20210617Comments(11).pdf

From:PUC Consumer Comments
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Wednesday, June 16, 2021 5:00:04 PM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: John Tillman
Submission Time: Jun 16 2021 4:37PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1302 N. 24th. St.
Boise, ID 83702
Name of Utility Company: Eagle water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "Please do not allow Suez water to buy Eagle Water co. It will double or more water costs. Keep some of the ORIGIONAL IDAHO please. I own a home on Blackstone St
Bonito sub. Thanks. "
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From:PUC Consumer Comments
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Thursday, June 17, 2021 11:00:04 AM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Kristyn Smith
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 10:12AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1873 East Shalimar Drive
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "Please hear my concerns and consider them before making your final decision. I am 100% against the sale of our natural resource/aquifer/clean water to Suez(SEVI.pa)-Veolia
(VIE.PA). 1. Suez/Veolia is a foreign company. A foreign company would not have our best interest in mind. Especially when their interests and investments are first and foremost towards
the shareholders/stakeholders. 2. Suez is not to be trusted as evidenced with their actions with Flint water in Michigan. Among other issues in Pennsylvania. 3. It appears that they have not
fulfilled their promises to Boise bench area. After many years of failed promises, Boise residents still have discolored water. Sorry a promise to reimburse residents for having to run
water until it clears, IS UNEXCEPTIONABLE! Please don’t sell out to a foreign company. Respectfully submitted, Kristyn Smith "
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Name: Sharon McGinnis
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 10:58AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 408 S. Waterton Avenue
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water Co.
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "Why would we want to change water companies? We have clear, delicious tasting water with no problems in the 20 years we have been here. Don’t change to a French company
just for the sake of money."
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From:PUC Consumer Comments
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Thursday, June 17, 2021 7:00:08 AM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Ron and Sheila Friesen
Submission Time: Jun 16 2021 5:12PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1398 N Luge
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water Company
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: ""Please do not allow Suez to buy Eagle Water Company. Now, more than ever, as Suez is merging with an even larger multinational corporation, it is essential that we keep our
local public utilities locally owned and operated. This sale is not in the public interest. I am concerned about preserving water quality, affordable water rates, and the future of this
precious resource. Please reject this proposal for sale. Respectfully, R & S Friesen"
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Name: Christopher HaddenSubmission Time: Jun 16 2021 11:38PM
Email: [e-mail]: 480-203-6101
Address: 909 N. Morley Green PlaceEagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: City of Eagle Water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "Dear IPUC Commissioners, I don't believe the sale of Eagle Water Company is in
the best interest of the residents of Eagle nor the 4200 customers it serves. Eagle WaterCompany in May 2018 was sold to Eagle Acquisition H2O owned by Norm Bangle. This is no
coincidence as Norm Bangle under another company name had been trying to "broker" a dealwith then CIty of Eagle Mayor Reynolds going all the way back to 2012. The City of Eagle
holds and possesses the email exchanges during that time which I believe you have as part ofthe evidence for the lawsuit file by the City of Eagle Council in 2018 (Mayor Ridgeway). If
not, I will be more than happy to provide. Mayor Reynolds lost his re-election and a newmayor, Mayor Ridgeway, took office in 2016. Norm Bangle didn't stop his pursuit of trying to
sell/broker Eagle Water Company. In May 2018, Norm Bangle pulled it off. A sweetheart dealpurchasing Eagle Water Company for $6M as stated in the lawsuit. Both Norm Bangle of
Eagle Acquisition H2O and Eagle Water Company I strongly believe violated Idaho State Lawwith failing to notify the local municipality and also the Idaho Public Utility Commission of
this sales agreement in May 2018. In doing so, they also in effect denied the Citizens of Eagleand the 4200 direct customer of Eagle Water Company their public write to notice of the sale.
