HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled hearings to receive public comment on a proposed rate increase by Pennsylvania Utility Co., Inc., Pike County.  Pennsylvania Utility Co. provides water and wastewater services to 561 customers in Lehman Township.  The company said the primary reasons for the rate increases are to realize a reasonable rate of return on the company’s investment and to recover operating expenses. 

Administrative Law Judge David A. Salapa will conduct the hearings at:

1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.  March 10, 2010 
“The Gathering Room”
235 The Glen, Tamiment, PA   

On Dec. 17, the Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the proposed $112,309 (69.4 percent) annual increase for the company’s water revenues and the proposed $369,827 (232.8 percent) increase in annual rates for the company’s wastewater service.  Both increases are suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. 

Under the company’s proposals, the average yearly residential bill for water customers would increase $207.16 from an annual bill of $274.28 to $481.44 for customers who use 36,000 gallons annually.  For wastewater customers, the average yearly residential bill would increase $691.16 from an annual bill of $274.28 to $965.44 for customers who use 36,000 gallons a year.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• 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.  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.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.