Press Release

PUC Reminds Consumers of Registration Deadline for Public Input Hearing on Valley Energy Inc. & Citizens’ Electric Proposed Rate Increases

Published on 8/1/2022

Filed under: Electric Gas

Individuals, Interested Parties Wishing to Testify During August 11 Telephonic Hearing Must Pre-Register by Wednesday, August 10

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded consumers and other concerned parties about the upcoming registration deadline on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, for a mid-August telephonic hearing to gather public input on proposed rate increases by Valley Energy Inc. (Valley Energy) and Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg, PA (Citizens’ Electric).

PUC Public Input Hearing

The PUC telephonic hearing to gather public input on the Valley Energy and Citizens’ Electric rate change requests is scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 6 p.m. 

PUC Administrative Law Judges Eranda Vero and Charece Z. Collins will preside over the hearing.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearing

To testify at the hearing, you must pre-register by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.  If you do not pre-register, you may not be able to testify.

To pre-register, please contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) at 1-800-684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org and provide:

• Your first and last name;
• The date and time of the public input hearing;
• The phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing;
• A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing if we need to   contact you;
• Your email address if you have one; and
• If you require an interpreter to participate, the language of the  

Customers will testify in the order they signed up – and must call into the hearing.  Customers will not be called by the Presiding Officers.  Additionally, customers who do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearing may call in using the same hearing information, as listed below:

• You must dial the toll-free number: 866-560-8322.
• You must enter a PIN number when instructed to do so:
• You must speak your name when prompted.
• The telephone system will connect you to the hearing.

Note:  Individuals representing themselves are not required to be represented by an attorney.  All others, including corporations, partnerships, associations, trusts, governmental agencies or subdivision, must be represented by an attorney.  An attorney representing you should file a Notice of Appearance before the scheduled hearing date.

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.  The OCA will forward the exhibits to the Judge and all parties.  Exhibits must be received by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

Requests for Interpreters:  Individuals requiring an interpreter to participate in the hearing should pre-register as soon as possible.  Every reasonable effort will be made to have an interpreter present.  If you register too close to the hearing date, there may not be enough time to arrange for an interpreter.

The relay service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 800-654-5988.

Individuals with any questions may contact the OCA at 800-684-6560 (toll-free) or consumer@paoca.org.

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.
  
  

Valley Energy Proposed Rate Increase

On June 16, 2022, the Commission voted 3-0 to investigate the request, which was filed on April 29, 2022.  The changes proposed by Valley Energy would produce an approximate overall annual revenue increase of $999,631 (11.8%). The total bill for a typical residential customer using 76 Ccf would increase from $65.35 to $72.57 (about 11%).

A final decision by the Commission on this rate increase request is due by Jan. 28, 2023.  Valley Energy provides natural gas distribution services to more than 7,300 residential, commercial and industrial customers in twelve communities in Bradford County.

Citizens’ Electric Proposed Rate Increase

On June 16, 2022, the Commission voted 3-0 to investigate the request, which was filed on April 29, 2022.  Citizens’ Electric’s proposal requests an overall rate increase of $999,270 (7.3%) in additional annual revenues. The total bill for a typical residential customer using 1,250 kWh would increase from $137.15 to $148.05 per month (about 7.9%).

A final decision by the Commission on this rate increase request is due by Jan. 28, 2023.  Citizens’ Electric provides electric distribution services to approximately 7,100 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Borough of Lewisburg as well as East Buffalo, Buffalo and Kelly townships in Union County.

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 Nos.:
R-2022-3032300  (Valley Energy)
R-2022-3032369  (Citizens’ Electric)

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov