Press Release

PUC Schedules July “Smart Hearings” for Public Input on Suez Water Rate Increase Request

Published on 6/20/2018

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two mid-July “Smart Hearings” to gather public comments on the rate increase request filed by Suez Water Pennsylvania, Inc. (Suez Water).

Suez Water Smart Hearings
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Commonwealth Keystone Building
Hearing Room 1
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA  17120
 

These public input hearings will be conducted by Administrative Law Judge David A. Salapa.

The Smart Hearings will be broadcast live on the PUC website and will enable residents throughout the Suez Water service territory – which includes approximately 60,400 customers in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, Columbia, Luzerne, Wyoming and Schuylkill counties – to see and hear the public comment testimony being offered, without the need to attend the hearings in person.

Participation in the Smart Hearings may be in person (at the Harrisburg hearing site) or by telephone (from any location).

Attendance in person requires no prior action. Interested individuals can simply show up, sign in and offer their comments.

Individuals wishing to testify by telephone must contact the Office of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ) at 717-787-1399 no later than Friday, July 6, 2018, at 4:30 p.m., to provide your name, telephone number, and the topic of your testimony. 

For individuals with special needs, the OALJ may be able to make reasonable accommodations.  Please call 717-787-1399 at least three business days prior to the hearing to submit your request for any accommodations. 

Hamilton Relay Service is available for those who are hearing-impaired by calling 1-800-654-5988.

The Smart Hearings will be live-streamed on the Commission’s website (www.puc.pa.gov/about_puc/live_streaming_video.aspx). Those interested in testifying by telephone do not need to have access to the live-streaming event to offer their comments. Witnesses may choose to have their comments not included in the live-stream, if they so desire.
 

Suez Water Rate Increase Request

The Suez Water request, filed on April 30, 2018, would increase annual operating revenues by approximately $6.2 million (13.2 percent).  Under the Suez Water proposal, the total bill for a residential customer using an average of 3,500 gallons of water per month would increase from $43.94 to $48.85 (11.2 percent).

A final decision by the Commission regarding the Suez Water request is due by January 29, 2019.
 

Offering Comment at a Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend the public input hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC and the Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies if you are attending an in-person public input hearing.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the presiding Administrative Law Judge, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.
   

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

# # #

Docket Nos.:
R-2018-3000834
C-2018-3001786
C-2018-3002132

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov