Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Rate Increases than Requested for Pocono Waterworks – Water and Wastewater Divisions

Published on 1/15/2015

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved lower rate increases than requested by Pocono Waterworks – Water and Wastewater Divisions (Pocono).

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the two separate settlements, allowing the company to increase its water rates by $48,000 (41 percent) and its wastewater rates by $9,500 (32 percent). The company had originally requested an annual increase of $60,456 (52 percent) for its water rates and $14,446 (49 percent) for its wastewater rates. The settlements were approved following a motion by PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson to correct a minor discrepancy between the terms of the settlement and the Recommended Decision.

“This change is not a modification to the settlement and should not be viewed as such; rather, it corrects the Recommended Decision in order to conform to the terms of the settlement,” said Chairman Powelson in his motion.

Under the settlement, bills for average residential water customers living in the company’s Pine Grove Estates service area will change from quarterly to monthly, and will increase from $35.50 to $60.76 per quarter (71 percent, the sum of three monthly bills for comparison). Bills for average residential customers living outside that area will increase from $35.39 to $45.97 per month (30 percent).

As part of the second settlement, bills for average residential wastewater customers living in the Pine Grove Estates service area will change from quarterly to monthly, and would increase from $78 to $106.33 per quarter (36 percent). Bills for average residential customers living outside that area will increase from $26 to $35.44 (36 percent).

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.

###

Docket Nos. R-2014-2420204; R-2014-2420211

Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722