Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Southern California Category
Click here to view all posts

On Catalina, a tussle over Edison plant: Ratepayers fear a sale would boost costs, but their own bid for the facility is up in the air

Posted by: Maven on March 6, 2010 at 5:16 am

From the Los Angeles Times:

“Reporting from Avalon, Santa Catalina Island – Southern California Edison wants to sell its antiquated water and gas utility on the eastern edge of this quaint harbor community.

That plan has unleashed a torrent of anxiety among ratepayers, who fear that rates would increase sharply and that supplies might be jeopardized. They have organized a consortium to try to take over the operation before it can be sold to a Canadian company.

“If it is sold to an outside company, our rates will go so high we’ll all be forced to drink bottled water and quit bathing,” said Norris Bishton Jr., president and representative of the town’s Hamilton Cove Homeowners Assn. “Ain’t gonna happen. Island ratepayers will object to a sale.”

The power company, based across the water in Rosemead, is entertaining two prospective bids for the gas and water business, which Edison has valued at $35 million; one is from Corix Utilities Inc. of Richmond, a Vancouver suburb, and another comes from the consortium representing the island’s 1,800 ratepayers. Edison intends to continue providing the island’s electricity service.

Unloading Edison’s only nonelectric utility won’t be easy. … “

Read more from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.

March 6, 2010 · Filed Under Southern California

Comments

Leave a Reply