Posted on 05/07/2007 3:02:02 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
GOP criticizes Pelosi's water project
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer 18 minutes ago
Republicans are accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) of including a provision in a water redevelopment bill that could benefit property her husband owns in San Francisco.
Aides to the San Francisco Democrat denied any connection, noting that the waterfront improvements were requested by the Port of San Francisco and the four rental properties in question are at least a mile away.
Republicans, who raised the issue more than two weeks after the bill passed the House, offered no evidence of benefit to Paul Pelosi's real estate holdings.
"I don't have any facts to say anything untoward has been done here," said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
"She should explain to the American people what the earmark is all about and convince people there's no financial benefit to her," he said.
John Hart, a spokesman for Sen. Tom Coburn (news, bio, voting record), R-Okla., said that "on its face it appears to be a conflict of interest."
Pelosi's project was part of the $15 billion Water Resources Development Act that passed the House April 19 by 394-25 and pays for hundreds of projects around the country.
Pelosi's measure would authorize $25 million to improve San Francisco port areas, and also would put some areas off limits to navigation so cruise ships could dock.
Her investor husband gets rental income from four buildings in a nearby commercial district.
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said that she added the projects to the bill at the request of the Port of San Francisco and that her husband's holdings were not a consideration. It's "speculative at best" that they would benefit, Hammill said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
little nancy p, now we know.
Give it a short period of time and it will be nothing more than an even greater reason to investigate the Republicans and their VRWC at work.
Nothing else to see here, lets just move along in a bipartisan manner and do the peoples work.
Those pesky Republicans are just relentless with their political lynching ways aren't they? /s
Okay as long has she says so, we have no reason to think that personal gain was in the works.
"Call off the dogs", it's just a coincidence.
Culture of corruption
DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO! SCREW YOU MS.P
One note I'll like to add, you will see American Water Works listed below. They are now owned by Germany. They had a pump failure during the Nor'Easter that hit us a few weeks ago. That pump failure contributed to a good percentage of NJ's flooding.
Azurix (www.azurix.com) - Parent Enron seeking to unload Azurix. Recently closed its European offices and initiated third round of layoffs. Azurix owns Wessex Water (UK) and Philips Utilities Management, an O&M contractor. Expanded web-based marketing on its Water2Water.com site to offer water treatment equipment, services and chemicals in addition to its established purpose of trading water and water rights. American States Water Company (www.aswater.com) - Reportedly on the auction block. Recently agreed to acquire Chaparral City Water Company in Arizona for $31.2 million. Parent of Southern California Water Company, O&M service provider American States Utility Services, and a power company. American Water Works Company (www.amwater.com) - Recently formed American Water Services Inc. after paying $30 million to buy out Anglian Water's shares of O&M contractor American-Anglian. Undertook $2 billion in acquisitions last year. Primary focus is ownership of utilities, including San Jose Water Corp., Citizens Utilities, National Enterprises Inc., and several former United Water utilities. California Water Service Group (www.calwater.com) - Parent of Cal Water, Washington Water Service Co., and CWS Utility Services, its O&M division. The company also sells electricity. Approval from the California PUC for the $63.5 million purchase of neighboring water utility Dominquez Services Corp., expected in early April, was postponed until later in the second quarter. Indianapolis Water Company (www.iwcr.com) - Provides water to the City of Indianapolis. Parent company NiSource also owns electric and natural gas utilities. Seeking O&M contracts. Kelda Group (UK) (www.keldagroup.com) - Bought Aquarion Company (www.aquarion.com), the parent of BHC and Aquarion Management Services, its O&M division. Philadelphia Suburban Corp. (www.suburbanwater.com) - The third largest investor-owned drinking water company in U.S., Philadelphia Suburban is in the midst of an aggressive acquisition spree, focusing mainly on small systems. Recently agreed to purchase its first wastewater company. Acquired Consumers Water last year. Vivendi (FR) owns 18% of Philadelphia Suburban. Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux (FR) (FR) (www.suez-lyonnaise-eaux.com) - Announced it will acquire all remaining common shares of United Water (www.unitedwater.com), the second largest owner and operator in U.S, and an aggressive competitor of O&M contracts (the transaction values all issued common shares at $1.36 billion). Recently merged all water activities (Lyonnaise des Eaux, Nalco and Degremont). Thames Water (UK) (www.thames-water.com) - The largest owner and operator in the UK, Thames is acquiring New Jersey-based E'Town Corp. (www.etownwater.com) which owns Elizabethtown Water Co. and Mt. Holly Water Co. Signed strategic alliance with Operations Management International, Inc. (OMI) to pursue O&M business in the U.S. and Canada. Vivendi Water (FR) (www.vivendi.com) - Announced major alliance with Vodafone (UK) to focus on telecommunications. Likely to spin off water division this year, analysts predict. Is the parent of O&M contractor U.S. Filter (www.usfilter.com) and Culligan (home filters and bottled water). Owns 18 percent of Philadelphia Suburban. U.S. Filter absorbed Professional Service Group (PSG) in 1999 and is the leading producer of water treatment equipment. Vivendi recently spun off Massachusetts-based environmental engineering consulting firm Metcalf & Eddy, which was once a part of Aqua Alliance along with PSG.
Her husband ‘’just happens’’ to own a big chunk of land which used to belong to the Federal Government (us taxpayers): Hunters Point Naval Shipyards.
Her protégé, Gavin Newsom, current Mayor of San Francisco, is trying to strike up a deal where the San Francisco 49ers will get that land and stay in the city, rather than moving to Santa Clara and building a new stadium down there.
But there seems to be some problem with the Naval shipyard being a Superfund cleanup site.
Stand by for developments as the blinkless wonder simultaneously cleans up corruption in Congress, and finds a way around this ‘’Inconvenient Truth.’’
Tidbit
” Typical liberal. Do as I say, not as I do. “
Californians should “Recall” that POS
Facts? Who needs freaking facts Jeb? The Rats don't! This type of info is exactly what they use against the Republicans to demand LOUDLY for a special prosecutor! Come on Jeb get a pair!
Just a coincidence can't we all just get along in harmony? /s
It troubles me wondering how people like this get elected by popular demand..
She takes care of her ‘friends’ in SF ?
$$$
I hope they go after her. Waiting...waiting...waiting... yawn.
bump
It’s time for the Pubbies to start filing ethic complaints like the Rats did with Gingrich , even before he took the speakership. Screw it,even if they are for little things.
Trouble is the GOP still can’t find it’s testicles.
—Water Resources Development Act—
Translation: Pig Trough Expansion Act.
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