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TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS |
DATE: September 6, 2000 |
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FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Public Comment Session for Water Company Sale |
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PHOENIX - On March 24, 2000, Citizens Utilities Company filed a joint application with Arizona-American Water Company to sell their water and wastewater business to Arizona-American. The sale must be approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. In preparation for making such a decision, the Commission is holding a public comment session on September 14 in Sun City. The Commission holds public comment meetings to allow business and residential customers to explain their positions on issues such as changes in ownership. |
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If you have questions about the possible sale or would like to learn more about Citizens Utilities and Arizona-American Water Company, you are encouraged to attend the public comment session on September 14. It will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Bell Recreation Center's Social Hall #1. The Bell Recreation Center is located at 16820 North 99th Avenue in Sun City. Public comment sessions typically last one and a half to two hours, depending on the number of people who wish to speak. Representatives of the Arizona Corporation Commission and both companies will attend to listen to the customers and answer questions. Commissioner Bill Mundell will chair the meeting. |
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The following subsidiaries of Citizens Utilities are included in the proposed sale: The Agua Fria Water Division of Citizens serving Surprise and nearby areas; the Sun City Water Company and Sun City Sewer Company serving Sun City, Youngtown and portions of Peoria; and Sun City West Utilities serving the water and wastewater needs of Sun City West and a portion of Surprise. In addition, Citizens Water Services Company of Arizona serves the water and sewer needs of Anthem area residents. Outside of Maricopa County, the Mohave Water Division provides service in the Bullhead City area, the Havasu Water Company serves customers in Lake Havasu City and the Tubac Valley Water Company serves customers in southern Arizona. |
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About the process: |
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Public comment sessions are formal proceedings. Residents will be asked to introduce themselves by name and then present their comments to the Commissioner(s) or company representatives. A court reporter will transcribe all comments shared at the proceeding. Citizen input becomes a part of the official record that the Commissioners review prior to making any final decisions on pending matters. |
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A formal evidentiary hearing will take place beginning on September 27. The applicants and intervenors will provide sworn testimony before the Hearing Officer, an administrative law judge. The applicants will present evidence supporting their position and may be cross examined. Typically, the presiding Hearing Officer will issue his or her recommendations to the Commissioners 30 to 60 days after the conclusion of the hearing. Finally, the Commissioners will hear the matter in an Open Meeting and vote to amend, deny or approve the sale. |
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For more information on the meeting, please contact the Public Information Officer, Heather Murphy, at (602)542-0844. |
