Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania American Water receives recommendations amid concerns over proposed rate increase – Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania American Water, the public utility company tasked with providing water and wastewater services to more than half of Pennsylvania counties, received a list of recommendations in late 2023 that it says it will work to implement.
Not included in the most recent audit report was mention of concerns over a proposed rate increase, requested by the utility company less than a year after its last rate increase was implemented, and amid soaring utility costs for consumers. The audits are regularly conducted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Pa. House panel revisits utility privatization law as consumers face soaring water and sewer bills
The PUC reports that Pennsylvania American Water is the largest water and wastewater service provider in the Commonwealth, serving 681,707 water and 97,585 wastewater customers in 37 counties across Pennsylvania.
In its audit report, PUC made 31 recommendations to Pennsylvania American Water, among them were:
- Reducing unaccounted-for-water (UFW) below the PUC’s 20% threshold and reporting UFW correctly,
- Reducing service line hits to the company’s underground facilities, including damage by PAWC employees and contractors,
- Improving physical security for control rooms and systems,
- Improving customer service performance to at least pre-pandemic levels,
- And continuing outreach efforts to assist customers in need by leveraging low-income resources to help reduce the number of customers with outstanding balances.
A spokesperson for Pennsylvania American Water told the Capital-Star that it believes the audit was a success with fewer findings from the PUC compared to the Commission’s last audit, which was conducted from 2014-2016.
In its response to the Commission, Pennsylvania American Water accepted all 31 of the PUC’s recommendations in full or part and indicated that it plans to implement most of them by the end of 2024.
“We are confident that our implementation plan demonstrates our commitment to take appropriate actions resulting from this important effort,” David Misner, a spokesperson for the utility, said.
On Dec. 21, the PUC voted unanimously to suspend a proposed rate increase for water and wastewater services provided by Pennsylvania American Water to conduct a “detailed investigation and analysis” of the proposed change.
The PUC reported last month that the proposed rate change would increase the company’s total annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $199.2 million, or more than 24%, and increase total annual operating revenues for wastewater services by approximately $4.7 million or 2.5%.
In a Dec. 10 letter to PUC Chairperson Steve DeFrank, state Rep. Jim Haddock (D-Luzerne) urged the Commission to suspend the rate increase, saying that it was “especially concerning considering PAW was just approved for a 14.5% increase by the PUC in April 2023.”
Pennsylvania American Water reported in late 2022 that the increase slated for 2023 was needed to cover the costs of replacing aging water and wastewater management systems.
“The company continues to make needed investments to replace aging infrastructure, comply with water quality and environmental regulations and meet customers’ water and wastewater service needs,” a statement from the utility reads.
While the proposed rate increase was suspended by the PUC before it was scheduled to take effect, Haddock wrote that he had heard from concerned constituents who said they were worried about the impact of the proposed increase.
“My district offices are being overwhelmed by constituents who are filled with dread and worry about how they can afford such a sudden and expensive water rate increase,” Haddock said. “This is a substantial burden for customers struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet.”
Misner said the Commission’s decision regarding the suspension of the proposed rate change is “a typical action in every large utility rate filing.”
“This allows time for the Commission and other parties to thoroughly review the request and provide opportunities for public input,” Misner said, adding that the utility informed customers not to expect the proposed increase to take effect until August 2024.
A final decision by the PUC on the rate increase request is due by Aug. 7. The next audit is scheduled to begin in 2026.
One person is dead, and two others were taken to the hospital after a crash involving multiple vehicles in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The crash happened around 4:45 p.m. at East Bristol Road and Brownsville roads, police said.
Police said a person driving a Toyota RAV4 was involved in a domestic-related incident in Lower Southampton Township before the crash.
The person driving the Toyota RAV4 was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle while attempting to pass a Hyundai Kona, according to police.
The Toyota then became airborne, struck a Honda SUV and a Ford pickup truck and rolled over. The driver of the Toyota died in the crash, police said.
