Call to Action – Cal-Am New Connection & Intensification of Use Moratorium

WHAT: California Public Utilities Commission Public Participation Hearing – Imposition of a moratorium on certain new or expanded water service connections

WHEN: Monday, December 13, 2010 | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE: Monterey City Hall Council Chambers | 580 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA
BACKGROUND

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is asking for input (from rate payers) on the moratorium request filed by California American Water Company (Cal-Am) earlier this year. Because Cal-Am is a private company regulated by the CPUC, “permission” must first be granted by the CPUC to in fact freeze new connections into the Cal-Am system. If the moratorium request is approved by the CPUC, impacts to expanded water use “credits” may also be impacted.

Cal-Am is requesting the moratorium as a means of satisfying one of the provisions (new connections or intensification of use moratorium) contained in the State Water Resources Control Board Cease and Desist Order (CDO) which is now currently in effect. The CDO currently exempts Pebble Beach property owners from this provision.

Preservation of property and water rights is a core value of our association and certainly merits our collective support…which is why we are asking for your help today.

An adjustment to current water availability and the withholding of previously “credited” water to residents and businesses of the Monterey Peninsula could be severely detrimental to our local market and subsequently, our overall economy.

The CPUC can in fact deny the moratorium request which would then essentially pitch two very powerful state regulatory bodies against each other, with Cal-Am in the middle.  This potential scenario has the capability of shining a much brighter light on the inequitable position of the State Water Resources Control Board CDO.

Given the fact our region is moving in a positive direction to relinquish dependence on the Carmel River (approval of the Regional Water Project) and given we’ve already cut back in water use to the extent we have and given the courts have yet to decide whether or not the CDO even has legal merit, a pretty strong argument can be made as to why the CPUC could deny the moratorium request.

Please consider attending one of the two Public Participation Hearings scheduled for this coming Monday (Dec. 13^th, 2010) at 2:00 PM or 7:00 PM in the Monterey City Hall Council Chambers (580 Pacific Street, Monterey).

This is a fairly painless endeavor if you’ve yet to experience the public comment process. You will be asked to state your name (and possibly address and/or city) and then proceed with your comments. We’ve provided the following script should you wish to participate on Monday. Please let me know if you plan on attending by sending me an email at: kevin@mcar.com

Sample Script for Moratorium Hearing:

• As a Cal-Am rate payer (and property owner if applicable), I ask that you please deny the moratorium request from Cal-Am.

• With the commission’s recent approval of the Regional Water Project, we can finally address the long term water needs of our area – and can satisfy the provisions of the CDO…within a realistic time frame.

• The State Water Resources Control Board Cease and Desist Order put an unfair burden on  the residents and businesses of this area.
• We’ve set the bar for water conservation efforts in the state of California – and this year are well below water reduction requirements that are a part of the CDO.

• Freezing water connections and/or previously guaranteed water credits will in essence punish residents and businesses…leading to a potential lowering of property values which could in turn impact local government funding and additionally strain local economic conditions.

• Please stand with us, the ratepayers stuck in the middle, and deny the moratorium application. Thank you.