Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Wayne, McKean and Bucks Counties

Published on 12/2/2010

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reauthorized the telephone charge residents in Wayne, McKean and Bucks counties pay for their local 911 system.

Wayne County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1.50 per telephone line per month.  Wayne County’s 911 service area has a population of 47,722.  The county is served by Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., Verizon North Retained Inc., the Hancock Telephone Co., The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Co., South Canaan Telephone Co., Deposit Telephone Co., and various competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).

McKean County, a sixth-class county, did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1.25 per telephone line per month.  McKean County’s 911 service area has a population of 45,936.  The county is served Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., Armstrong Telephone Co. – North, Frontier Communications – Oswayo River Inc. and various CLECs.

Bucks County, a second-class A county, did not request a change in the current contribution rate of $1.00 per telephone line per month.  Bucks County’s 911 service area has a population of about 650,000.  The county is served Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., Frontier Communications Commonwealth Telephone Co. and various CLECs.

The Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act of 1990 provides for a statewide 911 emergency communication system to be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).  The law allows the counties to recover the cost for 911 systems by accessing a fee on every telephone line.

Local phone companies collect the fee for the counties.  Under the Act, the maximum fee that can be collected per telephone line per month is $1 for first-and second-class counties; $1.25 for third- through fifth-class counties; and $1.50 for sixth- through eighth-class counties. 

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket Nos. M-2010-2197842; M-2010-2198946; M-2010-2201359

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722