Dear Rockland Water Coalition members & friends..
On Tuesday and Wednesday, October 1 & 2, 2013 the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold two public hearings on the question of the underlying need and cost of United Water's proposed Haverstraw Water Supply Hudson River Desalination Plant. United Water has already submitted two significant water rate increase AND a $56 million surcharge to all ratepayers for what they term "pre-construction" costs for the desalination plant they have claimed is the "least costly" option for Rockland County's drinking water supply. This is outrageous!
In June 2012, we delivered more than 24,000 signatures to Governor Cuomo from Rockland County residents who oppose United Waters's controversial Haverstraw Water Supply Desalination Plant. The Rockland County Executive, the County Legislature and, in recent months, four out of five Rockland towns, along with 12 villages, as well as many of our county and state elected officials submitted resolutions and letters to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), requesting that it hold an Issues Conference and hearing on behalf of Rockland County residents to review new facts and cheaper, safer alternatives that were dismissed by United Water.
On Saturday, August 24, the Journal News printed a strongly worded editorial, supporting Rockland County's requests to the DEC for an issues conference and for the PSC to conduct a fair hearing. (see link below)
Journal News Editorial:
Haverstraw Water Supply Project needs an issues conference
Read entire editorial: CLICK HERE
If United Water's proposed Haverstraw Water Supply project is built, it would cause Rockland water rates to skyrocket – as much as $350 - $500 per year more to drink Hudson River water, while United Water sends more of our fresh water from Lake DeForest Reservoir to its New Jersey customers. The operation of United Water's proposed desalination plant would tie our future water rates to higher and higher energy rates. DESAL is a BAD DEAL for both Rockland County residential and business customers!
Help us TAKE ACTION NOW!
I do not have to tell you that we are at a critical time now. All the work we have done collectively is coming down to the wire. It is essential for us to demonstrate our public and political support NOW by filling up the meeting rooms to show full participation from the public, our elected officials and those running for elected office!
First Action: PLAN TO ATTEND the PSC Public Hearings.
Put Tuesday and Wednesday, October 1 & 2 on your calendar. We need to pack the halls!
Times and place of Public Hearings are listed below:
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Time: 6:00 p.m. – Informational Forum
7:00 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Location: Clarkstown High School South, Auditorium
31 Demarest Mill Road
West Nyack, New York
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Time: 6:00 p.m. – Informational Forum
7:00 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Location: Haverstraw Elementary School, Auditorium
16 Grant Street
Haverstraw, New York
Read the United Water report to the PSC at the link below:
http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=13-w-0303&submit=Search+by+Case+Number
Second Action: HELP US to get the word out now.
Forward this notice. We need your help leafleting and phone banking. Can you volunteer a few hours during the month of September? Let us know at RocklandWater@gmail.com or call 845-429-2020 to volunteer.
Third Acton: HELP US to fund $$ this effort.
We need to raise some money for the signs, printing fliers and publicizing the upcoming public hearings. United Water uses YOUR MONEY to pay for their lawyers and experts and charges us higher water rates to pay for it. However, the PEOPLE of ROCKLAND also need to be represented by experts in order to review United Water's submissions for both accuracy and completeness. In order to do this, we need help from YOU to RAISE MORE FUNDS NOW!
We want to print at least 500 lawn signs to show increased visibility and wide support for the Water Coalition across Rockland's towns & villages for the water coalition in September, during the weeks leading up to the PSC Public Hearings and during the November elections. (see attached photo)
To get signs printed on time, we need to get moving now. The cost for 500 signs will be @$5 each = $1,500. You will then receive a stack of signs when they arrive for distribution in your area. You can ask your members to make a suggested donation of $5 - $10 for their lawn sign to help us with these costs.
PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND DONATE NOW to the Rockland Water Coalition. Find out more about the public hearings on our website www.nodesal.com, and CLICK DONATE NOW to make your contribution.
