Senator Reichlin-Melnick's letter to the PSC regarding a review of Suez Water NY Acquisition and Feasibility Study of Public Water Supply Ownership
October 29, 2021
My Letter to the Public Service Commission regarding a review of Suez Water NY Acquisition and Feasibility Study of Public Water Supply Ownership
To Whom it May Concern:
I am aware that Veolia is attempting to acquire Suez Water NY, and I ask that the Public Service Commission fully reviews this proposed acquisition to determine if this acquisition is in the best interests of Rockland County’s water ratepayers.
My constituents in Rockland County pay some of the highest costs in New York State for the most basic of services - clean water. On their behalf, I am respectfully requesting that the Public Service Commission study the feasibility of transitioning from a corporate model to a municipal water model where ratepayers will have more direct control over their water supply and infrastructure.
It would seem that the corporatization of water infrastructure has consistently led to the highest prices for water in New York State - evidenced by Suez Water in the Hudson Valley, New York American Water on Long Island, and other private, for-profit water companies throughout the state. Meanwhile, right here in Rockland, the villages of Nyack and Suffern, provide clean, low-cost municipal water services to thousands of my constituents.
Furthermore, existing state regulations allow for less transparency on corporate water providers than is required of publicly-owned water utilities. On the ballot in this year’s election is a proposition to create a new right to clean air and clean water in the New York State Constitution’s bill of rights. I would ask that you consider the need of my constituents to have clean, affordable, municipal water services where they can have more transparency in the ownership of their water infrastructure and ensure that costs are balanced with health in all future investments.
Sincerely,
Elijah Reichlin-Melnick
New York State Senator, 38th District
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