Please approve Advice Letter 223-W (April 29, 2017)
California Public Utilities Commission and Office of Ratepayer Advocates
505 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco CA 94102
Dear Sirs,
I understand that Liberty Utilities in Apple Valley has submitted a request for authorization to implement a temporary surcharge to the water rates in Apple Valley, California.
I am writing to urge you to approve this surcharge.
Liberty Utilities has been doing a wonderful job providing us with adequate supplies of clean water. Their professionalism seems above reproach for those acquainted with the facts.
Even so, Liberty Utilities has been under constant onslaught of unmerited attacks (attacks that most often include attacks and smears directed toward the CPUC and ORA) by local government officials and their fellow travelers, who apparently hope that by running down Liberty Utilities and the CPUC, they will be able to seize control of our water system. This would allow them to skim money from water revenues to replenish the Town’s general fund, which they have mismanaged for many years now (along with other state and federal funds, but that’s a different story).
I am not asking that you forego your normal regulatory due diligence. I just wanted you to know that there are many here in Apple Valley who do not subscribe to the lies coming from Town Hall about Liberty Utilities, and who appreciate the excellent service and water they provide us. It would be a shame to hamper their funding at the same time they are sustaining these debilitating attacks from Town Hall.
— Greg Raven is Co-Chair of Apple Valley Citizens for Government Accountability, and is concerned about quality of life issues.