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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 1, 2023 12:05 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Establishing a Binding Ratepayer Referendum Approval for Municipal Water/Wastewater Sales |
| I will soon introduce legislation to require a binding ratepayer referendum for the approval of the sale of municipally owned water and wastewater systems to private companies (Investor-Owned Utilities). Access to clean and affordable water and wastewater are life-sustaining services. With the passage of Act 12 in 2016, private companies (IOUs) are now able to purchase municipal water and wastewater systems and authorities at a fair, but highly inflated, market value. What was billed as an effort to aid struggling water authorities has quickly turned into a profit-driven process. Unfortunately, this process has saddled costumers with unsustainable rate increases and left a vital life source unaffordable. In my own district, residents have seen their water and wastewater rates triple since the sale of a municipal water and wastewater system just a few years ago. It is high time for Section 1329 of Act 12 of 2016 to include protections for consumers, municipalities, and the residents of our Commonwealth. The General Assembly should act to finally give residents a real say in the sale, review, and approval process of their water and wastewater systems. Please join me in co-sponsoring this critical piece of legislation to require a binding ratepayer referendum approval in the sale of a municipally owned water and/or wastewater system to a private entity. |
Memo Updated: June 1, 2023 12:06 PM