PA American Water looks to raise rates

Series of 8 videoconference/ telephonic sessions will be held

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has set August hearings to take input on the request.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled a series of videoconference/telephonic hearings to gather input on a proposed rate increase by the Pennsylvania American Water Company and its Wastewater Division.

The PUC, which is the regulating agency for Pennsylvania’s utilities, has scheduled eight hearings in August. The hearings will be conducted using the WebEx video conferencing platform, and those wishing to comment must register in advance for the session they wish to attend.

The videoconference/telephonic public input hearings are scheduled for the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 — 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 — 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 — 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 — 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Administrative Law Judge Conrad A. Johnson will preside over the hearings.

In April, Pennsylvania American Water filed a request with the Public Utility Commission to increase its water and wastewater rates over a two year period.

For water service, the request asked to increase total annual operating revenues by approximately $80.1 million, or 12.5%, for rates effective Jan. 1, 2021, and by approximately $41.7 million, or 5.8%, for rates effective Jan. 1, 2022.

For its wastewater division, the company proposes to increase total annual operating revenues by approximately $12.3 million, or 16.9%, for rates effective Jan. 1, 2021, and by approximately $4.5 million, or 5.4%, for rates effective Jan. 1, 2022.

If approved as requested, the monthly water bill for the average residential customer using 3,458 gallons per month would increase to $65.91 from the current charge of $57.85 in the first year and to $69.73 in the second year. The average monthly residential sewer bill would increase to $71.97 from $60.42 in the first year and to $76.85 in the second year.

The company provides water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people in 37 counties across Pennsylvania, including portions of Montgomery Chester and Berks counties.

In May, the agency voted to investigate the company’s requests, suspending the requests for up to seven months from the time the rates would have become effective, and assigning the process to the Office of Administrative Law Judge. A final decision by the commission is due by Jan. 28, 2021.

To sign up for the hearings

To participate in the public hearings, registration is required by the registration deadline for each session. There are two ways to register.

Interested participants can contact the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate at 1-800684-6560 to register by 4.pm. on the registration deadline listed for each session.

They can also register by clicking on one of the WebEx websites listed for the date and time period you wish to testify and complete the registration form by the registration deadline listed for the session:

• Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 13, 2020): Event Number 127 637 2501, https://tinyurl.com/y5alapqf

• Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 13, 2020): Event Number 127 513 8820, https://tinyurl.com/y5382a9b

• Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 20, 2020): Event Number 127 704 2563, https://tinyurl.com/yxgcyrm2

• Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. (Registration deadline: (Aug. 20, 2020): Event Number 127 882 3168, https://tinyurl.com/y5y5zx3g

• Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 21, 2020): Event Number 127 725 5848, https://tinyurl. com/y39fk96z

• Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 21, 2020)Event Number 127 228 7524, https://tinyurl. com/y2rrrwtx

• Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 24, 2020): Event Number 127 248 8863, https://tinyurl. com/y5w39czy

• Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. (Registration deadline: Aug. 24, 2020): Event Number 127 972 3396, https://tinyurl. com/yxr7hp6u

Individuals registering on the WebEx website will be asked to provide their name, address, e-mail address, telephone number and organization (if any). After registration, individuals will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the public input hearing, according to a Public Utility Commission press release.

Those wishing to testify by phone on the day and time of the hearing for which they registered should dial 1-877-3107479 and enter the event number for that hearing.

Anyone unable to register by the registration deadline or that requires assistance in registering for the public input hearing, should contact the Office of Consumer Advocate at 1-800-684-6560.

To listen to the proceedings but not testify, call the Office of Consumer Advocate.

Questions about participating in or listening to the public input hearings may be directed to the Office of Consumer Advocate.

For more information about the Public Utility Commission’s ratemaking process visit http://www. puc.pa.gov/general/consumer_ed/pdf/Ratemaking_Complaints.pdf