Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Rate Increase Than Requested for the City of Bethlehem

Published on 7/9/2014

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement for a lower rate increase than requested by the City of Bethlehem for customers living outside of the city limits who receive water from the city.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement for an annual increase of $350,000 (4.7 percent). The city’s original proposal was for an increase of $1,119,726 (15 percent). The settlement was reached between the City of Bethlehem – Bureau of Water, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement, the Office of Consumer Advocate and the Office of Small Business Advocate.

Under the settlement, the average annual residential bill for customers using 14,000 gallons per quarter would increase from $80.27 to $84.47 (5.2 percent) per quarter. Under the city’s original proposal, the bill would have increased to $95.04 (18.4 percent) per quarter.

The rate increase affects approximately 13,000 residential customers outside of the city, in portions of Salisbury, Upper Saucon and Hanover townships; the Borough of Fountain Hill in Lehigh County; Lower Saucon, Bethlehem, Hanover, East Allen and Allen townships; and the Borough of Freemansburg in Northampton County.

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 http://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-2013-2390244

Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722