Press Release

PUC Approves Agreement for a Butler County Wastewater Company Rate Increase

Published on 3/1/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved an agreement for a rate increase requested by Timberlee Valley Sanitation Co. of Butler County.

Under the settlement, Timberlee will raise rates by about $14,400 (57 percent). The bill for an average residential customer will increase from $420 a year to $660 a year, according to the settlement.

The settlement was reached between the company, the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the state’s Office of Small Business Advocate and the Commission’s Office of Trial Staff. The terms of the settlement also included that the company will insure all current customers are billed for calendar year 2006 and, on a prospective basis, bill every customer and/or residence connected to the system. The company cannot file another rate increase with the Commission for 18 months.

The increase affects about 60 customers in Connoquenessing and Lancaster townships, Butler County.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. R-00061691

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