El senador Muth insta a la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Pensilvania a proteger a los contribuyentes de los precios abusivos

13 de agosto de 2024

Senadora Katie Muth

ROYERSFORD, Agosto 13, 2024: State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) spoke in opposition to a proposed rate increase submitted by Aqua Pennsylvania at a public input hearing hosted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) last night.  

The hearing, held at Spring-Ford Area School District, gave residents an opportunity to provide comments on rate increases proposed by Aqua Pennsylvania and Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater totaling $126.7 million. Muth noted in her public remarks that the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate’s filed a formal complaint against the proposed rate increases.

“As a Senator, I felt it was necessary to testify on behalf of Pennsylvania taxpayers regarding this latest effort by a for-profit corporation that is scamming Pennsylvania consumers through corporate price gouging,” Muth said. “I urge the PUC to deny this request for another rate increase in the interest of the consumers and follow the requests for action outlined in the formal complaint filed by the Office of Consumer Advocate.  Doing so will not only protect Pennsylvania consumers from corporate greed but will also restore some faith in our government regulatory system that is supposed to protect and serve the public.”

Aqua Water proposes to increase its annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $112 million (18.7%).  Aqua Wastewater seeks a corresponding increase in its annual operating revenues for wastewater services by $14.6 million (20.1%).  In total, the proposed rate increase requests would increase the company’s total annual operating revenues by approximately $126.7 million

Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residential water customer using 3,870 gallons per month would increase by $16.10 (19.9%) from $80.91 to $97.01.  The average monthly bill for a residential wastewater customer would increase $14.92 (18.4%) from $81.18 to $96.10.

A final PUC decision on both rate increase requests is due by Febrero 22, 2025.

Click here to read a copy of Senator Muth’s statement that she presented at last night’s hearing.