AMERICAN STATES WATER CO

Current report

On August 14, 2023, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all its water regions and the general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2025 – 2027. On July 12, 2024, GSWC and the Public Advocates Office (“Cal Advocates”) of the CPUC filed a joint motion to adopt a settlement agreement between GSWC and Cal Advocates in connection with the water utility general rate case. A proposed decision in the water general rate case was issued on November 15, 2024 and an alternate proposed decision was subsequently issued on December 27, 2024. The proposed decision adopted the settlement agreement and also addressed various unresolved issues related to GSWC’s requests for certain regulatory mechanisms. Among other things, the proposed decision rejected GSWC’s request for the continuation of a sales reconciliation mechanism, which would allow GSWC to adjust its sales forecast throughout the general rate case cycle to address significant fluctuations in consumption. An alternate decision issued by the assigned Commissioner on December 27, 2024, approved GSWC’s request to continue this mechanism. No other material changes were made to the proposed decision. On January 30, 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision in this proceeding that approved the alternate proposed decision, which adopted the settlement agreement. GSWC continued to bill its customers based on the existing adopted 2024 rates until the new 2025 rates were approved and implemented effective February 1, 2025. GSWC had filed with the CPUC to establish memorandum accounts to track interim rates, which made the new 2025 rates retroactive to January 1, 2025.

Current report

The settlement agreement approved in the final decision resolved most of the issues related to the calculation of the 2025 annual revenue requirement in the general rate case application leaving only two unresolved issues. Among other things, the approved settlement authorizes GSWC to invest approximately $573.1 million in capital infrastructure over the three-year capital cycle. The $573.1 million of infrastructure investment includes $17.7 million of advice letter capital investments to be filed for revenue recovery during the second and third year attrition increases when those projects are completed. In addition, the approved settlement agreement includes $58.2 million of advice letter capital investments that began construction in 2023 that we expect to file for revenue recovery during the second and third year attrition increases when those projects are completed. For all of the advice letter projects, GSWC will be allowed to accrue interest during construction at the adopted cost of debt and recover the full rate of return, including all applicable components of the revenue requirement after the assets are placed in service up until the assets are placed in customer rates.

Current report

Excluding revenues for all of the advice letter capital projects discussed above, under the terms of the approved settlement agreement (i) GSWC’s adopted operating revenues less water supply costs for 2025 will increase by approximately $23 million as compared to the 2024 adopted operating revenues less water supply costs, and (ii) there are potential additional revenue increases of approximately $20 million for each of the years 2026 and 2027 based on inflation factors used at the time of the application filing in August 2023. The increases in 2026 and 2027 are subject to the results of an earnings test and changes to the forecasted inflationary index values. Actual increases for 2026 and 2027 will be determined when the CPUC approves the filings to implement the new rate increases, using inflationary index values applicable at that time.

Current report

The two remaining 2025 revenue requirement issues that were not resolved in the approved settlement agreement were related to the sales forecast and supply mix. The final decision adopts GSWC’s recommended sales forecast and adopts a supply mix that splits the difference between GSWC’s and Cal Advocates’ forecasts. In addition, certain items related to GSWC’s request for various regulatory mechanisms were litigated that were also addressed in the final decision. With regards to these requests, the final decision (i) rejects GSWC’s request for the continuation of a full sales and revenue decoupling mechanism such as the WRAM and a full cost balancing account for water supply such as the MCBA, and instead orders GSWC to transition to a modified rate adjustment mechanism (a Monterey-style WRAM or “M-WRAM”) and an incremental cost balancing account (“ICBA”) for supply costs, (ii) accepts GSWC’s sales reconciliation mechanism, (iii) rejects GSWC’s supply mix adjustment mechanism, and (iv) rejects GSWC’s request to modify the existing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) memorandum account to track carrying costs on capital investments needed to comply with the new PFAS maximum contaminant levels established by the U.S. EPA (with monitoring and reporting required effective 2027), and instead orders GSWC to file for recovery of PFAS-related capital projects through a separate application or future general rate case. The final decision also adopted GSWC’s M-WRAM rate design proposal, authorizing GSWC to increase the revenue requirement in its fixed service charges to between 45-48% depending on the ratemaking area representing approximately 65% of GSWC’s fixed costs in aggregate. The M-WRAM tracks the difference between the revenue based on actual metered sales through a tiered volumetric rate and the revenue that would have been received with the same actual metered sales if a blended tier standard quantity rate had been in effect. The ICBA for supply costs tracks differences between the authorized per-unit prices of water produc tion costs and actual per-unit prices ofwater production costs. The M-WRAM and ICBA are effective January 1, 2025.

Current report

As noted above, GSWC litigated its request for the continued use of the WRAM and MCBA. In August 2020, the CPUC had issued a decision that mandated the discontinuation of the existing WRAM used by investor-owned water utilities since 2008 that, in conjunction with tiered rates, incentivizes water conservation, and also ordered the discontinued use of the MCBA. In response to the CPUC’s order, GSWC, three other investor-owned water utilities and the California Water Association each separately filed a petition in 2021 with the California Supreme Court (the “Court”) to review the CPUC’s decision-making processes that resulted in discontinuing the use of the WRAM and MCBA. On July 8, 2024, the Court issued a ruling that set aside the previously issued order by the CPUC and vacated the portions of the CPUC’s August 2020 decision related to the discontinued use of the WRAM and MCBA used by water utilities and its accompanying findings and conclusions. Furthermore, in September 2022, the governor of California signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 1469, which allowed Class A water utilities, including GSWC, to continue requesting the use of a revenue decoupling mechanism in their next general rate case. However, despite the Court’s ruling and SB 1469, GSWC’s request to continue using the WRAM and MCBA was rejected by the CPUC and as a result, GSWC will not be able to recognize under-collections of revenue caused by fluctuations in consumption or changes in water supply cost mix beginning in 2025. However, the final decision did approve GSWC’s request for the continuation of a sales reconciliation mechanism, which would allow GSWC to adjust its sales forecast throughout the general rate case cycle to address significant fluctuations in consumption.

