Press Release

PUC Schedules Telephonic Public Input Hearing in PA American Water Co. Rate Increase Request

Published on 8/21/2009

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a telephonic hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water Co. (PAWC).

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Cynthia W. Fordham will conduct the telephonic hearing at:

2 p.m. Sept. 3, 2009

Pre-registration is required for the telephonic public input hearing. Consumers wishing to testify at the telephonic public input hearing must contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) before 5 p.m. Sept. 1, 2009.

Consumers will be asked to provide a name, telephone number and the topic of the testimony.  The OCA may be reached toll free at 1-800-684-6560.  Any persons that have not contacted the Office of Consumer Advocate by Sept. 1, 2009, will not be able to participate in the telephonic public input hearings. Consumers will testify in the order they signed up.

The telephonic hearing is in addition to the nine previously scheduled in-person public input hearings in the case. Six of those hearings already have been held. The three remaining previously scheduled hearings will be conducted at:

6 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009 (ALJ Katrina Dunderdale will be presiding)

Days Inn Conference Center

139 Pittsburgh Road

Butler, PA 16001

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009 (ALJ Mark Hoyer will be presiding)

Washington County Agricultural Fair, Hall 4

2151 North Main Street

Washington, PA 15301

On June 18, 2009, the PUC voted to investigate the PAWC proposal for a $58,062,930 (12.5 percent) annual rate increase. It is suspended for up to seven months until January 23, 2010, and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

The company provides water service to approximately 635,000 customers in portions of Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Center, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Luzerne, McKean, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Union, Washington, Warren, Wayne, and York counties.

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 issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket no. R-2009-2097323

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722