Bellflower Calls PUC's Decision to Deny Merger of Local Water Companies `Victory for Customers'.News Desks and Government Writers BELLFLOWER bellflower, in botany bellflower or bluebell, name commonly used as a comprehensive term for members of the Campanulaceae, a family of chiefly herbaceous annuals or perennials of wide distribution, characteristically found on dry , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2001 City's Year-Long Fight Will Protect More Than 2,000 Customers From Absorbing Additional Costs; November 29th Decision Correlates With Judge's Previous Ruling The City of Bellflower is hailing today's unanimous decision A Unanimous Decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which all 3 judges agree on which fighter won the match. by the California Public Utilities Commission The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC; also often commonly referred to as simply the PUC) [1] is a state Public Utilities Commission which regulates privately-owned utilities in the state of California, including electric power, (PUC (Public Utility Commission) A regulatory body in every state in the U.S. that governs public utilities within its jurisdiction such as electricity, gas, oil, sewer, water, transportation and telephone service. Some states call it the Public Service Commission (PSC). ) to deny a proposed merger between two local water companies, Peerless Water and Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Water, as a victory for ratepayers. The City has expressed staunch opposition to the merger for the past year, contending that inevitable rate increases are unfair and unreasonable. "We've said all along that the merger is unreasonable and not in the public interest," said Michael Egan, City Administrator. "Better, more efficient alternatives are immediately available." Members of the PUC today agreed, calling the proposed merger "uneconomical and injurious in·ju·ri·ous adj. 1. Causing or tending to cause injury; harmful: eating habits that are injurious to one's health. 2. " to ratepayers. "The burdens outweigh the benefits," said Henry Duque, a PUC Commissioner, during today's meeting. "The proposed merger would require that 2,000 Peerless customers subsidize sub·si·dize tr.v. sub·si·dized, sub·si·diz·ing, sub·si·diz·es 1. To assist or support with a subsidy. 2. To secure the assistance of by granting a subsidy. rates for 98,000 Southern California Water customers. The cities are able and willing to provide service, and rates would be immediately reduced." Along with the cities of Lakewood and Paramount, Bellflower for the past year has vigorously opposed the two companies joining forces. Estimates indicate that the proposed merger could have significantly increased the bi-monthly rate charged to more than 2,000 Bellflower customers. City officials contended that it would cost more than $11 million for Southern California Water to bring Peerless into its system, and that the costs would be passed along to customers in the form of higher rates. "The merger was severely flawed from its inception," said Egan. "That's why the City Council fought so hard to protect the 2,000 customers who would be asked to absorb the increases. We're delighted that the PUC demonstrated its commitment to the public good by concurring with the Court's ruling." Last month, Administrative Law Judge administrative law judge n. a professional hearing officer who works for the government to preside over hearings and appeals involving governmental agencies. They are generally experienced in the particular subject matter of the agency involved or of several agencies. Patricia Bennett Patricia Bennett (born April 7, 1947, in The Bronx, New York) was a member of the girl group, the Chiffons. ruled that the merger did not represent the best public interest. Despite the water companies' employment of lobbyists to sway the PUC's decision, members today supported Judge Bennett's decision. "Peerless should fairly negotiate with cities," said Commissioner Duque. "The proposed merger is duplicitous." Bellflower city officials say this is the hardest fight the community has waged in 40 years. "The City Council put a lot of time, energy and resources into blocking this merger," said Egan. "It was the right thing to do, and it was the right decision by the PUC." For additional information about the Public Utilities Commission's decision, or to learn more about the proposed merger between Peerless and Southern California Water, contact the Public Information Office at 562/804-1424 (ext. 2278). |
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