Press Release

PUC Tentatively Approves Sale of Emlenton Water to Aqua PA

Published on 12/18/2008

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today tentatively approved the sale of Emlenton Water Co. to Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.

The Commission voted unanimously to tentatively approve the agreement where Aqua will pay $475,000 for the water company that serves about 400 customers in Emlenton Borough and Richland Township in Venango County as well as Richland Township, Clarion County.

A boil water advisory was issued by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for Emlenton customers in April. In response to a joint application by DEP and the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the Commission ordered on Nov. 20, 2008, that an interim certified operator be designated to manage the system. Aqua was designated as the operator.

As part of the sales agreement, Aqua will:

• Apply its metered rates for its Marienville Division to Emlenton customers, meaning the bill for the average customer using 5,000 gallons a month will increase from $34.20 to $35.65 a month (4.24 percent). The rates for unmetered fire protection service will increase 55 percent from $144.22 to $233.54 a year for public fire protection and from $161.51 to $250.34 for private fire protection. The new rates will not be effective until the boil water advisory is lifted and the closing of the sale.
• Determine the total billing errors by Emlenton for the past four years and refund that amount to customers with interest. The money for the refunds will come from the proceeds of the sale.
• Escrow the remaining proceeds from the sale to cover any other Emlenton debts and to satisfy the outstanding formal complaints filed before the PUC. Any remaining funds would then be paid to Emlenton owners, Jeffery J. and Kathleen J. Foley.

Interested parties have 10 days from the entry of the Order to comment or request a hearing on the matter. If nothing is filed, the Order becomes final without further Commission action.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. A-2008-2074746

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