Press Release

PUC Postpones Tomorrow’s Public Input Hearing in Shavertown for Proposed Aqua PA Rate Increase

Published on 3/1/2006

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has postponed the March 2^nd public input hearing in Shavertown, Luzerne County, to receive public comments on the proposed rate increase by Aqua Pennsylvania.  The public input hearing has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 9.

Administrative Law Judge Cynthia W. Fordham will conduct the hearing, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the following location:

March 9, 2006

Kingston Township Municipal Building

Supervisor’s Building

180 E. Center St., Shavertown

The Commission voted in December to suspend the company’s request for the increase pending an investigation to determine the fairness, reasonableness and justness of rates. The hearing is a part of that investigation. Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will base its decision in the case. The Commission has up to seven months from the rate request’s proposed Jan. 18, 2006 effective date to make a final decision at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

Aqua Pennsylvania is requesting to increase water rates by $38.8 million (14.4 percent) for its customers. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average customer would increase by about $5.44 a month. The increase would affect approximately 400,000 customers in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Delaware, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Luzerne, Mercer, Montgomery, Monroe, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Snyder, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Aqua Pennsylvania said the primary reason for the rate increase was the quarter billion dollars the company invested in capital improvements since its last rate request. The company also cited upgrades it has made to its treatment facilities required to meet federal Environmental Protection Agency standards and a new radio frequency metering system as reasons for the increase.

People with disabilities wishing to attend the hearing may make special arrangements by calling the scheduling office at the PUC at least two business days in advance. The number is (717) 787-1399. The AT&T Relay Service number for those who are deaf or hearing impaired is 1-800-654-5988.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition. For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us 

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Docket No:      R-00051030

Contact:

• Cyndi Page
  Sr. Communications Specialist
  717-214-5434
  cypage@pa.gov