Bear Valley Electric Service

What Bear Valley Electric Service does

Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (BVES) is a CPUC-regulated electric utility serving approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear Valley area of California, including Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin, Erwin Lake, Moonridge, Sugarloaf, Lake Williams, and Baldwin Lake. The company has operated in the region since 1929 and was incorporated as a stand-alone California corporation on December 12, 2018, after being reorganized out of Golden State Water Company. BVES is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR). Customer mix is approximately 87% residential (~20,000 customers) and 13% commercial, industrial, and public authority (~2,500 customers), with anchor commercial loads including Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts.

The company's core technology and product platform spans owned distribution infrastructure (power lines, substations, transformers), Itron Open-Way Bridge smart meters with two-way communication, system-wide grid automation for fault detection and isolation, 19 weather stations for wildfire risk monitoring, and the 5 MW/AC Bear Valley Solar Energy Project (in collaboration with EDF Renewables Distribution-Scale Power) with battery storage. Digital customer services are delivered through KUBRA payment platforms (Self-Service, EZ-PAY, Cash at CVS/7-Eleven) and two-way emergency SMS for PSPS alerts. The product portfolio also includes Time-of-Use EV charging rate schedules (TOU-EV-1/2/3), Net Energy Metering and Distributed Generation Service programs, and a broad customer assistance suite (CARE, CARE Plus, Medical Baseline, Military Family Relief, Energy Savings Assistance, Disaster Relief, Access & Functional Needs, CAPP, California COVID-19 Assistance).

BVES operates under a regulated rate-of-return business model, with revenue generated from Base Service Charges and usage-based electricity charges approved by the California Public Utilities Commission through General Rate Cases. The current Q1 2026 income-graduated Base Service Charge is $23.22/month for standard residential customers, $10.06/month for CARE-enrolled customers, and $5.00/month for CARE Plus customers. The 2027-2030 General Rate Case (Application A.26-01-022, filed January 2026) proposes approximately $109 million in capital investments for covered conductor replacement, substation upgrades, evacuation route hardening, and switch automation. The company's competitive position is anchored in its CPUC-authorized exclusive franchise, an approved Wildfire Mitigation Plan, and PSPS operational authority that supports grid resiliency in a high-fire-risk mountain territory.

Name

Bear Valley Electric Service

Legal name

Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc.

Website

https://bvesinc.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bear Valley Electric Service is a CPUC-regulated electric utility serving approximately 23,000 residential and commercial customers in California's Big Bear Valley, wholly owned by American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR), with a 5 MW solar project and $109M proposed 2027-2030 capital plan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail Electric Providers / Competitive Distribution Utilities (where applicable) (EUADABAE)

Keywords

• Regulated electric utility
• Electric distribution service
• Wildfire mitigation programs
• Customer assistance programs
• Renewable energy integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electric Utility Service Revenue: Bear Valley Electric Service generates revenue through regulated electricity distribution to approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear Valley. Rates are set by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through General Rate Cases and cover the cost of operating, maintaining, and improving the electric system. Revenue comes from Base Service Charges and Usage Charges on customer electricity bills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bear Valley Electric Service is a CPUC-regulated electric utility that distributes electricity to approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear Valley area of California, including residential, commercial, industrial, and public authority accounts. The company delivers power through owned distribution infrastructure including power lines, substations, transformers, and smart meters, while offering a portfolio of customer programs covering renewable energy interconnection (Net Energy Metering and Distributed Generation Service), electric vehicle time-of-use rates, and multiple bill assistance and safety programs. Rates are set by the California Public Utilities Commission through General Rate Cases, with the 2027-2030 GRC proposing approximately $109 million in capital investments.