Current report

Finally, included in the consolidated results for 2024 is a tax benefit of $5 million, or $0.13 per share, resulting from the final decision that adopted a settlement agreement, which excluded from customer rates certain excess deferred income tax balances generated by activities outside of ratemaking that were previously recorded as regulatory liabilities as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Because of the final CPUC decision, and the alternate proposed decision received in December 2024, both of which approved the settlement agreement in its entirety, GSWC recorded the tax benefit in 2024 to reflect a change in estimate that decreased its regulatory liabilities associated with excess deferred income tax balances as of December 31, 2024.

Current report

On August 30, 2022, BVES filed a general rate case application that determines new electric rates for the years 2023 – 2026. On November 1, 2024, BVES, Cal Advocates, and the other intervenor in the proceeding filed a joint motion to adopt a settlement agreement between the parties resolving all issues in connection with the pending general rate case. On January 16, 2025, the CPUC adopted a final decision in BVES’s general rate case proceeding that set the new electric rates retroactive to January 1, 2023 and approves the settlement agreement in its entirety.

Current report

Among other things, the settlement agreement, (i) settles and adopts the revenue requirements for each of the four years 2023 through 2026, (ii) authorizes BVES to invest approximately $52.5 million in capital infrastructure included in base rates over the four-year rate cycle and at least an additional $23.1 million (plus an allowance for funds used during construction, or “AFUDC”) to be filed for revenue recovery through advice letters when the projects are completed; (iii) adopts a cost of capital that increases BVES’s adopted return on equity from 9.6% to 10.0%, lowers the cost of debt from 6.6% to 5.51%, and maintains the capital structure of 57% equity and 43% debt, and (iv) approves for recovery the requested capital expenditures and other incremental operating costs already incurred in connection with BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that were previously not included in customer rates.

Current report

Because of receiving a proposed decision in December 2024 followed by a final decision in January 2025, both of which approved the settlement agreement in its entirety, the impact of retroactive rates for the full year of 2023 and the 2024 second-year rate increases have been reflected in the 2024 fourth quarter results as it became probable that the approved retroactive rates for 2023 and 2024 would be permitted to be billed to customers in the future. The new rates are expected to go into effect on March 1, 2025. BVES was also authorized by the CPUC to establish a general rate case memorandum account that made the new rates retroactive to January 1, 2023. Due to the delay infinalizing the electric general rate case, billed electric revenues for the years of 2023 and 2024, were based on 2022 adopted rates. The general rate case memorandum account tracks the revenue differ ences between the 2022 adopted rates and the 2023 and 2024 new rates authorized by the CPUC for future recovery. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2024, an aggregate cumulative under-collection amount of $9.8 million in retroactive revenues related to the full year of 2023 and 2024 was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2024 along with a corresponding increase to BVES’s regulatory assets for future recovery from customers. Within 90 days from the effective date of the final decision, BVES will file for recovery of retroactive amounts accumulated related to the new rates, as well as recovery of incremental operating costs incurred prior to 2023 in connection with BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that were being tracked in memorandum accounts prior to the new rate cycle.

Current report

As a result of reflecting the new rates in 2024 retroactive to January 1, 2023, there was an increase in 2024 recorded electric revenues of $9.8 million when compared to 2023 largely reflecting the new customer rates for 2023 and 2024 that, for this approved rate cycle cover, among other things, the growth in rate base and the higher operating costs as settled in the revenue requirement including those related to BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that prior to 2023 were previously not included in customer rates and not expensed because they were being tracked in memorandum accounts. The increase in recorded revenues was largely offset by higher operating expenses and interest costs to support, among other things, BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans including investing in capital all of which is dedicated to improving the system safety and reliability for the community it serves. The final decision will also provide for an increase in adopted operating revenues of $2.2 million for 2025 and $3.3 million in 2026. The rate increases for 2024 - 2026 are not subject to an earnings test. Furthermore, the previously mentioned advice letter projects of at least $23.1 million are expected to generate additional annual operating revenues of approximately $3 million when the respective projects are completed, placed in service, and filed for recovery in customer rates. These projects also accrue AFUDC during construction that will further increase the revenue requirement. In the settlement agreement, the parties agreed to remove portions of the requested capital budgets from rates until they were completed and placed in service. For all of the advice letter projects, BVES will be allowed to accrue AFUDC during the construction period at the adopted rate of return, which will be added to the cost of the assets and recovered in customer rates when the assets are placed in service.

Current report

In August and September of 2023, ASUS was awarded new contracts with the U.S. government to serve two military bases for which operations began in April 2024. After completion of the transition periods, ASUS began operating the water and wastewater utility systems at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland under a 50-year privatization contract with the U.S. government and at Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts under a 15-year contract with the U.S. government. The initial value of its contract at Naval Air Station Patuxent River was estimated at approximately $349 million over a 50-year period and is subject to annual economic price adjustments. In July 2024, the estimated contract value was increased to $378 million after an inventory adjustment. Under its contract at Joint Base Cape Cod, ASUS performs work through the annual issuance of task orders by the U.S. government over a 15-year period up to a maximum value to ASUS of $75.0 million, subject to adjustments as task orders are issued. In April 2024, the U.S. government awarded a task order to ASUS valued at $4.1 million for the first year of operation, maintenance, and renewal and replacement services of the water and wastewater systems at Joint Base Cape Cod.

