20091116Comments.pdf

i .J I~"/dq /rr~j' ¡+iCharles D. Coulter
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Offce:
1002 N. Eighth St.
P.O. Box 239
Boise,ID 83701
[phone] Phone
[phone] Fax
Home:
3321 Anderson St.
Boise,ID 83703
[phone] Phone
November 10,2009 ~~
:z ?J~ maN ln..-~-#Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise,ID 83720-0074
~
crNoRE: Rate Application
United Water
Dear Sirs:
I am wrting concernng the United Water rate request.
I object to the rate increase for a variety of reasons:
NO.1: The curent economic climate dictates against such increases. It is diffcult to accept a
guaranteed rate of retu in this climate when all other industres and governent entities are not
able to do so.
NO.2: The general statement of increases in costs do not credibly show the need for such an
Increase.
NO.3: Recent hookups have changed to increase the size of the plumbing and rates are increased
automatically when that happens. They no longer hook up the smaller plumbing.
No.4: Water conseration is a two edged sword. We sell people on conservation and
consumption rate decreases and that is some how to provide justification for rate increase. Why
conserve, it costs too much.
NO.5: A 15% increase on top ofthe growth experienced is unconscionable.
This request is not justified in the public interest regardless of who owns United Water.
Sincerely,
CDC/ky
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Jean Jewell
Monday, November 16, 2009 8:47 AM
Jean Jewell
FW: Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Form
- - - - -Original Message- - - --
A Complaint/Inquiry from Heidi Bode follows:
Name: Heidi Bode
Contact E-Mail: bomcgiverin~yahoo.com
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Home Address: 1115 North 21st Street
City: Boise
State: ID
Zipcode: 83702
If this concerns a Business) Business Name : United Water Idaho Business Address:
Business Phone:
Name of Utility Company: UNited Water Idaho Have you contacted the utility regarding your
concern?: No
Please describe your question or complaint briefly:
I received a notice of United Water's request for a rate increase. I am not against a rate
increase after 3 years. I am against a more than 15% increase. That is criminal! Shame on
them for asking and I hope you will not accept this amount of an increase. I would like to
see how they can justify more than 10%.
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov Iformsl cons I cons. html
IP address is 71.220.178.101
cons
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
satuth ill(gcableone. net
Friday, November 13,20094:41 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Scott Tuthill follows:
Case Number: UWI-W-09-01
Name: Scott Tuthill
Address: 4403 Keldoon Ave
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83702
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail: satuthill~cableone.net .~
Name of Utility Company : United Water Idaho Add to Mailing List ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
I am writing to vigorously complain about the proposed United Water rate increase.
Specifically I don't understand why our rates should go up to pay for improvements they
should be able to payout of their current cash flow, profit, and rate base. Some points I
would like to make on this:
* Was there an approval process before they made these improvements relative to the need,
cost, and potential impact on rates? Otherwise it seems like they just went out and did a
bunch of work and are now saying "We have to increase rates to pay for it".
* Is this rate increase meant to recover these costs on a one time basis in which case the
rates should drop next year. And, do you know if the rate increase represents a cost recovery
or do they have profit built into it? Meaning, are they recovering more than their costs?
And, what has their overall profit trend been in Boise/Idaho? Assuming they have been making
profits, they should have been re- investing some portion of that in their business. Do you
audit their financial statements?
* One improvement project I am very familiar with was just down the street from my house on
Bramere St. in Boise where they rebuilt a booster station. While the proj ect was underway I,
and the neighbors I talked with, were amazed at how long it took - - about a year for one
brick building -- and how many workers were frequently on the site doing nothing. One day I
saw them playing what could be best described as hula-hoop. I am not an expert on building
construction but from my simple view I have to believe this project cost was way way too
high, was poorly managed on their part (I very rarely saw a United Water truck on site, it
was always their contractors), etc. At the time when talking with neighbors our comments were
"Boy I am glad we don't have to pay for this" But now it looks like we do.
* Finally, taking a quick look at some of the documents online, and I am not an expert here
by any means, it seems very suspicious that United Water filed the application and wanted to
have it go into effect 30 days later. I applaud the PUC for taking time to review the case.
But, when I see behavior like this on United Water's part it "Raises a Red Flag" to me.
So, again I have to vigorously oppose the portion of this rate increase ties to paying for
improvements already made unless there is more detail and proof of responsible management on
their part.
Scott Tuthill
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Jean Jewell
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From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
ouellettemm(gyahoo.com
Friday, November 13,20093:50 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Michele Ouellette follows:
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Case Number:
Name: Michele Ouellette
Address: 1620 N 16th Street
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83702
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: ouellettem~ahoo.com
Name of Utility Company: United Water
Add to Mailing List: ~
Please describe your comment briefly:
In these very difficult economic times, it seem unconscionable that our water provider is
compelled to increase the rates we pay for water by over 15%. This is not the time to make
this move. We are being rate increased to death at every turn, but our my paycheck has not
increased in kind. We all, the American people, our government; local and national, and
private and public companies, must live within our means. Thank you.
The form submitted on http://ww . puc. idaho. gov/forms/ipucl/ipuc. html
IP address is 96.18.199.110
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Jean Jewell
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Sent:
To:
Subject:
Thursday, November 12, 2009 5:08 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from joanne k lepard follows:
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Case Number:
Name: joanne k lepard
Address: 4295 n. esten place
City: boise
State: idaho
Zip: 83703
Daytime Telephone: [phone]
Contact E-Mail :
Name of Utility Company:
Add to Mailing List:
Please describe your comment briefly:
I do not think it is necessary to give United Water another increase let alone 15.21%. I
have been a customer for at least 30yrs and in the last 5 yrs the cost of water has done
nothing but increase. thank you for listening!
The form submitted on http://www. puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipucl/ipuc. html
IP address is 66.195.188.163-- ---- - -- -- ----- --- - - -- - - - - - - - - --- --
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