Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings in a Montgomery County Water Rate Increase Request

Published on 6/7/2007

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by Audubon Water Co., Montgomery County.

Administrative Law Judge Ky Van Nguyen will conduct the hearing at:

            7 p.m. June 14, 2007

            Lower Providence Township Building

            100 Parkland Drive

            Eagleville, PA  19403

 On March 5, 2007, Audubon filed a rate increase request for about $477,975 (28.7 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the annual bill for an average residential customer using 60,000 gallons of water would increase about $108, from $381 to $489. The increase would affect about 3,015 customers in Lower Providence Township.

The public input hearing is a part of a Commission investigation into the proposal. The Commission has until Dec. 5, 2007, to make a final decision at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

According to the company, the increase is necessary to restore the company’s rate of return and net operating income to a more reasonable level, to recover a return on and a return of the company’s increased of investments in the water plan that have occurred or will occur on a pro forma basis since its prior rate case filing in 2002.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the 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:

• Come early.  Try to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before the hearing.
• Sign in to testify when you arrive.  The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they have signed in.
• 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.
• Bring copies.  If you have a written statement or have other papers you want to give the judge as evidence, please bring copies with you.  Bring an original, two copies for the court reporter and several copies for active participants in the case.
• 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, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.:  R-00072100

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722