skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

PAWC rate hike proposal would affect 770,000 PA households

play audio
Play

Thursday, February 22, 2024   

If Pennsylvania American Water gets its latest rate hike, more than 770,000 water and wastewater customers in 37 counties would be affected.

For now, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has hit 'pause' on the proposed water and sewer rate hike, while it conducts its own investigation.

Patrick Cicero, Pennsylvania's state consumer advocate, said the increase would boost the company's total annual revenue for water services by $204 million. He pointed out the company estimates about a 20% increase in water bills, and not as much for sewer service customers.

"We anticipate that it's going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10% to 20% on each side, if they get what they want," Cicero outlined. "It all depends on what the Public Utility Commission awards them, though. We don't think they're entitled to $204 million. We're requesting a much smaller rate increase than that."

The Public Utility Commission has until Aug. 7 to make a final decision. Cicero noted a family of three now pays about $70 a month for water, and the average wastewater customer pays $106. If they use more than 3,200 gallons of water, their bills would increase even more under the new plan.

Pennsylvania American Water has said it is making investments in its system, and collecting revenue from the rate hike will help pay for it. But Cicero pointed out the utility already received a $140 million rate increase in January of last year.

"Over that 18-month period of time, if they get everything they've wanted, they would be having a $343 million annual increase," Cicero explained. "We're concerned about customers -- particularly low-income customers, but also moderate-income customers and seniors -- and their ability to afford this."

Despite hundreds of Pennsylvanians voicing their opposition at 12 public hearings, a water rate hike looms. Cicero said it is important for people to let their state lawmakers know how they feel about rate increases. He added they can also file formal or informal complaints online with the Public Utility Commission.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Vice President Kamala Harris focused on reproductive rights at a campaign event in Michigan Wednesday. Her remarks come as President Joe Biden has …


Environment

play sound

Construction could begin in Minnesota later this year in the final phase of one of the nation's largest solar energy developments, after state …

Social Issues

play sound

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…


The Illinois State Board of Education report card said O'Fallon Township High School HSD #203 is currently only funded at 64%. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Kristy Alpert for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise, in Connecticut and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills …

"Arizonans understand that it is insane to risk Phoenix or Tempe for Odesa or some corn field in Ukraine. It is not in our national interest to get involved," said U.S. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Ariz. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Social Issues

play sound

More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

Environment

play sound

So far, states like Wisconsin have largely escaped the worst of the summer heat affecting much of the nation but a group of scientists wants regional …

Social Issues

play sound

Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021