CCC   PPPPP   U    U    CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W  W  W   SSS
 C   C  P    p  U    U   C   C      NN   N  E      W  W  W  S   S
C       P    P  U    U  C           N N  N  E      W  W  W  S
C       PPPPP   U    U  C           N N  N  EEE    W W W W   SSS
C       P       U    U  C           N  N N  E      WW   WW      S
 C   C  P       U    U   C   C      N   NN  E      W     W  S   S
  CCC   P        UUUU     CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W     W   SSS
CONTACT: Kyle DeVine                  May 8, 1996   CPUC - 518
         213-897-4225                             (A.95-09-016)

       CPUC APPROVES BEAR VALLEY REVENUE CHANGES AND REFUNDS
    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
authorized revenue changes for the Southern California Water
Company Bear Valley Electric Service (Bear Valley), resulting in
refunds and no revenue increase in 1996.  However, there will be a
$1.3 million or 12 percent increase in 1997.
    Bear Valley provides electric service to 20,000 customers in
Big Bear, San Bernardino County.  The company originally requested
revenue increases of $2.7 million (27 percent) in 1996 and an
additional increase of $669,300 (five percent) in 1997 to cover
operating costs.  The CPUC Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA)
which represents the interest of all consumers, disagreed with the
request.  DRA and Bear Valley proposed a settlement which the
Commission adopted today.
    The settlement credits customers with $3.4 million that was
overcollected - $1.7 million of this will be refunded and the
balance will be used to lower rates.
    The Commission received many letters from customers complaining
about the company's proposal to increase the monthly customer
charge from $3.00 to $15.00. The settlement allows only a $2.00
increase, from the current $3.00 to $5.00.  It also increases fees
for turning on service when the company is given short notice.  If
turn ons are requested with less than 48 hours notice, the fee will
be $15.00.  If requested to be turned on during non-business hours,
the fee will be $30.00.  Turning on service for "Clean and Shows"
will cost $15 during regular hours and $30 during non-business
hours.  Regular requests for service will remain at $8.00.
    Most customers will see no changes in their 1996 bills. The
largest increase will be for customers who have no usage - such as
a vacation home whose appliances are turned off for a month - and
are only billed the customer charge.  In 1997, customers who use
the systemwide average of 450 kWh a month will see a $4.90 increase
in their monthly bills.
                               -###-