Conclusion

The description CalAm's application presents of its water supply situation, the parties' responses, and CalAm's reply are compelling. No party has filed a protest to the application. No formally filed response has suggested that the water supply situation in CalAm's Monterey District is not both as critical and as urgent as CalAm contends, nor are we aware of any offer of facts to prove that it is not. CalAm has made a prima facie case that extraordinary measures to promote water conservation for the remainder of this water year are warranted.

Where parties have posed objections to the specific rate structure set forth in the application, CalAm has agreed to, and we will adopt, changes to address their concerns. Considering that CalAm will have at most less than three months before the end of the water year to accrue sufficient conservation savings to offset the year's earlier cumulative overusage, and that if it does not do so it will be in violation of a lawful order, SWRCB Order 95-10, and subject to possibly severe fines, time is of the essence. Under the circumstances, we conclude that the relief we authorize in this order is necessary and reasonable, and no evidentiary hearing is needed.