Q&A at the PUC

Some people may be wondering what sort of questions get asked at the “Public Hearings” of the PUC, so here is an example of one I asked and the response I was given:

Eastman Sewer Company, Inc.

DW 13-171

Responses to Geraldine Logan Set 1a

Data Request Received: 08/12/13 Date of Response: 09/12/13

Request No. Geraldine Logan 1a-6 Witness: Brian Harding

REQUEST: In PUC Order No. 24.368, of September 2, 2004 in the Settlement Agreement portion, paragraph 3 states “The Settlement calls for Eastman to begin, in 2004, a 10-year program of locating, inspecting and cleaning its sewer mains. Based on the bid Eastman received from vendors, Staff and Eastman agreed that Eastman would incur an annual expense of $15,000 for this project.” Further on in the same section it is stated “Eastman agreed to report annually on the work done on the project. Staff and Eastman also agreed that, if for any reason Eastman were to discontinue the project, it  would notify the Staff immediately.” Please supply copies of the annual reports to the PUC for locating, inspecting and cleaning the sewer mains? If this was not carried out, given the risk to any buyer and sewer users why would this inspection not be a pre-requisite and in the public interest before any sale?

RESPONSE(from Brian Harding): The Eastman Sewer Company takes very seriously its commitment to maintain the system. Since 2004, ESC has spent approximately $65,000 for cleaning and inspecting of the sewer mains. This effort has encompassed 24 separate days of work by contractors, in six different years. Attached is a list of maintenance items performed by independent contractors since March 2003, with the cleaning and inspection work highlighted. Copies of invoices and payments for all work shown are maintained with sewer company records. Note – this maintenance record does not include the extraordinary number of maintenance tasks performed by our licensed operator, Water System Operators, as part of the annual contract. It also does not include any capital-related work performed.

MY COMMENT TO THIS: “ESC takes very seriously its commitment to maintain the system” however this does not include submitting any reports to the PUC, nor notifying PUC Staff if they weren’t doing it, nor do they have in their possession the reports and videos that were done. They agreed with the PUC to expend $15,000 per year for 10 years( $150,000). They spent $65,000 so what happened to the other $85,000? They declined to answer the last question as to how it was in the public interest and safe-guarded our lake to Not do this work. This also begs the question of what kind of oversight does the public get from the PUC?