Press Release

PUC Schedules Public Input Hearings on Rate Increase Requests by PA-American Water Co., PA-American Water Co. Wastewater Division

Published on 7/1/2022

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Telephonic Hearings between July 19-21 will Gather Public Input from PAWC and PAWC-WD Customers and Other Concerned Parties

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today scheduled a series of mid-July telephonic hearings to gather public input on rate changes proposed by the Pennsylvania-American Water Company (PAWC) and PAWC’s Wastewater Division (PAWC-WD).

PAWC and PAWC-WD presently provides water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people in 37 counties across Pennsylvania. 

PUC Public Input Hearings

The PUC telephonic hearings to gather public input on the PAWC rate change requests are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the following dates:

• Tuesday, July 19, 2022
• Wednesday, July 20, 2022
• Thursday, July 21, 2022

PUC Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Joel H. Cheskis will preside over the hearings.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearings

To testify at a telephonic public input hearing, you must register no later than 3 p.m. on the day before you wish to testify.  Interested persons can register by telephone or online.

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

     (1) Your first and last name;

     (2) The date and time (1 p.m. or 6 p.m.) of the public input hearing;

     (3) The phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing;

     (4) A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing if we need to contact you;

     (5) Your email address if you have one; and

     (6) If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter. 

To participate in the public input hearings, you may use the following call-in information:

     Toll-free Bridge Number:  877.931.3508
     PIN Number:  32041174
     (NOTE: Please speak your name when prompted, and press #)

If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearings, 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. the day before you intend to testify.

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearings, every reasonable effort will be made to have an interpreter present.  You may contact the OCA by phone at 1-800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org  to pre-register for an interpreter.

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.

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.

PAWC Rate Change Requests

On June 16, 2022, the PUC voted to suspend and investigate rate increase requests by PAWC and PAWC-WD.  PAWC’s requests for rate increases in its water and wastewater rates were filed with the Commission on April 29, 2022, and, collectively, would increase the Company’s total annual operating revenues by approximately $173.2 million (20.8%). 

For water service, PAWC proposes an increase in the company's total annual operating revenues for water service by approximately $154.4 million (21.6%).  For its wastewater division, PAWC proposes an increase in the company's total annual operating revenues for wastewater service by approximately $18.7 million (16.1%).

A final PUC decision on the PAWC rate cases is due by Jan. 28, 2023.

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-2022-3031672 (Water)
R-2022-3031673 (Wastewater)
C-2022-3032331
C-2022-3032485
C-2022-3032346
C-2022-3032487

Contact:

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