Pennsylvania American Water's [Owned by RWE] proposal meets with strenuous opposition at a packed hearing held under the auspices of the state Public Utility Commission.
Felix Alfonso Pena, August 21, 2007, Reading Eagle - A standing-room-only crowd unleashed a torrent of complaints at a public hearing on Pennsylvania American Water company's proposed rate increase, which could be as much as 31 percent for residential customers in Berks County.
About 100 people filled the room at the Country Inn and Suites in Wyomissing on Monday evening, and about two dozen gave sworn testimony.
Many of them were there to protest the rate hike.
"It's too much of a rate hike for me," said Denise Alston-Guilden of Exeter Township as she waited for the meeting to start. "It's almost $200 a year."
"The increase would be OK if they paid for the water softener," said Lorraine Koch of Schwarzwald Heights in Exeter Township.
Allegations of poor water quality, questionable business practices, unjustifiably high rates and rude service were interlaced with protests about the size of the proposed increase.
Administrative Judge Robert P. Meehan presided at the hearing, one of 10 being held under the auspices of the state Public Utility Commission in areas served by Pennsylvania American.
There to hear comments, in addition to the judge, were representatives from the state offices of Consumer Advocate and Small Business Advocate, the commission's trial staff and Pennsylvania American.
State Sen. Mike O'Pake, a Reading Democrat, testified first, assailing the company for the sudden and large rate hike.
"It's not reasonable to expect customers -- residential, commercial and industrial -- to bear the burden of sudden large rate increases," he said.
State Rep. David R. Kessler, an Oley Township Democrat, followed, calling the rate increase "unjust, unreasonable and outside of the law."
Ayana Wood, Exeter Township, said the company kept overestimating her water usage, until she had amassed a $500 credit.
"Why should I give you more money to mess up my bill?" she asked.
Several people complained that when the company went from quarterly to monthly billing several years ago, it effectively increased the service charge to $120 a year from about $90.
Dorothy Reilly, Exeter Township, was typical of customers from there and other areas who were angry about the quality of water.
"Either it is so hard it destroys appliances and pipes or it is slimy and smelly with sediment or white powder," she said.
In Berks County, Pennsylvania American serves all or part of Amity, Spring, Cumru, Earl, Exeter, Lower Heidelberg, Ruscombmanor and South Heidelberg townships
The company also has customers in Sinking Spring, St. Lawrence and Wyomissing.
Contact Felix Alfonso Pena at 610-371-5037 or apena@readingeagle.com.
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