Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Adams, Tioga and Westmoreland Counties

Published on 12/19/2013

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reauthorized the telephone charge residents in Adams, Tioga and Westmoreland counties pay for their local 911 systems.

Adams County, a fifth-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line per month.  The county’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 101,407.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC, The United Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania LLC d/b/a CenturyLink, and various competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).

Tioga County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line per month.  The county’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 41,981.  The County is served by Commonwealth Telephone Co. d/b/a Frontier Communications Commonwealth, Verizon North LLC, Verizon Pennsylvania LLC, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania and various competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).

Westmoreland County, a third-class county, did not request a change to its current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line per month.  The county’s 911 service area has a population of approximately 365,169.  The County is served by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC, Verizon North LLC, Windstream Pennsylvania, LLC, Citizens Telephone Co. of Kecksburg, Laurel Highland Telephone Company, Yukon Waltz Telephone Co., and various competitive local exchange carriers (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 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 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; 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.

# # #

Docket Nos. M-2013-2389159; M-2013-2390238; M-2013-2388648

Contact:

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