Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings in August for Pennsylvania-American Water Company Rate Increase Requests

Published on 7/23/2020

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced eight videoconference / telephonic hearings in August to gather public input on rate increases proposed by the Pennsylvania-American Water Company (PAWC) and PAWC’s Wastewater Division (PAWC-WD) – for water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people in 37 counties across Pennsylvania.

PAWC Public Input Hearings

Videoconference/telephonic public input hearings for PAWC’s requests are scheduled for the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 – Hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 – Hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 – Hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 – Hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Administrative Law Judge Conrad A. Johnson will preside over the hearings.  

Signing Up for the Hearings

All public input hearings will be conducted using the WebEx video conferencing platform.  Persons wishing to testify during the public input hearings must register by the applicable registration deadline listed below using one of the following procedures:

• Contact the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) at its toll-free number, 1-800-684-6560, to register by 4.pm. on the applicable registration deadline listed below.
• Register by clicking on one of the WebEx websites below for the date and time period during which you wish to testify and complete the registration form by the applicable registration deadline listed below.

August 18 @ 1 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 13, 2020):
Event Number 127 637 2501
Registration

August 18 @ 6 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 13, 2020):
Event Number 127 513 8820
Registration

August 25 @ 1 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 20, 2020):
Event Number 127 704 2563
Registration

August 25 @ 6 p.m. (Registration Deadline: (August 20, 2020):
Event Number 127 882 3168
Registration

August 26 @ 1 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 21, 2020):
Event Number 127 725 5848
Registration

August 26 @ 6 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 21, 2020):
Event Number 127 228 7524
Registration

August 27 @ 1 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 24, 2020):
Event Number 127 248 8863
Registration

August 27 @ 6 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 24, 2020):
Event Number 127 972 3396
Registration

Individuals choosing to register on the WebEx website will be asked to provide their name, address, e-mail address, telephone number and organization (if any).  This information remains private and will be provided only to the Administrative Law Judge and lawyers for the parties in this proceeding.  After registration, individuals will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the public input hearing.  You can test your computer in advance at the following link: WebEx Test

Individuals wishing to testify only by phone on the day and time of the hearing for which they registered should dial 1-877-310-7479 and enter the unique event number for that hearing that is listed above.

Any persons that have not registered with OCA or through one of the WebEx websites above by the applicable registration deadline may not be able to testify during the public input hearings.  Please contact OCA if you are unable to register by the applicable registration deadline or if you require assistance in registering for the public input hearing.  

Individuals who do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearings may contact the OCA toll free at 1-800-684-6560 to obtain the call-in information for the hearing in which they are interested.  People may also click on the applicable WebEx website link for the day and time they wish to listen, or call 1-877-310-7479 and enter the unique event number at any time before or during the hearings.

Questions about participating in or listening to the public input hearings may be directed to the OCA.

For those individuals testifying, any hearing exhibits to which they will refer to during the hearing must be emailed (one copy) to Nicholas Miskanic, Legal Assistant, at nmiskanic@pa.gov; and one (1) copy must be sent to every other party on the Active Service List.  All copies must be received at least five (5) business days before the hearing. 

If individuals require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the Office of Administrative Law Judge will make every reasonable effort to have an interpreter present.  At least five (5) business days prior to your hearing, please email the Legal Assistant or call 412-565-3550 to submit your request.

The PAWC Rate Increase Requests

On June 12, 2020, the Commission voted 4-0 to investigate PAWC’s requests for multi-year rate increases in its water and wastewater rates. 

For water service, PAWC proposes to increase total annual operating revenues by approximately $80.1 million (12.5%) for rates effective Jan. 1, 2021, and by approximately $41.7 million (5.8%) for rates effective Jan. 1, 2022.

For its wastewater division, PAWC proposes to increase total annual operating revenues by approximately $12.3 million (16.9%) for rates effective Jan. 1, 2021, and by approximately $4.5 million (5.4%) for rates effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Final decisions by the Commission are due by Jan. 28, 2021.

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.

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 Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

# # #

Docket Nos.: 
R-2020-3019369
R-2020-3019371    

Contact:

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