Past Water News Cal Am schedules meetings in Seaside, Carmel Valley
The Monterey County Herald, February 24, 2008
Public meetings have been scheduled in Seaside and Carmel Valley next month to outline California American Water's rate hike applications to the state Public Utilities Commission. Cal Am is seeking a 126 percent increase in revenues over three years to pay for more than $180 in infrastructure investment, including rehabilitation of the water system, replacement and upgrades of water mains, storage tanks, treatment plants and wells, according to Catherine Bowie, spokeswoman for the utility. Some of the system's more than 680 miles of pipes are more than 100 years old.
A water fix?
THE HERALD'S VIEW
The Monterey County Herald, February 21, 2008
If you care about the Carmel River, the size of your water bill, the future of the Peninsula, or any combination of the three, cross your fingers about the latest plan to solve the area's huge and growing water problem.
Cal Am fights cutback order: State wants river pumping cut sharply
Monterey Herald, February 6, 2008
California American Water will challenge a draft cease-and-desist order issued by the state Water Resources Control Board that would require a drastic reduction in water pumping from the Carmel River aquifer over the next seven years.
Commentary - Cal Am's favoritism needs to end
Monterey County Herald, January 28, 2008
I am pleased that California American Water is promoting more stringent water conservation measures, and steeper rates for extra water use. Is it improper or disrespectful to say "It's about time!" or ask "What is not being done?"
Letter to the Editor: Water too high now
Monterey Herald, January 7, 2007
Recently, your editorial page ranted about California American Water seeking another massive price increase and very few letters being sent in about that. Well, I accepted your challenge and got out my previous water bills after receiving my December bill. According to the company's figures, my cost of water went up 85 percent as compared to December 2006.
December 2006 — 3,000 gallons for $33.58, averaging 1.1 cents per gallon.
December 2007 — 2,250 gallons for $46.65, averaging 2 cents per gallon. Note that my consumption went down 25 percent.
An Evening with Council of Canadians National Chairperson and Water Rights Activist Maude Barlow
Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water
When: Thursday, February 21, 6:30 pm - 8:30pm
Where: Monterey Senior Center
280 Dickman Avenue, Monterey
(corner of Lighthouse and Dickman)
"The global water crisis is one of the most serious issues of our time. Maude Barlow is an outstanding leader who has pioneered people's and nature's right to water for the last decade. Blue Covenant will inspire civil society movements around the world." - Vandana Shiva, physicist, ecologist, activist, editor, and author of Biopiracy and Stolen Harvest
"Clean water is the bottom line of all bottom lines—and Maude Barlow shows, with compelling reporting, that we're about to go H2O-broke. But she's also a leader of an emerging movement for water justice, one that is starting to score victories in the desperate fight to keep a thirsty planet slaked." - Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy and The End of Nature
Maude Barlow is the national chairperson of The Council of Canadians, Canada's largest citizens' advocacy organization with members and chapters across Canada. Maude Barlow is also the co-founder of the Blue Planet Project which works to stop commodification of the world's water. She serves on the boards of the International Forum on Globalization and Food and Water Watch and is a councilor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. In addition to being nominated for the "1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005" she is a recipient of the "2005/2006 Lannan Cultural Freedom Fellowship" and the "2005 Right Livelihood Award". She is the best selling author or co-author of 16 books, including Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop Corporate Theft of the World's Water (with Tony Clarke), now published in 47 countries.
Letter to the Editor: Sunny Mesa plan is best
Monterey Herald, December 24, 2007
Janice O'Brien's recent letter warns of the dangers of private ownership of our community's water supply. She is right about that. However, she is wrong thinking Sand City's small desal plant will protect us from huge rate hikes for regional solutions. That plant will be very small, and Sand City will eventually consume all the water it produces.
Editorial: Winter storm helps wash away water woes
Monterey County Herald, December 19, 2007
Timing of the gentle storm that washed ashore sometime before daybreak Tuesday was ideal for at least two reasons. One, the hills and fields had been looking dusty, almost brittle in spots. There has been no hint at all of the green fleece that was supposed to have started softening the landscape by now, or at least soon. It seems no one keeps a record of when things green up around here, so we must rely on memory, which regularly leads straight to mistake.
Rants and Raves
Monterey Herald, December 9, 2007
Rant: California American Water files for a rate increase that would more than double many Peninsula water bills by 2011 and the public reaction is as quiet as the Carmel River in winter, as quiet as a faucet turned off, as quiet as a Public Utilities Commission hearing with no one in the audience. Odd. Are George Riley and Ron Weitzman out of town?
Cal Am to recover $9M via surcharges, Water: Settlement reached with PUC
Monterey Herald, October 30, 2007
California American Water will be allowed to recover $9.3 million in costs incurred for its Coastal Water Project through surcharges, according to a settlement reached Tuesday with the state Public Utilities Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates.
Expect higher water bills
The Monterey County Herald, October 25, 2007
Uh oh. The first real price for desalinated seawater is in, and it turns out to be about twice as high as the projected costs that had been floating around the Peninsula.