Current report

Furthermore, included in the consolidated results for 2024 was a tax benefit of $5 million, or $0.13 per share, resulting from the final decision issued by the CPUC on January 30, 2025 in connection with GSWC’s recent general rate case proceeding. The final decision adopted a settlement agreement between GSWC and Cal Advocates, which excluded from customer rates certain excess deferred income tax balances generated by activities outside of ratemaking that were previously recorded as regulatory liabilities as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Because of the final CPUC decision, and the alternate proposed decision received in December 2024, both of which approved the settlement agreement in its entirety, GSWC recorded the tax benefit to reflect a change in estimate that decreased its regulatory liabilities associated with excess deferred income tax balances as of December 31, 2024. In addition, AWR’s consolidated diluted earnings in 2024 were negatively impacted by approximately $0.04 per share due to the dilutive effects from the issuance of equity under AWR’s ATM offering program.

Current report

•Excluding the revenue impact related to 2022 resulting from the decisions in both the general rate case and cost of capital proceedings recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023 as previously discussed, there was an increase in water operating revenues of approximately $22.3 million mainly as a result of the third-year rate increases that went into effect on January 1, 2024, as well as an increase in GSWC’s return on rate base in 2024 compared to 2023 resulting from the final cost of capital proceeding received in June 2023 that allowed for the continuation of the WCCM as previously discussed.

Current report

•A decrease in earnings of approximately $0.03 per share due to the dilutive effects from the issuance of equity under AWR’s ATM offering program. Under the program, AWR may offer and sell its Common Shares, with an aggregate gross offering price of up to $200 million, from time to time at its sole discretion. Through December 31, 2024, AWR has sold 1,145,219 Common Shares through this ATM offering program.

Current report

Diluted earnings from the electric utility segment increased $0.01 per share for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 2023. On January 16, 2025, the CPUC adopted a final decision in connection with BVES’s general rate case proceeding that set new rates for 2023 – 2026, with new electric rates retroactive to January 1, 2023. As a result of receiving the final decision, the impact from retroactive rates for the full year of 2023 and from the second-year rate increases through the year ended December 31, 2024 have been reflected in the 2024 fourth quarter results. The new rates resulted in an increase in electric revenues that supports, among other things, the growth in rate base and higher operating costs related to BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that were previously not included in customer rates and not expensed because they were being tracked in memorandum accounts. The increase in electric revenues in 2024 compared to 2023 was largely offset by higher operating expenses and interest costs to support, among other things, BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans including investing in capital all of which is dedicated to improving the system safety and reliability for the community it serves.

Current report

For the year ended December 31, 2024, revenues from water operations decreased by $16.1 million to $417.4 million, compared to 2023. The decrease in water revenues was largely due to the impact of retroactive rates related to the full 2022 year resulting from the general rate case decision of approximately $32 million and the impact of the final cost of capital decision that resulted in the reversal of $6.4 million of revenues subject to refund previously recorded in 2022, with both decisions received and recorded in 2023. The increase to revenues from both of these items recorded in 2023 did not recur in 2024 and was partially offset by an increase in water revenues resulting from the third-year rate increases that went into effect on January 1, 2024, and an increase in water revenuesas a result of a higher return on rate base in 2024 compared to 2023 resulting from the final cost of capital proceeding received in June 2023 that allowed for the continuation of the WCCM as previously discussed.

Current report

Electric revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $9.8 million to $51.6 million due, in large part, to the final decision in the electric general rate case proceeding that set rates for 2023 - 2026, and was retroactive to January 1, 2023. The retroactive revenues for the full year of 2023 and the second-year increases for 2024 have been reflected in 2024 as previously discussed.

Current report

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the decrease in other operation expenses at the water segment was due primarily to a reduction of $2.0 million as a result of receiving the final decision in the recent water general rate case that authorized the recovery of previously incurred operation-related costs that were being tracked in CPUC-authorized memorandum accounts and which became probable of future recovery; partially offset by higher operation-related labor, as well as bad debt expense due to COVID relief funds for past due bills recorded in 2023 that did not recur in 2024.

Current report

The decrease at the electric segment was due primarily to an overall decrease in surcharges billed to customers for the recovery of previously incurred costs, which had a corresponding decrease in other operation expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings. The decrease was largely due to the expiration of a surcharge as a result of fully recovering incremental costs previously tracked in a memorandum account that arose from the impact of a winter storm in 2018.

Current report

The increase at the contracted services segment was due primarily to the operations at the new bases, higher operation-related labor costs, and water treatment and other related costs.

Current report

Administrative and general expenses increased at the electric segment primarily due to the approval of the final decision in the electric general rate case proceeding with rates retroactive to January 1, 2023. The new electric rates for 2023 and 2024 included the recovery of higher (i) costs incurred in 2023 and 2024 related to wildfire mitigation activities that were temporarily deferred and recorded as regulatory assets through the third quarter of 2023 while awaiting the general rate case decision and which have now been expensed during the fourth quarter as they are included in the new rates, and (ii) the amortization of regulatory commission costs incurred in this proceeding; with both items retroactively included in the new electric customer rates that resulted in a combined increase in 2024 expenses of $4.3 million compared to 2023 expenses. The higher expenses are reflected and recovered in the new customer rates. The electric segment recorded an increase in revenues retroactive to January 1, 2023 in 2024 that offset the effects of the increased administrative and general expenses related to the decision. There was also an increase in labor costs, and legal and other outside services costs.

Current report

Depreciation and amortization expense increased at the water segment due largely to additions to utility plant recorded in 2024, partially offset by the retroactive impact for the full year of 2022 of $0.6 million recorded in 2023 as a result of receiving a final decision in the water general rate case in 2023. The overall decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses at the electric segment is primarily due to the retroactive impact of an overall lower composite depreciation rate supported by the latest depreciation study adopted in the final decision in the electric general rate case that was recorded in 2024 related to the full year of 2023 and 2024. The lower adopted depreciation expense levels from the updated study is also reflected in the new revenue requirements, resulting in no significant impact to earnings. This decrease was partially offset by additions to utility plant.

Current report

Maintenance expense decreased at the water segment due to lower unplanned maintenance costs experienced in 2024 as compared to 2023.

Current report

Maintenance expense was higher at the electric segment as compared to 2023 due largely to the approval of the final decision in the electric general rate case proceeding with rates retroactive to January 1, 2023. Maintenance costs of approximately $4.7 million recorded in 2024 reflect the impact of the higher levels of vegetation management costs approved in the final decision related to the full year of 2023 and 2024 that have been included in the new retroactive customer rates. The electric segment also recorded revenues retroactive to January 1, 2023 in 2024 that offset the effects of the incremental increases in maintenance costs adopted in the final decision. There was also an increase in other maintenance-related activities.

Current report

Maintenance expense was higher at the contracted services segment as compared to the same period in 2023 due to higher planned and unplanned maintenances, and maintenance activity at the new bases that was not incurred in the same period in 2023.

Current report

Property and other taxes increased at the water segment due, in part, to a favorable property tax adjustment recorded in 2023 resulting from changes to property tax assessments of certain counties at that time, with no such adjustment occurring in 2024, as well as an increase in capital additions and related higher assessed values.

Current report

Property and other taxes increased at the electric segment due to higher property taxes resulting from capital additions and related higher assessed values.

Current report

Property and other taxes increased at the contracted services segment largely as a result of an increase in gross receipts taxes resulting from higher revenues, and an increase in payroll taxes due, in part, from the operations at the new bases.

Current report

Consolidated income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $11.4 million primarily due to a decrease in consolidated pretax income and a tax benefit of $5 million recorded at GSWC in 2024 as a result of receiving a final decision in the latest water general rate proceeding as previously discussed. AWR’s ETRs were 20.2% and 25.0% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. GSWC’s ETR was 19.5% for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 25.8% for 2023, which fluctuated due to the tax benefit discussed above and changes in certain flowed-through income taxes and permanent items.

Current report

On February 27, 2024, AWR entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with third-party sales agents, under which AWR may offer and sell Common Shares, from time to time at its sole discretion, through an ATM offering program having an aggregate gross offering price of up to $200 million over a three-year period and pursuant to AWR’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. AWR intends to use the net proceeds from these sales, after deducting commissions on such sales and offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, repayment of debt and making equity contributions to its subsidiaries. During 2024, AWR sold 1,145,219 Common Shares through this ATM offering program and raised proceeds of $89.5 million, net of $1.4 million in commissions paid under the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $109.1 million remained available for sale under the ATM offering program.

Current report

GSWC expects to issue long-term debt and/or equity in 2025 to facilitate the pay-off of its credit facility. Under the current financing application authorized by the CPUC, GSWC does not have any remaining funds available for the issuance of long-term financing. On January 22, 2024, GSWC filed a new financing application with the CPUC, pending approval, that requests authorization for the issuance and sale of additional long-term debt and equity securities of up to $750.0 million. A proposed decision has yet to be issued by the CPUC in GSWC’s new financing application as of the date of this filing. If an approval is not received soon, GSWC will file a request with the CPUC to extend its 24-month pay-off period past the June 2025 deadline while it awaits a final decision from the CPUC on its financing application that will enable GSWC to issue the necessary long-term financing to pay-off its borrowings under the credit facility.

Current report

On June 5, 2024, GSWC completed the issuance of $65.0 million in unsecured private placement notes with a coupon rate of 5.50%, maturing on June 5, 2027. GSWC used the proceeds from the private placement notes to pay down outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and to fund its operations and capital expenditures. Interest payments are due semiannually on June 5 and December 5 each year, commencing December 5, 2024. The private placement notes rank equally with GSWC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. GSWC may, at its option, redeem all or portions of the notes at any time upon written notice, subject to payment of a make-whole premium. The covenant requirements under these private placement notes are similar to the terms of other private placement notes issued by GSWC.

Current report

On December 30, 2024, GSWC issued 2.7586 Common Shares to AWR for total proceeds of approximately $40.0 million. GSWC used the proceeds from the stock issuance to pay down outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and to fund its operations and capital expenditures.

Current report

BVES has a separate revolving credit facility without a parent guaranty that supports its electric operations and capital expenditures with a current borrowing capacity of $65.0 million that matures on July 1, 2026. Currently, the credit agreement provides BVES an option to increase the borrowing capacity of the facility by an additional $10.0 million. BVES’s revolving credit facility is considered a short-term debt arrangement by the CPUC. Therefore, pursuant to the CPUC’s requirements, borrowings under this credit facility are required to be fully paid off within a 24-month period, after which, BVES may borrow under the credit facility again. BVES’s extended pay-off period as approved by the CPUC was set to end on May 1, 2025. On August 1, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision in BVES’s financing application, which among other things, approved BVES’s request to issue up to $120 million of new long-term debt and equity securities. As a result of receiving approval of the new financing application, on February 12, 2025, BVES completed the issuance of $50.0 million in unsecured private-placement notes with a coupon rate of 6.12% maturing on February 12, 2030. BVES used the proceeds from the notes to pay down all amounts under its revolving credit facility outstanding at the time of issuing the notes. As a result of refinancing the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility with 5-year term notes, as of December 31, 2024 the outstanding balance under BVES’s credit facility of $45.0 million has been classified as a non-current liability in AWR’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Furthermore, in September 2024, BVES issued eleven Common Shares to AWR for total proceeds of $22.0 million. BVES used the proceeds from the stock issuance to pay down outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and to fund its operations and capital expenditures.

