Water and sewer utility privatization reform bills move toward a vote in Pa. House
Legislation to protect consumers from triple-digit rate hikes when public water and sewer companies are privatized advanced toward a vote in the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday.
The House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee passed a slate of bills that would require utility companies to use lower valuations for newly purchased water and sewer systems when seeking rate increases, spread the impact over a longer period and improve transparency of the process.
Each of the four bills in the package passed with unanimous approval from Democratic members and split votes among Republicans.
Committee Chairperson Robert Matzie (D-Beaver) said the opposition is a result of lawmakers doing what they believe is right for their constituents. He added that the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs have taken a position against the bills.