The desalination solution - Plant should be publicly owned
Monterey Herald, October 7, 2007
The future of Monterey County is inexorably tied to access to fresh water, and residents face a clear choice: pay dearly for a desalination plant that will be owned by California American Water and run for profit, or buy considerably more affordable water, at cost, from a publicly owned plant operated by the North Monterey County Water Management District (Sunny Mesa).
Cal Am vice president resigns: Leonard with water company for five years
Monterey Herald, August 25, 2007
Steve Leonard, vice president and Monterey division manager for California American Water, has announced he is leaving his position after five years with the company, effective Sept. 10. "It's time to go on to something different," Leonard said.
Golf links may bid goodbye to Cal Am
Monterey Herald, July 20, 2007
Pebble Beach Co. on Wednesday completed a five-day "flushing" of its golf course greens using potable water, a regular dry-season practice that company and water officials believe will end after this summer.
Flawed Solution: Concerns over intake pipes could disrupt plan for Moss Landing desal plant
July 5, 2007
California American Water Co. officials say the new pilot seawater desalination project at the Moss Landing Power Plant is “a major step forward” in developing a long-term water supply for the Monterey Peninsula. But some environmentalists worry it’s a major step in the wrong direction.
$230 million and climbing
Carmel Pine Cone, June 1, 2007
THE ESTIMATED cost of California American Water’s Coastal Water Project, which would provide the Monterey Peninsula with a drought-free water supply, has increased a whopping $40 million because of permitting delays, a spokeswoman for the water company said this week.
Local water control means better service
Monterey Herald, May 20, 2007 - Commentary
We are proponents of local control of our water service in the form of a special district whose mission would be to serve water, maintain the water system and bill for this service.
Cal Am responds
Monterey Herald, May 20, 2007 - Commentary
California American Water and our 90 local employees work hard to satisfy 100 percent of our customers 100 percent of the time. Sometimes, in striving toward this goal, we aren't 100 percent perfect. Certainly after reading about the experience of the Englanders, it is easy to understand their frustration.
Rants and Raves: THE HERALD'S VIEW
Monterey Herald, May 19, 2007, Editorial
Rant: So the folks who own California American Water weren't exactly telling the truth when they explained why they wanted to spin off Cal Am. Shocked? Neither were we.
More gripe to Cal Am on Peninsula: Area leads company's other service areas in complaints
Monterey Herald, May 19, 2007
California American Water's Monterey service division accounts for nearly half of all customer complaints from all of the company's system statewide over 15 months, according to a report released by Cal Am to the state Public Utilities Commission.
Conflicts seen in RWE views of US water market
Water Technology Online, May 18, 2007
Corporate officials at German utility conglomerate RWE, which bought US utility holding company American Water for $4.6 billion in 2002, cited in 2005 their concerns about financial losses, an aging infrastructure and US public resistance to privatization as reasons for possibly exiting the US water utility market.
German Utility Soured on American Water
U.S. News & World Report, May 15, 2007
Just as a planned sale of the largest private water company in the United States moves closer, potentially embarrassing records of high-level corporate meetings have surfaced detailing how the business failed to live up to expectations for the German utility giant RWE.
Cal Am customers on water restrictions
Monterey Herald, May 10, 2007
California American Water is reminding customers that Stage 1 water use restrictions are in effect. Outdoor watering, car washing and other uses are limited to Saturdays and Sundays for odd-numbered addresses and south and west addresses in Carmel, where there are no street numbers. Watering at even-numbered addresses and north and east Carmel addresses is allowed Sundays and Thursdays.
Cal Am stock sale will go to PUC: Limits on rate hikes rejected
Monterey Herald, April 3, 2007
An administrative law judge's ruling that allows the public sale of California American Water stock will go before the state Public Utilities Commission for final approval in the next month.
Stalling best water strategy
Monterey Herald, March 24, 2007 - Editorial
Among the many upcoming fights in the arena of Monterey County politics is the contest over who should operate a desalination plant. It is not a battle of heavyweights.
Board asks for no change in desal public ownership law
Carmel Pine Cone, March 23, 2007 THE MONTEREY County Board of Supervisors could have pulled the rug out from under a lawsuit challenging permits for a pilot desal plant this week. The suit, brought by water activists George Riley and Manuel Fierro, cites a 1989 ordinance requiring all desal plants in the county to be publicly owned and challenges permits for a pilot plant that would be owned by California American Water Co. At their meeting this week, supervisors let the ordinance stand, and indicated they may even decide to strengthen it.
Board does bidding
Monterey Herald, March 20 - Letter to the Editor
The Board of Supervisors hopes to remove the current legal requirement for public ownership of desalination facilities today. This is a major policy issue. The board must explain itself. It cannot hide behind a technical explanation that the health director likes it. This is not a public health issue. This is policy. And it is politics.
Don't approve water vote
Monterey Herald, March 19, 2007 - Letters to the editor
I see that the Monterey County supervisors are going to vote Tuesday on the county ordinance that says a desalination plant requires a public partner. The staff report recommends abandoning the public partner part of the law, and substitutes a "healthy and safety" requirement.
No private desal plants!
Monterey Herald, March 17, 2007 - Letters to the editor
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors is providing direction to staff members that would amend the Monterey County code to allow a private operation -- rather than a public entity -- to own a desalination plant in Monterey County.
Cal Am wants judge removed from case: Money sought for dam removal
Monterey Herald, March 14, 2007
California American Water has asked the administrative law judge that adjudicated its rate increase last year to step down from ruling on the water company's construction fund for removal of the San Clemente Dam.
Water rationing not forecast
Monterey Herald, March 9, 2007
It's been a drier than usual rainy season, but that won't translate into water rationing on the Monterey Peninsula in the near future, said water officials
Businesses face higher water bills
Carmel Pine Cone, February 23, 2007
Hotels, restaurants and art galleries are among the 200 businesses in Carmel that will have to pay three times their regular water rate if they use more water than the California Public Utilities Commission thinks they should.
Desal project to include ships: Water board OKs $30,000 for study
Monterey Herald, February 23, 2007
A study of desalination projects on Monterey Bay will include the possibility of ship-borne seawater purification plants, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board ruled Thursday.
Agencies outline water plan
Monterey Herald, February 21, 2007
A memorandum of understanding leading to formation of a Monterey Bay Regional Water Authority was unveiled to cities, public districts and government agencies involved in water issues on Wednesday.
Cal Am examines Moss Landing desalting plant cooling alternative
Associated Press, January 29, 2007
MOSS LANDING, Calif. (AP) - California American Water is estimating it would cost two (m) million dollars to draw seawater from wells for a pilot desalination plant.
Agencies to weigh in on water proposal
Monterey Herald, January 25, 2007
A meeting to discuss a long-term water source for the Monterey Bay area will be hosted Wednesday by the state Public Utilities Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates in Marina.
2 goals set for Cal Am project
Monterey Herald, January 24, 2007
California American Water's Coastal Water Program should aim both to replace water the company is currently overdrawing from the Carmel River and Seaside Basin aquifers, and to provide for future demands, water officials said Tuesday.
Agency proposes water meeting: PUC division will focus on regional solution
Monterey Herald, January 9, 2007
A meeting to discuss a long-term water source for the Monterey Bay area has been tentatively scheduled for Jan. 31 by the state Public Utilities Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates on the Monterey Peninsula.
County gives Cal Am too much of a break
Monterey Herald, January 7, 2007
By GEORGE RILEY, Guest commentary
Peninsula water rates will double in the next three years. They'll double again if California American Water gets full approval of its Coastal Water Project, including a Moss Landing desalination plant intended to generate just enough water to cover Monterey Peninsula needs.
Tunnel vision by PUC
Monterey Herald, December 19, 2006 - Letters to the editor
A $200 million rip-off is coming to the Peninsula, and California American Water expects our Board of Supervisors to make it happen. The gravy train is already on the tracks. The California Public Utilities Commission, in a demonstration of egregious tunnel vision, approved a Cal Am progressive rate increase to begin paying for a desalination plant that is a major component of its coastal water project. Total cost: $200 million.
Water charges go up in January
Monterey Herald, Decemberr 15, 2006
A progressive increase in California American Water customers' bills was approved unanimously by the state Public Utilities Commission here Thursday. Beginning Jan. 1, consumers will pay a surcharge on their bills of 4 percent which will rise to 7 percent on July 1.
PUC Approves Cal-Am Rate Hike Request: Increase To Take Effect Jan. 1
KSBW, December 14, 2006
California's Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a requested rate hike from the Cal-Am Water Company. Cal-Am requested the rate hike to pay for its Coastal Water Project, which includes plans to build a water desalination plant in Moss Landing.
San Clemente Dam almost 100% silted
Carmel Pine Cone, November 24, 2006
THE SAN Clemente Dam in upper Carmel Valley is filling up with sludgy sediment at an alarming rate — a factor that could cause dangerous hillside erosion on either side of the dam, a spokeswoman with California American Water Co. said.
Judge favors increase: Cal Am's third ruling ready for PUC hearing
Monterey Herald, November 20, 2006
The third version of an administrative law judge's ruling on California American Water's rate increase requests may be heard by the state Public Utilities Commission at its Dec. 14 meeting in San Francisco.
Cal Am rate hearing continued to Nov. 30
Monterey Herald, November 11, 2006
California American Water's rate increase hearing has been continued by the state Public Utilities Commission until its Nov. 30 meeting. The commission convened in San Francisco on Thursday and had placed the proposed ruling by PUC Administrative Law Judge Christine Walwyn on Cal Am's general rate increase on its consent agenda, which would normally be voted on without discussion.
Desal panel raises red flag: Environmental concerns persist
Monterey Herald, October 13, 2006
A proposed pilot desalination plant at Moss Landing raises "substantial" environmental issues, the California Coastal Commission ruled Thursday, and ordered more hearings of an appeal of the plant's permit.
Water rates may rise 19%: Cal Am awaits ruling by judge, PUC decision
Monterey Herald, October 11, 2006
California American Water rates may rise nearly 20 percent next year if the state Public Utilities Commission next month approves the findings of an administrative law judge on the water company's rate increase request.
JUDGE ORDERS WATER RATE DATA: Closer to making decision on boosts requested by Cal Am
Monterey Herald, October 5, 2006
California American Water and the state Public Utilities Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates have been ordered by an administrative law judge to assist in preparing data on proposed rate increases for a ruling on the rates.