Current report

In January 2023, GSWC issued $130.0 million of unsecured notes in a private placement and $10.0 million of equity to AWR. GSWC used the proceeds from both issuances to pay-off all of its outstanding intercompany borrowings from AWR at that time. In June 2023, GSWC executed its own separate credit agreement that it began using to support its water operations and capital expenditures program. On June 5, 2024, GSWC completed the issuance of $65.0 million in unsecured private placement notes and used the proceeds for general corporate purposes including the repayment of a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its credit facility and support of its operations and capital expenditures. In addition, in December 2024, GSWC issued approximately$40.0 million of equity to AWR. Finally, GSWC paid $35.1 million in dividends to AWR during 2024 as compared to $55.4 million during 2023.

Current report

(1) Names of military bases are as of December 31, 2024.

Current report

On August 14, 2023, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all its water regions and the general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2025 – 2027. On July 12, 2024, GSWC and Cal Advocates of the CPUC filed a joint motion to adopt a settlement agreement between GSWC and Cal Advocates in connection with the water utility general rate case. On January 30, 2025, the CPUC adopted a decision approving the settlement agreement and establishing new rates retroactive to January 1, 2025. GSWC filed an advice letter on January 31, 2025 to implement new rates effective February 1, 2025. GSWC had filed with the CPUC to establish memorandum accounts to track interim rates, which made the new 2025 rates retroactive to January 1, 2025.

Current report

Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels

Current report

On April 10, 2024, the U.S. EPA announced the final regulations that established maximum contaminant levels (“MCLs”) for six PFAS compounds in drinking water. The regulation established MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and several other contaminants with individual MCLs that range from 4 ppt to 10 ppt. In addition, the regulation established MCL for PFAS mixtures containing at least two of certain of the regulated PFAS compounds for the combined and co-occurring levels of PFAS in drinking water. The final rule requires public water systems to implement PFAS monitoring and reporting within three years (2027), and where exceedances are identified, to implement solutions within five years (2029) to reduce PFAS levels to below the MCLs.

Current report

Currently, there are more than 45 sources at GSWC and 7 sources at ASUS that have exceeded one or more of the PFAS MCLs. These new MCLs will increase capital investments and operations and maintenance expenses over the next five years. In addition, due to the volatility of the supply chain and demand for PFAS treatment components, both the capital investments and operations and maintenance expenses are likely to further increase. The CPUC has authorized GSWC to track incremental expenses, including laboratory testing and monitoring costs, customer and public notification costs, and chemical and operating treatment costs, incurred as a result of PFAS contamination in a memorandum account to be filed with the CPUC for future recovery.

Previous report

On August 14, 2023, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all its water regions and the general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2025 – 2027. Among other things, GSWC requested capital budgets of approximately $611.4 million for the three-year capital cycle. GSWC also requested the continuation of mechanisms to accommodate fully decoupled revenues and sales, and track differences between recorded and CPUC-authorized supply-related expenses. In an August 2020 decision, the CPUC discontinued the use of the WRAM and the MCBA by water utilities, which GSWC implemented in 2008, but would be discontinued for GSWC after 2024. However, on September 30, 2022, the governor of California signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 1469 and effective January 1, 2023, SB 1469 allows Class A water utilities, including GSWC, to continue requesting the use of a revenue decoupling mechanism in their next general rate case. With the passage of SB 1469, GSWC’s request to continue using a revenue decoupling mechanism will be subject to CPUC approval. As of the filing date of this Form 10-K, a proposed decision in the water general rate case is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024, with new rates to become effective January 1, 2025.

Previous report

As a result of receiving the final decision that approved the settlement agreement in its entirety, the net impact of retroactive new rates for the full year of 2022 was $0.38 per share and has been reflected in the year ended December 31, 2023 results, which consisted primarily of the increase in 2022’s annual revenue requirement (excluding advice letter projects) that, among other things, incorporated an increase in supply costs, and which combined is a net increase of approximately $0.40 per share; partially offset by the approval of new operating expense levels related to 2022 that resulted in an increase in recorded depreciation expense of approximately $790,000, or $0.02 per share, resulting from updated composite depreciation rates adopted in the final decision, and which are reflected in the 2022 adopted revenue requirement.

Previous report

Final Decision in the First Phase of the Low-Income Affordability Rulemaking:

Previous report

In August 2020, the CPUC issued a final decision in the first phase of the CPUC’s Order Instituting Rulemaking evaluating the low income ratepayer assistance and affordability objectives contained in the CPUC’s 2010 Water Action Plan. This decision also addressed other issues, including mandating discontinuance of the WRAM and the MCBA. The MCBA is a full-cost balancing account used to track the difference between adopted and actual water supply costs (including the effects of changes in both rates and volume). Based on the final decision, any general rate case application filed by GSWC and the other California water utilities after August 27, 2020 may not include a proposal to continue the use of the WRAM or MCBA, but may instead include a proposal to use a limited price adjustment mechanism and an incremental supply cost balancing account. The discontinuation of the WRAM and MCBA for GSWC would be effective for years after 2024. However, on September 30, 2022, the governor of California signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 1469. Effective January 1, 2023, SB 1469 allows Class A water utilities, including GSWC, to continue requesting the use of a full revenue decoupling mechanism in their general rate case. With the passage of SB 1469, GSWC was able to request the continued use of a full revenue decoupling mechanism, similar to the WRAM in its general rate case application filed on August 14, 2023 that establishes new rates for the years 2025 – 2027. GSWC’s request to continue using a full revenue decoupling mechanism in its general rate case is subject to CPUC approval. Since its implementation in 2008, the WRAM and MCBA have helped mitigate fluctuations in GSWC’s earnings due to changes in water consumption by its customers or changes in water supply mix. Replacing them with mechanisms recommended in the final decision will likely result in more volatility in GSWC’s future earnings and could result in less than, or more than, full recovery of its authorized revenue and supply costs.

