Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings in PA American Water Co. Rate Increase Request

Published on 7/16/2009

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled 8 hearings to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water Co. (PAWC).

Administrative Law Judge Cynthia W. Fordham will conduct the hearings at:

6 p.m. July 27, 2009

McGown School of Business

Kings College, Burke Auditorium

North River & West Union Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

2 p.m. July 28, 2009

City of Coatesville, Council Chambers

One City Hall Place

Coatesville, PA 19320

7 p.m. July 28, 2009

Capital Bible Church Auditorium

100 North Hershey Road

Harrisburg PA 17112

2 p.m. July 29, 2009

Crown Plaza Reading Hotel, Armani Room

1741 Papermill Road

Wyomissing, PA 19601

7 p.m. July 29, 2009

Courtyard by Marriott

600 Campus Drive

Collegeville, PA 19426

6 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009 (ALJ Katrina Dunderdale will be presiding)

Days Inn Conference Center

139 Pittsburgh Road

Butler, PA 16001

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009 (ALJ Mark Hoyer will be presiding)

Washington County Agricultural Fair, Hall 4

2151 North Main Street

Washington, PA 15301-6147

On June 18, 2009, the PUC voted to investigate the PAWC proposal for a $58,062,930 (12.5 percent) annual rate increase. It is suspended for up to seven months until January 23, 2010, and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

The company provides water service to approximately 635,000 customers in portions of Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Center, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Luzerne, McKean, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Union, Washington, Warren, Wayne, and York counties.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• 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.
• Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket no. R-2009-2097323

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722