Product overview

Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) is a regulated electric utility serving approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear Valley area of California. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products including electric service and distribution, smart meter technology (Itron Open-Way Bridge Meters), digital bill payment through KUBRA platforms (Self-Service, EZ-PAY, and Cash at CVS/7-Eleven), electric vehicle charging rate programs (TOU-EV-1/2/3), renewable energy programs (Net Energy Metering and Distributed Generation Service for solar customers), income-based assistance programs (CARE, CARE Plus, Energy Savings Assistance), medical and disaster relief programs, and Wildfire Mitigation services including Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The company operates under a Base Service Charge rate structure mandated by CPUC and is a subsidiary of American States Water Company. The 2027-2030 General Rate Case proposes $109 million in capital investments for infrastructure improvements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Electric Distribution Service CPUC-regulated electric distribution service providing power to approximately 20,000 residential customers in the Big Bear Valley under standard, CARE, CARE Plus, multi-family, and time-of-use residential rate schedules, with online and in-person sign-up options.
• Commercial and Industrial Electric Distribution Service CPUC-regulated electric distribution for approximately 2,500 commercial, industrial, and public authority customers including ski resorts such as Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, with commercial rate schedules and demand management options.
• Electric Vehicle Time-of-Use Rate Schedules (TOU-EV-1, TOU-EV-2, TOU-EV-3) CPUC-approved time-of-use electric rate schedules (TOU-EV-1, TOU-EV-2, TOU-EV-3) for residential and commercial customers with EV charging facilities, enabling lower charging costs through off-peak usage.
• Net Energy Metering (NEM) Program allowing customers with renewable generation to offset electrical usage costs and receive compensation for excess renewable energy supplied to the BVES grid; now closed to new customers.
• Distributed Generation Service (DGS) Program Alternative tariff allowing customers with qualifying renewable generation up to 1,000 kW capacity to offset electrical usage costs and receive compensation for excess energy supplied to the grid, with a maximum 2 MW installed capacity program-wide.
• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program Discount program on monthly electric bills for income-qualifying households (up to 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines) or those enrolled in qualifying public assistance programs, reducing the Base Service Charge to $10.06 per month.
• CARE Plus Program Enhanced discount program for income-qualifying households at 100% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, reducing the Base Service Charge to $5.00 per month and providing additional bill relief beyond the standard CARE program.
• Medical Baseline Program Program providing lower billing rates and additional electricity allotment for households with qualified medical needs requiring electric-powered life support equipment or other qualifying medical devices.
• Military Family Relief Program Assistance program providing 180-day shut-off protection and extended payment terms for military families affected by active-duty service.
• Disaster Relief Program Emergency protections for customers impacted by wildfires or natural disasters, including deposit waivers, billing suspension, payment plans, and disconnection protection.
• Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program Program providing no-cost energy-saving home improvements—including efficient refrigerators, LED lighting, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, insulation, weather stripping, and caulking—for income-qualified customers.
• Access & Functional Needs (AFN) Program Program identifying customers who rely on electricity for health and safety and providing resources such as backup power options, transportation during outages, and replacement meals during emergencies.
• California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) State program that helps pay residential customers' eligible past-due energy utility bills that accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic, with credits applied directly to BVES bills.
• California COVID-19 Utility Relief Assistance Financial assistance program helping income-eligible households pay rent and utilities for past-due and future payments under the CA COVID-19 Utility Relief program.
• Wildfire Mitigation Plan Comprehensive wildfire risk reduction program including covered conductor replacement, grid automation, 19 weather stations, vegetation management, tree trimming, and PSPS coordination for customers in BVES's high-fire-risk service territory.
• Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Wildfire safety measure involving proactive power shutoffs when extreme weather conditions threaten public safety, with customer notification via website, Facebook, email, and two-way emergency text communications.
• Bear Valley Solar Energy Project 5 MW/AC solar facility at 2151 Erwin Ranch Road developed in collaboration with EDF Renewables Distribution-Scale Power, feeding renewable electricity directly into the BVES distribution system to enhance grid resiliency and meet Renewable Portfolio Standards.
• Two-Way Emergency Text Communications Emergency alert system allowing customers to receive and respond to wildfire and PSPS event notifications via text messages to 1-800-808-2837 (text 'BVES' to opt-in, 'OUT' to report an outage, 'HELP' for information, 'STATUS' for outage updates).
• 2027-2030 General Rate Case Infrastructure Investment Program CPUC General Rate Case program (Application A.26-01-022) proposing approximately $109 million in capital investments for covered conductor replacement, substation upgrades, evacuation route hardening, and switch automation across the BVES service territory during 2027-2030.
• Smart Meter (Itron Open-Way Bridge Meter) Service Digital smart meter service using Itron Open-Way Bridge Meters, providing automated energy use monitoring, two-way communication, and faster outage detection and restoration for residential and commercial customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 23,000 customers served reliably
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EDF Renewables Distribution-Scale PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVES is collaborating with EDF Renewables Distribution-Scale Power to develop the Bear Valley Solar Energy Project, a 5 MW/AC solar facility. EDF team offers customer-focused development, construction, operation, and maintenance services for solar and energy storage projects. Over the past 35 years, the EDF team has developed or constructed more than 1,500 MW of solar and storage projects throughout the United States.
• Local Food Banks and Non-profit OrganizationsminorOthersBVES partners with local food banks and non-profit organizations in the Big Bear area for its annual Operation Gobble outreach program during the holiday season, providing more than $4,500 annually to benefit local families with food insecurity.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Idaho Power Company: Mid-sized regulated electric utility serving Idaho and Oregon. Comparable to BVES as a smaller-than-national-average IOU operating under a state public utility commission with wildfire-adjacent exposure in the U.S. West.
• PacifiCorp: Berkshire Hathaway-owned multi-state electric IOU providing regulated electric distribution and generation across the Western U.S. Comparable in regulated electric distribution model and wildfire/wildfire-adjacent risk.
• Portland General Electric: Oregon-based regulated vertically-integrated electric utility. Comparable in scale and as an investor-owned regulated electric distribution operator with similar renewable integration mandates.
• Southern California Edison (SCE): Largest California IOU and the transmission provider BVES relies on for off-mountain power. Operates under the same CPUC framework and is the primary counterparty in BVES's power supply and interconnection arrangements.
• San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E): California IOU serving Southern California with significant wildfire exposure and aggressive mitigation programs. Operates under the same CPUC regulatory framework as BVES, making it the most relevant California incumbency benchmark.
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E): California's largest IOU with the most pronounced wildfire liability history and aggressive mitigation/PSPS framework. Sets the regulatory and operational template for wildfire-exposed California electric utilities including BVES.
• Emera Incorporated: Canadian-based utility holding company with regulated electric and gas utilities (e.g., Tampa Electric, Nova Scotia Power). Comparable as a holding-company operator of small-to-mid regulated utilities with capital-deployment-driven rate base growth.

Direct peers

• Hawaiian Electric Company: Small island electric distribution utility facing high wildfire and disaster risk with regulator-driven mitigation. Closely analogous to BVES in scale, geographic concentration, and elevated exposure to natural-hazard liability.
• Golden State Water Company: Sister subsidiary under American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR) operating as a CPUC-regulated water utility. Most directly comparable corporate, regulatory, and operational model to BVES within the same parent.
• Liberty Utilities: Subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities operating multiple small-to-mid sized regulated electric, gas, and water utilities across North America. Closely comparable in scale, multi-utility model, and rate-regulated earnings structure to BVES.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BearValleyElectricServiceInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/BearValleyElectricServiceInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bear-valley-electric-service

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bear Valley Electric Service