Great Oaks Water Company is seeking an increase in its annual revenue requirement by $325,060, or 1.2%, beginning July 1, 2027. The proposal, identified in an active California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) proceeding, will move towards its next formal phase with an evidentiary hearing scheduled for November 9, 2026. The utility, designated U-162-W, filed Application A.26-05-001 on May 1, 2026, seeking an authorized cost of capital for the period from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030.
According to the commission’s customer fact sheet, Great Oaks Water Company's proposal includes a return on equity of 10.30% and an overall rate of return of 9.35%. These figures represent different financial metrics used in calculating the utility's cost of capital. The estimated $325,060 increase in annual revenue requirement, or 1.2%, is directly tied to this proposal and, if approved, would take effect in July 2027.
Consumer advocacy group Cal Advocates has presented a different recommendation within the proceeding. An archived October 14 hearing account reported that Cal Advocates suggested an 8.05% authorized return, which they estimated could result in annual savings of approximately $61,000 compared to Great Oaks’ request. However, the retrieved hearing material does not specify whether the 8.05% figure refers to the overall return, return on equity, or another metric, making it not directly comparable without the written Cal Advocates recommendation. The record also contains a discrepancy from an archived October 14 evening hearing summary, which reported a $25,000 annual increase and referenced a different case number, A.20-60-001. These details conflict with the CPUC’s fact sheet, the application itself, and the active docket, as well as the afternoon hearing account, and are identified as an unresolved hearing-summary error.
The CPUC's cost-of-capital case is proceeding under an adopted scoping memo and ruling. Following the evidentiary hearing on November 9, 2026, opening briefs are due by December 18, 2026. Reply briefs will be due on January 22, 2027, at which point the matter is scheduled for submission, provided no further evidence or argument is required. A proposed decision from the commission is expected no later than 90 days after submission. The final commission decision will be issued no sooner than 30 days after the proposed decision. As of now, a specific Commission voting date has not been posted.
Residents and customers interested in the progression of this rate case can monitor updates through the California Public Utilities Commission's official proceeding docket. This docket will provide access to any revised schedules, the complete written recommendation from Cal Advocates, transcript corrections, or proposed decisions as they become available.
