Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for the City of Allentown and Clearfield, Lancaster and McKean Counties

Published on 10/31/2013

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reauthorized the telephone charge residents in the City of Allentown and Clearfield, Lancaster and McKean Counties pay for their local 911 systems.

The City of Allentown did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line per month.  The city’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 118,030.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC and various competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).

Clearfield County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line per month.  Clearfield County’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 81,640.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC; Windstream Pennsylvania, LLC; and various CLECs.

Lancaster County, a third-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line per month.  Lancaster County’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 519,445.  The county is served by Windstream D&E Inc.; Verizon Pennsylvania LLC; Frontier Communications Commonwealth Telephone Co.; CenturyLink; Frontier Communications of Pennsylvania LLC; Windstream Conestoga Inc. and various CLECs.

McKean County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line per month.  McKean County’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 45,560.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC; Armstrong Telephone Co. – North, Frontier Communications – Oswayo River Inc. and various CLECs.

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 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 line per month 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 Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. 

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket numbers M-2013-2379455, M-2013-2381702, M-2013-2380843 and M-2013-2379978

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722