Buy desalinated water
Monterey Herald, September 24, 2006 - Letter to the Editor
The local Sept. 14 public hearing on California American Water's proposed rate increases raised a number of issues. This is one. From the $11.50 that Cal Am takes from each of our monthly water bills to cover the 10 percent return on equity for its stockholders, you would expect the vaunted superior efficiency of a private company in contrast to a publicly owned one.
Water board hears plans for test plants
Monterey Herald, September 8, 2006
Two proposed pilot desalination plants to test the feasibility of converting seawater to fresh on the Central Coast will pull salt water from Moss Landing Harbor, purify it and spit it back out into the ocean, according to developer Peter MacLaggen of San Diego-based Poseidon Resources.
Consortium presents plan for desal on ships
Monterey Herald, September 1, 2006
Forget land-based seawater desalination plants. A consortium of companies is proposing building ships carrying equipment to turn salt water into fresh and bringing it to shore.
Water board hears plans for test plants
Monterey Herald, September 8, 2006
Two proposed pilot desalination plants to test the feasibility of converting seawater to fresh on the Central Coast will pull salt water from Moss Landing Harbor, purify it and spit it back out into the ocean, according to developer Peter MacLaggen of San Diego-based Poseidon Resources.
Consortium presents plan for desal on ships
Monterey Herald, September 1, 2006
Forget land-based seawater desalination plants. A consortium of companies is proposing building ships carrying equipment to turn salt water into fresh and bringing it to shore.
Water-injection well EIR approved
Monterey Herald, August 22, 2006
Pumping water in the wintertime from the Carmel River to the Seaside Aquifer won't hurt the environment and will help prevent drying up the river in summer and hold back seawater intrusion, according to a final environmental impact report on the project adopted unanimously Monday by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board.
Next step for desal plants: Water board to weigh permits
Monterey Herald, August 17, 2006
The next big hurdle is looming for two small desalination plants in Moss Landing. Permits for the two pilot seawater desalination plants -- and renewal of outfall permits at Moss Landing -- will be considered at a public hearing by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board when it meets Sept. 7 in Monterey.
Critics say Cal Am expenses unchecked: Company asking utilities panel to approve rate hike
Monterey Herald, August 4, 2006
California American Water's expenditures on its proposed desalination plant have been largely unchecked by state auditors or the water company, critics said Thursday, citing testimony before a state Public Utilities Commission judge over the past week.
Groups appeal pilot desal plant
Monterey Herald, August 3, 2006
Permission to build a pilot water desalination plant at Moss Landing has been appealed by a public interest group, which says the design of the facility could be "detrimental to sensitive marine habitats."
Editorial: Cal-Am Water Fees
KSBW-TV, July 28, 2006
Cal-Am Water has its sights set on your wallet, and this past week it made its case to California's Public Utilities Commission. For background, the reason is two fold: one to restore the Seaside aquifer; the second is for planning, building, and operating a desalination plant in Moss Landing. Nobody disputes that somebody's going to have to pay for these projects: but Cal-Am's spin is that rate payers should start paying now in order to avoid even larger rate hikes down the line.
Broken water main damages portion of Highway 1
Monterey Herald, July 22, 2006
A large water main broke under Highway 1 near Carpenter Avenue in Carmel on Friday night, causing "extensive damage" to the road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Residents say no to Cal Am plan: Water company accused of seeking surcharges to boost value of stock
Monterey Herald, July 19, 2006
Monterey Peninsula residents, faced with the prospect of their water bills more than doubling in the next two and a half years, told a representative of the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday night that they don't want to front the money for California American Water's Coastal Water Project.
Water is all wet: Stock prices look too high despite some Wall Street recommendations
MarketWatch, July 18, 2006
Despite some recent Wall Street analysts' flowing recommendations, U.S. water stocks aren't good buys right now. Dow Jones' and S&P's water indexes are way off their highs from March, trading at year-ago levels. The Dow Jones U.S. Water Index peaked near 830 four months ago but is now sitting near 600.
Cal Am pre-plant expenses draw fire: Board recommends disallowing fee hike Monterey Herald, June 24, 2006
Ratepayer advocates at the Public Utilities Commission early this week commended California American Water for agreeing to swallow $521,000 in expenses it wanted customers to pay as part of the preconstruction costs for its desalination project.
Small Towns Tell a Cautionary Tale About the Private Control of Water
Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2006
In San Jerardo, a tidy but poor farmworker cooperative encircled by the black earth of Salinas Valley fields, residents have been drinking bottled water for almost five years because the tap water they buy from a private company is unsafe."
Misconduct Taints the Water in Some Privatized Systems
Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS — In recent years, cities across the U.S. have turned over a vital public service — providing safe drinking water — to private enterprise.
Pressure turned up in the war on water: Towns push to make service public again
Chicago Tribune, May 28, 2006
For many towns across the country, it once seemed like a good idea to have municipal water utilities in the hands of private companies. Now, bristling against skyrocketing rates, spotty service and foreign ownership, a number of towns across Illinois and the U.S. are waging fierce battles to regain control of their drinking water. A host of them are fighting a German conglomerate that has snapped up more than 1,800 American water utilities.
