Press Release

PUC Announces Telephonic Public Input Hearings in Little Washington Wastewater Co. Rate Increase Request

Published on 4/12/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a telephonic public input hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by Little Washington Wastewater Co.

Administrative Law Judge Marlane R. Chestnut will conduct the hearing at 3 p.m. April 25, 2007. Consumers who wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing must contact the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) by 5 p.m. April 19, 2007, to register. Consumers will be asked to provide their name, telephone number and the topic of their testimony. OCA can be reached toll free at 1-800-684-6560. Consumers will testify at the 3 p.m. hearing in the order that they registered with OCA.

On Jan. 18, 2007, Little Washington filed a rate increase request.  On March 1, 2007, the Commission voted to assign the proposals to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement.  PUC Commissioners will then make a final decision by Oct. 21, 2007, at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

According to the company, the increase is necessary to continue to meet the needs of customers, the requirements mandated by governmental authorities and to recover the costs of the company’s investment.

Little Washington Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $168,407 (57 percent) for its Little Washington Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 36,000 gallons of water would increase about $484, from $644 to $1,128. The increase would affect about 345 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Peddlers View Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $59,165 (45 percent) for its Peddlers View Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 60,000 gallons of water would increase about $273, from $612 to $885. The increase would affect about 214 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Media Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $64,969 (4 percent) for its Media Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 48,000 gallons of water would increase about $23, from $192 to $215. The increase would affect about 2,049 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. 

Chesterdale/Willistown Woods Division

The company is requesting an increase of about $62,175 (14 percent) for its Chesterdale/Willistown Woods Division. Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 36,000 gallons of water would increase about $74, from $526 to $600. The increase would affect about 819 customers in Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties

Members of the public are welcome to call in for the telephonic hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will base its decision in the case.  The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents residential customers in rate cases, offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• The judge will call witnesses to speak in the order they have registered with the OCA.
• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it’s not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Your testimony will not become part of the record in the case unless you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is truthful.
• Plan to be questioned.  Sometimes, parties in the case may want to ask you a question about something you said.  Listen to the whole question.  Answer as best you can.  It’s OK if you don’t know the answer.

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-00012074; R-00072073; R-00072090; R-00072075

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722