REQUEST TO INCREASE RATES

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold hearings to receive comments from the public on California American Water Company's (Cal Am) request to increase rates in its Sacramento, Larkfield, Felton, and Montara districts.

The Public Participation Hearing (PPH) schedule is:

Sacramento - Wednesday, January 23, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Cordova Recreation and Park District Building, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova

Monterey - Monday, January 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Monterey Conference Center, One Portola Plaza, Monterey

Half Moon Bay - Tuesday, January 28, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Half Moon Bay Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay

Felton - Wednesday, January 29, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, Felton

Santa Rosa - Thursday, January 30, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa

Cal-Am is requesting revenue increases in amounts as follows:

· Sacramento District: $7,663,400 (47.46%) in 2003 and $1,859,300 (7.81%) in 2004; Proceeding number A.02-09-030

· Larkfield District: $512,800 (33.30%) in 2003 and $96,900 (4.72%) in 2004; Proceeding number A.02-09-031

· Felton District: $410,200 (56.28%) in 2003, $101,200 (8.86%) in 2004 and $28,400 (2.29%) in 2005; Proceeding number A.02-09-032

· Montara District: $234,200 (18.69%) in 2003, $38,200 (3.02%) in 2004 and $45,000 (2.95%) in 2005; Proceeding number A.02-09-033

Cal-Am is also requesting to consolidate the water rates for its Larkfield and Sacramento Districts into uniform region-wide rates, and to consolidate the water rates for its Felton, Montara and Monterey Districts into uniform region-wide rates.

All meeting rooms are wheelchair accessible. Those who need special assistance, such as language interpretation, should contact the PUC Public Advisor's Office at least five days before the meeting that person plans to attend. Call 1-866-849-8390 or 1-415-703-2074; TTY 1-866-836-7825 or 1-415-703-5282.

The PUC has scheduled the meetings to hear consumers' concerns regarding Cal-Am's requests. A PUC Administrative Law Judge will preside at the hearings and a PUC Commissioner may attend. The utility and the Commission's Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) will also be present to give their views and answer questions.

Those who cannot attend may comment by e-mailing or writing the Public Advisor:

PUC, Public Advisor

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102

-or-

public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

Please refer to the respective proceeding number(s) in your letter.

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