Press Release

PUC Upholds Previous Actions Involving Twin Lakes Water

Published on 12/16/2021

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Stresses that Water Service Continues for Impacted Pike County Customers as Related Court Cases Continue

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today rejected a request to reconsider previous Commission actions involving Twin Lakes Utilities – which serves residents of the Sagamore Estates community in Shohola Township, Pike County. 

The Commission voted 3-0 today to deny a petition filed by Twin Lakes seeking reconsideration of a November 2021 Commission order that directed Aqua Pennsylvania to acquire the assets of Middlesex Water Company Pennsylvania and local operating affiliate Twin Lakes Utilities.

Today’s action by the PUC also makes clear to the residents of Sagamore Estates, local officials, and other affected members of the public, that water service will continue – and that ongoing state and federal litigation of this matter by Middlesex Water Company will not impact ongoing water service – now managed by Aqua Pennsylvania.

History of the Twin Lakes Utilities Case

On July 16, 2020, Middlesex Water Company Vice President and General Counsel filed with the PUC a request that the Commission direct a capable utility to assume all services provided to Sagamore Estates customers by Middlesex Water Company, through its local operating affiliate Twin Lakes Utilities – which serves approximate 113 customers. The filing emphasized that the request was justified because as of Sept. 1, 2020, Middlesex could no longer be expected to provide “adequate, efficient, safe and reasonable service and facilities in the future.”  While not approved by the PUC, Middlesex Water Company claimed that it has no responsibility or obligation to the residents of Sagamore Estates and company management indicated that it would cease providing water service to customers at 12:01 am on that date.

On Aug. 28, 2020, to prevent a public safety emergency,  the PUC issued a statement reiterating the conclusion of the order of PUC Administrative Law Judge Joel Cheskis (issued that same date) that directed Middlesex Water Company local operating affiliate Twin Lakes to continue to provide service to its customers consistent with the Public Utility Code, the Commission’s orders and regulations and all Commission-approved tariffs, until otherwise permitted by the Commission to cease providing service. 

To protect the public interest, on Nov. 18, 2021, the PUC entered an order directing Aqua Pennsylvania to acquire the assets of Middlesex Water Company Pennsylvania. That order also contained certain conditions regarding the Middlesex refusal to accept a $4.66 million Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority grant to remedy problems associated with the Middlesex management of Twin Lakes Utilities.

Middlesex has challenged the PUC order in both state and federal courts, and those cases are ongoing.   

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.: P-2020-3020914

Contact:

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