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Water customers in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties will be required to significantly reduce their usage including the requirement they limit their outdoor irrigation to one or two days a week or leave their lawns yellow or brown. Some water districts are requiring their customers to reduce their daily water use by 30-50 percent. Local water districts will receive additional money to promote their water efficiency and conservation programs such as turf replacement and refitting homes and businesses with low flow plumbing fixtures.
MWD’s order does not apply to Riverside and San Diego counties. Riverside and San Diego water agency officials state their water supplies will remain unaffected through 2022 due to their ongoing efforts to improve local water supply.
However, California’s State Water Resources Control Board (SWCRB) voted on May 24 to elevate the state’s Drought Level to Stage 2 which took effect on June 10. Under Drought Level Stage 2, local water agencies will receive 20% percent less water. San Diego and other local water officials fear if customers must use less water there will be less revenue and agencies may need to increase rates to pay for infrastructure or for new projects like San Diego City’s $5 billion advanced water purification project called Pure Water.
Under Stage 2, commercial, industrial, and government buildings are prohibited from watering their decorative grass; golf courses, recreation parks and sports fields are exempt from the rule for now. Other rules include limiting residences to water their landscapes to no more than 3 days a week.
SCRHA members can refer to the SCRHA’s ‘Water Conservation Packets’ located on the SCRHA White Papers webpage for more information about water saving tips and links to local water agency websites. Members should also contact their respective water agency for information on water rebate programs and current water rules already in place. Members can visit MWD’s bewaterwise.com, or visit San Diego County Water Authority’s https://www.sdcwa.org/do-your- part-to-stay-watersmart/ for additional information.
SDG&E’S PROPOSED RATE INCREASE WOULD INCREASE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) submitted its General Rate Case plan to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last May. The new plan proposes increases in electricity and natural gas rates on all SDG&E customers. The new rates would take effect
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beginning in 2024 and last through 2027 if approved by the CPUC.
Under CA regulations, Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU) s must file and have their rate cases approved with the CPUC before the utilities can change their rates. IOUs must file their rate cases with the CPUC every four years. Like Cost-of-Service Studies filed by city and county agencies to explain why rates for services like water and waste must be adjusted, General Rate Cases are lengthy reports forecasting what it would cost the utility to maintain and enhance its ability to supply power to its service territory over a specific time period.
The CPUC reviews the rate cases to determine if the rates balance the revenue needs of the utility and are acceptable to their ratepayers. During the review process, ratepayers can provide feedback on the rate case proposal. Ultimately, the CPUC will decide if it will adopt or reject the plan in its current form or make changes to the utility’s proposed plan.
SDG&E’s newest rate case contends that electricity and natural gas rates must be increase meet the state’s newest safety regulations and climate change laws. SDG&E says proposed natural gas rate increase is necessary help prevent the escape of methane gas from its natural gas infrastructure.
Under the proposed plan, the average residential customer would see their monthly electric bill increase by $9, or 5.6%, and customers using natural gas would see their monthly rate increase by $9.60, or 18.1% compared to 2023 rates.
Ratepayers and organizations can submit their feedback to the CPUC while its commissioners review the plan. CPUC Commissioners are expected to make its decision on the rate case next year. Members can review SDG&E’s proposed 2024 General Rate Case here and other documents here, https://www.sdge. com/sdge-2024-general-rate-case.
Members can contact the CPUC at 866.849.8390, email public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or visit https:// www.cpuc.ca.gov/about-cpuc/contacting-the-puc for information about submitting comments to the CPUC.
SAN DIEGO MOVES FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTING ITS SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
The San Diego City Council in May adopted several amendments to its short-term vacation rental ordinance
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