Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings in Pike County on Proposed Water Rate Increase by Twin Lakes Utilities

Published on 10/7/2019

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) has scheduled two hearings to gather public input on the rate increase proposed by Twin Lakes Utilities (Twin Lakes), which serves approximately 100 residents in Pike County.

The public input hearings will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, starting at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., at the following location:

Shohola Township Building
159 Twin Lakes Road
Shohola, PA 18458

PUC Administrative Law Judge Marta Guhl will preside over the hearings.

If you are a person with a disability and you wish to attend the hearing, please call the scheduling office at the PUC at least five business days prior to the hearing to discuss possible arrangements for your special needs. 

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearings, every reasonable effort will be made to have an interpreter present. Please call the PUC scheduling office at least ten business days prior to the hearing to submit your request.

The scheduling office can be reached at 717-787-1399, or the relay service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 1-800-654-5988.

Twin Lakes Rate Increase Request

On August 29, 2019, the Commission voted to suspend the proposed rate and revenue increase requests by Twin Lakes and assigned the case to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for corresponding proceedings and the issuance of a recommended decision.

Twin Lakes has proposed an increase in total annual operating revenues for water service of $211,793 (158%). Under that request, the monthly bill for residential customers using 2,500 gallons of water would increase from $96.91 to $254.44 (162%).

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

A final decision by the Commission regarding the Twin Lakes rate increase request is due by April 19, 2020.

Offering Testimony at a Public Input Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend public input hearings, either to observe or to speak. Any formal testimony that is offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC offers tips on how to participate, 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.
   
• Bring copies of your remarks. 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.
   
• Understand that 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; 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-2019-3010958
C-2019-3011845

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov