Lindero feeder, a single feed, dead-end pipeline with no redundancy within the Cal Water service area. Thousand Oaks’ service area bordering Zone III is supplied by a different feeder, so this interconnection will provide backup supply to Zone III if the Lindero feeder fails. Standard of Review for Settlement As the applicant, Cal bears the burden of proof to show that the regulatory relief it requests is just and reasonable and the related ratemaking mechanisms are fair. In order for the Commission to consider whether the proposed settlement is in the public interest, the Commission must be convinced the parties had a thorough understanding of the application and all of the underlying assumptions and data included in the record. The requirements for adopting a settlement are set forth in Rule 12.1(a) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, which states: Parties may, by written motion any time after the first prehearing conference and within 30 days after the last day of hearing, propose settlements on the resolution of any material issue of law or fact or on a mutually agreeable outcome to the proceeding. Settlements need not be joined by all parties; however, settlements in applications must be signed by the applicant …. … When a settlement pertains to a proceeding under a Rate Case Plan or other proceeding in which a comparison exhibit would ordinarily be filed, the motion must be supported by a comparison exhibit indicating the impact of the settlement in relation to the utility’s application and, if the participating staff supports the settlement, in relation to the issues staff contested, or would have contested, in a hearing.
Utility Council (the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO), the City of Visalia, the County of Kern, the County of Lake, Mr. Timothy Groover-Merrick, the Leona Valley Town Council and Mr. Jeffrey Young, filed on October 3, 2016, is granted. The joint motion of California of California Water Service Company and the Office of Ratepayer Advocates to Accept Tariffs and Tables Associated with the settlement agreement attached to this decision as Exhibit A, filed on October 3, 2016, is granted. Within 60 days of the effective date of this decision, California Water Service Company is authorized to file Tier 1 advice letters with revised tariff schedules in compliance with this decision for each district and rate area in this proceeding. The adopted rates for test year 2017 are included as Exhibit to this decision. This filing shall be subject to approval by the Commission’s Division of Water and Audits. Cal Water shall continue its Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA) program, which provides a discount of 50 percent of the 5/8 inch residential charge. The cap on the monthly LIRA benefit shall increase to $48 for all districts for this general rate case cycle. The Rate Support Fund (RSF) continue as currently implemented, except that it shall be discontinued in the Antelope Valley District, modified in the Kern River Valley District, and temporarily continued in the Redwood Valley District during transitional consolidation, as detailed in the settlement agreement attached to this decision as Exhibit A. All customers will be assessed an RSF surcharge, except for Low Income Ratepayer Assistance customers in an RSF