Pennsylvania American Water Invites Customers to Participate in PA Public Utility Commission Telephonic Public Input Hearings

Rhea-AI Summary

Pennsylvania American Water plans a rate adjustment request linked to an investment of $1.13 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure. A series of public hearings will take place from July 19-21, 2022, allowing customers to voice their opinions. The proposed changes include updates to low-income discount programs and lead service line replacements. New rates, if approved, will start in 2023 for most customers. Interested parties must pre-register with the Office of Consumer Advocate by 3:00 p.m. the day before their intended testimony.

During a series of telephonic hearings July 19-21, customers can provide input on the company’s rate request, driven by $1.13 billion invested in water and wastewater infrastructure

MECHANICSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pennsylvania American Water will join the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to hear public comment on the company’s recent rate request during a series of six telephonic public hearings in July. Customers are invited to provide comment on the rate request Pennsylvania American Water filed on April 29, 2022, to adjust its water and wastewater rates reflecting $1.13 billion in water and wastewater system investments to be made through 2023 to continue providing safe and reliable service. As part of the filing, the company proposed an expanded, three-tiered approach to its current low-income discount program, as well as an expansion of its customer-owned lead service line replacement program. If approved, new rates would not go into effect until 2023 except for certain recently acquired systems where the rate increases are proposed to take effect at later dates.

The call-in telephonic public input hearings are scheduled as follows:

Dates:	July 19, 20 and 21, 2022 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Times:	1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day
Presiding:	Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Joel H. Cheskis

To participate in the hearing,

• You must dial the toll-free Bridge number below
• You must enter the PIN number below when instructed
• You must speak your name when prompted, and press #
• Then, the telephone system will connect you to the hearing

Toll-free Bridge Number:	877.931.3508
PIN Number:	32041174

If you wish to testify at a telephonic public input hearing, pre-register with the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) by 3:00 p.m. on the day before you intend to testify. Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register. Individuals who do not pre-register will testify after those who do pre-register.

To pre-register, please contact the OCA by phone at 1.800.684.6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org and provide:

(1) your first and last name;
(2) the date and time (1:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.) of the public input hearing;
(3) the phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing;
(4) a phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing;
(5) your email address if you have one; and
(6) if you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.

Requests for Interpreters: If you require an interpreter, please pre-register as soon as possible. If you register too close to the hearing date, the OCA may not have enough time to arrange for an interpreter. If you request an interpreter, the OCA will make every reasonable effort to have one present.

Hearing Exhibits: If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, please email them to the OCA at consumer@paoca.org. The OCA will forward the exhibits to the Judge and all parties. Exhibits must be received by 3:00 p.m. the day before you intend to testify.

The deadline for signing up for the public input hearings is 3:00 p.m. on the day before you intend to testify. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the OCA (toll-free) at: 1.800.684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org.

AT&T Relay Service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired: 1.800.654-5988.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com. Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220708005531/en/

Media:

Laura Martin, Sr. Director, Government & External Affairs

C: 304-932-7158

E: laura.martin@amwater.com

Source: Pennsylvania American Water

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Pennsylvania American Water public hearings in July 2022?

The hearings are to gather public input on a rate adjustment request linked to a $1.13 billion investment in infrastructure.

When are the public hearings for Pennsylvania American Water scheduled?

The public hearings are scheduled for July 19-21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day.

What new programs are proposed in the rate adjustment request by Pennsylvania American Water?

The proposal includes an expanded low-income discount program and a customer-owned lead service line replacement program.

When would new rates take effect if approved for Pennsylvania American Water?

New rates would take effect in 2023, except for some recently acquired systems with later effective dates.

How can customers participate in the Pennsylvania American Water public hearings?

Customers must register with the Office of Consumer Advocate by 3:00 p.m. the day before they intend to testify.