New York

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts) Wed Aug 6, 2014, 11:34 AM Aug 2014

United Water customers protest plan to hike rates

Ken Valenti

NEW ROCHELLE – Several residents and elected officials opposed United Water's proposed rate hikes at a hearing Tuesday evening.

Several speakers noted that the three-year increase plan, which would mean more expensive water for much of mid- and lower Westchester, came as part of a merger plan between sister companies United Water New Rochelle and United Water Westchester.

"If anything, we should be lowering rates as a result of a merger," New Rochelle resident Joyce Furfero said at the hearing in City Hall.

About 25 people occupied the chamber, including several United Water officials. The hearing was held by the state Public Service Commission, which must rule on the rate proposal.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/08/05/united-water-customers-oppose-rate-increase-plan-hearing/13645845/

4 replies

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United Water customers protest plan to hike rates (Original Post) hrmjustin Aug 2014 OP

How long is it going to take before you conservatives get it? Stargazer99 Aug 2014 #1

All they see is the bottom dollar when they play with people's lives. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #2

Water needs to NOT be privately controlled, however some price hikes might be good. NYC_SKP Aug 2014 #3

15 per ent is too high though. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #4

Stargazer99

(2,592 posts)

1. How long is it going to take before you conservatives get it?

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 12:27 PM

Aug 2014

Privatizing basic needs is one of the more stupid things you conservatives advocate
One would almost think conservatives consider you human or of value if you can pay what ever the strangle hold corp or company wants?

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

2. All they see is the bottom dollar when they play with people's lives.

Reply to Stargazer99 (Reply #1)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 12:29 PM

Aug 2014

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

3. Water needs to NOT be privately controlled, however some price hikes might be good.

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 12:47 PM

Aug 2014

As is done with some other utilities, price hikes can produce funds that can go to improvements in infrastructure and help low income customers pay their bills.

Also, naturally, higher prices encourages conservation-- maybe tiered rates should be considered.

Of course, profits for the wealthy, especially wealthy owners in other states in countries, needs to be verboten.

It's the kind of thing that, I think, presently needs to be done at the state level by Public Utilities Commissions.

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

4. 15 per ent is too high though.

Reply to NYC_SKP (Reply #3)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 12:52 PM

Aug 2014

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