The driver of the Hyundai Kona left the road and came to a rest after striking a fence on Bristol Road, according to police.
It’s unclear if any drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash, police said.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Bensalem police.
Pennsylvania
Digital News Publishers Launch Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA) to Advocate for Local News Organizations – Saucon Source
The publishers of two dozen local news brands across Pennsylvania today announced the official formation of the Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA).
The new Harrisburg-based organization is dedicated to bringing together digital-first local news organizations to strengthen the independent press, modernize laws and policies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of community news.
“The news industry is in a period of profound transformation, and digital news publishers need a seat at the table,” said Tom Sofield, PiNA’s president and publisher of LevittownNow.com.
PiNA’s mission is to provide these publishers with a collective voice, advocating for policies that reflect the modern reality of news consumers, local businesses and civic organizations.
An immediate focus for the new association is the reform of Pennsylvania’s outdated public notice laws, which currently prohibit digital outlets from publishing legal notices. PiNA seeks the right for qualified and established digital outlets to compete against incumbent print outlets and for local municipalities to choose the publication and medium that’s best for their communities. PiNA’s proposed amendment draws from similar legislation in Virginia that was signed into law in 2024.
“PiNA publishers have long been ready to compromise and find policy solutions that work for all Pennsylvanians,” said PiNA secretary and treasurer Davis Shaver, publisher of LebTown. “When lawmakers and local government organizations say they want the ability to self-publish notices, it’s a result of legacy newspapers treating the print monopoly over public notices as a profit center.”
PiNA’s position is that independent outlets can provide the third-party affidavits of publication required to demonstrate compliance with public notice mandates–an essential role of the notice process that would not be possible if agencies were allowed to publish on their own websites.
“We understand why self-publication is desirable, but it’s not the only way to provide urgently needed financial relief for the onerous print newspaper tax on public notices,” said Shaver. “We’re tired of waiting for legacy newspapers to disrupt themselves. Enough is enough, let’s move on.”
PiNA has already engaged with state legislators from across the Commonwealth. PiNA leadership said that the group has been encouraged to learn that its position has widespread support. In particular, PiNA commends Representative Robert Freeman (D-136) for his leadership on this issue.
PiNA represents a group of serious-minded news organizations and leaders. Its membership spans the Commonwealth, from the most rural area to the suburbs and to the neighborhoods of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. PiNA member outlets are read by millions of Pennsylvanians monthly.
“We are coming together to advocate for our staffs, our readers and common-sense policies–like public notice reform–that support a free and modern press,” said Sofield. “By combining our strengths, we can ensure that every community in Pennsylvania has access to reliable local news.”
The association will work to bring collaboration among the locally-owned Pennsylvania small businesses to share ideas and solutions for growth, technology and sustainable revenue models.
“We believe in the power of local news to build stronger communities and improve lives,” said Sofield. “By forming PiNA, we’re creating a base for independent publishers to thrive together.”
PiNA is focused on ensuring that high-quality, trustworthy local news is a permanent fixture in Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The founding members of PiNA include Burb Media, EYT Media Group, Fideri News Network, Lazerpro, Lebanon Publishing Company, NCPA Media LLC and Street Light Media Group. The first associate members include West Hills Gazette and Saucon Source.
Member Outlets: AroundAmbler.com, CentralBucksNews.com, explore814.com, exploreClarion.com, exploreJeffersonPA.com, exploreVenango.com, GlensideLocal.com, HorshamNow.com, LebTown.com, LevittownNow.com, MediaPANow.com, MoreThanTheCurve.com, NewHopeFreePress.com, NewtownPANow.com, NorthCentralPA.com, NorthPennNow.com, PerkValleyNow.com, PhillyDaily.com, SauconSource.com, StateCollege.com, WestHillsGazette.com, WillowGroveNow.com, and WissNow.com.
About PiNA
The Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA) is a trade association representing digital-first local news publishers. PiNA works to promote the health and sustainability of independent news outlets through advocacy, collaboration and innovation.
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