20110818Comments.pdf

August 16, 2011 RECE o
lUll AUG 18 AM 8= IS
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0074
Dear Commissioners:
A 19% rate hike for United Water, on the grounds of usage decrease and capital
expenditures to expand water distribution, is not justifiable.
They attribute the decrease to the weather and customers not watering landscapes.
The weather hasn't been extreme. Water companies should be prepared for some
weather fluctuation. Property owners are choosing dying trees and dry weeds
instead of watering, decreasing the beauty of our neighborhoods. A rate hike wil
not solve that problem, but exasperate it!
Expanding capacity when water usage is decreasing is unreasonable. My
neighborhood has endured construction noise, dust, and traffic hassles for 6 weeks
(and they aren't done yet) to install larger pipes so the wells can pump more water
into a system with a surlus! Then United Water has the gall to ask for a double-
digit rate increase to pay for this poor management decision.
United Water's current rate of return is 5.64%, prett good for the current
economic downturn. But they ask the utilities commission to find the current rates
"unjust" to United Water and raise rates so they can make 8.43%. I suggest United
Water slow down on their infrastructure improvements to increase their rate of
return.
This rate hike is unwarranted. Please do not approve it
Sincerely,~W~
Sonja Ward
1910 Manitou Ave.
Boise ID 83706
Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
jcjordan~ctcweb. net
Wednesday, August 17, 20111:42 PM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Cynthia A. Jordan follows:
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Case Number~ UWI-W-11-Ø2
Name: Cynthia A. Jordan
Address: 12469 N. 1Øth Ave.
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83714
Daytime Telephone: 229-Ø122
Contact E-Mail: jcjordan~ctcweb.net
Name of Utility Company: United Water Idaho
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I have spent quite a bit of money zeriscaping my yard in an attempt to cut down on watering.
NOW I see that United Water is raising our rates. Opes this really make sense?
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho.gov/forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 66.232.79.54- - ----- ---- -- ----- - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - --
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Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
jímbob.esch~gmail.com
Wednesday, August 17, 201111:16AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from James Esch follows:
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Case Number: UWI-W-11-Ø2
Name: James Esch
Address:
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip:
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: jimbob.esch~mail.com
Name of Utility Company: United Water Idaho
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
I am shocked and disappointed that UWI is asking to raise water rates because conservation
efforts have been so successful. I spent several thousand dollars Xeriscaping my back yardJ
and now UWI wants to penalize me for my effort to conserve our precious water resource?? I
trustJ as in Public TrustJ that the PUC will deny this request. Unless UWI makes efforts to
freeze the wages of their 8Ø J øøø employees J cut executi ve benefits and overall tighten their
belt like most Idahoans have had to do J I see no reason for the PUC to let this blatant
affront to our sensibility occur. This rate increase is like the big Oil companies telling us
we have to pay more for gas because we have purchased a fuel efficient car. Remember J UWI is
a business J with publicly trade stockJ and stock holders. Have dividends been trimmed to make
up for revenue shortfalls? Have they cut staff and found ways to reduce costs?? This is the
way i businesses i sometimes have to make ends meet. Frankly J I don't like they way
corporations and regulated monopolies mix. PleaseJ IPUCJ protect the consumers of Idaho and
our State' s most precious resource ; its water!!
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipUC1/ipuc. html
IP address is 71.32.183.31
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Jean Jewell
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Mrlechlm~gmail.com
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 11:43 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from larry lechner follows:
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Case Number: UWI -W-11-Ø2
Name: larry lechner
Address:
City: BOISE
State: ID
Zip:
Daytime Telephone:
Contact E-Mail: Mrlechl~gmail.com
Name of Utility Company: UNITED WATER
Acknowledge: acknowledge
Please describe your comment briefly:
HEY IDAHO WE ARE GETTING SNICKERED BY A FOREIGN COUNTRY THAT IS HOLDING OUR FRESH WATER
HOSTAGE.
TWENTY PERCENT ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! I! I SAY NOW WAY SUEZ. GO HOME.
The city of Boise set a bond for the foothills open spaceJ now we desperately need to set a
bond to save Idahoan' s water. Our water is now being held hostage from a foreign country and
their shareholders that require I believe a minimum return of 7% while we are lucky to get 1%
from the bank. Is this not a type of a TAX???
We need Boise to take over the helm and take charge and bill us what it takes to operate the
water utilities but not charge us extra what shareholders and CEOJ s demands.
WE ARE GETTING SNICKERED BY A FOREIGN COUNTRY THAT IS HOLDING YOURS AND MINE FRESH WATER
HOSTAGE.
The city of Boise set a bond for the foothills open spaceJ now we desperately need to set a
bond to save Idahoan i s water. Our water is now being held hostage from a foreign country and
their shareholders that require I believe a minimum return of 7% while we are lucky to get 1%
from the bank. Is this not a type of a TAX???
We need Boise to take over the helm and charge what it takes to operate but not paying the
extra for shareholders and the CEO to line their pockets with our hard earned money.
Where is our pressurized water?? Most of the valley has pressurized water rather than using
the expensive processed water to water our gardens J trees J and lawns.
Let us run United Water or (Suez Environment of Paris) out of town and the country. UNITED
WATER CONTROLS OVER 3Ø% OF THE UNITED STATES FRESH WATER.
Be very careful USA and Idaho I ! ! I
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
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