WRATES Update #29 We are making a difference! 1. CPUC PUBLIC HEARING - Plan to attend. If you haven’t attended a meeting regarding SJWC yet, this is the one to attend!!! The customers of SJWC will actually see a reduction in our water rates come January if the CPUC decides to lower SJWC’s Investment Returns. We need to fill the room at SJ City Hall and let the CPUC know that we have had enough of SJWC’s outrageous rate increases. We have gained traction and the CPUC is listening. Let's not miss this opportunity. Find someone to carpool with. Make an evening of it. Plan to attend. When: Monday, November 6, 2017 at 7:30 pm Where: San Jose City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose What: CPUC Public Hearing will address issues related to SJWC Attire: Wear a BLUE shirt in solidarity Validated parking can be found at: City Hall underground parking garage. Entrance is on 6th street. 4th street garage at 4th and San Fernando (near Flames) The public will have 1 to 2 minutes to speak, depending on the size of the crowd. WRATES members are writing one minute talking points to present to the CPUC at the hearing. We will be looking for individuals at the hearing to read the talking points. You can also write your own talking point if you wish. Plan to attend even if you don’t wish to speak. Attendance is important for the CPUC to recognize the magnitude of the rate issues/increases facing ratepayers. Please post on your Nextdoor and get the word out. Attendance is vital. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. SJ City Council UNANIMOUSLY voted “YES” at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to take action regarding SJWC and get involved and advocate for ratepayer water affordability. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Advice Letter 512 has been suspended! Thank you to all who protested. AL512 would have allowed SJWC to take another $11.5 million from us. It will be suspended until after January 1, 2018 which is when SJWC will apply for their next 3 year General Rate Case and if we are lucky, it will be rejected after the CPUC looks at the overall earnings of SJWC. Thank you, Rita Benton WRATES, Water Rate Advocates for Transparency, Equity and Sustainability "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade