The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has approved half of the proposed rate increase by the Pennsylvania American Water Company.
In a 4-1 vote on Thursday, the Commission approved a scaled-back version of the proposal which would cut the $1 billion in increases by half, which would have increased the average monthly water bill by $17. The revised changes provide for an increase in revenues of about $99.3 million a year compared to the initial request of $202.4 million. The proposal approved will also start an investigation into water quality complaints voiced by many in Scranton, eliminate an item on the proposal that would have rewarded PAWC for management performance. It also calls on the company to increase their contributions to the utility’s Hardship Fund by an additional $1 million.
This marks the third rate increase in the last four years.
