June 23, 2008 Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release 738-2000
City approved as intervenor
against KCWA’s proposed rate hike
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian said today that the City’s motion to intervene in the Kent County Water Authority’s (KCWA) petition before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been approved.
The KCWA, which serves residents and businesses in the Cowesett, Apponaug and Toll Gate areas of the city, is seeking PUC approval to increase its usage rates by 35 percent. Last month, City Solicitor Peter Ruggiero and City Council attorney Lincoln Lennon jointly filed a Motion to Intervene in the case, saying that Warwick customers would otherwise not have representation from an existing party in the proceeding.
Intervention status will allow the City “to examine the need and justification for the sought-after rate hike approval by the Authority,” the motion said.
“I feel very strongly that rate payers should be treated fairly across the board,” Avedisian said. “I am pleased that the City has been allowed to intervene in this matter.”
The PUC will be hosting a public hearing on July 10 at 7 pm at the PUC building on Jefferson Boulevard regarding the KCWA rate hike petition.
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