20250121Comments_2.pdf

The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Karl Moxley
Submission Time:Jan 18 2025 11:10AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 10440 W Rockwood St
Boise, ID 83704
Name of Utility Company:Veolia
Case ID:VEO-W-24-01
Comment: "Dear Idaho Public Utilities Commission,
It is surprising to see Veolia's request for a rate increase given the already very high water rates that they
are charging Boise residents.The claim that Veolia water rates are "below or competitive with all other
water utilities in the valley" is simply not true. Meridian residents pay a much lower rate for water than
Boise residents. It is also worth noting that Veolia, or their predecessor companies, have been increasing
water rates at a rate much higher than inflation.
Yes, it is no doubt true that Veolia has completed $74 million worth of customer improvements since
1/1/2023, but this is how they can assure more future customers. Other municipalities charge
developers an impact fee for new homes and developments so that utilities can keep up, but Ada County
chooses not to do this because impact fees might hinder growth. Heaven forbid that incoming residents
might have to help pay for some of the costs of necessary additional infrastructure. It is simply not
equitable for current residents to reimburse Veolia for their investment that already assures additional
income.
We are hoping that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission can please execute their charter of helping
protect consumers against corporate greed. Capitalism has its good points, but its greatest downfall is a
lack of government oversight which allows companies to make record profits while the increased cost of
living is creating record numbers of homeless families. Hopefully the proposed rate increase will be
rejected in an effort to help reduce homelessness and improve Idaho's cost of living.
Thanks and regards,
Karl and Carol Ann Moxley, Boise Residents"
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Name: Scott Bengoechea
Submission Time:Jan 18 2025 11:30AM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 11087 Camas
Boise, ID 83709
Name of Utility Company:VEOLIA
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Case ID:VEO-W-24-01
Comment: "Esteemed Commissioners. I would like to share some history of a water user in Ada County.
In the 70's and 80's we had a small private water company, South County Water which provided pure
clean water which tasted good and rates were$7 in the winter and $14 in the summer. It was well
financed and reserves were sufficient for contingencies. In the 90's,the dates escape me, it was sold to
United Water and rates went up. As users we just attributed to progress and growth. We just accepted it
as, oh well! Then in 2000 United was sold to Suez,A French owned owned company with extravagantly
paid executives and with significant overhead.That's the start of high user rates and water became a
monopoly.There was no alternative for users except to suck it up and pay. In 2021 Suez was sold to
Veolia, another French owned conglomerate, at what I would presume at a profit for Suez, which of
course is passed down to the users. Again, highly paid executives and huge overhead. Now my rates in
the summer are often over$300 bi-monthly, and over$60 in the winter for water that smells of river and
chlorine with high iron and calcium and God knows whatever nasty contents. Now,Veolia is asking for a
20.5% rate increase. I'm sure that they have handsome, dark suited,tie wearing, well paid, lawyers and
accountants to support this absurd ask. Citing the need because of improvements and growth and
investment recovery. Veolia knowing full well that they will never get the full 20.5% but maybe what
they really expect or maybe more from the PUC. Again, recall their executive salaries and overhead.
High School economics teach a thing called economy's of scale which predicts the more users/products
should therefore decrease the costs of the same. I feel like Don Quixote, slashing at windmills, in that
Public Utilities should never be foreign owned,That, geopolitically they should be owned by American
company's with American dollars, being kept in America. Imagine what influences America would suffer
in a crisis if all Public Utilities, gas, power, water, oil, etc are foreign owned. In my opinion, as absurd as
Veolia's request, is that they should get 0%and in fact should reduce their rates. Further they should be
forced to return ownership to America. Good luck with that. Best regards, Respectfully, Scott
Bengoechea "
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