Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Delaware and Washington Counties

Published on 8/7/2008

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the telephone charge residents in Delaware and Washington counties must pay for their local 911 systems.

Delaware County, a second-class county, is not requesting any change in the current contribution rate of $1 per access line per month.  The county has a population of approximately 565,000.  Verizon Pennsylvania Inc. and various competitive local exchange carriers serve the county.

In addition, Washington County, a fourth-class county, is not requesting any change in the current rate of $1.25 per access line per month.  Washington County’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 205,738.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., Verizon North Inc., Marianna and Scenery Hill Telephone Company, Bentleyville Telephone Company, Windstream Inc., Armstrong Telephone Company, and various competitive local exchange carriers.

The Public Safety 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 assessing a fee on every telephone line.

Local phone companies collect the fee for the counties.  The maximum fee that can be collected per telephone line 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 PUC reviews the contribution 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 its 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, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket Nos.  M-00920374; M-00920354

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov