SAN JOSE, Calif., July 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — California Water Service (NYSE:) (Cal Water) commends the choice issued as we speak by the California Supreme Court docket that preserves decoupling as a rate-making mechanism, protects water utilities’ due course of rights, and allows them to take care of monetary stability, all whereas encouraging water conservation and serving to shield prospects on the identical time. The ruling was issued in response to the Low-Earnings Ratepayer Help Part 1 Choice (D. 20-08-047) made by the California Public Utilities Fee (CPUC) in August 2020.
The courtroom’s ruling decided that the CPUC didn’t observe statutory procedures mandated by the State Legislature and guidelines of the CPUC itself to offer ample discover that it was contemplating eliminating the long-standing observe of decoupling as a rate-making mechanism. This prevented utilities from having the chance to offer proof that helps decoupling”which removes the hyperlink between water income and gross sales”as an efficient means to assist preserve water charges inexpensive for low-water-using prospects, whereas concurrently serving to preserve utilities financially steady as they promote water conservation.
Defending our prospects is our prime precedence, and we’re happy that the Supreme Court docket has dominated in favor of water utilities sustaining our due course of rights and having the ability to exhibit the effectiveness of sure rate-making mechanisms earlier than regulatory selections are made to take away them, mentioned Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman & CEO. Decoupling is a vital software that helps preserve our prospects’ charges inexpensive as we promote conservation to assist present important water provides, now and sooner or later.
Cal Water was one in all 4 regulated utilities that filed petitions in opposition to the CPUC’s elimination of decoupling with out offering ample discover, thus not permitting the utilities to correctly current decoupling advantages in the course of the rate-making course of.
About California Water Service
California Water Service offers high-quality, dependable water utility providers to greater than 2 million individuals statewide by means of 497,700 service connections. Cal Water’s objective is to reinforce the standard of life for purchasers and communities. To take action, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and group well-being. The corporate’s 1,100+ staff reside by a set of robust core values and share a dedication to defending the planet, caring for individuals, and working with the utmost integrity. The utility has been named one in all America’s Most Accountable Corporations and the World’s Most Reliable Corporations by Newsweek and a Nice Place to Work ®. Extra info is out there at www.calwater.com.
Contact: Yvonne Kingman, 310-257-1434
Supply: California Water Service Group
