood Rock. You may go ahead
Uh Thank you. You can hear me. Uh Last name is W
I TT Rock and I'm in the southern or South Orange County
area. Yeah, I agree with everyone that's already spoken
These rates are really not necessary. They're, they're
outrageous. Um The California Public Utilities Commission
has already approved 3.29 billion in spending for Southern
California citizen to mitigate wildfires and this is
a state issue. It has nothing to do with you. Know
a power line going down, if the state would take care
of mitigating that risk by properly maintaining our
force, this wouldn't be an issue. And of course, yes
you need to maintain your power grid and so forth.
But that should not be a reason to increase the, the
rates. They, they're going up all the time and for
what, we're not really seeing any kind of return. And
also there's a lot of money that you guys are wanting
to get into renewable energy sources, which again,
if you would just run your operation more effectively
and responsibly, it wouldn't be a need. Um The idea
that, you know, we have to find other sources. Um It's
just an excuse to basically from my perspective, in
my opinion, to line the pockets of a lot of uh politicians
as well as uh some of your executives on your board
as opposed to really doing something that's going to
be sustainable and uh affordable for those of us who
live in California. And uh again, it's a really effective
way to drive a lot of people out of the state. And
uh you know, again, it's hard not to see it as something
that's being deliberately done. I'll end there. Thank
you. Thank you for your comments today, operator, next
speaker,
our next caller is William Williams. You may go ahead
Thank you, William Williams. Will I am Willi A MS these
recent rate increases are substantial. I have seen
my personal electric bill practically double when I'm
using about one third less power every month. These
rate increases are ruining the quality of life in Southern
California. You're driving people out of southern California
because affordability for quality of life here in California
is now gone. The company has received rate increases
over the past three years and now this recent request
for a rate increase is, is outrageous. My question
is, when is the CPUC going to require S CE to start
looking at stabilizing the rates and reducing the rates
No one talks about that. It's just one rate increase
after another.
So the question is why is the C PC PUC allowing S
CE to continuously raise rates instead of holding the
line and asking the company, what are you doing to
reduce the rates going forward? I'm beginning to question
whether or not the fire damages and the judgment from
the fire damages are buried into these rate increases
We have no way of proving that hopefully somebody at
the CPUC is going to dig deep and see if that's not
happening because these rate increases are not sustainable
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Williams operator. Next speaker.
Our next caller is Dr Armand Agata. You may go ahead
Can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you.
Hi, Doctor Armand A Kanan. Um I do actually support
uh uh what is currently happening with the raids and
as someone who teaches management for sustainability
We're talking about green technology. We're looking
at the future generations, including our own child
And the issue right now is uh you know, concerning
the fires, you know what is happening with our environment
right now, there's a reason why it's getting colder
and colder and the electric bills are going higher
and higher. And also the other concern is that we're
talking about solar panel, wind power, but we don't
have the infrastructure to support those technologies
even if we put them up right now, the grid cannot handle
it. So for the sake of future generations and uh and
also in the sake of bringing energy prices down, we're
gonna have to invest in future technology. We're gonna
have to invest in systems that can monitor these grids
And this way we can also prevent future fires that
you are already seeing all the consequences, including
what is currently happening with our weather patterns
and why it's so cold now in the middle of March. And
I think um you know, by doing that, I think eventually
we would reverse the cost of energy and also you know
what's happening right now. So with fuel consumption
So I think looking at in the longer term for you know
us and also the future generations, I think this is
a wise investment. Thank you very much.
Thank you operator. Next speaker.
Our next caller is Emily Bell from Long Beach. You
may go ahead.
Hi uh This is Emily Bell, just Emilybell. Um I'm calling
cause I'm concerned about the rate increase. Um, like
many people on this call have said the cost of everything
gas, um, is being alive, food is going up and up and
we're all just being squeezed dry. And the fact that
this private company that none of us can get out of
having to pay is able to raise the rate every year
to get more and more money from us and we can't do
anything about it and we have no more money to give
and there has to be a better way for them to be
increasing their revenues to do these supposed projects
that they want to do. Um So yes, hopefully you will
reject their proposal. Thank you. Thank you, MS Bell
operator. Next speaker,
our next caller is Karen Tilt. You may go ahead.
Hi. My name is Karen. Karen til Quist T as in Tom
Illquist and I live in Palmdale, California where it
gets pretty hot in the summer. My bill right now on
the level payment plan is about $347 a month. When
I first moved into this house, it was 270. I pay for
11 months, the 270 on the 12th month I would pay up
if I owed, I never owed, they used to owe me the
last two years. They've increased my rate to that 347
and I owe on the 12th month, about $400. I'm 68 years
old and I'm starting to wonder like, how am I going
to afford electricity? When my husband and I both quit
working right now? It doesn't seem like we can quit
working. I have reduced the use of my electricity.
I'm on the time of use for the charges. Most of my
stuff I run during the lowest cost and yet my bill
is still goes up every single month is showing that
I've used less than I did last year and the year before
But yet my bill is big and I just think it's going
to be getting ridiculous. Like how do people afford
to live? You've got to cool your house. I keep my house
at 78 during the summer. That's not very, I mean, that's
what they're saying to do 78. So it's not like I'm
keeping it at 60 to be cool. But yet my bill is
still that high. I'm gonna be going sore as soon as
I can get that. The rest of it done. I am going
to be on the solar just so that I can get away
from this because I'm starting to think how can I afford
to live once we are retired? I've had people say you'll
never get your money back from that solar. But I'm
just thinking I have to be able to afford to have electricity
and it's a shame because it shouldn't be like that
That's all I have to say.
Thank you, Miss Tillis. We, we appreciate your comments
today. Operator, next speaker,
our next caller is Larry Iron. You may go ahead. Your
line is open.
Larry Irian, Larryirion from Laguna Woods, California
I have been trying to get in touch with Edison for
weeks. The lines are completely busy all of the time
and they want to put you on hold for 60 to 90
minutes. Something has to be done about the communication
with the Edison company. I tried to get a hold, I tried
to apply for the care program since my wife and I are
both retired. There is no way that we can find any
criteria that would tell me what the criteria are for
being eligible for care. And in addition to that the
care program, I finally got a hold of somebody that
was able to take the application information and I
have yet to hear anything back about what it approved
whether it is approved or not. So this means that the
it department of Edison has made the website completely
impossible to navigate for older people. I happen to
be 92 and I have difficulty with technology anyway
but making that website impossible to navigate, you
can't get anything done with Henderson. As far as the
rate increases. It has hit me as well as these other
people that have been calling our bill in January.
Of this year over January of 19 2023 has more than
doubled and this is not why. So I would like to have
something done about the rates. And also I would like
to have somebody contact me as to the criteria for
the care program. Thank you. Thank you, Mr Ian. Um
I mentioned at the beginning, we do have a couple of
uh customer representatives from Southern California
Edison available today. Um I suggest you might want
to follow up with Carrie Gardner. Her number is 9097732269
Hopefully that will help. Please say again please.
The number 909773 2269.
Thank you, Kerry Cracked. Thank you. Thank you operator
Next speaker.
Our next caller is Nari Bagdasarian with the San Gabriel
Valley Economic Partnership. You may go ahead. Hi,
my name is Nari that's spelled Nayir. I last name Bagdasarian
Baghdassar Ian with the San Gabriel Valley Economic
Partnership. We represent a diverse group of regional
stakeholders throughout the 31 San Gabriel Valley cities
and I'm here to express that we understand the need
for Socal Edison's request to meet the growing needs
of customers and the state's climate and energy mandates
Thank you so much. Thank you operator. Next speaker
Our next caller is Linda o'brien. You may go ahead
Hi, this is Linda o'brien. That's Obrien from Palmdale
California. Um I certainly agree with uh uh you know
Michael and Joanne and William Williams in their statistics
Uh But also I have found a statistic that indicated
that
electric rates have in California in California where
they are emphasizing solar and wind power. In California
electric rates have gone up 54% since 2018. CPUC should
return to regulated utilities. And as so many people
have said, seniors have such a difficult time keeping
up with these rate increases, which, you know, I get
a notice almost every three months. We're requesting
a rate increase. We're requesting a rate increase.
I mean, who, who does that? And, ah, you know, when
when a call for reinvesting your profits back into
your business to take care of those things that you
need to take care of for your infrastructure does not
include giving bonuses and perks and $20 million a
year salary to administrators. And that's about all
I have to say for now in agreement with the majority
of people who say no, no more. Cut it down 3% a
year. What's the biggest raise you ever got? 6%
anyway? Thank you. Thank you, Miss o'brien operator
Next speaker,
our next caller is Sarah Harris. You may go ahead.
Yes. Hello. This is Sarah Harris. Sarahharris. I'm
calling, um, representing the Black Business Association
Um, we are the oldest active ethnic business Support
organization in the State of California and we're here
to say that as a um, see as a powering of the
regional economy. Um and they safely deliver reliable
and increasingly clean energy um uh electricity. We
understand that investment um to our power grid and
infrastructure and, and also the increasing the um
climate related um occurrences that are encumbering
us. We understand that the investment is needed and
also to, to support with our economy and for our small
businesses, we want to make sure that um they have
what they need to support for their business and the
economy
hard fought. And, um, in the end, we believe that it
will pay out for the better for all. And thank you
so much. So, we're calling and support. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Harris operator. Next speaker,
our next caller is Marlene Eccles. You may go ahead
Oh, hi. This is Marlene Ma Rlene, uh, Eck Les. And
uh, I just wanted to say that, um, I agree with the
majority of people that have called that I am very
very much against, uh, these really awful rate increases
Uh, I added it up and just between, um, 20 between
23 and no, between 24 and 25 it would be 22% 24
and 10% 25. That's 32 percent just in two years and
then another 18% over the next three years. That's
a total of 50% rate increase over five years. That's
huge and totally, totally unacceptable. Um, for all
the reasons that most of the people have, have stated
Also, I wanted to add one other thing, you know, um
it said in California that they want us to use more
electricity and way less gas and they want us to use
electric cars. Well, those electric cars have to be
charged. And so when you charge the electric cars by
raising the rate on electricity, you're going to make
the rates sky high for electric cars, which my husband
and I don't understand because if they want us to use
electric cars, why are they raising the rates on what
it will take to use those cars? So I, so I ah
I also feel that the um uh southern California Edison
should not be able to just willy nilly raise their
rates and that the CEO S uh and other people that are
making humongous salaries should not be getting those
kinds of salaries and that the um CPUC should not allow
them to have this kind of rate increase. I could see
maybe one or 2% and that's it. Ok. Thank you very much
Thank you for your comments. Today, operator, next
speaker,
our next color is Gina Bedini. You may go ahead.
Hello, my name is Gina Dominguez. All I really wanted
to add mostly everybody is against this rate that I've
been listening to except for one doctor and a 40% 40.6%
is what I figured you're gonna go up by 2028. It's
a shame that our Medicare can't go up that much or
social security. So please, I hope with all these calls
that everybody want patience and wait because I've
been like, I don't know, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, but
it will be worth it if this rate increase is not voted
on if it is put down. Thank you.
Thank you operator. Next caller,
our next caller is Keith Holloman. You may go ahead
Well, thank you for taking the call. Uh Keith Holleman
Holle Ma N and I'm in agreement with the majority of
the callers uh rejecting a need for such a massive
rate increase. Uh, a reasonable rate is very understandable
for future investments. But the extensive rate that
uh we're looking at, I think goes well beyond the uh
needs of the consumers. Uh I do not believe we as consumers
should basically pay for the, uh maybe inefficiencies
of the business being run. Uh Maybe the, uh instead
of looking at rate increases, uh, the commission should
be able to mandate or S ce should be able to look
at their expenditures if they can reduce their expenses
Uh which I'm sure there's a lot of waste in uh S
ce uh, there would be a viable
Means of increasing uh the rates at a reasonable level
So I'm totally against uh the rate increase that's
proposed, I would not be against a reasonable rate
but I don't think that's in the future plan. So I really
hope the commission takes a look at all of the comments
that are being made. Uh I'm hearing a lot of senior
citizens and that really needs to be uh focused in
that most senior citizens are not living off their
real estate investment, they're living off their month
to month, uh Social security payments. Uh But again
I just think that there's a better way for businesses
to be run if S ce began to look at their expenses
more so than just generate revenues. Uh the salaries
of $20 million for the head of the, of the organization
the rate of return that the shareholders are obtaining
that's all understandable, but excessive rates should
not be the burden of the consumers, uh which we are
and I hope the commissioner will reject the rate increase
in totality if not reduce the proposed rate increase
uh to a much more reasonable level. Thank you for your
uh opportunity to speak and hopefully we won't get
this rate increase in 2025. Thank you. Thank you for
your comments today, operator. Next speaker,
our next caller is Valerie Galion. You may go ahead
Hi, my name is Zia Gazal. First name Zarouh. I last
name Gezalyan. Um I'm calling actually on behalf of
my father-in-law. He is an 86 year old, uh, you know
social security income, receiving a man living alone
um, lost his wife. So he doesn't really cook. He doesn't
you know, uh, use any ac, the only thing he does use
is the, you know, heater during these cold seasons
and being on his own, he pays over $200. His last bill
was about $200 this month. It's ridiculous. You know
he, he lives off of his own income and pays his rent
goes, gets his food, you know, a little bit of stuff
for himself. And, um, beyond that, it's, uh, uh, living
for him, it's gonna be even more difficult if this
increase does happen. Um, I agree with all those who
are calling, I feel for them. This is ridiculous when
you're, you know, living on a fixed income and, uh
you know, need to survive basically. Um, I don't know
how his bill could be so outrageously high when literally
doesn't even, you know, use anything but the heater
during the evenings. So, um, I pray that something
gets done in regards to this for those who are really
struggling as it is to survive. And like someone said
from the callers, people are literally leaving California
because of the situation, it's uh become really difficult
to keep up. And at 86 years old for a man to
pick up and move somewhere away from his family is
really, really not the, the option that we're looking
for. So please uh take into consideration all these
people who have lived here who paid their taxes, who've
given all they've got to the state and shouldn't be
put in this situation cornered and, uh, what to choose
what, how to live and how to pay their bills, uh, every
single month. So those months, those days come really
quickly. Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate
you. Thank you, Miss Gil. I appreciate your comments
today. Operator, next speaker.
Our next caller is Marilyn Allen. You may go ahead
Hi, this is Marilyn Allen. Ma Rilyn, last name A Llen
I basically agree with the majority of the people,
but I wanted to add one thing. I looked up on the
internet. What Steven Powell, who is the president
and CEO of Southern California? Edison. He's making
2 million $791 a year. I would assume that's a year
Ah, and the net profit for 2022 was $954 million with
that, with those kind of figures. It's telling me that
Southern California is very top heavy. I know it's
investor owned, but that's no reason to gouge the public
They can give a little, they, I think the public has
given more than a little when I keep my home at 80
degrees in the summer. 68 in the winter because I can't
afford to pay any more is absolutely nonsense. Since
I moved into this house, the utilities have increased
doubled. This is something's got to give people have
got to live, they've got to pay all these other bills
How much can you squeeze this any further?
Thank you.
Thank you, MS Allen operator. Next speaker,
our next caller is Gregory Prinz. You may go ahead
Good afternoon commissioner. My name is Gregory Prinz
Last name is spelled Pr Inc L er, I live in Garden
Grove, California being one of those seniors. I understand
what it's like to pinch pennies every year since the
eighties, every year, we have gotten an increase
for electricity and with that increase for electricity
comes an increase for the gas because they piggy bank
off each other. They're saying we need to watch our
electricity because of the grid. Why didn't they watch
building those electric chargers for the electric cars
every time they do an infrastructure, um, solar wind
power. We don't see, we don't seem to reap the rewards
as far as the customer, but the minute they put those
electric chargers, refueling stations in for the electric
cars, our money goes right out the window and it, that's
kind of nasty because we're paying for them. Why should
we have to increase those electric chargers? They want
to go and get an electric car? That's great. But just
like gasoline, we want to power our gasoline cars.
We're gonna have to pay for that. But no, they, they
can't get away with this increasement increasing of
um, Edison for what reason to pay off the lawsuits
from the fire to pay off their, their pay because they
decide they're going to sit on their behind and they're
worth $2 million a year. That's not fair. I thank you
for your time and I hope this doesn't go through.
Thank you, Mr Prinz Operator. Next caller, please.
My next caller is as may you may go ahead. Uh My
name is Francoise. May Francoise is my first name Francoise
I'm calling from Palm Springs, California. And as you
know, Palm Springs is the hottest part of California
and the hottest part of the country last summer, my
bills, even though I consumed the least electricity
in four years. My bill was practically double and I'm
a low income senior. I'm 75 years old. I am handicapped
not disabled but handicapped with arthritis and I had
both hip replaced and now I'm limping. I am completely
alone. No family member, only my neighbors to check
on me once in a while to see if I'm still alive
Last summer was so difficult in Palm Springs, we had
a temperature of 120 degrees, three weeks in a row
I totally understand. That's not the thought of Southern
California Edison. But what I don't understand is that
Imperial County, which is right next. We are part of
this is Riverside County, Palm Springs, Imperial County
which is right east of us. They do not have Southern
California Edison. They have Imperial Service. They
pay a third of what we pay in Palm Springs for our
electricity. They pay a third there. I know it because
I was still working part time. Even though I'm old
and disabled and handicapped. I'm sorry, not disabled
I was working at Macy's. My coworkers live in the eastern
valley and they had in the summer, no bills of $70
while I was paying 350. And my neighbors were having
bills of $850 a month
at a certain point. I called the hotline prevention
suicide prevention because I was so depressed. I wanted
to end it all.
I cannot afford the prices increase. I really asked
the commissioner, please relay the problem that we
face as seniors in the climate change. You cannot put
that on us. We do not have the resources to pay for
it.
Thank you.
Thank you, MS May m may 1 follow up question? Have
you ever attempted to see if you qualify for the California
You have?
Yes, you do. Ok. You receive the care even with the
care discount and the fact that I reduce my monthly
usage of electricity to more than a quarter. I reduced
it. I practically don't use anything during the summer
when it was 120 outside. I put the thermostat at 90
and I am not a homeowner. I am renting from somebody
who lives in Burbank. I cannot change all the old appliances
and everything. So I am absolutely, I was suicidal
because I could not pay my bills anymore. That's something
that has to be addressed. You cannot have this increase
when people cannot afford it.
That is not fair. I totally agree with all the other
callers who said no, we cannot have another increase
in the last three years. The increase went over 40%
in your rates have changed 40% up in the last four
years.
Thank you. You're welcome. And thank you to having
this event today because it's really important that
you listen to us. The other thing, I agree as an old
person, I don't have access to the internet except
on my phone and I can see on my phone, I don't
have a computer. You can't communicate with Southern
California Edison. It's impossible. That's another
thing, Imperial, which is a different electric agency
They operate like in the old days, you can talk to
them. I have the name of different people who are living
with Imperial and they told me you have to get out
of Palm Springs, you get out of Southern California
Edison
and I can't do it because I cannot move.
Thank you. We greatly appreciate your comments today
Yeah, this is Palm Springs. That's the hottest part
of the country. Thank you. Thank you operator. Next
caller, our next caller is Manuel Meader. You may go
ahead
again, Ma Ma Ma, we are not able to hear you. Please
check your mute button.
Thank you, Mr Maser. If you're still having trouble
I suggest hang up and try calling again.
Ok, thank you operator. Next speaker. Thank you. Our
next caller is Levy Brown. You may go ahead. Yes. Hello
My concerns are numerous. Uh those for seniors, disabled
seniors being on fixed incomes. We're having to budget
but yet as someone said, and I looked up my own self
that people are being paid 73,000 $300,000 of for executives
plus bonuses, millions of dollars for the CEO plus
bonuses with having social security as our own income
We're having to budget all of our bills with what money
we do get 3% increase and yet the electric companies
asking for a higher increase than what we even get
per year, even with 8% that we got not long ago. That's
still, you know what they're asking for is even more
than what we would be getting. I know of people that
have a house and they keep their utilities, their electricity
at a regular rate at degrees and they're paying 400
plus per month. We have temperatures up in the Lancaster
Palmdale area. But in the summer they're going up to
100 15 degrees and we get no compensation that we're
having to turn our air up higher to compensate for
the heat. We get freezing cold temperatures in the
winter and we have to turn up our heat and some of
our heaters are electric switched and you know, where
we live, we cannot help it because some of us living
in apartments, that's what they have provided. But
you know, they're wanting to get more money. How about
they live on a budget? How about they decrease all
of these bonuses? How about they, when they have their
planned outages for repairs that they do the work?
Right. So that they don't have to keep coming back
monthly to keep doing the same repairs, replacing the
same equipment or saying, oh, we have to do this to
it. We have to do that to it. Why didn't they get
the repair totally fixed at the time when they had
it? Many people with being on fixed incomes and needing
to have their utilities. Be some being on the care
program, some being on the medical baseline, some of
us are medically in need of having these utilities
And you know, I'm one of those I have a medical need
for it, but my, my income, it's such that if they keep
having increases, increases, increases and here, you
know, how am I supposed to pay for that? How am I
supposed to pay for food? How am I supposed to pay
for where I live? How am I supposed to, you know, pay
for any other bills that I have? And I have minimal
bills as it is for winter. I'm having $53 plus for
utilities, but I not using hardly anything as far as
utilities go. So they need to be on a budget. I see
You know, and I'm not trying to take away from people
having a living wage, but $20 an hour and me being
a senior, that's more than I ever got per hour. But
the CEO S and their bonuses need to be cut off so
that, you know, we're not paying for their bonuses
in the electricity rates being increased. And how about
having businesses bear the brunt of these increases
instead of always the residential customers? Thank
you, Miss Brown. You're well past the three minutes
Could you, uh, try and wrap up your comments?
It just needs to be not approved for these rate increases
and they need to dial it back at Southern California
Edison.
Thank you very much operator. Next speaker.
Our next caller is Mary Land camp. You may go ahead
Ok, one moment please,
operator, I'm not able to hear anything. Are you? I'm
sorry. Do I have. Can you hear me now? Yes, thank you
Ah, Mary Land kamp. Sorry, I didn't know how to connect
Um, I, I love what everyone has to say and I concur
with pretty much everyone that we do not need a rate
increase. I again, am a senior student or not a student
senior citizen in the Temecula area. And, um, the rates
just keep going up and up and I've been trying to be
very conservative on keeping my temperature in the
summer, even at 80 degrees and in the winter at 60
degrees and I still see an increase. And um, so I concur
with a lot of people and their recent comments. Thank
you for letting me share my thoughts. Thank you very
much for your comments today. A reminder when you first
joined, please spell your name and indicate the city
you are calling from operator. Next speaker, please
Our next scholar is Gigi Jackson. You may go ahead
Oh, hi. This is Gigi. Can you hear me? Yes. Ok. Um
Thank you for taking this this taking this afternoon
to listen to our concerns. Um I'm GD Jackson and I
live in Orange County and I, I'm a retired educator
and after retiring seven years ago, just as everyone
has said, and I concur with everyone that have shared
their concerns and their complaints, my electric bill
has just doubled if not tripled in certain cases. And
when you are living on a fixed income. It is, it's
you have to literally pick and choose what you're gonna
pay in order to make, make your bills and not fall
too behind. Um I just feel that we cannot continue
to move at this pace and some of the people have done
their homework and found the salaries of some of the
the CEO S and the other personnel that are working
It's just not fair to put this burden on us and I
came in a little late. But if I heard correctly, I
heard that in 2025 our bill is going to go up over
25%. That is just unreal. So I hope the comments that
you're hearing today do not fall on deaf ears. I go
to several of our city council meetings and we have
a majority group that regardless of what the citizens
are saying, even though almost everyone that goes to
the podium is saying, don't do this, don't do this
It's not good for our city. After all comments are
made, it's like it fell on deaf ears and they vote
the complete opposite. So I hope that the comments
that are you're hearing today are not falling on deaf
ears and you truly are listening to the concerns of
everyone that has spoken this afternoon. Um It's a
reality, we cannot continue at this pace. We're concerned
about our homeless population and at this pace, if
those of us that are on fixed incomes continue at this
pace. We're not going to be able to continue in our
house or the apartment that we live. So, thank you
for taking the time to listen to us. I hope that you
really consider the comments that are made and I do
not support the increase that you guys have proposed
today. Thank you. Thank you for your comments today
MS Jackson, just one point of clarification for the
monthly bill impacts for 2025 for an average customer
Edison is proposing approximately a 10.3% increase
for 2025. That's still too much, especially those of
us that are paying over $400 in electricity right now
like I am and my house is not that big. I appreciate
your comments. Thank you operator. Next speaker.
Our next caller is Tony Clinkscales. You may go ahead
Uh Good, good. What is it? Good afternoon. My name
is Tony Clings Skills. Ton. I first name, last name
Clinkscale Cli NKSC A Les, I'm calling and with the
same concerns as everyone else and my added comment
to it is I heard someone and I didn't catch the name
They were talking about the electric, the electric
cars that are going to be mandated. And I find that
that's kind of interesting that California is mandating
electric cars when we're having such a problem with
our grids. Keeping up with the current usage that people
are, are um having to manipulate to live on during
the day. The tou which is the time of use, we have
to monitor, you know what time we can wash our dishes
wash our clothes and we're doing all of this. Wow,
they're trying to increase electric cars on the road
while they're having all these new developments. I
live in the inland Empire and it is just astronomical
development of businesses and houses which S ce is
going to have to accommodate. So the more that we build
the more our grids, what is southern California Edison
doing to um with for their infrastructure that would
be got solar power instead of building or using private
companies to increase our cost. It just doesn't even
make any sense. Um Also I want to comment on somebody
else mentioning. Uh No, no, no, no, I'm sorry. Uh You
mentioned that their annual operating costs includes
meters employees, poles, wires, all of that stuff.
Well as some of the other commenters have called in
and said you can't even get a hold of an employee.
So who are you paying the CEO isn't answering these
phone calls and we can't even get through for our concerns
My meter was out for almost a month and I never got
an alert and they sent somebody over here, they dispatched
somebody over here and never even told me. And when
I asked about it, they said they don't send them out
That doesn't make any sense. My meters out. I don't
know and you get send somebody. Ok? I know my time
is up, but I just wanted to say I'm in concurrence
with everybody else. It shouldn't increase when you're
out. You're not even looking at your in infrastructure
or taking care of the uh so called employees that aren't
even answering phones.
Thank you very much for your comments today. Thank
you for allowing me operator and next speaker please
Our next caller is Christine Washburn, Redlands resident
You may go ahead.
Yes. Uh, Christine C hr Istine Washburn, Washburn.
Um, I am one of those. Uh, my husband and I are
retired and on a fixed income, I get a whopping $12
for, um, social security and he retired as a custodian
Uh, I am against these rate increases. Um, at every
turn, we have higher gasoline prices, higher food prices
higher ho homeowners insurance is doubled because of
the fires. Um, even tax preparation fees are going
up. Uh, so what I am against the rate increases, um
if Imperial County can have lower rates as the other
lady spoke, um, why can't, uh, s ce be more efficient
in its use of funds? And why, um, does the CEO require
$2 million is 1 million not enough per year? Um, I
just, um, I'm very frustrated that it becomes harder
and harder to live and I'm a California native. I'd
like to die in my own home and I just hope and
pray that we'll be able to make all these payments
Thank you. Thank you, Miss Washburn operator. Next
caller,
our next caller is Karan Nunez with Lincoln Training
Center. You may go ahead.
Hello, my name is Caron. Caron. Last name is Nunez
N UN EZ and I'm with Lincoln Training Center Organization
We're down in South Almay. What we do is we serve hundreds
of people with disabilities and I'm in support of GRC
um especially when I'm in support because I, I like
that when you restore power after an outage, it's done
quickly. And so the upgrades are necessary. We have
people with disabilities who are on breathing machines
and equipment and their backup systems only last so
long. So restoration during a short short time of downtime
is very critical for this population. I also am in
support because of the increase in cyber security needs
I'm, I'm aware of what can happen if we don't have
adequate oversight. So thank you so much for your time
I appreciate it very much.
Thank you, MS Nunez operator. Next caller,
our next caller is Margarita Mascaro. You may go ahead
and we are not able to hear you, but go ahead. Can
you hear me? Ok. My name is Margarita Mascaro. Ma Ftorro
my husband and I, we are 80 years old and we are
having seen this increases. I mean, everything m market
uh bills. I mean, it's getting tough. He only gets
a little more with increase this year, a little more
than $700. And it's terrible to hear all these people
make millions of dollars and hectic. It's a very, it's
incredible. Some days they're going to be present to
God and they're gonna say, why you let these people
why you didn't help when they making millions of dollars
I'm talking about all these senior citizens and all
the in low income families who are they having the
bills to pay not enough money to support their food
And it, it's horrible. It's horrible how these people
just thinking in the job, just getting this toeo and
the administration and all making all that money. And
I do not agree for any, any more increases. We had
enough and our income is very limited. I, you know
like I'm really, I have issues with my health. I'm
90% in my house and I have to use electricity. Um
Can you hear me? Hello? Yes, we can hear you. Yes,
I do not agree with these people. They want increase
Please help us to change different companies or somebody
else to bring us electricity to our homes.
Thank you very much for your comments today. Thank
you operator. Next speaker
and our next caller is Rex Worthy. You may go ahead
Thank you. Uh My name is Rex Worthy. Rexwo rt hy, I
live in Fraser Park, California. I'm 69 years old.
I'm on a fixed income and I am on the care program
Um, that does help, uh, uh, big time but still I, I
I'm, I'm dying here, I'm dying here in California and
the bills are just getting too much. I'm saving every
little penny or dollar nowadays. And, um, it's just
uh, I don't know, uh, I, it's just getting too much
for me. You know, my insurance has increased like everyone
else. The cost of living in California has increased
Um I, I own my house. I'm still on a mortgage but
every time they get the taxes, um uh it's just uh um
anyway, I just wanted to say to uh to the community
please uh vote no on this subject for uh there have
been a good, uh it's been a good uh um company. Uh
We do get Black G up up here in Fraser Park, but
it's just um, I'm just old and I'm on, you know, social
security and um I'm just trying uh I have a budget
and it just doesn't work every month and it keeps going
up. So, um I just want to ask the California Public
Attorney Commission to vote. No, on this uh application
Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments, Mr
Worthy
operator. Next speaker please.
And our next caller is Lisa Bowden. You may go ahead
Yes. Hi. My name is Lisa, L isa, last name Bowden,
B as in boy. Owd as in David, E as in Edward
N as in Nancy and I reside in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Um, the constant increases, it seems like this is just
such monopoly. It's hard for now. It's just my husband
and I to even, you know, buy groceries, you know, put
gas in our vehicles. I did buy a plug in hybrid, which
has helped a bit with that. But, you know, there's
so many of us on fixed incomes and this is really any
increases with any utility is hurting the middle class
Um, it seems like as customers are paying for the inadequacies
of the maintenance of what Edison should be doing,
uh, between, you know, like the fires, I've had to
live through the Grand Prix fires. Uh, the high salaries
which has been already spoke about. Um, I was online
too looking at what some of these people are making
and it's crazy. Um, they should have their salaries
reduced if you ask me. Um, and of course some owning
stock, um, then like with, with the, the fires, the
homeowners insurance, some of my neighbors can't even
get home owners insurance except if they have to go
through a special plan through, uh, California. What
doesn't seem right. Uh, the tear. Um, luckily my husband
and I both work out of the house. So when I do
need to do anything, when I have time, at least I can
do my laundry. But there's very many people that have
families that have to wait till the evening, even to
watch TV, cook their meals. It should just be a one
rate and a lower rate for everybody. Um, I'm not a
big believer in climate change. I think that's a leftist
agenda, so I'm not going to make any more comments
on that. Um, the, uh, again, just the, uh, just the
cost that it's gonna cost us all. It's not right. There's
something needs to be done. Everybody needs to vote
No. Um uh it's, it's like I said, it's hurting the
middle class and, and it's not fair. It's almost like
um between all these companies and it will be a little
bit po political dis invite. They're trying to turn
us into a socialist country, so we have to rely on
the government. Um, but I hope everybody does that
This is voted down. Um, and that, uh with the renewable
power grid, the infrastructure right now can't handle
it. And it's going to be a long time before it can
be handled and that's all my comments. And I thank
you for having this call today. Thank you, MS Bowden
operator. Next call.
Thank you. And before we go to the next caller, if
you would like to make a comment, please unmute your
phone. Press star one and record your first and last
name clearly. Our next caller is James Cervantes. You
may go ahead.
Hello everybody. Uh, my name is James Cervantes. J
am ESC er VA NTS live in Chino Hills. Uh so I
understand the GRC and the need to increase the rates
However, how are they going to distribute the increase
within the three tiers? Are they going to spread it
out evenly or add the increase to a majority of a single
tier such as the high peak tier? That is already a
high rate. Also along with that there's the winter
cost periods and the summer cost periods, which are
also I believe different rates as well. So I just want
to know or kind of wonder how they're going to spread
this increase. Also, the increase of over 40.6% is
way too high of an increase to a utility. That is already
one of the highest utilities we pay again. I understand
the need to increase the rate every four years, which
is what the GRC is. However, I believe a lower percentage
would be more understandable than a 4040 than a 40.6%
increase and that's it. Thank you much. Thank you,
Mister Cervantes operator. Next caller,
our next caller is Alice Snyder. You may go ahead.
Hi, my name is Alice Snyder A L I ce Snyd. Er
um I'm in my late twenties and I live in La Crescenta
and I just wanted to add my voice to this conversation
because I understand and appreciate that a lot of um
senior citizens are engaging in this conversation.
But I also want to make it clear that it's not just
them who are opposing this increase as well. Um I do
you know, specifically myself, I have a master's degree
in environmental science and specializing in the interaction
between society and the environment. So I understand
that there needs to be a shift in where we use our
energy and how we use our energy. But I don't believe
that the rate should increase so drastically because
it discourages people from choosing a renewable option
Um And to really make the change last, we shouldn't
make people choose between keeping their house warm
or protecting the environment. That's all I have to
say. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments operator. Next
speaker,
our next caller is Aggie Jacoby. You may go ahead.
Hi, this is Peggy. I'm sorry, can you hear me? Yes
we can hear you. Ok. Um I'm, my name is Peggy Jacobi
pe GGYJ AC OB I, I'm from the Victor Valley, the high
desert of California. And I would like to uh um suggest
that our elected officials that are for the people
of California would put a lot of pressure on Edison
I call for an audit of Edison to see where their money
is going to. We as, as Californians, we wanna know
what their money is going to and then for them to be
audited. And also um there was one other thing um who
owns Edison, it feels like some kind of foreign entity
purchased Edison and they're taking advantage of the
American people. And so I know that with um uh Gavin
Newsom and his solar and his electric stuff and him
all thinking that that this is what we need. No, we
need our power grids improved. We need Edison to be
audited. We want to know where the money is going and
we want it to our money to be put to good use
and no, I am against the raise in our Edison bill 100%
Thank you. Thank you, Miss Jacoby. Mhm. Operator. Next
speaker, please.
Our next caller is Rachel Beard. You may go ahead.
Your line is open
again, Rachel Beard. We're not able to hear you. Please
check your mute button. Ok. And then
yes. Um yeah, don't approve of the increase.
I don't believe that they need to push solar power
powers on houses that um just to, you know, help out
So I don't agree with them pushing solar if we don't
really want solar, but we do, we don't want, we don't
want to increase. Um I believe that when we have fires
that we pay our fire department through our taxes.
So I don't think that should be an issue and I feel
like
we really, like one of the gentlemen said that we really
we need to really now that your company really needs
to check them and own budget. Yeah, but, and um if
there's something that will way around this increase
I know it's 10% seems like it's less, you know, it
doesn't matter to you guys but doesn't have a trust
We do care about the increase. And so that's all I
wanted to say.
Thank you very much for your comments today. Ok. Thank
you, operator. Next speaker, please. Thank you. And
again, before we go to the next caller, if you would
like to make a comment, please unmute your phone and
press star one to record your name. Our next caller
is Donnell Lockman Harris. You may go ahead
again, Donna Lockman Harris. We're not able to hear
you. Please check your mute button.
Are you saying Anna Lockman Harris?
Yes, go ahead. My name is spelled a Nnah as in he
last name is Laux as in X ray, hyphen, M as in
Mary Injares as in Sam. I'm in the Newhall California
area and I totally agree with uh not increasing the
uh rate, at least not 10.3 or 10.6. Whatever it is
that you're looking at, I don't think it should be
more than a 2% increase. Um I've recently lost my job
I'm a senior um gonna be 64 in a couple of months
and having to look for work at this age, worried about
having income to even keep a roof over my head is concerning
me, let alone having to worry about paying a couple
of 100 bucks a month for the electric bill. Um, and
I just barely qualified for the care program because
of the loss of my employment. But that still is over
$100 a month if not more for the electricity. So I
just wanna make sure that you, you consider that as
well that some of us have issues that may take place
in our lives that make it difficult for us such as
unemployment. And there's probably gonna be a lot more
people that are losing their jobs because of what happened
with the COVID and property management and real estate
management. So I thank you for allowing us to call
in and I as other colleges stated, do hope that this
isn't falling on deaf ears that you really are taking
into consideration the situation with um how difficult
it is for us, especially older individuals that don't
have uh a steady income or a good income to be able
to provide for ourselves. It's not a joke when people
are talking about being homeless or having to eat cat
food or dog food because you, you can't afford the
electricity in in the summer months because it's so
overwhelmingly hot. Thank you again.
Thank you. We greatly appreciate your comments today
Operator. Next speaker, please.
Last scholar is Loretta Cooper. You may go ahead,
Loretta Cooper, Lore TT A coo P er Inglewood California
I respectfully offer my comments regarding my opposition
to the proposed cost increases,
financial costs related to wild fires. Some of which
were linked to utility equipment failures should not
be passed on to customers.
Infrastructure improvements are part of doing business
particularly for a privately owned entity. Compensation
to shareholders is likely not a major concern for the
majority of S ce s 15 million customers. Sve profits
were $954 million for 2022 which was about a $20 million
increase from 2021
S ce cost to Southern California. Customers are twice
the national average and customer service is lacking
I also stand in the gap for all the low income members
of our communities in southern California.
I am in favor of discontinuing private, excuse me,
privatization to S ce and all entities
that provide services and resources that are vital
to the health and well being of our communities. Thank
you for hearing us out.
Thank you for your comments today, MS Cooper
Operator. Was that our last speaker today? Yes, it
was ok. Then that concludes all the speakers who have
signed up to speak. I want to thank our it staff, court
reporters and Commissioner Douglas for their participation
and support today. And most of all, I want to thank
our public speakers for your input and comments and
for your patience and waiting, waiting in the queue
to provide your comments. Thank you. Also to everyone
who took the time to listen in on the phone or watch
online. If any of you would like to provide additional
input or comments after this hearing, you may submit
written comments on the docket card for this proceeding
which can be found on the commission's website at a
ps.cpuc.ca.gov backslash c backslash A 2305010. If
you need assistance with providing additional comments
please contact the commission's public adviser's office
that concludes this afternoon's public participation
hearing. Thank you, everyone. We are adjourned. We
will be off the record.