Groups favor rerouting river: Environmentalists offer San Clemente Dam, silt solution
Monterey Herald, May 23, 2006
A group of environmental organizations will argue for total removal of San Clemente Dam on the Carmel River and solving the problem of its backed-up silt by rerouting the river to avoid washing it downstream at a hearing today in Carmel Valley.
Tap vs. Bottle
Monterey County Weekly, May 4, 2006
One morning in late April eight people sat down to a table in the upstairs dining room at Stokes Restaurant in downtown Monterey. Before each place stood a phalanx of wineglasses and a score sheet. Arthur von Wiesenberger, a distinguished-looking man with blue eyes and smooth manner, introduced himself and gave the panelists some pointers on what to look for over the next hour.
Cal Am drops bid for money: Customers won't pay 'public outreach' costs
Monterey Herald, April 17, 2006
California American Water has decided it will no longer seek reimbursement from ratepayers for more than $500,000 the company spent on "public outreach" to promote its proposed desalination project because the costs could be interpreted as lobbying expenses.
Cities seek own water utilities: Cal Am parent to go up for initial public offering
Monterey Herald, April 13, 2006
Officials across the United States, including on the Monterey Peninsula, have asked German utility RWE AG to consider selling some of its water companies to the cities they serve rather than roll them into a publicly held company.
CAL-AM'S MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER SYSTEM APPRAISED AT $50.7 MILLION Monterey FLOW appraisal makes case for public acquisition as in the best interest of Monterey Peninsula residents and businesses MONTEREY, CALIF., APRIL 10, 2006 - California American Water's Monterey Peninsula water system is valued at $50 million, an amount that does not include the $30 million to $175 million liability of the San Clemente dam, according to an independent appraisal released Wednesday by Monterey FLOW, a community group promoting public acquisition of the water system.
Monterey, other U.S. cities ask RWE to sell them water operations
Associated Press, April 10, 2006
FRANKFURT, Germany -- Several U.S. municipalities on Monday urged German utility RWE AG to consider selling some of its water utilities to the communities they serve instead of to financial investors.
Panel OKs water-buy legislation
Monterey Herald, April 5, 2006
A bill sponsored by state Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, that would give public agencies first right of refusal to buy water systems owned by private companies was approved Tuesday by the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.
County OKs Pajaro/Sunny Mesa pilot desal plant
Carmel Pine Cone,
March 31, 2006
The County's planning and building inspection department has issued Pajaro/Sunny Mesa Community Services District an administrative permit for its pilot desal plant at Moss Landing — a major step toward installing the facility which the district hopes will lead to a much larger desal plant.
WATER FROM THE SEA THIS SUMMER? Possible forerunner of large desalination plant
Monterey Herald, March 30, 2006
Fresh water from the sea could be pumping out of Moss Landing by early summer, according to developers of a desalination process they plan to show off as a prelude to building a major saltwater purifying plant to serve the Central Coast.
At World Forum, Support Erodes for Private Management of Water
New York Times, March 20, 2006
For more than a decade, the idea that private companies would be able to bring water to the world's poor has been a mantra of development policies promoted by international lending agencies and many governments.
French firm looking at Cal Am parent bid
Monterey Herald, March 17, 2006
A French-based global water and trash recycling company is looking at buying the U.S. water holdings of California American Water's parent company, RWE AG of Germany.
Veolia casts hungry eye overseas
International Herald Tribune, March 14, 2006
The chief executive of Veolia Environnement said Monday that he would consider acquisitions involving units of rivals RWE and Suez, but ruled out joining any unsolicited offer for Suez.
Cal Am campaign costliest
Monterey Herald, February 13, 2006
California American Water spent more than $300,000 to help defeat a November ballot measure to study a possible public takeover of its Monterey Peninsula system.
Advisory group OKs competing desal pilot plant
Carmel Pine Cone, February 10, 2006
PAJARO/SUNNY Mesa Community Services District is a step closer to hooking up its pilot desal plant after a citizens land use group approved it Monday.
New board opens doors to Cal Am
Monterey Herald, January 29, 2006 - Commentary
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. In Monterey County, Cal Am is king. After three years of legal wrangling and political maneuvers on the part of high-powered attorneys and corporate lawyers, visiting Judge Roger Randall decreed in a tentative decision this month that California American Water would hold three votes, more than any other entity, pubic or private, on the courts' new 13-member watermaster board.
Water ruling not perfect but a good start
Monterey Herald, January 26, 2006 - Editorial
Visiting Judge Roger D. Randall knows his water law, and it shows in his proposed decision on how the Seaside aquifer is to be managed. His tentative ruling, 59 pages long, painstakingly details how a new watermaster board will both regulate and tap the basin, which is a key component of the Peninsula's overburdened water supply. With a little tweaking here and there, his work should essentially be over -- though some will continue to make reasonable arguments that he is creating redundant bureaucracy and perhaps could do more to encourage development of additional supply.
Watermaster board to oversee aquifer: Seaside: Judge sets new rules
Monterey Herald, January 18, 2006
A judge put California American Water and the Peninsula water district on notice Tuesday: They have three years to develop supplemental water supplies before they will be required to drastically reduce pumping from the Seaside Basin aquifer.
