UPDATE - JULY 19TH 1:00 PM: we called down to the PSC this morning and asked about the Sept. 17th hearing. Over the phone they told us that as of right today (7/17) that hearing is still scheduled. However, on July 31st, the Commission will vote on a motion on whether or not to cancel that Sept. 17th hearing. So I think we'll know for sure after that vote on July 31st.
On Tuesday, during my telephone town hall event, I asked all of you to join me on August 20th at the hearing for Blue Granite’s request for a rate increase. Following that call, there have been some important developments.
On Wednesday, Blue Granite withdrew its application for a rate increase with the SC Public Works Commission. This is a small win, but it’s only temporary. There is another hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, where a regularly scheduled “general rate increase” is expected to be considered. I would ask you all to please keep that date in mind.
Additionally, I received a reply from SC DHEC following my inquiry about Blue Granite Water. In their response, DHEC affirms that Blue Granite “is currently in compliance with the state and federal drinking water requirements and standards.” With respect to the stringent conservation requirements being imposed upon you, however…
Remember, Blue Granite cited “heightened demand” and “water shortages” to justify these restrictions. But heightened demand is a function of population growth, which everybody knew was coming to that area, and should have never caught a utility provider off-guard. Furthermore, DHEC reminds us that York County is NOT at a drought level that would normally necessitate water conservation. Which means that there’s likely “equipment or business-related reasons driving the conservation requirements being set by BGWC at this time.”
On the federal level, I’ll continue to keep a close eye on this to ensure Blue Granite within those standards. On the state and local level, many thanks to State Senator Wes Climer and others for their ongoing efforts in this matter.
In closing, I would ask you all to please put September 17th at 10 AM on your calendar for the next hearing date. Although it’ll be in Columbia, I hope to be there if my schedule in Congress permits, and hope you’ll join me in making our voices heard.
SC DHEC Reply: http://bit.ly/2xWM2GF
Withdrawal of Rate Increase Request: http://bit.ly/2JTvcxZ
PSC Matters: http://bit.ly/2XS3yeA
UPDATE - JULY 19TH 1:00 PM: we called down to the PSC this morning and asked about the Sept. 17th hearing. Over the phone they told us that as of right today (7/17) that hearing is still scheduled. However, on July 31st, the Commission will vote on a motion on whether or not to cancel that Sept. 17th hearing. So I think we'll know for sure after that vote on July 31st.
--- ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS ---
For Blue Granite Water customers in Lake Wylie:
On Tuesday, during my telephone town hall event, I asked all of you to join me on August 20th at the hearing for Blue Granite’s request for a rate increase. Following that call, there have been some important developments.
On Wednesday, Blue Granite withdrew its application for a rate increase with the SC Public Works Commission. This is a small win, but it’s only temporary. There is another hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, where a regularly scheduled “general rate increase” is expected to be considered. I would ask you all to please keep that date in mind.
Additionally, I received a reply from SC DHEC following my inquiry about Blue Granite Water. In their response, DHEC affirms that Blue Granite “is currently in compliance with the state and federal drinking water requirements and standards.” With respect to the stringent conservation requirements being imposed upon you, however…
Remember, Blue Granite cited “heightened demand” and “water shortages” to justify these restrictions. But heightened demand is a function of population growth, which everybody knew was coming to that area, and should have never caught a utility provider off-guard. Furthermore, DHEC reminds us that York County is NOT at a drought level that would normally necessitate water conservation. Which means that there’s likely “equipment or business-related reasons driving the conservation requirements being set by BGWC at this time.”
On the federal level, I’ll continue to keep a close eye on this to ensure Blue Granite within those standards. On the state and local level, many thanks to State Senator Wes Climer and others for their ongoing efforts in this matter.
In closing, I would ask you all to please put September 17th at 10 AM on your calendar for the next hearing date. Although it’ll be in Columbia, I hope to be there if my schedule in Congress permits, and hope you’ll join me in making our voices heard.
SC DHEC Reply: http://bit.ly/2xWM2GF
Withdrawal of Rate Increase Request: http://bit.ly/2JTvcxZ
PSC Matters: http://bit.ly/2XS3yeA
UPDATE - JULY 19TH 1:00 PM: we called down to the PSC this morning and asked about the Sept. 17th hearing. Over the phone they told us that as of right today (7/17) that hearing is still scheduled. However, on July 31st, the Commission will vote on a motion on whether or not to cancel that Sept. 17th hearing. So I think we'll know for sure after that vote on July 31st.
--- ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS ---
For Blue Granite Water customers in Lake Wylie:
On Tuesday, during my telephone town hall event, I asked all of you to join me on August 20th at the hearing for Blue Granite’s request for a rate increase. Following that call, there have been some important developments.
On Wednesday, Blue Granite withdrew its application for a rate increase with the SC Public Works Commission. This is a small win, but it’s only temporary. There is another hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th, where a regularly scheduled “general rate increase” is expected to be considered. I would ask you all to please keep that date in mind.
Additionally, I received a reply from SC DHEC following my inquiry about Blue Granite Water. In their response, DHEC affirms that Blue Granite “is currently in compliance with the state and federal drinking water requirements and standards.” With respect to the stringent conservation requirements being imposed upon you, however…
Remember, Blue Granite cited “heightened demand” and “water shortages” to justify these restrictions. But heightened demand is a function of population growth, which everybody knew was coming to that area, and should have never caught a utility provider off-guard. Furthermore, DHEC reminds us that York County is NOT at a drought level that would normally necessitate water conservation. Which means that there’s likely “equipment or business-related reasons driving the conservation requirements being set by BGWC at this time.”
On the federal level, I’ll continue to keep a close eye on this to ensure Blue Granite within those standards. On the state and local level, many thanks to State Senator Wes Climer and others for their ongoing efforts in this matter.
In closing, I would ask you all to please put September 17th at 10 AM on your calendar for the next hearing date. Although it’ll be in Columbia, I hope to be there if my schedule in Congress permits, and hope you’ll join me in making our voices heard.
SC DHEC Reply: http://bit.ly/2xWM2GF
Withdrawal of Rate Increase Request: http://bit.ly/2JTvcxZ
PSC Matters: http://bit.ly/2XS3yeA (click on hearings tab)
