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To: Editors, News Directors |
Date: August 12, 2003 |
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For: Immediate Release |
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Public Comment Sessions Set For Arizona Water Company Rate Case |
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PHOENIX - In preparation for an evidentiary hearing set for May 1, 2003, the Arizona Corporation In preparation for an evidentiary hearing set for September 22, 2003, the Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduling public comment sessions around the state. Arizona Water Company has asked the Commission to approve rate increases for its Eastern Group. The Eastern Group includes eight water systems serving over 29,000 customers in the following communities: |
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Sub-system # of Customers Apache Junction 16,093 Superior 1,288 Bisbee 3,393 Sierra Vista 2,294 Miami 3,027 San Manuel 1,552 Oracle 1,401 Winkleman 188 Total 29,236 |
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This is the first rate case filed by Arizona Water Company for the Eastern Group since December 1992. Those rates were based on a test year ending in December 1990. Since then, the company contends, the costs of maintaining, operating and testing the water system to provide safe, reliable drinking water have risen to the point where the company is requesting a total increase in revenue of $4,256,510 or a system-wide increase of 29.5 percent. The new lower federal EPA limit for arsenic, a naturally-occurring element in water, has been cited by the company as a reason for upgrading treatment facilities. The application also proposes a way to recover costs associated with arsenic treatment. |
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The Arizona Corporation Commission staff is in the process of evaluating the merits of the case in preparation for a courtroom-style administrative hearing. Commission staff members are auditing records and assessing whether certain costs should be recovered and, if so, to what extent and over what period of time. Companies, organizations and individuals that have formally intervened will have an opportunity to question the company and argue their position at the September 22 hearing in Phoenix. An administrative law judge will preside over the hearing to assess the validity of each party's position. |
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Before the hearing begins, the Commissioners want to hear from members of the public who would be affected by the decision. There are three ways to offer public comment: |
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Customers are welcome to attend on the date and time that is most convenient for their schedule. Dates and locations were grouped together where facilities were available to accommodate the meeting and the Commissioners' schedules. Public comment sessions will be held as follows: |
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Monday, August 18, 2003 |
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SAN MANUEL-6:00 P.M. - San Manuel Junior/Senior High School - 711 McNab Parkway, San Manuel |
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Tuesday, August 19, 2003 |
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BISBEE-5:30 P.M. - Cochise County Health Department,1415 West Melody Lane, Building A, Bisbee |
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Thursday, August 28, 2003 |
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APACHE JUNCTION-6:30 P.M. - Senior Center & Library,1170 North Idaho Road, Apache Junction |
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About Public Comment Sessions |
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Public comment sessions are formal proceedings and all comments will be transcribed by a court reporter. The Commissioners may limit the duration of each individual's comments to allow everyone a fair opportunity to speak. |
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No date has been set for the Commissioners to make a final decision on the case. The hearing in front of the administrative law judge could last several days. The judge then waits for any final briefs to be filed, for the transcripts to come in and begins working on a recommendation for the Commissioners to consider. This can take six to eight weeks or more, depending on whether the parties are ordered to submit summary briefs. Consumers should, however, be aware and anticipate that this case could result in an increase to their water bills. |
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Public Comment by Mail |
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If you cannot attend in person, the Commission encourages the timely submission of written comments. Submit comments to the Docket Control Center and they will be distributed to all registered parties or intervenors. Be sure to reference the docket number to ensure that your comments are properly catalogued and referenced. |
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Arizona Corporation Commission |
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Docket Number W-01445A-02-0619 |
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Electronic Public Comment |
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You may also comment through the Commission's "Can We Help You" page on the Utilities Division website. Be sure to include the proper docket number(s) listed above. For instructions on filing electronic public comment, click on http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/cons/. |