RWE Shares Reach Record on Report of Thames Water Bid
Bloomberg, January 16, 2006
Shares of RWE AG, Europe's fourth- largest power company, rose to a record on reports that buyout firm Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd., led by the British financier Guy Hands, plans to buy the company's U.K. water unit for 8 billion pounds ($14.2 billion).
Aquifer control trial finishes: Judge to decide outcome in January
Monterey Herald, December 30, 2005
A trial to decide control of water rights in the Seaside basin ended Thursday after a half-dozen lawyers threw their final punches. The two-week trial stemmed from a water rights lawsuit filed by California American Water two years ago. An intervening suit filed by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District has pitted the two water heavyweights against each other.
Aquifer withdrawal in dispute: Expert says 7 years too long to pump from Seaside basin
Monterey Herald, December 23, 2005
In a trial over control of water from the Seaside basin aquifer, California American Water Co.'s contention that it can keep safely pumping for seven years was challenged by a consultant for the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.
Cal Am seeks permits for river: Vies with district for pumping rights
Monterey Herald, December 17, 2005
While a trial is under way to determine the extent of California American Water's rights in the Seaside Basin aquifer, Cal Am has taken action with the state to try to expand its rights on the Carmel River.
Cal Am's spin is getting old
Monterey Herald, December 16, 2005
California American Water may have misunderstood what Monterey Peninsula voters meant when they shot down the idea of spending $500,000 to study a public takeover.
Dead Again: New water plan could make public buyout even more impossible
Monterey County Weekly, December 15, 2005
A new Water Action Plan issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) may make it more difficult for communities like the Monterey Peninsula to buy out private water systems. The plan is intended to guide the state’s PUC in regulating investor-owned water utilities. The commission is slated to vote on the water plan at its Dec. 15 meeting in San Francisco. The public can comment on the plan at the meeting.
Cal Am chief says desal stalled: Seaside: Testimony says plan is 16 months behind schedule
Monterey Herald, December 14, 2005
California American Water's proposed desalination plant, its answer to over-pumping in the Seaside Basin aquifer, is at least 16 months behind schedule, has no secured site and faces potential litigation that could further slow its progress, the company's general manager conceded in testimony Tuesday.
The cost of water
Monterey Herald, December 12. 2005 – Letter to the Editor
In opposing Measure W, Cal Am spent more than $263,000 to obstruct a solution to the water-supply problem on the Monterey Peninsula. Here's why.
Public ownership of water utility still worth pursuing
Monterey Herald, December 11, 2005 - Commentary
The water debate has been clarified. New understandings emerged from the way Measure W was defeated and by recent comments by Steve Leonard, general manager of California American Water in his Herald commentary of Nov. 27.
Members of the community group Citizens for Public Water now generally share the following thoughts: First and foremost, Leonard emphatically declared Cal Am as the leader of an effort favoring vigorous growth. He wrote that some of the "most vigorous proponents of economic growth" joined to oppose Measure W. Cal Am financed the effort with a record-breaking $290,000 campaign.
Cooperation on water needs
Monterey Herald, December 10, 2005 – Commentary
After years of rancorous debate over how to address the Peninsula's water needs, a spirit of cooperation is on the horizon. Recently in The Herald, California American Water's Steve Leonard called for a "big tent under which the entire community works to push the most viable solution" to the immediate and long-term water needs.
Cal
Am sale talk muddies waters Monterey Herald, November 8, 2005
Proponents of public takeovers of California American
Water systems on the Monterey Peninsula and in
Felton cheered the news that RWE, the parent company
of the local water purveyor, plans to sell all
of its water holdings in the United States and
the United Kingdom in 2007.
Cal
Am to be sold Monterey Herald, November 7, 2005
For months, California American Water has been
telling groups advocating a public takeover of
the company's systems on the Monterey Peninsula
and in Felton that it is not willing to sell.
The matter is now out of its hands.
Can't
buy votes Monterey Herald, November 4, 2005 - Letter
to the editor
I received a glossy, color mailer the other day
opposing Measure W, and I felt sickened by the
hypocrisy. The opponents of Measure W claim that
if you vote for it, it will hurt the environment.
As if Cal Am, whose headquarters is in Germany,
cares whether the steelhead trout will continue
to exist in the Carmel River.
Judge
dumps challenge to Felton's water bill Monterey Herald, November 4, 2005
While California American Water awaits the outcome
of Tuesday's vote to determine if voters want
to study a takeover of its local system, a judge
this week upheld July's vote in Felton in which
voters overwhelmingly approved a bond measure
to finance a hostile takeover of the company's
system there.
Cal-Am
Water System Put Up For Sale KSBW-TV, November 4, 2005
Action News learned Friday night that Cal-Am water
is up for sale, which could have an impact on
Measure W in next weeks Special Election.
German
company may sell Cal Am Monterey Herald, October 26, 2005
The German conglomerate that owns California American
Water is preparing to spin off control of its
water holdings, including the local water purveyor,
say reports in numerous European and business
newspapers.
Cal
Am outspends foes 10-fold Monterey Herald, November 1, 2005
California American Water has spent more than
$250,000 to fight Measure W, which would fund
a study of a possible public takeover of the company's
Peninsula water system.
