Press Release

PUC Seeks Comment on Proposed Policy Statement to Better Coordinate Fire Protection Services Offered by Regulated Water Public Utilities

Published on 11/10/2022

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Proposed Guidelines Emphasize ‘Best Practices,’ Seek Uniformity and Consistency Among Utilities Offering Fire Protection Services to the Public

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a Proposed Policy Statement Order requesting public comment on newly proposed guidelines designed to enhance coordination of  tariffed fire protection services by the Commonwealth’s regulated water public utilities.

The Commission voted 5-0 to seek written comments and written reply comments on the proposed policy statement – which incorporates a “best practices” approach to PUC oversight of regulated fire protection services and further develops guidelines under which tariffed fire protection services are offered to the public in a coordinated and consistent manner.

While fire protection services are often provided by Class A public water utilities, the proposed policy statement seeks to provide all stakeholders with a clear understanding of up-to-date practices regarding tariffed fire protection service.  Specifically, the PUC seeks comment in two key areas:

• Fire protection service afforded by current system design; and
• The use of hydraulic distribution system modeling required for fire protection.

Interested parties may submit written comments within 45 days of publication of the Commission’s Order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  Following the close of this comment period, interested parties have an opportunity to file written reply comments within 15 days.  Both written comments and written reply comments should reference Docket No. M-2022-3033054. 

Interested parties submitting written comments and/or written reply comments are encouraged to use the Commission’s electronic filing system.  An eFiling account may be opened and used through the Commission’s website.

Interested parties filing hard copies of written comments or written reply comments may do so with the PUC’s Secretary’s Bureau at the following address:

          Rosemary Chiavetta, Secretary
          Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
          Commonwealth Keystone Building
          400 North Street
          Harrisburg, PA  17120

On June 16, 2022, the Commission adopted a Motion of Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora which directed PUC staff to solicit input from Class A water public utility companies in developing the proposed policy statement.  On June 29, 2022, the Commission issued a Secretarial Letter seeking comment from Class A public water companies on the proposed policy statement. 

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Docket No.:  M-2022-3033054

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov