Cal Advocates urged the California Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 14 to authorize an 8.05% return for Great Oaks Water Company, below the utility’s requested 10.3% level for 2027 through 2030.
Jawad Baki, a representative of the CPUC’s consumer advocacy office, presented the recommendation during an afternoon public-participation hearing. Baki said the lower return would save ratepayers about $61,000 annually, according to the hearing record.
The case concerns Great Oaks’ authorized cost of capital from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030. That determination affects the return the water utility may earn on infrastructure and is part of the process used to set customer rates.
Great Oaks representatives described the proceeding as the company’s required three-year cost-of-capital review. Customers also had an opportunity to comment during an evening CPUC hearing, which ended after public comment without a final commission decision or vote.
The 8.05% figure remains a recommendation. The CPUC’s eventual authorized return could differ from both Cal Advocates’ position and Great Oaks’ request.
