Madi Keaton: Action.
Ria Pereira, PULP: Hello, everyone! My name is Ria Perera. I'm the supervising attorney with the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project joining me today is Geo. Brack bill, our utility justice project manager. Now, we're here today to talk about public input hearings. We're gonna give you some information about what public input hearings are and why they are important. And then we are also gonna provide you some
basic information about the upcoming public input hearings for the Pennsylvania American water raid case
Ria Pereira, PULP: can go to the next slide.
Ria Pereira, PULP: Thank you. So first, some basic information about who we are. Again, we are the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project. We're sometimes called pulp.
Ria Pereira, PULP: We are a statewide Legal Services project of regional Housing legal services. RHS are also a member of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Plan. So our mission at pulp is to secure just an equitable access to safe and affordable utility services for Pennsylvanians, experiencing poverty, and we accomplish our mission of empowering individuals and their
Ria Pereira, PULP: communities through a variety of ways, we engage in legal representation both of groups and individuals. We also engage in education and training, such as the one that we are doing here today. We also do policy advocacy across the State as well as provide supportive services and consultation.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So some general information about Pennsylvania American Water Company's Pawc's rate increase proposal.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So on November Eighth 2023, Pennsylvania American Water Company submitted a request to the Pennsylvania public Utility Commission that's the Poc to increase its rates for basic water and wastewater service by approximately 203.9 million dollars, or approximately 20.2%. Now, in addition to this rate request has proposed
several additional monthly charges to their bill.
Ria Pereira, PULP: In this proceeding, Paul does formally represent a coalition of low income consumers known as Cause PA. Or the Coalition for affordable utility services and energy efficiency in Pennsylvania. Now, just a little bit information about cause PA cause. PA is an unincorporated association of low and moderate income. Individuals, and
Ria Pereira, PULP: they advocate, on behalf of their members to enable consumers of limited economic means to connect to and maintain affordable utility services. Now cause PA is open to moderate and low income individuals residing throughout the Commonwealth.
Ria Pereira, PULP: and they are committed to helping these individuals achieve economic independence in terms of utility services.
Ria Pereira, PULP: Now, as I mentioned, there is a series of public input hearings that are coming up, related to this rate increase proposal.
and we're going to provide you some information about them here in a second.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So I believe I am handing it over to Geo to give you some more specific information about the Public input hearings as well as the Public Utility Commission.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: Yes, thank you. Ria. So the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or PAPU. C.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: Is a regulatory agency. They strive to balance consumer and utility interests.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: to try to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable services. We're talking about gas, electric water, etc. And they also do this while maintaining standards for the utilities. You can read more about them online. If you visit WWWP. c.pa. Gov.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: And I just wanted to share the importance of a public input hearing. So they allow residential utilities consumers to provide on the record testimony. So this is important for historically excluded communities, including front line communities, black, indigenous people of color communities and low income individuals, because then they can take advantage of this opportunity to participate in the decision making process
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: voiced their concerns about utility rates, utility service quality. The policies and programs offered by the utilities as well.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: So as mentioned before, Pennsylvania American water companies rate case
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: will include a series of public input hearings featuring both in person and telephonic sessions, and they're scheduled throughout the end of January and beginning of February 2024. There's going to be 2 sessions daily at one PM. And 6 PM. And the locations include
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: court view. On January 29,
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: Scranton, on January thirtieth, reading, on January 30, first in Harrisburg on Friday.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: on February sixth. for in-person hearings, and then the telephonic hearings are set for Monday, February fifth, and Wednesday, February seventh.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: You can also see the addresses
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: of the in-person
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: locations on this slide
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: for the in-person public input hearings. I want to note that
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: preregistration with the office of consumer advocate or Oca. Is encouraged with pre registers, testifying in the order that they register, while, on the other hand, for telephonic hearings, preregistration is
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: necessary by February first, 2024, and I want to underline that it's required
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: for testifying. testifying on the telephonic hearings and also for just obtaining the call and information to listen.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: So to preregister for the public input hearings. What you'll need to do is contact the Oca by phone at 18068465600r by email at consumer@paoca.org.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: with your first and last name, the date and time of the public input hearing a reachable phone number and your email address, if you have one.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: and then you'll also need to specify the language that you will be participating in. And if you need an interpreter, so, for if you do require an interpreter, or you wish to refer to it, certain exhibits during the hearing, you'll want to preregister right away and send in those exhibits by January 20, fifth, or
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: the hearings that take place January 29, May 30, first, and then you want to register by February first.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: for hearings that take place on in February from the fifth to the seventh.
Gio Ortiz-Brackbill, PULP: and you'll want to send those exhibits to consumer@pausien.org at this time passing it back to us that for some more information on public input here.
