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To: Editors, News Directors |
Date: November 19, 2003 |
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For: Immediate Release |
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ACC Announces Public Comment Session on Pine Water Company Rate Case |
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PHOENIX – In preparation for an evidentiary hearing set for the Pine Water Company rate case on January 15, 2004, the Arizona Corporation Commission has scheduled a public comment session in Pine, Arizona for the evening of Monday, December 8, 2003. Pine Water Company, a subsidiary of Brooke Utilities, was ordered to file a rate case as a result of a prior Commission order. The company is requesting that the Commission to approve a rate increase for the Pine system |
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Pine Water Company currently serves approximately 1,900 connections, comprised mostly of single-family homes. Many of the company’s customers are seasonal visitors, which increases water demand during the summer months. The Commissioners and staff have monitored closely the water supply situation in Pine after a series of summer outages during previous summers. |
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In April 2003, the Commission approved a special surcharge mechanism to cover the increased cost of hauling water to its facilities when demand for water outstrips the system’s ability to produce water. The surcharge was limited to a precise accounting of the exact amount of water purchased and hauled, along with the costs of transporting that water. |
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Pine Water Company has had the same rates in effect since April 1, 2000. Those rates were based on a test year ending in June 30, 1998. |
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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 January 15, 2004 hearing in Phoenix at the Commission’s main offices. 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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The public comment session will be: |
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Monday, December 8, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Pine Elementary School Gymnasium |
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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 numbers to ensure that your comments are properly catalogued and referenced. |
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Arizona Corporation Commission Docket Number: |
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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 docket numbers listed above. For instructions on filing electronic public comment, click on http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/cons/index.htm. |
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