SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Homeowners made their voices heard at the University of Scranton’s Brennan Hall on Thursday evening during a public input meeting on a proposed rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water.
The PUC voted in December to suspend and investigate the proposed increase of more than $168 million in total annual operating revenues for water and wastewater service.
For a typical water customer, that could mean an increase ranging from $2.73 more on their monthly bill to nearly $28 more per month.
Nearly 30 people attended the meeting to express their concerns. Among the crowd was Dunmore resident Gary Duncan, former chairperson of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging.
Duncan discussed how rising household utility costs affect older adults living on fixed incomes.
“I don’t want people to lose their houses. I still serve on a suicide prevention task force. The highest numbers of suicides are in people who look exactly like me. If you lose your home because we can’t maintain utilities, people my age commit suicide. I have to ask myself when I look in the mirror, ‘Is this the utility rate increase that is going to take me out of my home?'” said Duncan.
Pennsylvania American Water says the rate increase would allow for critical infrastructure upgrades, improving water quality and reliability by replacing aging pipes and facilities.
The PUC will hold a remote hearing on the issue Wednesday, Jan. 21.