Press Release

PUC Approved Tentative Implementation Order Addressing Valuation of Municipal or Authority-Owned Water and Wastewater Systems Acquired by Investor-Owned Utilities; Seeks Public Comment

Published on 7/21/2016

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today adopted a Tentative Implementation Order that addresses amendments to Chapter 13 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code (Code), which Governor Wolf signed into law April, as Act 12 of 2016. That legislation added a new section to the Code – Section 1329 – providing for significant changes in the way the Commission examines acquisitions of municipal and authority-owned water and wastewater systems by investor-owned utilities.

The Commission voted 4-0 to adopt tentative interim procedures and guidelines necessary to begin implementation of Section 1329, including a proposed timeline for adjudications. The Commission has also invited comments from interested parties regarding the tentative proposals, along with any additional recommendations. Comments are due within 20 days.

Section 1329 is intended to address concerns about previous mechanisms for valuing municipal or authority-owned property, and provides a process to determine the fair market value of a municipal or authority-owned water or wastewater system that is acquired by a public utility.

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.

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Docket No.: M-2016-2543193
 

Contact:

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