PUC to investigate water/wastewater rate increase requests

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Thursday suspended rate increase requests for water and wastewater services proposed by Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC), Greater Hazleton Community Area new Development Organization (CAN DO), and Community Utilities of Pennsylvania (CUPA). The commission voted 5-0 in each of the cases to investigate proposals to increase revenues. PAWC serves 681,707 water and 97,585 wastewater consumers in 37 counties. CAN DO rate increases were planned for commercial and industrial water customers in Luzerne and Carbon counties. CUPA proposed revenue increases to approximately 3,832 customers in portions of Monroe, Chester, and Pike counties. The rate change requests are suspended for up to seven months, according to the PUC. The cases will now go before the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation.