Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Allegheny, Clinton Counties

Published on 6/21/2012

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG­ - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reauthorized the telephone charge residents of Allegheny and Clinton counties pay for their local 911 systems.

Allegheny County is classified as a second-class county, and the 911 service area has a population of more than 1,223,345.  No change was requested of the current contribution rate of $1 per telephone line. Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania, Armstrong Telephone Co., Windstream Pennsylvania, LLC, and various competitive local exchange carriers serve the county.

Clinton County is classified as a second-class county, and the 911 service area has a population of about 5,085.  No change was requested of the current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line. Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., .United Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania LLC d/b/a CenturyLink, Sugar Valley Telephone Co., Pennsylvania, 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. 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 website at www.puc.pa.gov.

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Docket Nos. M-2012-2297151; M-2012-2299426

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722