Albany, NY—The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that it is seeking comment on a pending request of United Water New York, Inc. (UWNY) to increase its total revenues by approximately $21.3 million (28.9 percent), and on a recommendation made by Commission Administrative Law Judges to increase total revenues by approximately $11.1 million (15 percent). 

The April 8, 2014, recommendation put forth by the Administrative Law Judges also propose levels of revenues, expenses, and rate of return, as well as address customer service and fire service issues.  A copy of the recommended decision, and all other case documents, are publicly available on the Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov. The Commission may approve, modify, or reject the recommended decision in whole or in part.

The rate case does not include consideration of UWNY’s proposal to construct a desalination plant in Haverstraw Bay 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.

UWNY serves approximately 74,000 customers in Orange and Rockland Counties. 

Public Statement Hearings

The public will have an opportunity to present their comments at the hearings before an Administrative Law Judge assigned by the Commission to hear this case.  A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of the proceeding.

The public statement hearings will be held as follows:

WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014

Felix Festa Middle School

Auditorium, B-wing Entrance

30 Parrott Road

West Nyack, NY 10994

Public Statement Hearings:  4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, April 24, 2014

Town of Ramapo

            Town Hall Council Room

237 Route 59

Suffern, NY 10901

Public Statement Hearings: 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Each of the four public statement hearing sessions will remain open a minimum of one hour, and until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other arrangements are made. 

It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings.  Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak.  Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should place a collect call to the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible.  TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number. 

Other Ways to Comment

Internet or Mail:  In addition to the formal hearings, comments may be sent electronically to the Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Your comments should refer to “Case 13-W-0295 – United Water New York - Rates.”

Toll-free Opinion Line:  Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day.  Callers should press “1” to leave comments.

Comments should be submitted by May 9, 2014.  Comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission.  Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 13-W-0295 (at www.dps.ny.gov, enter Case Number 13-W-0295 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number") and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.  Many libraries offer free Internet access. 

The Commission’s decision in this case, when issued, may be obtained on the Commission’s website by searching for Case 13-W-0295 as described above.  Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1?800?342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.