PUC sets public hearing dates for rate increase request by Pa. American Water

By the MVI
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission announced the scheduling of an extensive series of 12 in-person and telephonic hearings in late January and early February to gather public input on the requests by Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) to increase rates for water and wastewater services.
PAWC serves 681,707 water and 97,585 wastewater customers in 37 counties and is the largest regulated water and wastewater service provider in Pennsylvania.
Under the proposals filed with the PUC by PAWC, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer in Rate Zone 1, based on 3,201 gallons of metered usage per month, would increase from $70.65 to $88.24 (24.9%). Changes to average monthly water bills in other PAWC rate zones vary from a 20.1% increase ($8.93 per month) to a 63% increase (approximately $34 per month).
For PAWC wastewater customers, the average monthly bill for a residential customer in Rate Zone 1, based on 3,122 gallons of metered usage per month, would fall from $105.18 to $100.08 (-4.8%).
Changes to the average monthly wastewater bills in other PAWC rate zones vary from a 121.3% increase (nearly $35 per month) to a 4.8% decrease (nearly $5 per month).
A final decision by the PUC on the rate increase request is due by Aug. 7, 2024.
Eight in-person public input hearings have been scheduled for the following dates, times and locations across Pennsylvania:
• Jan. 29, 2024 – Port Vue; hearings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Port Vue Borough Social Hall, 1191 Romine Ave., Port Vue.
Other hearings will be scheduled for Jan. 30 in Scranton; Jan. 31 in Exeter Township/Reading, Berks County; and Feb. 6 in Harrisburg in the main PUC hearing room.
Additionally, four telephonic public input hearings have been scheduled for the following dates and times:
• 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 5.
• 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 7.
Those planning to testify at an in-person public input hearing are asked to preregister with the Office of Consumer Advocate prior to the hearing date. Those who preregister and provide the information listed below will be called to testify at the hearing in the order in which they preregister.
To testify at a telephonic public input hearing, participants must pre-register with the OCA by Feb. 1 to receive the call-in information. Individuals will testify in the order in which they preregister.
For those who you do not wish to testify, but want to listen to the public input hearing,they may also contact the OCA to obtain the call-in information.
To pre-register for either in-person or telephonic public input hearings, contact the OCA by phone at 1-800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org and provide the following:
• First and last name
• The date and time of the public input hearing
• A phone number where the participant can be reached prior to the hearing.
• Email address (if applicable).
• For those who require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.
The relay service number for those who are deaf or hearing impaired is 1-800-654-5988.