John,
Aqua Pennsylvania is trying to buy up publicly-owned water systems across
the state. And if it is successful, water bills in Chester, Philly,
Pittsburgh, and beyond could go up by hundreds of dollars.
Legislation was just introduced in the General Assembly that would stop
Aqua in its tracks. To help make sure this bill gets passed, we’re
partnering up with local PA groups to hand-deliver our petition to your
representatives in Harrisburg in 10 days.
But your signature is missing, John.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition now to demand that state lawmakers pass HB 1936 to
stop corporate water profiteers from jacking up PA’s water prices.
In Solidarity,
Lacey
P.S. See below for the email I sent last week with more information about
the campaign.
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If corporate water profiteer Aqua Pennsylvania buys your local water
system, you could see your water bill go up by 59%.
Act now to stop the hostile corporate takeover of Pennsylvania’s water.
[ [link removed] ] Sign the petition
John,
Right now, Aqua Pennsylvania is using the full force of its corporate
power to attempt a hostile takeover of the non-profit, publicly-owned
Chester Water Authority (CWA).
If Aqua’s takeover attempt is successful, the people served by CWA would
likely see their annual water bill go up by hundreds of dollars. And they
wouldn’t be the only ones to suffer.
We've been told that after its attack on CWA, Aqua is planning on going
after Philadelphia’s and Pittsburgh’s public water systems. Then who knows
what community will be next.
But there is hope. Just last week, a bill was introduced in the PA General
Assembly that would stop hostile corporate takeovers of public water and
wastewater systems. Together we can get this bill passed.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition demanding that the General Assembly pass HB 1936 now.
In 2016, state lawmakers passed Act 12, which gave private companies the
ability to buy up public water and wastewater systems that aren’t in
financial or operational distress. The legislation also made it possible
for private companies to put in offers that are way more than the systems
are actually worth.
As a result, every public water and wastewater system in Pennsylvania is
now vulnerable to a corporate takeover. But especially those in cities and
municipalities that are struggling financially.
If a city is in financial trouble -- as many are after spending nearly two
years in a pandemic -- it is very tempting for city leaders to accept a
high dollar bid for its water system. But while such a sale would allow
the city government to pay off its debts, city residents would wind up
paying the price with ridiculously high water bills.
[ [link removed] ]Act now to stop corporate water profiteers from jacking up PA’s water
prices.
The bi-partisan bill introduced in the General Assembly last week -- HB
1936 -- would amend Act 12 to say that a public water or wastewater
utility cannot be bought by a private company unless it is in financial or
operational distress.
If this bill passes, it would protect CWA, Philadelphia’s and Pittsburgh’s
public water systems, and all of the other well-functioning public water
and wastewater systems across the state.
But Aqua has bought itself a lot of influence in the General Assembly. If
we want to get this bill passed, Pennsylvanians like you across the state
need to speak out and show your state representatives that you will not
tolerate the corporate takeover of your water supply.
Together we can save Pennsylvania’s public water.
[ [link removed] ] Sign the petition
Thanks for all that you do,
Lacey and the team at SumOfUs
More information:
[ [link removed] ]Timeline of the Attempted Hostile Takeover, Save CWA
[ [link removed] ]Comparing Drop to Drop, Chester Water Authority
[ [link removed] ]Water Privatization Facts & Figures, Food & Water Watch, August, 2,
2015.
[ [link removed] ]House Bill 1936 Pennsylvania General Assembly, September 29, 2021.
SumOfUs is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.
Please help keep SumOfUs strong by chipping in $3. [link removed]
