Hefty water rate hike proposed for Los Osos, Edna Valley

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• Public can comment on planned water hike for Los Osos and Edna Valley

  Public can comment on planned water hike for Los Osos and Edna Valley

  The public will have an opportunity Friday to talk to the state Public Utilities Commission about plans by Golden State Water Co. to raise its rates by nearly 50 percent in Los Osos and the Edna Valley.

  Public participation hearings will be held at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday at the South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave. in Los Osos. It is one of eight hearings the commission is holding throughout the state.

  The private water company has proposed raising rates for its 3,300 customers in Los Osos and the Edna Valley by 48.9 percent in 2013. A smaller increase is planned for customers in the Nipomo area.

• Water rate hike disputed by customers

  Water rate hike disputed by customers

  More than 100 people from as far away as Ojai packed the South Bay Community Center in Los Osos on Friday afternoon to protest hefty rate increases proposed by Golden State Water Co.

  The private water company has customers throughout the state and county, including in Los Osos, Edna Valley and Nipomo. It is proposing various rate increases depending on location, with some of the biggest for 3,300 customers in Los Osos and Edna Valley where rates would go up 48.9 percent for a typical home in 2013.

  The state Public Utilities Commission held the meeting to get customer feedback. It must approve any rate increase and expects to make a decision a year from now, said Administrative Law Judge Richard Smith, who is hearing the case.

• Double-digit rate increase is an outrageous request

  Double-digit rate increase is an outrageous request

  Golden State Water Co. has a rebellion on its hands. It deserves it. In several communities across the state, ratepayers are boiling over steep rate increases the water purveyor is requesting from the California Public Utilities Commission.

  Overall, the company is seeking a $58 million increase from its 256,000 customers in 2013, followed by anearly $9 million increase in 2014 and another $11 million in 2015. Customers— as well as some of the public officials who represent them — have been outraged.

  Ojai residents have asked a local agency, the Casitas Municipal Water District, to use the power of eminent domain to buy out the water company and take over service.

• Bouquets and Brickbats: Thanks to all holiday helpers

  Bouquets and Brickbats: Thanks to all holiday helpers

  Bouquets of mistletoe and holly to all the angels who went out of their way to make the holidays a little brighter for families struggling in this economy. Whether you served meals at a homeless shelter, donated to Toys for Tots, contributed to a holiday food drive or found your own special way to make a difference, please know that your efforts are a big part of what makes our community the special place that it is.

  Park expansion still in the works

  We toss thank-you bouquets of good stewardship to the holders of long-term leases at Wild Cherry Canyon. A deal has long been in the works to acquire the property for an expansion of Montana de Oro State Park, but an option to sell the leases was due to expire by the end of the year. The owners have agreed to one last extension, which keeps the project alive.

• Golden State Water Co. fined $1 million

  Golden State Water Co. fined $1 million

  The California Public Utilities Commission last week fined Golden State Water Co. $1 million and ordered it to refund $9.5 million to its customers.

  Golden State Water has customers in Los Osos, Edna Valley and Nipomo. However, customers in those areas will see little in the way of refunds.

  Of the $9.5 million to be refunded, only $34,000 will go to customers in the Los Osos service area, which includes Edna Valley. The Santa Maria service area, which includes Nipomo, will receive $192,500 in refunds.