New York State Department of Public Service Reopens Hearing on PSC 13-W-0246

Strategic Insights -

A recent revelation of invoices has led the New York State Department of Public Service to reopen the hearing on PSC 13-W-0246, reconsidering its decision to allow United Water (UWNY) to charge ratepayers millions of dollars for its irresponsible spending on a desalination proposal. The desalination plant, which was deemed unnecessary by studies as early as 2009, has been a source of controversy in Rockland County, one of the wettest counties in New York State. UWNY's invoices, only recently made public, lack detail and are often heavily redacted, sparking concerns about the propriety of passing costs on to consumers.

Key Takeaways:

  • UWNY ignored PSC policy and the law by insisting on an expensive and inappropriate desalination plant despite the existence of less costly and sustainable alternatives.
  • UWNY made the choice and took the risk, and the costs it incurred due to its selection of a desalination plant as a long-term water supply source should be borne by the company, not the ratepayers.
  • The PSC should conduct a thorough audit of UWNY's invoices before passing any costs on to consumers.
  • UWNY's invoices lack detail and are often heavily redacted, making it difficult to ascertain the legitimacy of the charges.
  • The controversy surrounding the desalination plant has overtones of other projects in the state, such as the proposed Monster Power Lines, which has sparked outrage among local residents.
  • Elisabeth Straus, a concerned citizen, has spoken out against the proposal, arguing that it is a misallocation of taxpayer dollars and that the funds should be directed towards building something the community needs and wants.

Statistics:

  • The desalination plant was deemed unnecessary by studies as early as 2009.
  • Rockland County is one of the wettest counties in New York State, making a desalination plant an inefficient solution for water supply.
  • UWNY's invoices for the desalination plant have been heavily redacted, with lack of detail sparking concerns about the legitimacy of the charges.

Sources:

  • "Letter to Secretary Burgess on PSC 13-W-0246" by Elisabeth Straus (no date, exact format not specified)
  • "PSC 13-W-0246: United Water's Desalination Proposal" (no date, exact format not specified)
  • "Rockland County Water Supply Study" (2009)
  • "New York State Department of Public Service: Reopening Hearing on PSC 13-W-0246" (exact date not specified)