December 27, 2001 PUC: 140 Docket #: I.01-06-047

Media Contact: PUC Press Office - 415.703.1366 - news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC HOLDS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HEARINGS

ON SOUTHWEST GAS RATES

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold public participation hearings (PPHs) on January 8 and January 9 in Big Bear Lake and Apple Valley, respectively, to welcome community feedback on Southwest Gas Company's (SWG) natural gas rates. Both PPHs will be from 6 to 9 p.m.

The meeting schedule is below:

*Big Bear Lake: Tuesday, January 8, 2002, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, City Hall, 39707 Big Bear Blvd.

*NOTE: The Big Bear PPH was originally scheduled at the Holiday Inn; local officials will be on site to direct participants to the new location - the Performing Arts Center.

Apple Valley: Wednesday, January 9, 2002, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Apple Valley Council Chamber (inside the Police Dept.), 14900 Dale Evans Parkway

In June of this year, the Commission opened a formal investigation ordering SWG to report on its recent procurement activities. The SWG report, among other things, included the company's explanation of its unusually high gas prices faced last winter and spring by customers of SWG and other California natural gas companies and the steps they've taken to cut costs.

The Commission is offering the PPHs as a result of a high level of community interest received in Victorville last August at a prehearing conference, which established procedures for its investigation into SWG's natural gas procurement practices.

Public comments at the PPHs may address the following issues:

· The reasonableness of SWG's procurement costs and purchasing practices

· The steps taken by SWG to participate in regulatory proceedings affecting gas practices

· The actions that SWG took to assist customers in meeting the rapidly rising cost of gas

For those who are unable to attend the PPHs, written comments may be submitted to the following address:

PUC Public Advisor's Office

320 W. Fourth St., Suite 500

Los Angeles, CA 90013

Or, comments may be sent via e-mail to public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov. Please refer to I.01-06-047 in your comments.

If specialized accommodations are needed, please call the PUC Public Advisor's Office at 415-703-2074 or TTY at 415-703-5282 or 1-866-836-7825 at least seven business days prior to each public meeting.

For a copy of the investigation into Southwest Gas, please visit our web site at www.cpuc.ca.gov and click on "Official Documents" or go directly to http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/RULINGS/9702.htm.

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