CPUC also found that “it would be fair, just and reasonable to implement wastewater increases.”
On June 3, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the Georgetown Consulting Group submitted a stipulation to the commission recommending an increase in water and wastewater rates.
Last April 2, the commission determined that CUC and Georgetown’s recommendation for a 173.4 percent increase in water and wastewater rates was not persuasive.
Hearing examiner Harry M. Boertzel of Georgetown which serves as an independent regulatory consultant to the commission, will determine which interim rates will be submitted for CPUC’s consideration in the regulatory session.
In an e-mail to Variety, CPUC commissioner Kyle Calabrese said the formula for lifeline rates will vary from utility to utility depending on many factors.
“The hearing examiner will be directing the parties to propose lifeline rates appropriate for the commonwealth. That proposal will be considered at our August regulatory session,” Calabrese said.
Boertzel’s report on June 15, 2009 stated that a wastewater rate increase should be implemented in the manner recommended in section 8 of the stipulation, which is 50 percent effective July 1, 2009 and 50 percent effective Sept. 4, 2009 unless alternative funding is tendered by the government.
The CPUC decision and order also directed the hearing examiner to monitor CUC’s compliance with its commitment in the stipulation to initiate on or before June 30, 2009 — in lieu of current fixed monthly charges — the billing of wastewater services to commercial customers based on either metered usage or estimated usage, which reasonably reflects actual usage.
“Any breach of this commitment shall be promptly communicated to the commission with a recommendation for appropriate enforcement action,” the order said.
