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PSC staff recommends smaller than requested hike in Pine Bluff water rates Saturday, Jun 2, 2007 By Jason Wiest Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The staff of the state Public Service Commission on Friday recommended a lower than requested rate increase for the company that provides water service the city of Pine Bluff. Basing its recommendation on an independent audit, evaluation and analysis, the PSC staff said United Water Arkansas Inc. is entitled to an increase of about $935,000, almost $600,000 less than the utility's $1.5 million request. When United Water filed is request in December, it requested a 19.55 percent increase in water rates overall. The PSC staff's initial recommendation is for a 12 percent increase overall. Under the recommendation, residential customers would shoulder the bulk of the increase, with rates rising 14.52 percent. The utility had requested a 22.7 percent increase in residential rates. Commercial customers would pay 7.86 percent more, while industrial customers would pay 9.8 percent more and rates for public authorities would rise 7.45 percent under the recommendation. The company had requested raises in the teens for all three categories. United Water Arkansas is scheduled to enter rebuttal testimony on June 22. The utility provides water service for about 55,000 customers in Pine Bluff. |
