PUC plans hearings on Pennsylvania American request for $138.6M water rate increase

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold hearings next month on a Pennsylvania American Water Co. proposal to raise its rates a total of $138.6 million over the next two years.

The company, which services parts of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Central Pennsylvania, is proposing an increase of $80.1 million, or 12.5%, to its total annual operating revenues for its water service effective Jan. 1, 2021 with an additional $41.7 million, or 5.8% increase effective Jan. 1, 2022.

For its wastewater division, it proposes an increase in operating revenue by $12.3 million, or 16.9%, for rates effective Jan. 1, 2021 and then additional $4.5 million, or 5.45%, effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Pennsylvania American Water said in a press release that the request follows a review of the investment needed to provide continued safe and reliable service. It noted that it proposed enhancements to its customer financial assistance program as part of the request.

Since its last request the company said it has invested $1.64 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including replacing more than 427 miles of aging water and sewer pipelines and upgrading treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells and pumping stations.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled a series of eight virtual meetings that will be held on the WebEx platform at the following dates and times:

• August 18 @ 1 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 13, 2020)
  Event Number 127 637 2501; https://tinyurl.com/y5alapqf
• August 18 @ 6 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 13, 2020)
  Event Number 127 513 8820; https://tinyurl.com/y5382a9b
• August 25 @ 1 p.m. (Registration Deadline: August 20, 2020)
  Event Number 127 704 2563; https://tinyurl.com/yxgcyrm2
• August 25 @ 6 p.m.(Registration Deadline: (August 20, 2020)
  Event Number 127 882 3168; https://tinyurl.com/y5y5zx3g
• August 26 @ 1 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 21, 2020)
  Event Number 127 725 5848; https://tinyurl.com/y39fk96z
• August 26 @ 6 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 21, 2020)
  Event Number 127 228 7524; https://tinyurl.com/y2rrrwtx
• August 27 @ 1 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 24, 2020)
  Event Number 127 248 8863; https://tinyurl.com/y5w39czy
• August 27 @ 6 p.m.(Registration Deadline: August 24, 2020)
  Event Number 127 972 3396; https://tinyurl.com/yxr7hp6u

Pennsylvania American Water provides services to approximately 2.3 million people in 37 counties across Pennsylvania.