AUG. 17^TH HEARING SCHEDULED ON WATER RATE INCREASE REQUEST

 HARRISBURG, AUG. 1 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that customers of Pennsylvania- American Water Company are invited to offer comments at a public input hearing on a requested rate increase.

 The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is hosting a series of public hearings this month on the requested base rate increase request of the Pennsylvania-American Water Company. The company has requested a rate increase of $59.2 million (14.7 percent), which for customers of PAWC, Zone 1 (Bridgeport, East Norriton Township, Norristown, Plymouth Township and Upper Merion Township), would mean that the average annual bill (for residential customers using 54,000 gallons of water) would increase by about $72 (from $468 to $540). This is a 15.36 percent increase.

 A hearing is planned for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17^th in the Montgomery County Courthouse, Court Room D, Ridge Pike, Main and Swede St., Norristown. Judge Herbert Smolen will be the presiding judge. Other hearings are scheduled in other parts of the state where customers will be impacted by the rate increase.

 "This public hearing is your opportunity to voice your concerns directly to the PUC, which will be deciding whether the water company should be granted a rate increase," Williams said. "If you are concerned about the rate increase, I would encourage you to consider offering comments during the hearing."

 The public hearings are part of a PUC investigation into the proposal. The PUC has until Jan. 26, 2008 to make a final decision. The decision will be made at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

 Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearing and provide comments. Customer testimony will become part of the record on which PUC will base its decision in the case. Those interested in participating should: 

• Sign up to testify when they arrive (The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they are signed in).

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand (You may want to write out your statement and read it).

• Bring copies if you have a written statement or other papers you want to give the judge as evidence, please bring several copies with you: an original, two copies for the court reporter and several copies for active participants in the case.

• Be prepared to affirm that the testimony that you are about to give is truthful.

• Plan to be questioned (Sometimes parties in the case may want to ask you a question about something that you said. Listen to the whole question and answer as best you can. It is okay if you don't know the answer).

 People with disabilities that wish to attend the hearing may be able to make arrangements for their special needs. Please call the PUC scheduling office at least two business days prior to the hearing at 717-787-1399. AT&T Relay Service is available for people who are deaf or hearing impaired at 1-800-654-5988.