All of this occurred well before SUEZ was ever even approached to purchase EagleAcquisition H2O & Eagle Water Company which didn't occur until November, 2018; a mere
four months later for a whopping $10M. Norm Bangle is set to make $4M for holding acompany for a mere four months and then sell it to SUEZ. SUEZ, unlike Eagle Acquisition
H2O owned by Norm Bangle, followed that state laws and IPUC with notifying the City ofEagle with their intent to purchase. The City of Eagle, first coming aware of this in November
2018, then filed suit because it held a "first right of refusal" agreement. I strongly believe thereis substantial proof that The City of Eagle, the Citizens of Eagle and the 4200 Eagle Water
Customers were all denied the notice of sale and the opportunity to purchase Eagle WaterCompany at the May, 2018 purchase price of $6M. In fact, Eagle Water Company was
indebted to the City of Eagle for over $1.5M for failure to pay $10K monthly for several yearsregarding an inter-tie agreement it had with the City of Eagle since 2008. This would have
reduced the overall purchase price to the City of Eagle from $6M to $4.5M. Also, as follow-out to the City of Eagle lawsuit, the law firm MSBT who had represented the City of Eagle for
30+ years resigned from representing the CIty of Eagle in February 2019 as they wereimplicated in Mayor Reynolds & Norm Bangle dealings from 2012-2016 respectively. Proof
of this is in the email exchanges the City of Eagle filed with their lawsuit. As the lawsuit madeit's way to the IPUC, the City of Eagle first right of refusal was recognized as having merit
upholding the sale to SUEZ and the case was to be heard in November 2021. Unfortunately,the City of Eagle had another election and a new mayor and council had taken office. Instead
of the new council allowing the lawsuit to proceed, they took it upon themselves to enter intoremediation over the suit. Another interesting point to note, new Mayor Pierce was endorsed
by Former Mayor Reynolds who has ties to Norm Bangle and has been attempting to re-hirethe MSBT law firm. The newly elected Mayor Pierce has stated publicly and in his monthly
news letters that the City of Eagle had reached a settlement; denying any public input toinclude notice of the Council's intent further denying the publics right to notice of sale. He
also made unverifiable claims that it would have cost between $15-$18M to purchase EagleWater Company. I have the monthly news letter for proof. Now, by my calculations with the
"first right of refusal" and the fact Eagle Water Company owed the City $1.5M, that wouldmake the purchase price $4.5M. And Mayor Pierce is claiming it would cost $15-$18M?!
There have been a number of public record request made to the City of Eagle to get to theproof of his $15M-$18M claim and they haven't been able to fulfill the request to support this
claim. And if the City of Eagle doesn't truly want to purchase Eagle Water Company for
$4.5M less the amount owed, then SUEZ should have an opportunity to purchase it for $6M.The sale to Norm Bangle was illegally and failed to notify the City of Eagle and the Idaho
Public Utilities commission so it should be "null and void". What is going on here is clearlynot in the best interest of the public. All City of Eagle residents and especially the 4200
customers had a write to "notice of sale" in May, 2018 and Norm Bangle of Eagle H2OAcquisition and Eagle Water Company failed to notify per state law. Thank you
Commissioners!"
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Name: Carol RichelSubmission Time: Jun 16 2021 7:58PM
Email: [e-mail]: 208-305-2475
Address: 542 W Carnelian LaneEagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water Company
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "To whom it may concern: I am writing to oppose the purchase of Eagle Water
Company by Suez. I previously received water from Suez and was thrilled to move todowntown Eagle, where my water provider is Eagle Water Company. It's the first time in
many years I could drink unfiltered tap water because it doesn't take of chemicals. The EWCstaff has been friendly and professional, and are delightful to do business with. I was
disappointed to hear about the potential purchase, but was totally dismayed when I received apostcard showing a 140% increase in monthly bills over the next five years. Obviously Suez is
incapable of providing the quality service we're used to at an affordable rate. It will be hugelydetrimental to Eagle residents to allow this sale. Please deny their application."
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Name: Anthony Gotelli
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 1:39AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1697 E Bishop Way
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "The absolute last thing we want to see in our lovely little town of Eagle is somebig corporate interest monopolizing our land and water! NO! NO! NO! As citizens we are
continuing to watch closely all the policies that have led this country down into the mess it isalready in. Again, No! No! NOOOOO!!!!!"