Previous report

In October 2020, GSWC, three other investor-owned water utilities (“IOWUs”) operating in California, and the California Water Association (“CWA”) filed applications with the CPUC for rehearing on the discontinuation of the WRAM and MCBA, which the CPUC denied in September 2021. GSWC, the three other IOWUs and CWA each separately filed a petition with the California Supreme Court to review the CPUC’s decision revoking prior authorization of the WRAM and MCBA. In May 2022, the Court granted the petition for writ of review. The Court ordered GSWC, along with the other IOWUs and CWA, to file opening briefs, which were filed on September 1, 2022. The CPUC’s answer to the opening briefs was originally due by November 15, 2022 and reply briefs were due by December 15, 2022. However, as a result of SB 1469, in October 2022 the CPUC filed a motion to dismiss the IOWUs and CWA’s petition with the Court, and also requested that the Court suspend the proceeding schedule until it rules on the motion to dismiss. The Court granted the CPUC’s request to suspend the proceeding schedule. In November 2022, the Supreme Court denied the CPUC’s motion to dismiss and established a new proceeding schedule whereby the CPUC filed their answer brief on December 9, 2022 and the IOWUs filed their reply brief on January 13, 2023. At this time, management cannot predict the final outcome of this matter.

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On August 30, 2022, BVES filed a general rate case application that will determine new electric rates for the years 2023 – 2026. In February 2023, a scoping memo and ruling that set the final schedule and scope of issues in BVES’s general rate case proceeding was issued by the CPUC. Electric revenues billed to customers for 2023 were based on 2022 adopted rates and will remain in effect until finalization of the pending general rate case application. On December 15, 2022, the CPUC approved a decision for BVES to establish a general rate case memorandum account that makes the new 2023 rates effective and retroactive to January 1, 2023. When a decision is issued in the electric general rate case, cumulative adjustments will be recorded at that time.

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Among other things, BVES requested (i) capital budgets of approximately $62.0 million for the four-year rate cycle, and another $6.2 million for a large line replacement capital project to be filed for revenue recovery through an advice letter when the project is completed, and (ii) a capital structure for BVES of 61.8% equity and 38.2% debt, a return on equity of 11.25%, an embedded cost of debt of 5.51%, and a return on rate base of 9.05%. Included in the general rate case application is a request for recovery of all capital expenditures and other incremental costs incurred over the last few years in connection with BVES’s wildfire mitigation plans that are currently not included in customer rates. These costs will be subject to review by the CPUC during the general rate case proceeding.

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On August 15, 2023, ASUS was awarded a new 50-year contract by the U.S. government to operate, maintain, and provide construction management services for the water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, a United States Navy air station located in Maryland. The initial firm-fixed-price value of the contract is estimated at $349 million over a 50-year period and is subject to annual economic price adjustments. This initial value is also subject to adjustment based on the results of a joint inventory of assets to be performed during the transition period and will be finalized during the first year of operations.

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On September 29, 2023, ASUS was awarded a new 15-year contract by the U.S. government, that is different than ASUS's other existing 50-year contracts, to operate, maintain, and provide construction management services for the water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities at JBCC located in Massachusetts. Under this contract, ASUS will have the opportunity to perform work at JBCC through the periodic issuance of task orders by the U.S. government for up to a maximum initial firm-fixed-price value of $45.0 million over a 15-year period, subject to adjustments as task orders are issued. In September 2023, the first task order was issued with a value of $2.3 million to perform an evaluation, construction and transition services that are scheduled for completion in 2024.

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Entering into contracts with the U.S. government subjects ASUS to potential government audits or investigations of its business practices and compliance with government procurement statutes and regulations. ASUS had been under a civil government investigation over bidding and estimating practices used in certain capital upgrade projects. In July 2023, ASUS and the U.S. government entered into an agreement that settles civil and monetary claims by the U.S. government. This settlement did not have a material impact on Registrant’s financial statements.

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Excluding the gains and losses on the retirement plan investments from both periods, the impact of retroactive rates recorded in 2023 related to the full year of 2022, and the impact of changes in estimates from the cost of capital proceeding from both periods, adjusted consolidated diluted earnings for the year of 2023 would be $2.75 per share as compared to adjusted diluted earnings of $2.34 per share for 2022, an adjusted increase of $0.41 per share or a 17.5% increase, largely due to new 2023 water rates approved in GSWC’s final decision in its general rate case proceeding.

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Excluding the gains and losses on the retirement plan investments from both periods, the impact of retroactive rates recorded in 2023 related to the full year of 2022, and the impact of changes in estimates from the cost of capital proceeding from both periods, adjusted diluted earnings for 2023 at the water segment were $2.16 per share as compared to adjusted diluted earnings of $1.68 per share for 2022, an adjusted net increase at the water segment of $0.48 per share, or a 28.6% increase, due primarily to the following items:

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•An increase in the water operating revenues of $48.1 million largely as a result of the second-year rate increases for 2023 that are retroactive to January 1, 2023 and have been reflected in the results for the year ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by the impact of the prospective change in the new cost of capital effective July 31, 2023. GSWC filed for the implementation of new 2023 rates upon receiving the final decisions in June 2023 in both its general rate case and cost of capital proceedings. The increase in water revenues during 2023 represents the difference from the 2023 second-year rate increases and the 2021 adopted rates in place and recorded during 2022.

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Diluted earnings from the electric utility segment decreased $0.04 per share for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 2022, largely resulting from not having new rates in 2023 while awaiting the processing of the pending electric general rate case that will set new rates for 2023 – 2026, while also experiencing continued increases in overall operating expenses and interest costs, partially offset by favorable changes in certain flowed-through income taxes. When a decision is issued in the electric general rate case, new rates are expected to be retroactive to January 1, 2023 and cumulative adjustments will be recorded at that time.

