Order 15532 - Pascoag Fire District: General Rate Filing

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

WHEREAS: On January 23, 1998, the Pascoag Fire District (the "Company") a public utility subject to the provisions of Title 39 of the General Laws, as amended, filed with the Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") a proposal to change rate schedules to collect additional operating revenues in the amount of $217,500 or 5.5%; and

WHEREAS: The Company maintains that it has experienced increased maintenance costs due to aging of the distribution system, increased administrative costs due to contracted wage increases and contracted outside services for engineering and legal work, and incurred an operational loss for several years; and

WHEREAS: The Company seeks approval to implement a $2.2 million five-year capital improvement plan to be finance through annual revenues collected, anticipated bond issuance of $975,000 and existing cash reserves; and

WHEREAS: The Company proposes to move towards cost-based rates by eliminating the current declining block rate structure, implementing an uniform flat rate and establishing monthly customer charges to cover costs of metering, service and billing; and

WHEREAS: The Commission is of the opinion that the public's interest requires that an investigation be made of the proposal and that hearings be scheduled; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS

(15532) ORDERED:

That the Public Utilities Commission on its motion and pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-11 of the General Laws, as amended, hereby suspends the effective date of the above filing for a period of six (6) months beyond the proposed effective date of February 22, 1998.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 10, 1998, PURSUANT TO AN OPEN MEETING DECISION.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION