SAN DIMAS, Calif., Jun 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's statewide drought proclamation and Executive Order to address the situation, Floyd Wicks, president and CEO of Golden State Water Company, a subsidiary of American States Water Company, (NYSE:AWR) issued the following statement:

"Golden State Water Company is committed to continuing to work cooperatively with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Public Utilities Commission, elected officials, stakeholders and customers throughout California to address what is one of the driest periods in the state's historic records. Conservation, innovation, commitment and cooperation will remain our hallmark as we work with the Governor to meet the challenges before us.

We will continue to raise awareness about the need to conserve water through customer education and provide incentives to give customers the tools and information they need to manage their usage more efficiently. This includes a proposed water "conservation rate". Californians who conserve would pay lower rates than those who do not conserve. This is one example of Golden State Water Company's ongoing effort to work with the California Public Utilities Commission to implement its Water Action Plan.

Golden State Water Company will also continue to invest in infrastructure improvements to our water systems located within the 75 California communities served by the company, so that every drop is protected from source to tap. At the same time, we must continue to support innovation that helps us increase and protect California's water supply. Finally, we all need to work together to ensure that we are able to meet our water needs as the state grows.

Golden State Water Company has been serving California since 1929 and is committed to providing safe and reliable water service as well as best-in-class customer service. We applaud the Governor and State Legislature for their diligent efforts to address this critical issue, and we look forward to continuing to work with our government, community partners and customers to overcome this challenge."

American States Water Company is the parent of Golden State Water Company, American States Utility Services, Inc. and Chaparral City Water Company. Through its subsidiaries, AWR provides water service to 1 out of 30 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California, over 254,000 customers and to over 13,000 customers in the city of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a small portion of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company also distributes electricity to approximately 23,100 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California. Through its non-regulated subsidiary, American States Utility Services, the Company contracts with municipalities, the U.S. government and private entities to provide various services, including billing and meter reading, water marketing and operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems at various military installations throughout the United States.

SOURCE: Golden State Water Company

Golden State Water Company
Mitch Zak, 916-448-5802
cell: 916-612-0979