Regulators will likely get an earful at a meeting seeking public input on water and electricity rates Tuesday.
The meeting, set by the California Public Utilities Commission, concerns a large rate increase sought by the California Water Service Company, and already approved plans changing how people buy electricity.
California Water Service Company, an investor-owned firm serving close to half a million customers in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington, is seeking large increases locally. If approved, rates could jump by as much as nearly a third in Chico next year, 60 percent in Marysville, and by more than half in Oroville and Willows. Much smaller increases would follow in 2018 and 2019. The Utilities Commission will have the final say.
According to its most recent annual report, the company reported $56.7 million in profits in 2014 on nearly $600 million in revenue. Profitability rose 50 percent between 2010 and 2014.
Commission staff will also present information on major changes in store for electricity users. The commission has approved changes putting supply and demand concepts onto home bills. When demand spikes, such as on hot afternoons and evenings, electricity will cost more. Prices will ease when demand falls.
Another approved change calls for a new minimum electricity bill of $10.
Regulators have also approved collapsing different tiers of usage down to two tiers. A rate tier provides a certain amount of energy at one price. Electricity use beyond the allocation jumps into the next tier, which is sold at a higher price.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m., at the Chico Elk’s Lodge at 1705 Manzanita Way.