Plaintiffs make Post-Trial Brief in Pioneer Challenge

In what’s likely to be their final word to the judge who will decide, the lawyers for the plaintiffs are asking the Hon. Lawton McIntosh to rule that the Pioneer treatment plant project violates the law and that Pioneer Rural Water be ordered not to proceed. The last sentence in a 27-page brief reads: “If Pioneer wishes to start over, that would be for another day.” Once McIntosh has time to consider the briefs from both sides, he’ll make his ruling in the case that went before him the last week of August. Seneca and other plaintiffs are contending that the undisputed evidence is that construction and operation of the WTP (the water treatment plant) would increase the ratepayers’ rates by at least 58% and likely upwards of 68% once Pioneer includes its typical price markup of between 9% and 10%.”