HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.d.1) Request by Member Causey re SWRCB Volumetric Pricing of Wastewater Services Stakeholders Groupmeyers i nave
DATE:
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FROM
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January 4, 2013
CCCSD Board of Directors
Kenton L. Alm
Kenton L. Alm �• r' • /
Attorney at Law
kalm @meyersnave.com
RE: Authorization for Paul Causey to Represent CCCSD on the State
Water Resources Control Board Volumetric Pricing of Wastewater
Services Stakeholders Group
Background:
In May 2012, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) made a presentation to the
SWRCB recommending that the Board adopt rules or regulations requiring wastewater
agencies throughout the State to establish volumetric wastewater rates and charges for
residential customers. The purpose of this requirement was to enhance water conservation
and bring awareness to the public of current requirements for a 20% reduction in per capita
water consumption by 2020 across State.
At the conclusion of the NRDC presentation, CASA expressed serious concerns regarding
the appropriateness of this request and attempted to clarify the difficulties and
implementation issues associated with any change to volumetric pricing of wastewater for
residential customers. As a result the SWRCB directed that a stakeholders group be formed
and facilitated by an impartial third party to explore the issues surrounding this concept and
to determine if there were areas of common ground that could be recommended to the
Board regarding further actions on a potential change in rates and charges. Subsequently, a
group of stakeholders group of water and wastewater agencies, NRDC, environmental group
representatives was formed and began meeting in September 2012. In addition, NRDC
contracted with the Center for Public Policy in Sacramento as the facilitators for this effort.
The stakeholders group is composed of CASA representatives from East Bay MUD,
Sacramento Regional, Delta Diablo, LA San, NRDC, the California Urban Water Council,
the Pacific Institute, the City of Santa Maria, Mujeres de La Tierra. Mr. Causey has served as
an alternate to this group during the current meetings over the past several months. I
personally participated in the initial phases of the process to formulate CASA's position on
these issues and have continued to be involved in the process peripherally. I have received
numerous emails which reflect both Director Causey's positions and that of the other
wastewater agency representatives.
A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION OAKLAND LOS ANGELES SACRAMENTO SAN FRANCISCO SANTA ROSA FRESNO
To: CCCSD Board of Directors
From: Kenton L. Alm
Re: Authorization for Paul Causey to Represent CCCSD on the State Water Resources Control Board
Volumetric Pricing of Wastewater Services Stakeholders Group
Date: January 4, 2013
Page: 2
Director Causey has asked that he be allowed to indicate that he represents the District on
this stakeholders group as they prepare final conclusions and a report to the SWRCB on the
subject of volumetric charges for residential wastewater services. Director Causey has a long
and broad background in the establishment of rates and charges and has been directly
involved in the development and setting of both water and sewer rates throughout his career
at both cities and special districts in the Bay Area. The contributions to the CASA
stakeholder's group have been valued by the other participants. The positions Director
Causey has presented as a private consultant in this stakeholder process are, in my judgment,
consistent with the existing practice and continuing best interest of the District. His position
essentially has been to provide technical support for the proposition that state mandated
volumetric pricing would likely be an ineffective tool to address statewide water conservation
issues and would be both expensive and disruptive to many wastewater entities such as the
District.
Recommendation:
Authorize Director Causey to be the District's representative during his participation in this
stakeholder's group activities.
KLA:nt
2024330.1
A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION OAKLAND LOS ANGELES SACRAMENTO SAN FRANCISCO SANTA ROSA FRESNO