Press Release

PUC Reminds Consumers of Upcoming Public Input Hearings for Rate Increase Sought by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania

Published on 1/24/2024

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Six In-Person and Telephonic Hearings Provide Opportunities to Gather Public Input from Customers and Other Concerned Parties

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded consumers of an upcoming series of six in-person and telephonic hearings in late January and early February to gather public input on the requests by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania (CUPA) to increase rates for water and wastewater services.

CUPA provides water service to approximately 3,257 customers in portions of Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties and wastewater services to approximately 3,832 customers in portions of Monroe, Chester and Pike counties.

PUC Public Input Hearings

In-person hearings have been scheduled for the following dates, times, and locations:

• Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024 – Bethlehem, Northampton County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held at the Nancy Run Fire Company Social Hall
  3564 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, PA  18020
  *Registration encouraged by Noon on Jan. 29, 2024
  
  
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 – Tamiment, Pike County
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  Both hearings will be held at The Glen at Tamiment Community Center
  314 Underhill Dr., Tamiment, PA  18371
  *Registration encouraged by Noon on Jan. 31, 2024

Additionally, two telephonic public input hearings have been scheduled for the following:

• Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024
  Hearing #1 will begin at 1 p.m.
  Hearing #2 will begin at 6 p.m.
  * Registration deadline is Noon on Jan. 30, 2024

PUC Administrative Law Judges Steven K. Haas and Alphonso Arnold III will preside over the public input hearings.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearings

IN-PERSON HEARINGS:  If you wish to testify at an in-person public input hearing, you are encouraged to pre-register with the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) prior to the date of your hearing.

TELEPHONIC HEARINGS: If you wish to testify at a Jan. 31, 2024, telephonic public input hearing, you must pre-register with the OCA by noon, Jan. 30, 2024.

Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register.

To register, contact OCA at consumer@paoca.org or by calling 1-800-684-6560. If you do not register in advance, you may not be able to testify.

When registering, please provide the following:

• Your first and last name.
• The date and time of the public hearing where you want to testify.
• A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing.
• Your and email address (if you have one).
• If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.
• NOTE: If you are registering for a telephonic public input hearing, please also provide the phone number you will be using to call into the hearing.

If you do not wish to testify, but want to listen to the public input hearings, you do not need to register. Instead, you may attend the in-person hearing or call in to the hearing number using the call in information listed in the hearing notice.

If you have any questions about participating in or listening to the public input hearings, please do not hesitate to contact the OCA by phone at 1-800-684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org.

Requests for Interpreters

If you require an interpreter, please pre-register as soon as possible. If you register too close to the hearing date, there may not be enough time to arrange for an interpreter. If you request an interpreter, every reasonable effort will be made to have one present.

Hearing Exhibits

If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, please email them to the OCA at consumer@paoca.org or call the OCA at 1-800-684-6560 to arrange for the submission of the documents. The OCA will forward the exhibits to the Judges and all parties.

Exhibits for the in-person public input hearings on Jan. 30, 2024, must be received by Noon on Jan. 29, 2024. Exhibits for the in-person public input hearings on Feb. 1, 2024, must be received by Noon on Jan. 31, 2024. Exhibits for the telephonic public input hearings on Jan. 31, 2024, must be received by Noon on Jan. 30, 2024.

Offering Testimony at a Public Input Hearing

The PUC offers tips on how to participate in a public input hearing, including:

• 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.
• Any formal testimony that is offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.
  
  

CUPA Rate Increase Request

The proposals by CUPA seek to increase annual water revenues by approximately $1.5 million (62.2%) and annual wastewater revenues by $1.8 million (50.9%).

Under CUPA’s proposal for water service, the typical monthly bill for residential customers using 3,452 gallons of water per month would increase from $63.90 to $101.37 (59%) except for customers in the Tamiment service territory in Lehman Township, Pike County, where the typical monthly bill for a residential customer using 2,270 gallons of water a month would increase from $44.18 to $74.68 (69%).

Under CUPA’s proposal for wastewater service, the typical monthly bill for residential customers using 3,400 gallons of water per month would increase from $74.73 to $112.51 (51%) except for customers in the Tamiment service territory in Lehman Township, Pike County, where the typical monthly bill for a residential customer using 2,225 gallons a month would increase from $57.25 to $91.48 (60%).

A final PUC decision on CUPA’s rate increase requests is due by Aug. 9, 2024.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:
R-2023-3042804 (water)
R-2023-3042805 (wastewater)

Contact:

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