Press Release

PUC Schedules Public Input Hearing Regarding Aqua PA’s Proposed Acquisition of Water System Assets in Borough of Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co.

Published on 3/9/2023

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Telephonic Hearing Scheduled for March 21 to Gather Public Input on Proposed Sale

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a telephonic hearing on March 21, 2023, to gather public input on the proposed acquisition of the water system assets of the Borough of Shenandoah/Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, by Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. (Aqua PA).

PUC Public Input Hearing

The PUC telephonic hearing to gather public input related on this proposed acquisition is scheduled for the following:

• Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – Telephonic hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

PUC Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Watson will preside over the hearing.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearings

To testify at this telephonic public input hearing, you must pre-register with Judge Watson’s office no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023.  Interested parties can pre-register by calling 412-565-3550 or by emailing Judge Watson’s legal assistant, Nicholas Miskanic, at nmiskanic@pa.gov and providing:

     (1) your first and last name;

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

     (3) a phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing, if needed;

     (4) your email address if you have one; and

     (5) if you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.

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

     Toll-free Bridge Number:  866-675-4281
     PIN Number:  85057514

(NOTE: Please speak your name when prompted, and press #)

If you do not pre-register and provide the information listed above, you may not be able to testify.  Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register.   

Listening to the Hearing

If you do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearing, please contact Judge Watson’s office by email at nmiskanic@pa.gov or phone at 412-565-3550 and provide your name so we can ensure we have adequate caller capacity on the conference bridge to accommodate all callers. 

Again, the deadline for signing up for the public input hearing (to listen or to testify) is 10 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Interpreters and Assistance Registering

If you require an interpreter, please pre-register as soon as possible.  If you register too close to the hearing date, we may not have enough time to arrange for an interpreter.  If you request an interpreter, we will make every reasonable effort to have one present. 

If you need assistance pre-registering to testify, you may have someone register for you, but they will need to provide all the information listed above.  Additionally, if more than one person in your household would like to testify, one person may pre-register for other individuals in the same household, but all the information listed above is needed for each individual testifying. 

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

Exhibits

If you intend to offer exhibits at the public input hearing, you must email your proposed exhibit(s) to Judge Watson at jeffwatson@pa.gov  by Friday, March 17, 2023.  In your email you must copy all individuals listed in the “full-service list” in the attached parties’ list included in the hearing notice.  Failure to comply with these instructions may result in you not being allowed to present your proposed exhibit(s).  Proposed video evidence must be submitted in an mp4 format and cannot exceed 2MB.  Proposed video evidence that does not meet this criteria will not be permitted. 

Failure to comply with these instructions may result in you not being allowed to present your proposed exhibit(s).  Proposed video evidence must be submitted in an mp4 format and cannot exceed 2MB.  Proposed video evidence that does not meet these criteria will not be permitted. 

NOTE:  Individuals 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.
  
  

Aqua PA’s Proposed Acquisition of Shenandoah’s Water System Assets

In 1941, the Borough of Shenandoah created the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) and transferred ownership of its water system to MABS.  MABS provides water service to approximately 2,900 customers.

Aqua PA is seeking to acquire all water system assets located in the Borough of Shenandoah as well as the MABS Water Treatment Plant located in West Mahanoy Township; the Swatara Road Standpipe and the Kehly Run Tank located in West Mahanoy Township; two dams located in Union Township (Ringtown Dam No. 6 and Ringtown Dam No. 5); two dams located in West Mahanoy Township (Raven Run Dam No. 2 and Raven Run Dam No. 3); and water mains located in West Mahanoy Township, Butler Township, Girardville Borough and Mahanoy Township.

Aqua PA furnishes water service to approximately 448,000 customers throughout Pennsylvania, including parts of Schuylkill County.

About the PUC

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.:
A-2022-3034143

Contact:

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