Yes
on W Monterey Herald, November 1, 2005 - Letter
to the Editor
Cal Am prides itself on being an investor-owned
utility. It receives an automatic profit of about
10 percent of what we ratepayers pay. This money
it invests in dividends and managers and lobbyists
and institutional advertising and, currently,
in election propaganda.
Should
voters approve Measure W? Yes: Cost of study justified
by later savings Monterey Herald. October 30, 2005
By RON WEITZMAN, Guest commentary
The Herald in its editorial on Measure W asks
why now. 'Why now,' as opposed to yesterday or
tomorrow, implies that some time would be appropriate,
but not now. There's an old Hebrew saying, "if
not now, then when?"
Yes
on W, no on C Monterey Herald, October 29, 2005
Last week a sweet young lady called, asking three
questions about our water election, each prefaced
with misleading facts about Measure W. She asked
how to pronounce Carmel River.
PR
WATER WAR Monterey County Weekly, October 27, 2005
Squid wasn’t really surprised to hear about
the early-morning call from Cal Am spokesman KEVIN
TILDEN canceling the company’s ads in the
Weekly. But it’s always a bit of a shock
to witness the shamelessness of corporate America.
Montara
success Monterey Herald, October 25, 2005 - Letter
to the Editor
I invite Montara's critics to get their facts
straight. It's disheartening to see such carelessness
(Rick Heuer commentary, Oct. 9) as well as flat-out
disregard for the benefits. Two years ago, we
bought our water system from Cal Am/RWE. Cal Am
fought hard, but we won. Are my neighbors wringing
their hands, wishing we hadn't done it? Hardly.
Our 81 percent vote to buy should not surprise
anyone following the unfortunate tale of California's
money-making water companies.
Can't
be serious Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005 - Letter
to the editor
To Cal Am: You have mismanaged the water system,
have not upgraded, have never missed a dividend
payment, have provided no new water, have not
dredged the present dam and you are in Europe.
What you are asking is to let you proceed as always
and raise the rates. You can't be serious!
Measure
W supporters chastise Cal Am poll Monterey Herald, October 23, 2005
The battle over Measure W has heated to the boiling
point since California American Water entered
the fray this month.
$14
for affordable water
Monterey Herald, October 21, 2005
Measure W is one of the rare instances on the
Monterey Peninsula where businessmen, citizens
and even environmentalists are coming together.
Cal Am's proposed rate increases, poor customer
service and embarrassing environmental record
mean we have to look at all reasonable alternatives
to their continued control of our water supply.
Cal
Am's puppet show Monterey Herald, October 20, 2005
It's interesting to see who's supporting Cal Am
in opposition to Measure W: Larry Foy, a former
Cal Am employee, and Paul Bruno, whose family-owned
company, Monterey Peninsula Engineering, has received
contracts from Cal Am worth hundreds of thousands
of dollars.
Misleading
ads Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
We've all heard Cal Am's constant radio ads on
Measure W. From our experience in Felton, the
ads are terribly misleading. Felton just passed
(by 75 percent) a bond to buy out Cal Am here.
Cal Am threw out wildly untrue statements, just
as they are doing in Monterey.
Big
step forward Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
Voting "YES" on Measure W is the first
step toward resolving Cal Am's gross mismanagement
of water delivery and charges.
Getting
answers Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
I have lived in Monterey for five years. I have
a lot of questions about water. From what I can
see, the people supporting Measure W want to give
me answers, and Cal Am is trying to stonewall
and keep me from getting answers.
Precious
resource Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
A broad cross-section of professional, business
and environmental leaders all endorse Measure
W as a prudent fiscal measure.
Afraid
of facts Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
Cal Am is proposing to increase our water rates
300 percent by 2010. This means a water bill of
$50 will be $150 in only five years.
Cal
Am poll Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
A current Cal Am-financed push poll designed to
defeat Measure W asks this question: If I knew
that many environmental organizations are against
Measure W and that it might damage the Carmel
River, would I still vote yes?
Can't
be serious Monterey Herald, October 24, 2005
To Cal Am: You have mismanaged the water system,
have not upgraded, have never missed a dividend
payment, have provided no new water, have not
dredged the present dam and you are in Europe.
What you are asking is to let you proceed as always
and raise the rates. You can't be serious!
Tough
to reach Cal Am Monterey Herald, October 19, 2005
I tried to call a local Cal Am manager to notify
him that I had received a (reimbursement) payment
we were waiting for. What a fiasco!
New water bureaucracy not needed Monterey Herald, October 18, 2005 - Editorial
The Monterey Peninsula needs a lot of things.
Affordable housing. Better schools. More water.
What it doesn't need is another water bureaucracy.
Turning
on the Tap: Is Water the Next Oil? Harvard Business School, October 17, 2005
Flush, shower, rinse, swallow—fumbling through
their first waking moments, most Americans are
probably too groggy to see competitive advantage
in their early morning routine.
Cal
Am plans to mislead Monterey Herald, Oct. 13, 2005
The lead article Tuesday gives prominent space
to California American Water spokeswoman Catherine
Bowie. Unfortunately, she writes misleadingly.
More
realistic numbers Monterey Herald, October 13, 2005
The sky-high numbers presented by Rick Heuer in
his Oct. 9 commentary against Measure W are preposterous.
