Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Public Comment for TA168-126 by Kathleen O'Brien

If this happens, give all the essential AWWU workers a raise and the vaccine. They are the reason we have water, and if I my utilities are raised by 5%, I want it done so that the every day plant worker, the drivers and boots on the ground are the ones seeing that money.

As a UAA staff member, I have received a 1% increase in pay in the last year. That is far surpassed by the 2% & 8% increases proposed by AWWU for their utility services. And I'm lucky to still have a job, employment, and good work during a Global Pandemic. 
There has been limited aid to any people out of work since the discontinuation of federal assistance, and I have friends who are struggling to make rent, let alone find another 5% to go toward their utilities. 
No where else have I lived (NY, MA) have I had such high costs for water and sewer, especially since they are a fixed rate in my neighborhood. And we are chained to these services, there are no alternatives. Install a private well? Use limited yard space to dig up for a septic? These are extraordinary costs and therefore most citizens of your jurisdiction are going to be saddled with taking 5% of the cost away from other necessities. 
It is deplorable that a utility which has offered shut-off moratoriums and other humanitarian services during this Global Pandemic, is now turning away and ignoring the needs of the people. An increase is not going to help make up costs, it's going to create defaults on payments. 
I urge the assembly to think humanitarianly. ~$60 a year per household may not seem like a lot to those sitting on the assembly, all who have exemplary education and financial security, but to the laymen it is the difference between gas or groceries every month. It already is that decision because the rate is so high. 
Personally, myself with a FT job as a FT grad student (set to graduate in May), after all my bills (mortgage, gas, electric, water & sewer, car insurance, phone, internet, fuel, groceries) I have ~$200 left over. And I'm a lucky and fortunate citizen. Imagine people who don't have the privilege of my education, the ability to get a relatively high paying job. 
I propose you cut rates by 5% until Anchorage is back on its feet after a devastating economic down turn. Think of your people. 


Cheers,
Kat O'Brien
8455214427

Type

Comments

Date Filed

1/5/2021

Tracking Number

TR2100045

Filed By

Kathleen O'Brien

Entities

Certificate(s)

Means Received

Internet

Related Matters

TA168-126	Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility - Wastewater - Revenue Requirement Study

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