Will sewer fees push some out? (Clean Water Act to cost Omaha 1,000s of jobs?)

[Omaha Steve]

I haven't been around much since Thursday. I'll be back to a regular posting rate tomorrow.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110213/NEWS01/702139890#will-sewer-fees-push-some-out

Published Sunday February 13, 2011
Will sewer fees push some out?

By Paul Hammel
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

ONLY IN THE WORLD-HERALD
LINCOLN — Some of Omaha's largest industries say they are considering job layoffs or moving because of rising sewer rates associated with a massive renovation of the city's sewer system.

Sewer fees could double over five years for companies such as Kellogg's, Roberts Dairy, Greater Omaha Packing Co. and the James Skinner Baking Co. as the city implements a plan to finance the federally mandated $1.7 billion project.

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20110213&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=702139890&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275
Work on the Omaha sewer separation project. Some companies say they may have to leave the city because of rising rates associated with the renovation.


The companies, which constitute the largest water users in Omaha, say they have been unfairly burdened with an inordinate portion of the cost, even though their use and discharge of water is unrelated to the cause of the sewer woes: runoff from thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

“We're not averse to paying our fair share, but it's definitely not 10 companies' problem. There's absolutely no correlation between water usage and stormwater runoff,” said Audie Keaton, president of Skinner Baking.

Keaton said the company, which employs 400 people, is considering relocating to Iowa, Wisconsin or New York state.

Skinner and nine other companies have formed a coalition, hired a lobbyist and are pushing alternatives in the Legislature. In searching for a solution, they have met with Gov. Dave Heineman and Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle.

FULL story at link.

[ananda]

1. I have always hated the privatization of utilities.

What a scam!