Regarding: Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (Bear Valley) 2027 General Rate Case Application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) A.26-01-022 

October 13, 2026, – 1 p.m. – By Phone: 1-800-857-1917, Passcode: 1673482#, *1 to make a comment. View and Listen-Only Webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/

October 27, 2026, – 2:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. – City of Big Bear Lake City Hall, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

This event is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts regarding this application with an administrative law judge overseeing the proceeding.  A quorum of commissioners may attend but no decisions will be made at this hearing.

What is Being Requested?

Bear Valley is requesting an increase in revenue of $24.41 million (31.89%) for 2027-2030 from present rate revenues [1]. A significant portion of this increase is for investments and improvements to increase public safety from the threat of wildfires including costs related to the covered conductor replacement [2] and evacuation route hardening [3] projects, vegetation management [4], and switch and field device automation.[5] It will also be used to increase service reliability with substation and grid upgrades [6]. This request will be phased in over the years of the application.

Requested Rate Increase Table per Customer Class, 2027-2030

How Would This Impact the Average Residential Customer?

If the requested amount is approved, the average residential customer using 404.58 kWh per month would see a bill increase of approximately $17.21 per month in 2027 compared to 2026. The actual impact will vary based on usage, baseline territory, whether customers qualify for CARE discount, and other factors.

Additional Information

You can read more about the utility’s request and make public comment by visiting www.apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2601022. For more information about these PPHs and an information sheet about this proceeding, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/pph.

If you need language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, please contact the Public Advisor’s Office at least five business days in advance of the hearing. For questions about participating in CPUC matters, you can contact the Public Advisor’s Office at Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov, 1-866-849-8390, or 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.

Please reference A.26-01-022 in any communication with the CPUC.

Questions About the Request

For questions about this application, please contact Bear Valley at CustomerService@bvesinc.com, 1-800-808-2837 (toll-free) or 1-877-933-9533 (toll-free) TTY, or 630 E. Foothill Blvd., San Dimas, CA 91773. A copy of the application and any related documents may also be reviewed at www.bvesinc.com/customer-service/rates-regulations/cpuc-applications.   

Footnotes

[1] Present rate revenues (i.e., 2026 rates at projected year-end values) include approximately $5.1 million of revenues estimated to be recovered via advice letter filings in 2026 related to capital projects approved in D.25-01-007 and the solar and battery project approved in D.25-12-024.

[2] Replace 60 circuit miles (15 circuit miles/year) of bare conductors with covered conductors in wildfire and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) high risk areas.

[3] Makes facilities along evacuation routes more fire-resistant and better protects the mobility of First Responders to move assets in and out of the wildfire areas.

[4] Preventative, corrective, and emergency vegetation clearance and management to reduce the risk of vegetation growing too closely to power lines before it becomes a fire risk.

[5] Establishes communications network across the sub-transmission and distribution systems that allows Bear Valley to remotely and rapidly de-energize sections of circuits when the circuit is determined to be at high risk of causing an ignition.

[6] Upgrades equipment, replaces aging substation equipment, grid direct bury lines, and transformers, and provides for mobile generation to mitigate impacts of PSPS, as well as emergency generation during disaster response.

Powering the Mountain Since 1929

On January 30, 2026, Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (BVES) submitted its 2027–2030 General Rate Case (GRC) application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If approved on schedule, updated rates would go into effect January 1, 2027.

Safe, Reliable Power for Big Bear
Your safety and the safety of our mountain communities guides every decision we make. The GRC request supports essential day‑to‑day operations as well as major upgrades that strengthen reliability and reduce wildfire risk. These investments reinforce our system, modernize aging equipment, and help limit the need for Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events during extreme weather.

Why Is BVES Requesting a Rate Increase

Every four years, BVES is required to file a GRC to ensure that rates accurately reflect the cost of delivering safe, reliable electric service. Much of the requested increase directly supports public safety and wildfire mitigation.

From 2027–2030, BVES is proposing approximately $109 million in new capital investments to:

• Reduce ignition risk

• Improve system reliability

• Strengthen resilience against extreme weather

• Support emergency response and community safety

Delaying these upgrades would increase the likelihood of outages, emergency repairs, and wildfire‑related hazards.

Balancing Safety and Affordability

We know that energy costs matter. BVES works hard to balance affordability with the critical need to maintain a safe and dependable electric system. Our goal is to invest wisely today to prevent more costly and disruptive problems tomorrow.

Financial Assistance Is Available

We understand that financial situations can change. BVES offers a variety of assistance programs for qualifying customers. Visit our Assistance Programs webpage to explore available options.

Building a Safe, Reliable Electric System

The proposed 2027–2030 GRC includes approximately $109 million in targeted infrastructure improvements focused on reliability, wildfire mitigation, and community safety. These projects are designed to reduce ignition risk, keep power flowing during severe weather, and minimize the need for PSPS events.

Key Investments Include:

• Covered Conductor Replacement
  Replacing 60 circuit miles of overhead power lines with covered conductor to significantly reduce the chance of sparks if lines contact vegetation or debris.

• Substation and Grid Upgrades
  Replacing aging equipment, installing underground lines, and upgrading transformers to improve safety and reliability. New safety technologies and mobile generation resources will help reduce PSPS impacts and support the community during emergencies.

• Evacuation Route Hardening
  Strengthening critical evacuation routes to ensure first responders and residents can move safely during wildfire events.

• Switch and Field Device Automation
  Deploying smart technology that detects early signs of equipment issues so crews can respond quickly, helping prevent ignitions and protect public safety.

How Electric Rates Are Set

Every four years, BVES submits a General Rate Case to the CPUC outlining the costs to operate, maintain, and improve the electric system. The CPUC’s Public Advocates Office and Commissioners review the request to ensure fairness and affordability. Customers are encouraged to participate by submitting comments or attending public hearings.

2027-2030 General Rate Case Fact Sheet

2027-2030 General Rate Case Application of Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc

2027-2030 General Rate Case Application of Bear Valley Electric Service Inc. Supplemental