Press Release

PUC Announces “Smart Hearing” for Public Input on Proposed Acquisition of East Norriton Township Wastewater Collection System in Montgomery County

Published on 1/7/2020

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a mid-January “Smart Hearing” to gather public input on the proposed acquisition of the East Norriton Township sanitary wastewater collection system, located in Montgomery County, by Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc.

The “Smart Hearing” will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 and will be broadcast live on the PUC website – enabling residents in East Norriton Township and other concerned parties to see and hear the testimony being offered without the need to attend the hearing in-person.

Customers will be able to offer their testimony by telephone, from the convenience of their homes or other locations, to be included in the live internet stream and considered as part of the Commission’s review. In-person testimony from the Harrisburg hearing site also will be included, for those who prefer to comment in that manner. Those wishing to testify in-person can attend the hearing at the following location:

Commonwealth Keystone Building
Hearing Room 1
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA  17120

Note: Consumers will be given the option of not having your testimony live-streamed, if they prefer.

PUC Administrative Law Angela T. Jones will preside over the hearing.

Those wishing to testify may do so either in-person or by telephone.  In-person participation requires no further action - simply show up and sign in. 

If you wish to testify by telephone, please contact the Office of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ) scheduling office at 717-787-1399 by Friday, January 10, 2020 to provide your name, telephone number, and the topic of your testimony.

If you have any exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, 3 copies must be sent to the Administrative Law Judge.  All copies must be received at least 3 days before the hearing.

If you have special needs, the OALJ may be able to accommodate. Contact the scheduling office as soon as possible to submit your request. Relay service is available for those who are hearing-impaired by calling 1-800-654-5988.

If you have any questions about testifying at the Smart Hearing, please contact the OALJ scheduling office.

Aqua Acquisition Request

Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc. filed an application on July 30, 2019 requesting PUC approval of its acquisition of the wastewater system assets of East Norriton Township and approval of the ratemaking rate base of these assets as determined by Sections 1102 and 1329 of the Public Utility Code.  Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc. also requested approval of contracts, including assignments of contracts pursuant to Section 507 of the Public Utility Code. 

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 No.: A-2019-3009052

Contact:

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