THE PROTEST CONCERNING OWNERSHIP OF THE LAKE ALPINE WATER COMPANY
1. What is the protest concerning the Lake Alpine Water Company ownership about?
In 2003, Aspen Forest Inc. bought 50% of the water company from Jim and Marianne Orvis. This year a group filed a protest with the California Public Utilities Commission against the purchase, alleging that it was not duly approved by the CPUC.
2. What is the current status of the protest?
The CPUC, citing mounting legal costs and an increasing number of filings, ordered the protestors to sit down with Aspen Forest to explore mediation. Two sessions yielded no results. The CPUC has therefore set a hearing for April 26, 2012.
3. Could the outcome affect water rates?
The outcome could increase rates if the CPUC allows LAWC to get reimbursement for legal expenses from the ratepayers. The outcome could lower rates if the purchase is overturned and the successors in interest to Aspen Forest influence the operation of LAWC toward lower rates. At this time, it is purely speculative whether either of these outcomes is likely.