Here are some more down-to-earth numbers on the
local public acquisition of Cal Am.
Right
question Monterey Herald, October 11, 2005
Measure W is the right question at the right time.
The right question because Measure W asks the
public for permission to only find the facts,
the process and costs of creating a public water
system. It is not a power grab to buy it.
Step
forward Monterey Herald, Oct. 11, 2005
Measure W is the prudent step forward to a solution
of our water problems. We are at a turning point
because Cal Am is asking to double its rates today
in order to pay for the Big Desal.
Letters
to the editor Monterey Herald, Oct. 10, 2005
Iwish to take a purely financial slant on the
water issue before the voters in November. It
is prudent to expect a cost of approximately $200
million for California American Water to build
a desal plant. If we factor in Cal Am's 10 percent
return on investment, this means they will make
a $20 million profit.
DO
WE NEED A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO TAKE OVER CAL AM? Monterey Herald, Oct. 9, 2005 - Commentary
A "cash cow" is an investment that produces
a lot of cash profits with very little money invested.
The Monterey Peninsula water system has been a
cash cow for California American Water for decades.
In
the end, it was a waste of coffee and muffins Monterey Herald, Oct. 8, 2005
California American Water officials recently made
what the Professor thought was a sincere effort
to smooth relations with The Herald and, through
it, the community.
W
is for Water Monterey County Weekly, Oct. 6, 2005
California American Water’s parent company
has a history of pollution, poor financial decision-making
and dismal customer service, according to a recent
report by Public Citizen, a national consumer
advocacy group that favors publicly-owned water
systems.
Taxpayer
group sues to clarify Measure W Monterey Herald, Oct. 6, 2005
A taxpayer group filed a lawsuit Wednesday that
could raise the stakes against Measure W, a Nov.
8 ballot initiative that asks voters if they want
to pay for investigating the possibility of a
public takeover of California American Water's
Monterey Peninsula water system.
Support
for Measure W Monterey Herald, Oct. 5, 2005 Letter to
the editor
Sheryl McKenzie (Letters Sept. 19) seems even
more upset than Bob McKenzie (Letters Sept. 14)
that the people might wish to gain information
about the implications of assuming public control
of delivering our public water to the users. But
she publishes a significant untruth.
SquidFry:
Come to Jesus Monterey County Weekly, Sept. 29, 2005
Squid knows what they say about opinions. But
still, Squid can’t help but feel bad that
Squid isn’t among the “opinion leaders”
invited to CALIFORNIA AMERICAN WATER’s private
dinner on Sept. 29 at LA PLAYA hotel.
Cal-Am
courts environmentalists: Some question company's
motive for dinner Monterey Herald, Sept. 28, 2005
In what some are calling a public relations power
play, California American Water has invited some
of the Monterey Peninsula's most influential environmentalists
for an intimate dinner and chat about water issues
at La Playa Hotel in Carmel.
Yes
on Measure W Monterey Herald, Sept. 27, 2005 - Letter to
the Editor
California American Water, the private company
that owns the local water system, has failed Monterey
Peninsula residents and businesses. Cal Am has
provided mediocre service for years. Now it wants
to double our rates by 2008, and triple them by
2010.
Explore
water options Monterey Herald, Sept. 25, 2005 - Letter to
the Editor
California American Water has been overcharging
and under-serving our community for decades. It
is beholden only to its foreign stockholders.
It's time we explored our options: Vote yes on
Measure W to study the cost of reclaiming local
control and autonomy over our most precious resource.
Water
concerns Monterey Herald, Sept. 24, 2005 - Letter
to the Editor
Bob McKenzie (Letters, Sept. 14) seems unwilling
to recognize that Measure W is the key concern
about water being brought before the people at
this time. It provides nothing more than a study
to determine how the people might regain local
control over their most crucial resource, water,
and the likely costs of doing so.
Locally
owned water Monterey Herald, Sept. 23, 2005 - Letter
to the Editor
Water is our basic human right. We are at risk
of it becoming too expensive if left in the hands
of a German for-profit company.
TV so good, it has to be public access Monterey Herald, September 23, 2005
With television's fall season upon us, it is a
good time to introduce the new shows viewers will
want to catch on public access channels.
Felton,
Peninsula systems shouldn't be merged, PUC says:
Action means immediate, drastic boost in water
rates of Santa Cruz Mountains town Monterey Herald, Sept. 13, 2005
The Monterey Peninsula's water rates may go up
considerably next year, but they won't include
subsidies to reduce the water rates in Felton.
. . The Public Utilities Commission has rejected
California American Water's application to merge
the two districts' rate structures, saying that
the consolidation would be an unfair subsidy at
the expense of Monterey-area customers and was
"almost universally opposed" by ratepayers
in each district.
Cal
Am shutoffs cause a stir: Residents not on company's
list say they weren't warned Monterey Herald, August 18, 2005
Sally Hoover bought a house and moved to Seaside
in 2003. She started receiving bills from a regional
water agency and water flowed when she turned
on her faucet, so she assumed all was well. .
. On Aug. 11, the water stopped.
Cal Am chief says desal stalled: Seaside: Testimony says plan is 16 months behind schedule
