PUC finds for complainants against Pike County Power & Light

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Feb. 28 approved a settlement between Pike County Power & Light Company and more than 50 complainants, to improve customer relations, infrastructure and vegetation management. The Commission found the settlement to be in the public interest and voted 4-0 to approve the settlement. Additionally, the Commission addressed the issue of whether Pike provided reasonable service to its customers for the period prior to the filing of these complaints. According to the Administrative Law Judge, record testimony and evidence would support a finding that the company’s service did not meet the standards required by the PUC. The Commission voted 3-1 on a motion of Commissioner Tyrone J. Christy to fully adopt the Judge’s finding regarding inadequate service. “Pike County Power & Light Company gives us an opportunity to examine how significant and needed repairs to infrastructure will affect rates,” said PUC Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “This is an issue that will impact us here in Pennsylvania and across the nation. The issues facing this small utility, once again, give us an opportunity to resolve significant issues with far reaching consequences.” As part of the settlement, Pike County Power & Light Company has agreed to create a Community Advisory Council, which will serve as a forum for the company and its customers and discuss rate, reliability and customer relations issues. The company will also improve its communication with the County’s emergency personnel regarding flood response, and establish a site within Pennsylvania for a customer service representative to address billing and customer service issues by the end of 2008. Under the settlement, the company has also agreed to begin three short-term projects and four long-term projects to improve its infrastructure. In a statement, PUC Vice Chairman James H. Cawley said the Community Advisory Council will be “composed of two company representatives and a broad range of Pike County governmental and consumer representatives, who will need to provide critical feedback as to the affordability and benefits of these projects.” In addition, the company will continue to accelerate its tree-trimming cycle from four years to three years and will review the need for additional vegetation management. The company serves about 4,500 customers in Westfall, Milford and part of Dingman townships, as well as Matamoras and Milford boroughs.