Obviously, the Kentucky American theft of the BWSC idea is for greater control of water distribution in all of central Kentucky, and for their profit margin at ratepayers' expense.
An independent water consultant, working for neither of the two water producers, calculated the estimated extra ratepayers' cost for the Kentucky American plan compared to the LWC plan at $176 million or more.
Louisville Water Company's late entry into this battle was precipitated by a small group of unpaid, conscientious citizens' criticism of Kentucky American's project. They sought, with openness and honesty, an alternative to the excessive expense and environmental damage that the Kentucky American proposal presented.
One of these critics' other successes is the Frankfort Water Board's opting for their supply from Louisville Water and many local legislators' criticism of the Owen County proposal. Another is the expansion of time for public involvement.
You should share the critics' wisdom with your readers as opposed to the fraudulent "Central Kentucky Solution." Louisville Water can actually provide far more water than the Kentucky American plant can produce at a far cheaper price and is actually feasible on a timely basis before critical dates. Kentucky American simply lies too frequently for their benefit.
Documents could include alternatives to both proposals, but the Central Kentucky Solution was secretly railroaded. One idea is that the work on Kentucky River's dams above Pool 9, Lexington's primary supply source currently, is needed and has been neglected. The cost of that work, including crest gates for Dams 9 or 10 is critical, instead of taxpayer funds being used to raise Pool 3 and future expansion costs unrevealed by Kentucky American.
Why unrevealed? Obviously, it would make their case look worse than what I have already stated. And, Louisville Water has been far more honest and accurate in documents submitted to the Public Service Commission, as well as in public speaking
I recently sat through almost all of three days of public hearings in Frankfort at the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), even more than Nick Rowe did. It was clear that Kentucky American Water, through their consultants, attorneys and staff, did what is simply called "messing the barnyard."
The analogy is that Kentucky American Water Company fed their cows diuretics and laxatives, then put them in far too small a lot to prove that their pen was clean.
The truth for all your readers is that the poor planning, waste and spending by the Kentucky River Authority, Bluegrass Water Supply Commission and, especially, Kentucky American's current Central Kentucky Solution is not what Nick Rowe claims in his editorial!
The poor planning, waste of time and money and the excessive cost will not only be seen in crest gates in the wrong pool, or the pipeline through pristine farmland in Scott and Franklin counties, and the probable future Kentucky American drought solution expense with another pipeline and support system to the Ohio River through Owen and Carroll counties? Most importantly, our water rates will be extremely high because of the higher price Kentucky American gets with their corporation's purchase by another international conglomerate.
Then your price for water distribution really will go up!
Remember the PSC barnyard mess of the Kentucky American hierarchy. Remember that mistakes are not better because they are eight or 20 years old, and they are better with corrupt, special-interest mindsets.
Don Pratt of Lexington is a longtime citizen activist. Readers may e-mail him at dbp91044@gmail.com.
