Consumer Outcry Breaks United Water Rate Hike in Half

Idaho Residents Who Strongly Oppose Plan to Hike Water Bills by 20% See Small Victory – AARP Says Deal is Far From Perfect, But Not as Bad 

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Idaho consumers, outraged by a United Water rate hike request that would have seen bills soar by 20%, have seen their outcry result in a small victory over one of Idaho's largest water companies.  Today, an announcement was made that United Water has agreed to cut their rate hike in half; AARP Idaho, who opposed the rate hike, says the public made all the difference in driving the new deal.

"Boise residents took a stand against an unfair rate hike for United Water and won – though the deal is far from perfect, it goes to show what can happen when the public makes enough noise," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP Idaho.  "Nobody likes increases to their utility bills, nor should they, but the public should feel some sense of satisfaction in knowing they drove a better deal from a powerful utility company."

United Water's original rate hike would have hammered many Treasure Valley residential customers with a roughly 20% increase to their monthly water bills.  Under the new agreement that hike has been halved to an 8% increase in 2012 and a 2.5% increase in 2013, along with a $2 increase to their bi-monthly customer charge.  United Water also agreed to increase the amount it provides to customers struggling to afford their water bills from $50 to $65 per customer. 

Around Thanksgiving, AARP Idaho awarded United Water the first annual AARP Gem State Turkey Award for the utility company's then proposed 20% rate hike.

"On behalf of all of our members in the Boise area who are United Water customers, AARP opposed an unfair rate hike that would have caused some to struggle to make ends meet," added Wordelman.  "The public will have another chance to make their voices heard on this deal at an upcoming public hearing, and we're encouraging them to show up and continue to speak up."   

AARP says public input can be a major driver in utility rate hike and regulatory cases, this again, highlights the need for Idaho to create a utility consumer advocate office to ensure residential consumers and small businesses are always at the table.  The office would represent consumers in utility cases, and serve as a watchdog for the groups.  Idaho is the only state in the West lacking such an office.  The Idaho Public Utilities Commission serves as an arbitrator on rate cases and regulatory issues, not an advocate, which AARP argues is much needed in Idaho.

A public hearing on the proposed rate hike deal will be held by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission commissioners on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. in the commission hearing room at 472 W. Washington St. in Boise. 

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with over 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho.

SOURCE AARP Idaho