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For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenues from water operations increased by $92.9 million to $433.5 million, compared to 2022. The increase in water revenues was largely because of the adoption in June 2023 of a final decision in the water general rate case that included the impact of retroactive rates associated with the increase in 2022’s annual revenue requirement (excluding advice letter projects), as well as the second-year rate increases for 2023, partially offset by the impact of the prospective change in the new cost of capital effective July 31, 2023. In addition, because of receiving a final decision in the cost of capital proceeding in June 2023, in which the CPUC made adjustments to rates prospective, GSWC recorded a change in estimate that resulted in an increase to water revenues in 2023 totaling$6.4 million as a result of reversing its regulatory liability for revenues subject to refund that it had recorded during 2022.

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Electric revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $1.8 million to $41.8 million due, in large part, to the final decision adopted in the water general rate case proceeding that updates the costs allocated from the general corporate office to the electric segment. The final decision authorizes an increase in the allocation ratio to the electric segment. The increase in general corporate office expenses allocated to the electric segment also includes a corresponding and offsetting increase in adopted electric revenues as provided in BVES’s last general rate case proceeding, resulting in no impact to earnings. There was also an increase in electric revenues from an advice letter filing related to a completed capital project.

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For the year ended December 31, 2023, the increase in other operation expenses at the water segment was due primarily to higher operation-related labor, transportation and outside-service costs, partially offset by lower water treatment costs and bad debt expense. As a result of receiving the final decision in the water general rate case, the increase at the water segment also included a cumulative depreciation adjustment for 2022 of $212,000 on GSWC’s transportation equipment, which is recorded in other operation expenses.

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The increases at the electric and contracted services segments were due primarily to higher operation-related labor and outside-services costs.

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Administrative and general expenses increased at the electric segment due, in part, to an increase in labor costs and a higher allocation of costs from the general corporate office because of the updated allocation ratio authorized in the final decision on the water general rate case. The increase in general corporate office expenses allocated to the electric segment also includes a corresponding and offsetting increase in adopted electric revenues, resulting in no impact on earnings.

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The water general rate case final decision approved an overall higher composite depreciation rates based on a revised depreciation study. The increase in composite depreciation rates increases the adopted water revenue requirement, with a corresponding increase in adopted depreciation expense, resulting in no impact to net earnings. The overall increase in depreciation and amortization expenses at the water segment included the retroactive impact for the full year of 2022 of $576,000. In addition, the increase to depreciation and amortization expense was also attributed to additions to utility plant and other fixed assets at both regulated utilities.

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Maintenance expense increased at each of the business segments due to higher planned and unplanned maintenance activities as compared to the same period in 2022.

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Property and other taxes increased at the water segment primarily due to an increase in franchise fees resulting from higher water revenues, partially offset by favorable property tax adjustments resulting from changes in property tax assessments for certain counties. In addition, there was an increase in property taxes at the electric segment resulting from an increase in capital additions and higher assessed values, and an increase in gross receipts taxes at the contracted services segment from higher construction activity.

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Consolidated income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $17.9 million primarily due to an increase in pretax income as compared to 2022. AWR’s ETRs were 25.0% and 23.2% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. GSWC’s ETR was 25.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 23.3% for 2022. The increase in GSWC’s ETR was also primarily due to the effect of the increase in its pretax income. The increase in AWR (parent)’s tax benefit was primarily due to an increase in pretax loss resulting from higher interest expense, as well as changes in state unitary taxes.

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BVES has a separate revolving credit facility without a parent guaranty, which was amended on June 16, 2023, to increase BVES’s borrowing capacity from $35.0 million to$50.0 million. The amendment to BVES’s credit agreement also included (i) the extension of the term of the credit facility to July 1, 2026, (ii) conversion of the interest rate on new borrowings to the benchmark rate Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), and (iii) an option to increase the facility by an additional $25.0 million, subject to lender approval. On February 15, 2024, BVES increased the borrowing capacity from $50.0 million to $65.0 million. The CPUC requires BVES to completely pay off all borrowings under its revolving credit facility within a 24-month period. BVES’s pay-off period for its credit facility ends in August 2024. Accordingly, the$42.0 million outstanding under BVES’s credit facility has been classified as a current liability in AWR’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023.

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On June 28, 2023, AWR and GSWC each executed new unsecured syndicated credit facilities to replace AWR’s previous credit agreement with a sole bank. During the year ended December 31, 2023, AWR had a net increase in borrowings on its credit facilities of $54.6 million to support operations and capital expenditures. During 2022, AWR had a net increase in borrowings on its credit facilities of $72.0 million.

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In January 2023, GSWC issued $130.0 million of unsecured notes in a private placement and $10.0 million of equity to AWR. GSWC used the proceeds from both issuances to pay-off all of its outstanding intercompany borrowings from AWR at that time. On June 28, 2023, GSWC entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility. GSWC used the proceeds from the borrowings under the new credit facility to again pay-off all of its intercompany borrowings owed to AWR. The CPUC requires GSWC to fully pay-off all intercompany borrowings from AWR within a 24-month period. GSWC’s borrowings under its new credit facility will also be required to be paid-off in full within a 24-month period.

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On August 14, 2023, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all its water regions and the general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2025 – 2027. Among other things, GSWC requested capital budgets of approximately $611.4 million for the three-year capital cycle. GSWC also requested the continuation of mechanisms to accommodate fully decoupled revenues and sales and track differences between recorded and CPUC-authorized supply-related expenses. GSWC has requested the CPUC to permit it to continue using a revenue decoupling mechanism. As of the filing date of this Form 10-K, a proposed decision in the water general rate case is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024, with new rates to become effective January 1, 2025.