Ria Pereira, PULP: thanks to you. Now let's talk about some of the practicalities of attending public input hearings. So public input hearings are open to individuals and other entities that might be affected by the Pennsylvania American water services. And this can potentially include also.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So keep that in mind. So once you get to a public input hearing. And you are called to testify. First, you will be asked some basic information. So you'll be asked if you're a customer of the utility involved in the rate proceedings. So in this case, Pennsylvania American. You'll also be asked to give your name to spell your name also. To give your
address, and most likely you'll also be asked to give your profession. So some just basic information to get you started normally.
Ria Pereira, PULP: and then you'll be asked to make a decision whether you want to testify under oath. This is sometimes called on the record. Now, here's the difference, and what that means. So, if you testify under oath, you will be asked to raise your right hand and swear that your testimony is the truth and nothing but the truth. Now, if you do choose to testify under oath on the record, your testimony can be considered
by the judges. The administrative law judges in making the case as part of the official record. Now, the flip side of this is, if you choose to not testify under oath. The Al. J. The judge cannot consider your testimony when making a decision in the case. So when you are finished
Ria Pereira, PULP: your testimony and providing what you want to say, if you're testifying, there is a chance for what we call cross examination. So essentially, the other or the attorneys, I should say, are given the opportunity to ask questions. Now, the May is emphasize here, because many times there might not be questions, but there is an opportunity for cross examination.
Ria Pereira, PULP: However. If there are questions you have and clarifications you need throughout the process. When you're testifying. Just remember that there is an Alj who's presiding over this proceeding. So they do have the expertise to oversee the hearings, and they are charged with overseeing the public input hearings. But really overall the testimony process really gives opportunity for the public to help
Ria Pereira, PULP: have an open forum related to not only the public input hearings, but the underlying rate proposal that is on the table.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So some other helpful tips, if you will, for participating in public input hearings. So we do recommend that participants at public input hearings share their experiences, related to the utilities, rates, and services. Now, what this can include I emphasize on can is that it can include, for example, what the rate increase would mean to them their families, their communities.
Ria Pereira, PULP: their experiences, related to paying their monthly bills for the utility, their experiences with service or service quality related to the utility and then for low income customers. Experiences with low income assistance programs that this can talk and speak to. For example, the effectiveness or potential challenges of the program.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So really, again, going back to that open forum idea, it really is giving the public an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns related to services service quality as well as the rate increased proposals.
Ria Pereira, PULP: So what are some other helpful tips for participating in public input hearings? First we do recommend that people show up early, so we recommend maybe 15 min or so early to hear if there's introductory materials or the introductions of the parties, and then
Ria Pereira, PULP: again going back to that decision point of if they choose to have their testimony become part of the official record so testifying under oath. And again, there is an option to testify off the record.
Ria Pereira, PULP: Now, there is normally some kind of process for signing, in, at least for those in person hearings. This might be in the form of a potentially a roll call. If there's a telephonic hearing that's the person is attending, and then the judge may call, may again call the witnesses, and the order that they sign in.
Ria Pereira, PULP: While it is not required. There is an option, and people should think of the option of preparing a statement in advance of you want to prepare a written statement it can then be essentially read out loud if the person so chooses. This might help to organize people's thoughts about what they might want to say at the public input hearing. And then, when you're thinking of what you might want to say at the public input
and if you're choosing to testify, we just recommend being specific and staying focused. So if you're really talking about certain experiences. Just be very specific as to what you're talking about. If there's key points to emphasize, and then this will help ensure clarity as well. If there's repeated
Ria Pereira, PULP: points we just recommend kind of not dwelling on those. And then, if there really are different and unique perspectives or broader implications related to. The information you're sharing. Just include those, especially if they speak to the rate proposals at the public input hearing is designed to elicit feedback from the community related to.
Ria Pereira, PULP: And then speak clearly. You know, there's different forums that these public input hearings are taking both in person and telephonically. So there's a different kind of opportunities related to both. And then, especially if people are using prepared statements we found that there's a tendency to kind of speak a little quicker when you're reading from a prepared statement. So you know, take your time. You have that opportunity to share what
Ria Pereira, PULP: the impact is, or what you might want to speak about in terms of the rate proposal so definitely take that opportunity. And then, if there's questions that you might have if you're testifying either related to for example, if other parties, or if the parties, I should say, are asking you questions on cross examination, or even if the Al. J. Asks you something.
Ria Pereira, PULP: take a moment if you might not understand something and just ask for clarification, and these are really the public's opportunity to provide feedback. So it is very kind of informative process through that sense.
Ria Pereira, PULP: And then, just to end kind of this little informative session some additional resources. I know, Geo. Provided you some information about how the Oca. Which is office of consumer advocate, is coordinating and answering questions related to the public input hearings. And we provided you their contact information here. And then we've also provided you our group email, where, if there's additional questions or additional resources we might be able
Ria Pereira, PULP: to provide, feel free to email us and let us know. So thank you for joining us today. For this quick, informative session related to public input hearings. And please let us know if there are additional questions or you want to share some input.
Ria Pereira, PULP: Thank you.