MEDIA CONTACT: |
Carol E. Robinson |
July 6, 2001 |
CPUC - 076 |
415-703-1072 |
REVISED
CPUC SCHEDULES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HEARINGS
ON ENERGY BASELINE ALLOWANCES
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a series of public participation hearings (PPHs) in August and September in a proceeding to determine whether current baseline allowances for residential gas and electricity users in California should be revised and, if so, to what new levels.
The hearings are an opportunity for ratepayers of electricity and gas utilities regulated by the CPUC to express their views about the baseline issue.
The dates, times and locations of the hearings are as follows:
· Fresno: August 27 at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Fresno Airport, Valley Center Room, 5090 E. Clinton Avenue, Fresno.
· Roseville: August 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Maidu Community Center Reception Hall, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville. The location has been changed from the Roseville City Hall Council Chamber.
· San Diego: September 10 at 7 p.m. in the San Diego Concourse, Copper and Silver Rooms, 202 C Street, San Diego.
· Alhambra: September 11 at 7 p.m. in the Alhambra City Hall Council Chamber, 111 South First Street, Alhambra.
· Indio: September 12 at 2 p.m. in the Indio High School Auditorium, 81-750 Avenue 46, Indio.
· San Jose: September 20 at 7 p.m. in the Doubletree Hotel, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose.
· Eureka: September 24 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 531 K Street, Second Floor, Eureka.
While this proceeding has been split into two phases, comments at the public participation hearings may address issues to be examined in either phase.
Phase I will address updating the energy usage data used by the Commission in calculating baseline quantities; the appropriate percentage of energy usage to use in calculating baseline quantities; possible changes to the medical baseline allowance; and suggestions for legislative changes.
Phase II will take up the items not addressed in the first phase and may include policy objectives of the baseline program, possible changes to climate zones, consideration of household and demographic characteristics, definition of seasons, and gas vs. electric issues.
Utilities are required to notify their customers of these public participation hearings by sending written notices with their customers' utility bills or separately. If any utility bills its ratepayers via the Internet, notice may also be done electronically.
Anyone who needs assistance participating in this hearing should contact the Commission's Web site, www.cpuc.ca.gov, or should contact the CPUC Public Advisor's Office, which is available to help people understand how to participate in a proceeding, how to file a pleading, and to answer other questions about Commission procedure.
The northern California office can be reached at (415) 703-2074, or public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. The southern California office can be reached at (213) 576-7055 or public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov. All locations are accessible to people with disabilities. If specialized accommodations are needed, such as foreign and sign language interpreters, please contact the Public Advisor's Office at the numbers listed above or TTY (415) 703-5282 or 1-866-836-7825.
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