UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): August 27, 2020
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| California | 001-14431 | 95-4676679 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 630 East Foothill Blvd. | San Dimas | CA | 91773-1212 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
(909) 394-3600
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| California | 001-12008 | 95-1243678 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 630 East Foothill Blvd. | San Dimas | CA | 91773-1212 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| American States Water Company Common Shares | AWR | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Section 8 - Other Events
| Item 8.01. | Other Events |
On August 27, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) issued a final decision approving the proposed decision related to the low income ratepayer assistance and affordability objectives contained in the CPUC’s 2010 Water Action Plan, which also addressed other issues including matters associated with the continued use of the water revenue adjustment mechanism ("WRAM"). Based on the final decision, any general rate case application filed by American States Water Company’s wholly owned water utility subsidiary, Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), and certain other water utilities after the August 27, 2020 effective date of this decision may not include a proposal to continue the WRAM, but rather may include a proposal for a limited price adjustment mechanism referred to as the Monterey-Style WRAM. This final decision will not have any impact on GSWC's WRAM balances during the current rate cycle (2019 through 2021). In addition, the decision supports GSWC’s position that it does not apply to its general rate case application filed in July 2020, which sets new rates for 2022-2024. However, at this time, management cannot predict the potential impact of this decision, if any, on the pending water general rate case. GSWC plans to pursue a legal challenge of this decision.
This Form 8-K is furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY: | |
| August 31, 2020 | /s/ Eva G. Tang |
Eva G. Tang Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer | |
| GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY: | |
| August 31, 2020 | /s/ Eva G. Tang |
Eva G. Tang Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |