Press Release

    Harrisburg, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has suspended for investigation the request of National Utilities, Inc. for a $477,026 annual increase in water rates affecting 3,046 customers in its three rate divisions.

    Division 1 is made up of the Chinchilla and Oak Hill systems in Luzerne County; Moscow system in Lackawanna County and Scenic Knolls system in Columbia County. Under the company’s proposal, average residential bills would increase $205 annually, from $357 to $562.

    Division 2 contains the Edgewood, Elmbrook and Glenburn systems in Lackawanna County; Hamilton, Mountainhome and Pocono systems in Monroe County; Factoryville system in Wyoming County; Heidelberg Heights systems in Lehigh County, and Rhodes Terrace system in Luzerne County. Average annual residential bills would increase $153, from $266 to $419 under the company’s request.

    Division 3 includes Midway Manor and Warden Place systems in Luzerne County; Hop Bottom system in Susquehanna County; Nuremberg system in Schuylkill County; Rivercrest/Lazybrook system in Wyoming County and Sunset Hills system in Lackawanna County. Average bills would increase $106 annually, from $185 to $291.

    National Utilities said the increase is needed to cover costs of system maintenance and to recover increased operating expenses. The request will be suspended for up to seven months from its January 3, 1999, proposed effective date and assigned to a PUC Administrative Law Judge for a recommended decision.

    Six individual customers have filed formal complaints against the proposed increase. The PUC also received 53 letters and four telephone calls from customers protesting the hike.

    For recent press releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet home page: http://puc.paonline.com.