Hudson Valley Coronavirus: SUEZ Seeks To Postpone Water Rate Hike

PEARL RIVER, NY — SUEZ has asked the New York State Public Service Commission to postpone its proposed rate increase to Oct. 1. Officials at the utility said it was an effort to ease the financial hardship to its customers caused by the global new coronavirus pandemic.

The plan applies to SUEZ’s 500,000 customers in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange and Tioga counties.

SUEZ’ current rate case was proposed in January. If adopted by the NYSPSC, it would establish a new rate plan for the company’s water services for four years beginning on June 1.

"The health and wellbeing of our customers and the continuity of our water service are our top priorities,” Chris Graziano, vice president and general manager of SUEZ New York operations, said in a statement. "We activated our preparedness plan several weeks ago and we’re following guidance from our local, state and federal agencies, including the CDC and other health organizations. We are hopeful that the Public Service Commission will delay this rate increase in order to help customers who are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 crisis."

According to Rockland County lawmakers, who oppose the rate increase, SUEZ is seeking a levelized rate increase of 10 percent in year one; 9.1 percent in year two; 8.3 percent in year three; and 7.1 percent in year four. A current $100 per month water bill would increase to $139.20 per month in year four under the company’s requested rate hike.

"The proposal fails on multiple levels and would hit Suez’s Rockland customers with devasting increases,” Legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe said March 11. "It cannot be approved in its current form and I urge Acting PSC Secretary Michelle L. Phillips to reject it and to listen to the concerns being voiced by the many, many people who have been fighting for a smarter water service."

Rockland Legislator Harriet Cornell said that the joint proposal also lacked meaningful water conservation. She said the company should at least be required to develop and implement a program of irrigation audits for customers with in-ground systems and very high summer usage; to work with the Rockland County Health Department to develop a drought water bill rate, which would kick in with the second level of declared drought; and to coordinate drought messages with the County in order to reach as many water users as possible leading into and during a declared drought.

"Rockland ratepayers already have the unhappy distinction of paying among the highest rates in New York State, which would only be exacerbated by the proposed rate hike," she said.

SUEZ officials said the proposed rate filing includes $440 million to make substantial improvements to infrastructure that will improve water quality, service reliability, security and to meet changing regulations.

The plan also includes a request that the company’s customers in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange and Tioga counties be merged under one company called Suez Water New York.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, company officials announced SUEZ will not shut off service to any customers for the duration of the crisis.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency earlier this month and issued a “New York on Pause” Executive Order on March 20 that requires all non-essential businesses statewide to suspend in-office personnel functions and bans all non-essential gatherings of people of any size for any reason. Consequently, many people in the service territory may be temporarily furloughed or operating on a reduced work schedule.

SUEZ offices are closed to the public and customers who pay their bills in person at SUEZ offices must now pay their bills online, by mail, by phone or at third party payment centers.