PUC gets an earful at public hearing

Pike residents warn that businesses will close and people will do without

By TOM KANE

MATAMORAS, PA — A phrase repeated frequently by the chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) during the protracted public hearing on the exorbitant electricity rates in Pike County was “don’t get your hopes up.”

It didn’t exactly engender confidence in the hearts and minds of the over 250 residents who crowded into the Delaware Valley High School auditorium, to testify about double- and triple-digit electricity rate increases on Monday, February 27.

“We’re not talking about a 74 percent increase in rates, we’re talking about a 129 percent increase—which many will have to pay,” said Harry Forbes, Pike County commissioner chair. Forbes presented proof of this increase by handing the PUC commissioners copies of electric bills from 2005 to January 2006.

“We’re committed to finding a solution to this problem and that’s why we’re here,” said Bill Shane, commission chair. Shane was accompanied by commissioner James Hawley. “This public input session is an important part of the fact-finding inquiry into the rate increase. In Ohio, the Public Utility Commission ordered a non-performing utility to be sold to another utility, but I’m not sure we have that power. We will, however, explore this.”

“We’ve been having strenuous talks with some of your neighboring utilities, but we can’t put a gun to their heads and make them buy Pike County,” Shane said.

Speaker after speaker told about how the new rates will close their businesses or force them to make draconian decisions about whether to cut back on essentials like food or deny themselves a needed drug.

“Pike County has been a step child of the electric company for years and years,” real estate broker Davis Chant said. “Our rates have always been higher than neighboring communities in other states. This is a ‘now’ issue. It can’t wait months for a solution. It has to be solved now.”

Susan Powell, a Milford business owner, said her bill made giant leaps without warning. “My November bill was $173. Then my December bill was $305. My January bill jumped to $849,” she said. “If I had know sooner, I could have budgeted for it.”

“One of the first questions prospective home buyers are asking is what are the electricity costs?” said Ed Nikles Jr. for his father, Ed Nikles Sr., a realtor who could not be present. “When they hear that, they leave and go elsewhere.”

“My electric bill went up $800 and that’s without air conditioning. What’s going to happen in the summer? I’m going to have to close my business,” said Joe Fretta, owner of an Italian deli in Milford. “I’ll have to fire my five employees.”

“We’re being held hostage by New York electric companies, who own Pike Light and Power,” one resident said, to the applause of the entire auditorium.

Pike Light and Power is owned by the Orange and Rockland Company, which, in turn, is owned by ConEdison of New York City.