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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County expressing the sense of Council urging the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to carefully and deliberately evaluate the rate increase proposed by Pennsylvania American Water Company, and for both the Commission, the Company, and external stakeholders to work cooperatively in order to strike an appropriate balance between the time sensitivity relating to the Company's most important infrastructure needs and the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the Commonwealth.
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Whereas, as of December 31, 2019, Pennsylvania American Water Company ("PAWC") provided service to approximately 665,829 water customers and approximately 74,354 wastewater customers located in 37 counties across Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, on April 29, 2020, PAWC filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PUC") to increase water and wastewater rates for its customers; and
Whereas, according to figures provided by PAWC, the monthly bill for the average customer using 3,458 gallons of water a month would increase to $65.91 from $57.85 in the first year, and this rate would further increase to $69.73 in the second year, with the first increase originally scheduled to take effect as of January 1, 2021; and
Whereas, if the rate increase request is granted as proposed by the company, PAWC will be permitted to recover an additional $138.6 million in total annual operating revenues over a two-year period; $92.4 million in 2021 (12.9% over annual revenues at present rates), and $46.2 million in 2022 (5.8% over annual revenues at present rates); and
Whereas, in response to multiple complaints regarding the proposed increase, the PUC suspended the proposed rate increase, pending investigation; and
Whereas, public input hearings relating to that investigation were scheduled by the PUC for August 18, 20, 26 and 27, 2020, with the Commission rendering a final decision regarding the proposed increase at some point...
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