BPU is having electric and water rate hearings on June 14 and June 15, 2023.
The procedures which govern the Board of Public Utilities (“BPU”) electric
and water rate adjustment hearings are set forth in the Unified Government
Charter Ordinance governing the setting of BPU rates, which were modeled on
the Kansas statutes providing for the setting of BPU rates, and in the BPU’s
Rules of Procedure on Rate Increases adopted by the Board.
Under the Charter Ordinance and procedures, BPU publishes notice of a public
hearing at least ninety (90) days before the hearing commences. Any affected
Utility customer wishing to intervene, appear at the public hearing, present
testimony of witnesses under oath, conduct cross-examination of employees
and representatives of the BPU, present oral arguments, and file written
briefs in support of said customer's position can file a petition for
intervention pursuant to the Rules of Procedure and participate in the
public hearing process.
Customers can also appear at the public hearing and provide comments. At the
public hearing, the staff and BPU consultants present the staff’s
recommendations for adjustments to the rates, and comments from the public
are heard. In addition, technical testimony from the BPU staff and
consultants, and from the intervenors if any party has filed a petition to
intervene, is presented. During the technical portion of the hearing,
parties will introduce testimony, offer exhibits, and may cross-examine each
other’s witnesses and offer any other evidence felt necessary by each party.
A hearing officer presides over the hearing and handles the functions of an
administrative law judge. A court reporting service records the proceedings
and this record is kept as a part of the transcript of the hearing.
For
more information, click the links below: