SierraScape September 2013 - February 2014
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by Caroline Pufalt
Conservation Chair
Missouri Chapter

Two hundred people packed the hearing room at St Louis City Hall on July 2nd to debate a city contract that would pay Paris-based multinational Veolia to advise the City water department. The contract would give Veolia considerable control over and decision making authority in the Department. While the proposal is not classic privatization, many of the citizen concerns expressed at the hearing touched on loss of control over a public resource. Financial issues also came up with the cost of the contract and revelation that it included no bid sub contracting. Many comments focused on the reliability, or lack of it, of Veolia Inc. Veolia has a less than stellar record in environmental compliance in its water and waste treatment facilities in the US and abroad.

Thanks to the many Sierrans who came to the hearing and especially to those who patiently waited to comment during the 3 hour plus event. John Hickey, MO Sierra Club chapter director spoke at the hearing on behalf of the club. The overwhelming majority of comments were against the proposal. In fact it seemed the only pro Veolia comments came from people employed by Veolia!

At this writing the decision making process still rests with the Board of Estimate and Apportionment ( E&A) which meets monthly. E&A members are president of Board of Aldermen, the Mayor, and city Comptroller. Unfortunately there is likely only 24 hour notice of placement on that agenda. To learn the latest about Veolia issue and how you can help, contact Caroline at cpufalt@sbcglobal.net