PUC approves order for sewer authority oversight

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority needs to submit plans for water pricing, lead line replacements and other functions under a final order approved Thursday by the state Public Utility Commission.

PWSA will fall under the PUC’s oversight starting April 1, a change sought by state lawmakers last year. As a result, the PUC will regulate PWSA rates and some other operations, such as billing and metering.

Thursday’s order, approved in a 5-0 vote, calls for PWSA to deliver future rate plans by July 2. They’ll be subject to an investigation, public input and PUC approval. The PWSA board has planned a series of graduated rate increases; under the effort, service prices in 2020 would be nearly 50 percent more than the 2017 rates.

PWSA is injecting extra revenue into upkeep and improvements in its beleaguered system, beset by boilwater advisories, lead contamination, pipe failures and other problems. Beginning in April, customers may take their complaints to the PUC if they feel the PWSA hasn’t resolved their concerns adequately.

Biden to attend event honoring Dan Rooney

Former Vice President Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker Friday at Duquesne University at an event honoring the late Steelers owner Dan Rooney.

Mr. Rooney, a former ambassador to Ireland and a Duquesne alumnus, died in April 2017 at the age of 84.

The event will include panel discussions on aspects of Mr. Rooney’s career, including creation of the NFL’s Rooney Rule, a policy requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operations jobs.

Event moderators and panelists will include Steelers coach Mike Tomlin; “NFL Today” analyst and former Steelers coach Bill Cowher; former CIA and NSA director Gen. Michael V. Hayden; and former Steelers Franco Harris, Mike Wagner, Charlie Batch and Rocky Bleier.

The event is not open to the public but will be livestreamed via the university’s webcast.