Two public events will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 regarding the proposal of Philadelphia Waterworks, LLC to create a new water and wastewater utility in Hancock County. Both events will be held in the cafeteria of Doe Creek Middle School, 2279 South CR 600 West, New Palestine, Indiana:

• From 6:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) will conduct an information meeting. During the half-hour meeting, OUCC staff will discuss the regulatory process and describe public field hearing procedures.
  
  
• At 6:30 p.m. - immediately following the OUCC information meeting - the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) will conduct a formal public field hearing to accept oral and written consumer testimony regarding the proposal. The comments will become part of the evidentiary record considered by the IURC in reaching its final decision. Commissioners are not permitted to answer consumer questions during the formal field hearing.

Philadelphia Waterworks is an investor-owned entity proposing to serve an area bordered primarily by Sugar Creek and CR 250 W on the west, CR 100 N on the north, CR 200 S on the South, and the City of Greenfield's 15-year growth boundary on the east. The communities of Spring Lake and Philadelphia are within the proposed service territory.

In written testimony, the company says it is seeking to provide water and sewage disposal service to approximately 300 future homes in three proposed residential developments, also make service available to existing homes and businesses, and construct water and sewage treatment facilities.

Philadelphia Waterworks is also seeking IURC permission to establish initial rates and charges. Under the utility's proposal, an average residential customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month would pay a volumetric water rate of $34.00 in addition to a flat monthly sewer rate of $55.00. The company is also requesting IURC approval to issue up to $575,000 in long-term debt that would help cover infrastructure costs.

The utility's petition and testimony are available for public review at the Hancock County Public Library, 900 West McKenzie Road in Greenfield.

The OUCC - the state agency representing consumer interests in IURC cases - has filed testimony in this case advising that Philadelphia Waterworks has met most of the legal requirements that are necessary for providing service and should be allowed the opportunity to present additional evidence while the case is pending.

Consumers who are unable to attend the December 5 events are encouraged to submit written comments to the OUCC beforehand. The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments either during or in advance of the field hearing. Comments should include the consumer's name, address, and a reference to "IURC Cause No. 43063," and can be submitted by mail, fax or the Internet:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff
  Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
  100 N. Senate Ave., Room N501
  Indianapolis, IN 46204-2215
• Fax: (317) 232-5923
• E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
• OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC's consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

Additional information on the regulatory process and other utility consumer topics - including tips for saving money on water and energy bills - is available on the OUCC Website or by calling the agency toll-free.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents residential and business consumer interests in cases before state and federal utility regulatory commissions. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.

(IURC Cause No. 43063)

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