This page lists instructions and templates on filing general complaints with the CPUC. Scroll down for instructions and templates for individual Advice Letter or General Complaint.
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File an informal complaint with the CPUC at this link https://appsssl.cpuc.ca.gov/cpucapplication/
You can write your own complaint or you can copy and paste the complaint below. Please note you will not be able to submit your complaint if it is over 1000 characters (this includes spaces).
Please attach the PDF below in your complaint. It is the 2013-2016 Comparison Model that illustrates the 71% rate increase for a “typical” SJW customer and higher increases for those going over the allocations since 2013. You will need to save the PDF to your computer first and then select CHOOSE FILE and then select ATTACH FILE at the bottom of the complaint form
https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/31540/2016_10_19_Memo_-_Water_item_supp_attch.pdf
The following 3 questions are on the complaint form:
What is the situation that concerns you? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
My concern is with the drought surcharge program, the increased charges in other sections of the bill, the structure of the charges, lack of transparency of the bills, SJW Corp. as a whole & the outrageous rates we are being charged.
In 2012, SJW requested a 44% increase. This was not approved but, today, with PUC’s approval of the MANY add’l surcharges & rate increases, SJW got much more.
SJW is charging ALL of its customers using 15ccf/mo or more a minimum of 71% more now, than in 2013. The extra line item fees, alone, have increased by 177%. The increase on our bills goes up even more drastically with drought surcharge and line item fees. See attachment.
SJW rates are much higher than other CA water companies; even other PUC regulated investor-owned companies.
The executives at SJW are making millions in salary/bonuses, yet the job of the PUC is to regulate & ensure reasonable rate increases. Our rates & their salaries/bonuses are NOT representative of reasonable rates.
What did the utility say when you contacted them? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
The SJW’s rep. says SJW can charge these rates because they were approved by the PUC. A number of factors that occurred over a very short period may be responsible for the unusual bills.
The PUC approved an 8.6% rate increase on 6-14-16. This went into effect immediately.
SCVWD approved an increase of 19.9% on the water it sells to retailers, including SJWC. This wholesale water rate increase, eff. 7-1-16, translates into a 6.8% pass-thru increase for our customers.
Water usage typically increases in the summer months.
Although the SCVWD’s conservation target has been reduced from 30% to 20%, SJWC is still operating under the drought contingency plan in which residential customers must remain at or below their monthly allocations in order to avoid drought surcharges.
SJWC’s rates are set by the CPUC through a very comprehensive 12-18 month long review process to arrive at just and reasonable rates. Input from the ORA and public is considered in their final decision.
What action do you want the CPUC to take? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
I respectfully request:
a modification to the PUC rate decisions and/or to the current Schedule 14.1. We need swift & immediate relief from the outrageous rates SJW is charging. We need a new rate structure that makes sense.
CPUC require SJW to refund all charges that are not reasonable & to produce a bill that definitively explains every line item & charge.
CPUC advise SJW that it should propose a rate strategy (including reasonable tier allotments) similar to other water companies throughout the state.
CPUC overturn SJW’s drought allocation structure. It violates state law by imposing penalties on homeowners but not businesses/apartment owners. The surcharges are unjust, unreasonable & discriminatory.
CPUC require SJW to be transparent & share all of their financials & spending. PUC needs to do a full investigation into SJW to determine if the rate increases they are requesting are going back into SJW or being diverted into SJW Corp. subsidiaries. ie: SJW Land etc.
File an informal complaint with the CPUC at this link https://appsssl.cpuc.ca.gov/cpucapplication/
You can write your own complaint or you can copy and paste the complaint below. Please note you will not be able to submit your complaint if it is over 1000 characters (this includes spaces).
Please attach the PDF below in your complaint. It is the 2013-2016 Comparison Model that illustrates the 71% rate increase for a “typical” SJW customer and higher increases for those going over the allocations since 2013. You will need to save the PDF to your computer first and then select CHOOSE FILE and then select ATTACH FILE at the bottom of the complaint form
https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/31540/2016_10_19_Memo_-_Water_item_supp_attch.pdf
The following 3 questions are on the complaint form:
What is the situation that concerns you? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
My concern is with the drought surcharge program, the increased charges in other sections of the bill, the structure of the charges, lack of transparency of the bills, SJW Corp. as a whole & the outrageous rates we are being charged.
In 2012, SJW requested a 44% increase. This was not approved but, today, with PUC’s approval of the MANY add’l surcharges & rate increases, SJW got much more.
SJW is charging ALL of its customers using 15ccf/mo or more a minimum of 71% more now, than in 2013. The extra line item fees, alone, have increased by 177%. The increase on our bills goes up even more drastically with drought surcharge and line item fees. See attachment.
SJW rates are much higher than other CA water companies; even other PUC regulated investor-owned companies.
The executives at SJW are making millions in salary/bonuses, yet the job of the PUC is to regulate & ensure reasonable rate increases. Our rates & their salaries/bonuses are NOT representative of reasonable rates.
What did the utility say when you contacted them? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
The SJW’s rep. says SJW can charge these rates because they were approved by the PUC. A number of factors that occurred over a very short period may be responsible for the unusual bills.
The PUC approved an 8.6% rate increase on 6-14-16. This went into effect immediately.
SCVWD approved an increase of 19.9% on the water it sells to retailers, including SJWC. This wholesale water rate increase, eff. 7-1-16, translates into a 6.8% pass-thru increase for our customers.
Water usage typically increases in the summer months.
Although the SCVWD’s conservation target has been reduced from 30% to 20%, SJWC is still operating under the drought contingency plan in which residential customers must remain at or below their monthly allocations in order to avoid drought surcharges.
SJWC’s rates are set by the CPUC through a very comprehensive 12-18 month long review process to arrive at just and reasonable rates. Input from the ORA and public is considered in their final decision.
What action do you want the CPUC to take? (1000 characters about 200 words max)
I respectfully request:
a modification to the PUC rate decisions and/or to the current Schedule 14.1. We need swift & immediate relief from the outrageous rates SJW is charging. We need a new rate structure that makes sense.
CPUC require SJW to refund all charges that are not reasonable & to produce a bill that definitively explains every line item & charge.
CPUC advise SJW that it should propose a rate strategy (including reasonable tier allotments) similar to other water companies throughout the state.
CPUC overturn SJW’s drought allocation structure. It violates state law by imposing penalties on homeowners but not businesses/apartment owners. The surcharges are unjust, unreasonable & discriminatory.
CPUC require SJW to be transparent & share all of their financials & spending. PUC needs to do a full investigation into SJW to determine if the rate increases they are requesting are going back into SJW or being diverted into SJW Corp. subsidiaries. ie: SJW Land etc.