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From:PUC Consumer Comments
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Thursday, June 17, 2021 8:00:05 AM
The following comment was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Ernie Lee
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 7:52AMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 123 S Cooksom Ave
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water Suez
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "When a foreign ownership of our local water can arbitrarily price gouge by a factor of 2X, is another step of Eagle Idaho residents losing what sovereignty we have
remaining. "
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From: PUC Consumer Complaints <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2021 7:00 AM
To: ConsumerComplaintsWeb <[e-mail]>
Subject: Notice: A complaint was submitted to PUCWeb - Eleanor Phillips
The following complaint was submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Eleanor Phillips
Submission Time: Jun 16 2021 5:47PM
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Address: 265 NORTHVIEW DR
EAGLE, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle Water
Contacted Utility: No
Comment: "I would like to vehemently object to the sale of Eagle Water Company to Suez. I have
lived in Eagle for over 10 years and have never had problems or issues with my water or Eagle Water
Company. Suez's website states all the "benefits" to Eagle Water customers as: 1. 24-hour
automated monitoring of the system would ensure safety, water quality and continuous service
reliability (My water has always been perfectly acceptable as-is, and in fact is better quality than
Boise water. I assume there are already systems in place and they would likely not change, they
would simply be handed over to Suez, so I see no added benefit here.) 2. A robust online customer
web and billing site that helps customers manage their individual consumption and help conserve
water (Every month Eagle Water sends me a bill and I pay it... why should I have to pay more for a
web and billing site they already have in place for the rest of their customers?) 3. Licensed local staff
certified in water quality, production and distribution who are dedicated to serving SUEZ customers
throughout the Treasure Valley (We already have licensed staff at Eagle Water Company... again,
why should I pay more for staff Suez already has? And I have plenty of friends who live in Boise who
could definitely argue the quality of Suez customer service.) 4. A leading environmental services
provider with the resources necessary to invest in sustainable water systems that will be enjoyed for
many years into the future (Again, they are asking us to pay more for staff and services they already
have in place, and that Eagle Water already has in place?? I see no benefit here either.) As you can
see, what I object to is they want to take an existing water company who has everything already in
place, and they want to charge the residents/customers 6+ times more for the exact same water,
using the exact same system, the only difference being it'll have the Suez name on it. THIS IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE. With property taxes continually rising and many of my neighbors who have lived here
30+ years living on fixed incomes, this is NOT the time to gouge us and make us pay extra for getting
the exact thing we're already getting. If Suez is taking over, our rates should NOT be increasing as
substantially as they plan to raise them. They should not be given a monopoly on water in the
Treasure Valley and have the opportunity to continue raising their rates. My guess is we won't be
topped out at the $45/m their recent postcard states - they won't stop until we're paying in the
$100's like they've done to all their Boise customers. And all for the same water we've been paying
$10/month on for the last few decades. No. No. No."
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From:PUC Consumer Comments
To:Jan Noriyuki
Subject:Notice: A comment was submitted to PUCWeb
Date:Thursday, June 17, 2021 1:00:04 PM
The following comments were submitted via PUCWeb:
Name: Jody Francis
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 12:42PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 1546 N Shadypark Ave
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "I want our utility companies to stay local. I disagree with selling our water company to sue completely. This should stay local and be owned by the city. "
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Name: Jocelyn Ingram
Submission Time: Jun 17 2021 12:47PMEmail: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]Address: 2674 E Sadie Dr
Eagle, ID 83616
Name of Utility Company: Eagle water
Case ID: EAG-W-18-01
Comment: "This company should not be sold to Suez. This needs to stay local and would be best suited owned by this city for the best interest of the residents of this great city. We do not
need to have our water sold to a major company that does not have this city’s best interest at the forefront of their goals. It would be a shame if our great city’s water was sold and used to
fix other areas water problems like Avamor for example. Do not sell to Suez! Keep us local and great - we are not sell outs! "
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