United Water, Inc. Rate Case Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of United Water New York Inc. for Water Service.

PSC Seeking Public Comment
The New York State Public Service Commission seeks public comment on the pending request of United Water New York Inc. (UWNY or the Company) to increase its basic rates to customers for water service.  The proceeding considering this rate request does not include consideration of UWNY’s proposal to construct a desalination plant on Haverstraw Bay on the Hudson River to meet its long-term water supply needs, nor does it include consideration of UWNY’s request to implement a surcharge to recover development costs for the long-term supply proposal.

It is not necessary to be present at the start of the public statement hearing, or to make an appointment in advance, or to present written material in order to speak at the hearing.  Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card.  The hearings will remain open and will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.  A verbatim transcript of the hearing will be made for inclusion in the record.

Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may call the Department of Public Service's Human Resources Management Office at 518-474-2520.  TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711.  Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Commission at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this fact sheet.

All statements transcribed at the public statement hearing and all other comments received by the Commission will become part of the record, and will be reported to the Commission for its consideration.  All such comments will be posted for public viewing on the Commission’s website, at www.dps.ny.gov.

Public Statement Hearings were held at the Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack, NY on April 23, 2014, and at the Ramapo Town Hall on April 24, 2014. 

Summary of Company’s Request
On July 2, 2013, UWNY filed tariff schedules designed to increase the Company’s base rates by 28.9% to provide it with additional revenues of about $21.3 million for a rate year beginning June 1, 2014 and ending May 31, 2015.  The effective date of the tariff changes was suspended by Commission orders and extension agreements of the Company through June 30, 2014.

The matter was assigned to Administrative Law Judges to conduct hearings, and a team of staff members from the Department of Public Service was assigned to analyze the Company’s proposal and to participate in the case as a party (Staff).  Other parties intervening to participate in the case were the Department of State’s Utility Intervention Unit and a group calling itself the Municipal Consortium, representing Rockland County and various towns, villages and other public entities.  Staff and the intervenor parties challenged UWNY’s proposal in many respects but supported certain aspects of the Company’s filing.  All parties submitted testimony, cross-examined witnesses at a publicly noticed evidentiary hearing, and filed post-hearing briefs advocating their respective positions. 

Recommended Decision
On April 8, 2014, the Administrative Law Judges issued a Recommended Decision (RD), setting forth their proposed resolution of all issues in the case for consideration by the Commission.  The RD proposes that UWNY be granted a rate increase of approximately $11.1 million, representing an increase of 15% in total revenues to UWNY.  The RD and all other documents in the case are publicly available on the Commission’s website.  The Commission will consider the record evidence, views of all the parties, comments of the public, and the ALJs’ recommendation, and can also bring to bear its own expertise in reaching a final decision.

Other Methods for Commenting on the Case
• Via the Internet or In Writing:  Those who cannot or do not wish to attend a public statement hearing may submit comments electronically to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, at [email protected] or by mail or delivery to Secretary Burgess at the Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Comments may also be entered directly into the case by clicking here. Many libraries offer free internet service.
• Toll-Free Opinion Line:  Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s toll-free Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This line is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day.  Callers should press “1” and select the choice for water to leave comments about Case 13-W-0295. These calls are not transcribed but a summary is provided to the administrative law judges who will report to the Commission.

Comments submitted via these alternative means are requested by May 9, 2014.

Click here for a copy of the fact sheet.