UPDATE: Rally before Water Rate Hike Hearing Takes Place on Courthouse Steps in New City

NEW CITY, NY — Senator David Carlucci was joined by County Executive Ed Day, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and advocates from the Sierra Club and Rockland Water Coalition to protest Suez Water's proposed rate hikes.

They held a rally before the state Public Service Commission's hearing about proposed rate hikes and other changes to water service from Suez US to most of Rockland County.

They gathered in front of the Rockland County Courthouse in New City.

Along with various other changes to the terms and conditions of SWNY’s provision of water service, the proposal outlines an increase in rates for three years, beginning Feb. 1, 2017. The increase will affect more than 300,000 Rockland County residents.

Suez Water has stated that more than half of their intended rate increase is designed to pay for the costs of the failed Hudson River desalination plant, totaling $54 million. Suez’s plan means consumers will be paying over $100 million in interest over 20 years for a plant that will never be constructed, said Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester).

Who:

• Senator David Carlucci
• Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee
• Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski
• George Klein, Sierra Club
• Gale Pisha, Sierra Club
• George Potanovic, Rockland Water Coalition
• Peggy Kurtz, Rockland Water Coalition

When: 5:15 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016

Where: Rockland County Courthouse Steps, Main Street, New City, NY

The public statement hearing started at 6 p.m. in the Chambers of the Rockland County Legislature. Participants may comment publicly or submit written testimony at the hearing.

Rockland County Legislator Harriet Cornell urges residents and business owners to comment on the rate hike — by going to the hearing or by making their voices heard through letters, the internet, or the PSC's toll-free phone line.

Cornell, who chairs the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management, says the plan doesn't have Suez doing enough to reduce the amount of water lost to leaks or to implement conservation measures.

The PSC, which oversees utilities in the state, is seeking public comments on Suez’s proposed hike. An Administrative Law Judge will oversee the gathering of the public comment and all evidence relating to a Joint Proposal submitted by the company and the staff of the state Department of Public Service.
All information will be presented to the Public Service Commission for consideration. The board can adopt or reject the Joint Proposal in whole or part.

SEE:

• Cornell Urges Public Comment On Suez Water Rate Hike
  
• Public Hearing Set for Suez Water Rate Changes in Rockland

PHOTO/ Sen. Carlucci's Office