Utility Infrastructure Funding Bill Sent To Governor
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The House and Senate gave final approval this week to House Bill 1294 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) which makes it easier for public utilities-- electric, natural gas, water and wastewater-- to make infrastructure improvements by providing them with the ability to recover their capital investments in a timely manner.
"Pennsylvania's public utility infrastructure is failing and no one knows this more than the citizens of Philadelphia and Allentown where aging gas pipelines have exploded, killing people in their homes and injuring many more," said Rep. Bob Godshall, Majority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. "The deficiencies in our state's public utility infrastructure must be addressed before more lives are needlessly lost."
House Bill 1294 will permit utilities, subject to Public Utility Commission approval, to gradually recover infrastructure investment costs from consumers, rather than impose large increases in customer bills following general rate cases. It is a bill with many winners.
"Utilities, ratepayers and consumers will benefit from a more modern and efficient utility infrastructure," said Rep. Godshall. "Consumers will experience gradual price increases that will reflect savings that utilities will achieve in being able to quickly pay back loans instead of waiting for the next general rate case to recover it.
"House Bill 1294 will also extend the time between PUC base rate case proceedings, saving ratepayers millions of dollars. Finally, the work that will be done under this legislation will provide much-needed jobs for thousands of people all across the Commonwealth," he added.
Visit Rep. Godshall's website for more information.
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2/13/2012 |
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