PA Senators: Stop Predatory Water and Sewer Pricing!

Water bills in Pennsylvania are skyrocketing as corporations like Aqua PA and Pennsylvania American Water are taking over public water and sewer authorities.

In the past year, ratepayers have pushed back hard enough to stop some of these backroom deals. For now. But residents should not have to fight so hard. We need legislation that puts Pennsylvanians first, not corporate lobbyists — and the first step is repealing Act 12 of 2016, a law that encourages predatory water privatization.

Now, a bill, SB 866, has been introduced to repeal Act 12. Urge your state senator to oppose predatory rate hikes by supporting this critical legislation!

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Dear State Senator,

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Seven years ago, Pennsylvania passed Act 12 legislation that allows corporations like Aqua Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania American Water free rein to acquire municipal water and sewer systems. It’s been a disaster for Pennsylvanians and should be repealed. Please support SB 866 to Repeal of Act 12 of 2016.

The main impact of Act 12 has been to increase the profits of the water companies and tempt elected officials, leaving residents and businesses with hugely increased water and sewer bills. Act 12 allows these corporations to aggressively seek to buy municipal systems and pay top dollar for them. Sale negotiations with public officials take place behind closed doors, denying residents a chance to be heard, and NDA's are being signed to keep information about potential sales hidden from the public.

Early sales under Act 12 didn't draw much attention because people did not understand what was coming.  But now we do. Ratepayers who were promised a “rate freeze” have now experienced rate shock instead, and realize that their elected officials sold them out for some very expensive “free” money — money which they now have to pay back to the water corporation, along with corporate profits.

With water and sewer bills now skyrocketing, people are pushing back hard — but we should not have to fight so hard. We need legislation that puts Pennsylvanians first, not corporate lobbyists. We need legislation that protects residents and businesses from excessive rate hikes.

Several bills have been introduced to improve the Act 12 process. But they do not go far enough. We need a FULL repeal of Act 12 and a halt to the hostile takeover of publicly-owned water and wastewater systems in Pennsylvania.

I urge you to support SB 866 to Repeal of Act 12 of 2016. Please protect Pennsylvanians from unjust water and sewer rate hikes.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]