Press Release

PUC Schedules Public Input Hearing for Rate Increase Proposed by the Borough of Hanover - Hanover Municipal Water Works

Published on 9/16/2021

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Telephonic Hearing Scheduled on October 14 to Gather Public Input from Customers & Concerned Parties Located Outside the Borough of Hanover

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today scheduled a telephonic hearing on October 14, 2021, to gather public input on rate changes for water service proposed by the Borough of Hanover – Hanover Municipal Water Works (Hanover), for customers located outside the Borough of Hanover.

The Hanover water system provides water service in the Borough of Hanover as well as serving approximately 11,000 customers (26,800 people) located outside of Borough limits, including Penn Township and Heidelberg Township in York County, along with Conewago Township and McSherrystown Borough in Adams County. The PUC has jurisdiction over the water service provided to customers outside the Borough.

PUC Public Input Hearing

The telephonic hearing to gather public input on the Hanover Water rate increase requests is scheduled for Thursday, October 14, 2021, starting at 6 p.m.

PUC Administrative Law Judge F. Joseph Brady will preside over the hearing.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearing

If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, you must register by Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 3:00 p.m.  If you do not pre-register, you will not be able to testify. 

You may register by contacting the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) at 1-800-684-6560 to provide your name, telephone number, email address, and the topic of your testimony.

If you do not wish to testify, but want to listen to the public input hearing, you must also contact the OCA and individuals with any questions about testifying or listening to the public input hearing should call the OCA.

If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, one copy must be emailed to Pam McNeal, Legal Assistant, at pmcneal@pa.gov, and one copy each must be sent to every other party.  The active service list, with available email addresses, is included on the public hearing notice.  All copies must be received by no later than Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 3:00 p.m.  You must email the Legal Assistant with a copy of ANY document you file in this case.

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearings, the PUC will make every reasonable effort to have an interpreter present.  Please email the Legal Assistant at least two business days prior to your hearing to submit your request. To facilitate your request, please advise that an interpreter will be needed as soon as possible. AT&T Relay Service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 1-800-654-5988.

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.
  
  

Hanover Water Rate Increase Request

On June 29, 2021, Hanover filed a proposed water service rate increase which would increase annual revenues by an estimated $1,563,100 (27.6%).  Under Hanover’s proposal, the average bill for a residential customer would increase from $275.75 to $353.28 per year.

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. 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 No.: R-2021-3026116

Contact:

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