Press Release

PUC to Investigate Requests for Rate Increases by Pocono Waterworks

Published on 7/24/2014

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate requests from Pocono Waterworks (Pocono) for a 52 percent annual rate increase for its water service and a 49 percent annual rate increase for its wastewater service.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the requests for up to seven months. Both requests are suspended and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for a recommended decision. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the PUC’s website. The Commission must issue a final decision by March 4, 2015.

Under Pocono’s proposal, bills for average residential water customers living in the company’s Pine Grove Estates service area would change from quarterly to monthly, and would increase from $35.50 to $67.34 per quarter (90 percent, the sum of three monthly bills for comparison). Bills for average residential customers living outside that area would increase from $35.39 to $48.87 per month (38 percent). The proposed increases would raise the company’s overall annual water revenue by $60,456 (52 percent).

Pocono’s second proposal would increase overall annual revenue from its wastewater customers by $14,466 (49 percent). Bills for average residential wastewater customers would change from quarterly to monthly, and would increase from $78.00 to $119.82 per quarter (90 percent, the sum of three monthly bills for comparison).

Pocono provides service to 313 water customers and 92 wastewater customers in the Township of Damascus and portions of Salem and Lake Townships, Wayne County; and portions of Jefferson Township, Lackawanna 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 Nos. R-2014-2420204, R-2014-2420211, C-2014-2431197, C-2014-2431218

Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722