Press Release

PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plans for Bucks County

Published on 9/10/2004

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the telephone charge residents in Bucks County must pay for their local 911 systems.

Bucks County , a second-class county, is not requesting a change in the current contribution rate of $1.00 per telephone line per month. The county has a population of approximately 600,000. Verizon PA, Inc., Commonwealth Telephone Company, and various competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) provide service to the roughly 375,000 telephone access lines.

The Public Emergency Telephone Act of 1990 provides for a statewide 911 emergency communication system to be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The law allows counties to recover the cost for 911 systems by accessing a fee on every telephone line.

Local phone companies collect the fee for the counties. The maximum fee that can be collected per telephone line is $1 for first – and second-class counties; $1.25 for third – through fifth-class counties; and $1.50 for sixth – through eighth-class counties.

The PUC reviews the contribution rates to make sure they do not exceed the allowable amount. The PUC then forwards a decision to PEMA. The PUC has 90 days to submit its recommendation to PEMA as to whether a proposed contribution rate should be approved or modified. The plan and the surcharge are effective from the date of the PUC order for a period of three years.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our internet homepage at www.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket Number: M-00920318 – Bucks County

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  Office of Communications
  717-787-5722