Press Release

PUC Schedules Five Public Input Hearings in Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. Rate Increase Request

Published on 2/21/2012

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled five hearings to receive public comment on the proposed rate changes by Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.

Administrative law judges (ALJs) Darlene D. Heep and Angela T. Jones will conduct the hearings at:

1 p.m., Thursday, March 1, 2012

Radnor Township Administration Building

Radnorshire Room

301 Iven Ave.

Wayne, PA  19087

7 p.m., Monday, March 5, 2012

East Goshen Township Building

1580 Paoli Pike

West Chester, PA  19380

7 p.m., Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Hatboro Borough Loller Building

414 South York Road

Hatboro, PA  19040

7 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2012

Kingston Township Municipal Building

180 East Center St.

Shavertown, PA  18708-1514

(PLEASE PARK ON UPPER LEVEL)

In addition to the above in-person hearings, the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing at 10 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2012.  If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, you must contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) by Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, to provide your name, telephone number and the topic of your testimony. You may call the OCA toll free at 1-800-684-6560.  Consumer signing up to testify telephonically will receive additional instructions from OCA.

On Jan. 12, 2012, the Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Aqua’s request for an annual increase of revenues of $38.6 million (9.4 percent). The request is suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for a recommended decision or settlement.  Aqua PA presently serves over 404,000 customers in portions of 27 counties. Under the company’s proposal, the average residential customer residing in the Main Division using 4,000 gallons per month would see a monthly increase of $5.08 from $52.86 to $57.94.

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

§  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 hearing.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

§  Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

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. R-2011-2267958; C-2011-2277105; C-2011-2277112; C-2011-2277113;C-2011-2277115; C-2011-2277119; C-2011-2279111; C-2011-2279472; C-2011-2279475; C-2011-2279476; C-2011-2279485; C-2011-2279562; C-2011-2279566; C-2011-2279703; C-2011-2280616; C-2011-2281336; C-2012-2282626; C-2012-2285539; C-2012-2285789; C-2012-2286276

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722