Press Release

PUC Approves Rate Change Requests by Ten Water and Five Wastewater Divisions of Pennsylvania American Water Co.

Published on 12/19/2013

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to approve a lower rate increase in annual rates than requested by Pennsylvania American Water Co. (PAWC).

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a joint settlement to increase annual rates by $26 million (4.5 percent). 

Chairman Robert F. Powelson issued a statement. The company had originally requested an increase in annual rates of $58.6 million (10.1 percent).  The settlement was reached among the PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the state’s Office of Small Business Advocate, the Commission on Economic Opportunity, the Pennsylvania American Water Large Users Group and the company.

Water Customers

As part of the settlement, the total monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 3,960 gallons a month would change as follows:

• Main Division Customers – Increase from $52.52 to $55.45 (5.58 percent)
• Nittany Area Customers – Increase from $23.84 to $32.69 (37.12 percent)
• Sutton Hills Area – Increase from $31.21 to $43.12 (18.84 percent)
• Lake Spangenberg Area – Increase $47.07 to $55.45 (17.8 percent)
• All Seasons Area – Increase from $27.50 to $41.87 (52.25 percent)
• Balsinger Area – Increase from $28.40 to $39.55 (39.26 percent)
• Springfield Area – Increase from $46.22 to $55.45 (19.97 percent)
• Olwen Heights – Increase from $44.10 to $55.45 (25.74 percent).

Wastewater Customers

As part of the settlement, the total monthly bill for a typical residential customer would change as follows:

• Clarion Area – Increase to $47.63 (36.9 percent)

• Pocono Area – Decrease to $47.63 (-6.6 percent)
• Northeast Systems – No change from $58.50
• Claysville Area – Decrease to $58.50 (-36.0 percent)
• Coatesville Area – Decrease to $58.50 (-13.3 percent)

The company provides water and wastewater service to approximately 2.2 million residential customers across 35 counties.

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

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 No. R-2013-2355276

Contact:

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