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Drinking Water Proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels

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In March 2023, the USEPA proposed maximum contaminant levels (“MCLs”) for six PFAS compounds in drinking water. When finalized, the proposed regulation will require public water systems to monitor and treat water for these chemicals. It will also require water systems to notify its customers and reduce the levels if it exceeds the regulatory standards. The USEPA anticipates finalizing and adopting this rule in early 2024. Once the rule is finalized, water systems will be required to comply with the MCLs after a specified implementation period, which is currently anticipated to be three years from the rule-adoption date. These proposed MCLs, once finalized, are expected to increase GSWC’s water treatment and other operating costs. The CPUC has authorized GSWC to track incremental costs, including laboratory testing and monitoring costs, customer and public notification costs, and chemical and operating treatment costs, incurred as a result of PFAS contamination in a memorandum account to be filed with the CPUC for future recovery.

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On December 16, 2021, the USEPA announced the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions under an executive order with a compliance date of October 16, 2024. Additionally, the USEPA announced its intention to develop a new proposed rule, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (“LCRI”) that will further strengthen the regulatory framework prior to the October 2024 compliance date. There are still many unknowns regarding the implementation of the rule. The details of the requirements will be better understood over the next year once the LCRI is published and a final rule is approved.

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The SWRCB is expected to consider the adoption of the regulation by October 2024. Water suppliers including GSWC have provided extensive comments to date on the draft regulation and will work with state agencies on the final regulation and its implementation.

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California’s recent period of multi-year drought has resulted in reduced recharge to the state’s groundwater basins. GSWC utilizes groundwater from numerous groundwater basins throughout the state. Several of these basins, especially smaller basins, experienced lower groundwater levels because of the drought. Several of GSWC’s service areas rely on groundwater as their only source of supply. Given the critical nature of the groundwater levels in California’s Central Coast area, GSWC implemented mandatory water restrictions in certain service areas in accordance with CPUC procedures. In the event of water supply shortages from the locally available supply, GSWC would need to transport additional water from other areas, increasing the cost of water supply.

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After a very wet 2023, California could still potentially be entering into a dry 2024 even with the recent storm events in California in January and February 2024. Since the start of the water year, both the Sierra snowpack and precipitation has been below normal. The southern Sierra snowpack was at 52% of normal and the 5-station precipitation index was at 71% of normal on February 12, 2024. However, a series of atmospheric storm events in late January and early February are providing a promising outlook to the State’s supply conditions. As of February 13, 2024, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that none of California was in drought with only 7% identified as “abnormally dry” as compared to a year ago when 85% was in “moderate drought.”

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

ASUS’s firm-fixed-price contracts with the U.S. government are considered service concession arrangements under ASC 853 Service Concession Arrangements. Accordingly, the services under these contracts are accounted for under Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customersand the water and/or wastewater systems are not recorded as Property, Plant and

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Net cash provided by operating activities was $158.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $54.3 million for 2023. The increase in operating cash flow was largely due to the implementation of new CPUC-approved billed water rates and surcharges during the second-half of 2023 as a result of receiving the final water general rate case decision in June 2023. Also, in March 2024, as a result of the Extended Arrearage Program, GSWC received $3.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the State of California to provide assistance to customers for delinquent water customer bills incurred during the pandemic, with no similar relief funds received during 2023. The increase in cash flow was also due to a 4.5% increase in billed water consumption and the timing of vendor payments. These increases in operating cash flows were partially offset by differences in the timing of income tax payments between two periods. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the change in net cash provided by operating activities.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

The CPUC ratemaking process provides GSWC with the opportunity to recover prudently incurred capital and operating costs in future filings associated with achieving water quality standards. Management believes that such incurred and expected future costs should be authorized for recovery by the CPUC for both PFAS compounds and hexavalent chromium.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

GSWC filed its last cost of capital application with the CPUC in May 2021. On June 29, 2023, the CPUC adopted a final decision that, among other things, (i) adopted GSWC’s requested capital structure of 57% equity and 43% debt; (ii) adopted a cost of debt of 5.1% for GSWC as compared to 6.6% previously authorized; (iii) adopted a return on equity of 8.85% for GSWC as compared to 8.9% previously authorized; (iv) allowed for the continuation of the WCCM through December 31, 2024; and (v) adopted the new cost of capital for the three-year period commencing January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. Based on the final decision issued in June 2023, all adjustments to rates are prospective and not retroactive. GSWC filed an advice letter that implemented the new cost of capital effective July 31, 2023.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

The WCCM adjusts the return on equity and rate of return on rate base between the three-year cost of capital proceedings only if there is a positive or negative change of more than 100 basis points in the average of the Moody’s Aa utility bond rate as measured over the period October 1 through September 30. If there is a positive or negative change of more than

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Cash flows from operating activities are primarily generated by net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, and deferred income taxes. Cash generated by operations varies during the year. Net cash provided by operating activities of AWR was $67.7 million for 2023 as compared to $117.8 million for the same period in 2022. During 2022, GSWC and BVES received $9.5 million and $473,000, respectively, in COVID-19 relief funds from the state of California to provide assistance to customers for delinquent water and electric customer bills incurred during the pandemic. There were no similar relief funds received during 2023.

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

The decrease in operating cash flow was also due to a 7.8% decrease in billed water consumption, as well as the delay in receiving the water general rate case final decision as billed water revenues in 2022 and 2023 through July 30, 2023 were based on 2021 adopted rates pending a final CPUC decision, while operating expenses continued to rise primarily due to inflation. A final decision from the CPUC was received on June 29, 2023 on the water general rate case with 2022 and 2023 rates retroactive to January 1, 2022 and 2023, respectively. GSWC filed for the implementation of the CPUC-approved rate increases that went into effect on July 31, 2023. In addition, GSWC filed for the recovery of retroactive rate amounts accumulated through July 30, 2023 related to the CPUC approved rate increases for 2022 and 2023, and surcharges were implemented in October 2023 to recover the cumulative retroactive rate differences over 36-months.