Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Bucks, Clearfield Counties, City of Allentown

Published on 10/11/2007

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reauthorized the telephone charge residents in Bucks and Clearfield counties as well as the City of Allentown pay for their local 911 system.

Bucks County, a second-class A county, did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1 per telephone line. Bucks County’s 911 service area has a population of about 600,000. Telephone companies provide service for more than 365,341 telephone access lines in the county. Verizon PA Inc.; Commonwealth Telephone Co.; and various competitive local exchange carriers serve the county.

Clearfield County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line. The county accepted responsibility for the 911 services for the City of DuBois, which maintains a contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line. Clearfield County’s 911 service area has a population of about 83,382. Telephone companies provide service for more than 35,990 telephone access lines in the county. Verizon PA Inc.; Windstream PA Inc.; and various competitive local exchange carriers serve the county.

The City of Allentown did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line. The city’s 911 service area has a population of about 106,632. Telephone companies provide service for more than 67,885 telephone access lines in the county. Verizon PA Inc. and various competitive local exchange carriers serve the county.

The Public Emergency Telephone Act of 1990 provides for a statewide 911 emergency communication system to be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The law allows the counties to recover the cost for 911 systems by accessing a fee on every telephone line.

Local phone companies collect the fee for the counties. Under the Act, the maximum fee that can be collected per telephone is $1 for first– and second-class counties; $1.25 for third- through fifth-class counties; and $1.50 for sixth through eighth-class counties. The maximum fee that can be collected by the City of Allentown is $1.25 per access line.

The PUC reviews the contributions rates to make sure they do not exceed the allowable amount. The PUC then forwards a decision to PEMA. The PUC has 90 days to submit it recommendation to PEMA as to whether a proposed contribution rate should be approved or modified. The plan and the surcharge are effective from the date of the PUC order for a period of three years.

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 Nos. M-00920318; M-00930454; M-00920315

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722