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PENNSYLVANIAPUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265
Public Meeting held June 14, 2017
Commissioners Present:
Gladys M. Brown, ChairmanAndrew G. Place, Vice ChairmanJohn F. Coleman, Jr.Robert F. PowelsonDavid W. Sweet
Petition of Suez Water Pennsylvania Inc.for Approval of its Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan
P-2017-2589724
OPINION AND ORDER
BY THE COMMISSION:
Before the Commission for consideration is the Petition of Suez Water
Pennsylvania Inc. (Suez) for approval of its Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan
(LTIIP). The Commission required all water utilities that have implemented a
Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) pursuant to the repealed 66 Pa.
C.S. § 1307(g) to file a LTIIP by March 20, 2017.1 The Commission established a filing
schedule for the required LTIIPs via a Secretarial Letter dated October 31, 2016, and
directed Suez to file a its LTIIP on February 20, 2017.2
1 See Supplemental Implementation Order of Act 11 of 2012, entered September 21, 2016, at Docket No. M-2012-2293611.2 Docket No. M-2012-2293611.
Suez filed its LTIIP on February 17, 2017. Copies of the LTIIP were
served on the statutory advocates and parties of record from Suez’s last base rate
proceeding. Suez filed a letter on March 20, 2017, noting a typographical error regarding
the number of services to be replaced per year.
On March 20, 2017, the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) filed
comments on Suez’s LTIIP. The OCA did not request hearings, but suggested Suez
provide additional information to the Commission to ensure Suez’s LTIIP accelerated
infrastructure repair and replacement in a cost effective manner as required by Act 11.
The OCA also requested the Commission reaffirm in this Order that inclusion of property
in the LTIIP is not dispositive of whether the costs of that project will be afforded DSIC
recovery. The Commission, as noted below, requested additional information from Suez
that addressed most of the concerns raised by the OCA. As to the request for
reaffirmation, this is unnecessary as the Commission has made itself clear on the matter.3
On April 12, 2017, via a Secretarial Letter, the Commission issued a
request to Suez for more details regarding Suez’s historical baseline infrastructure
replacement and capital spending for the categories of eligible property in the LTIIP. In
addition, the Commission noted more information was needed to determine the cost-
effectiveness of the LTIIP as required per 52 Pa. Code § 121.4(e).
On April 24, 2017, Suez filed a response to the data request.
BACKGROUND
On February 14, 2012, Governor Thomas Wingett Corbett signed into law
Act 11 of 2012 (Act 11),4 which amends Chapters 3, 13 and 33 of Title 66. Act 11, inter
3 See Petition of Duquesne Light Company for Approval of a Distribution System Improvement Charge, pg. 23, Order entered September 15, 2016, at Docket No. P-2016-2540046. 4 http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/2012/0/0011..HTM
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alia, provides utilities with the ability to implement a Distribution System Improvement
Charge (DSIC) to recover reasonable and prudent costs incurred to repair improve or
replace certain eligible distribution property that is part of the utility’s distribution
system. The eligible property for the utilities is defined in 66 Pa. C.S. §1351. Act 11
states that as a precondition to the implementation of a DSIC, a utility must file an LTIIP
with the Commission that is consistent with 66 Pa. C.S. §1352. The Commission’s LTIIP
Regulations are codified at 52 Pa. Code Chapter 121.
On April 5, 2012, the Commission held a working group meeting for
discussion and feedback from stakeholders regarding its implementation of Act 11. On
May 10, 2012, the Commission issued a Tentative Implementation Order addressing and
incorporating input from the stakeholder meeting. Stakeholders filed comments to the
Tentative Implementation Order on June 6, 2012. On August 2, 2012, the Commission
issued the Final Implementation Order via Docket No. M-2012-2293611 which
established Act 11 implementation procedures and guidelines.
The Final Implementation Order adopts the requirements established in 66
Pa. C.S. § 1352, provides additional standards that each LTIIP must meet, and gives
guidance to utilities for meeting the Commission’s standards. The Final Implementation
Order of Act 11 requires the inclusion of eight elements in the LTIIP.
SUEZ’s LTIIP PETITION
Suez is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suez Water North
America Inc. Suez is a public utility as defined by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code,
66 Pa. C.S. § 102, and is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission.
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Suez owns and operates water treatment plants, wells, storage facilities, and
water distribution and transmission systems throughout Pennsylvania. Suez serves
approximately 60,000 customers in eight counties. Suez’s distribution system is made up
of approximately 881 miles of main, 12,200 main line valves, 3,352 fire hydrants,
60,325 service lines, and 60,109 meters. Suez has four operating areas, the largest of
which is Harrisburg/Newberry, which serves 64% of the Company's customer base.
Suez’s Mechanicsburg system provides service to 22% of customers, and the Bloomsburg
and Dallas systems in northeast Pennsylvania serve the remaining 14%.
Suez’s LTIIP is a five year plan, spanning the years 2017 through 2021 and
its Petition addressed the eight LTIIP elements required in the Final Implementation
order of Act 11 as discussed below:
(1) TYPES AND AGE OF ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Suez Position
Suez’s LTIIP includes only distribution plant that is DSIC-eligible. Suez
has been replacing and repairing DSIC-eligible property since it received approval to
charge a DSIC in an Order entered March 2, 1998, at Docket No. R-00984265. The
DSIC-eligible property includes mains and appurtenances, services, fire hydrants, and
meters.
Suez's distribution system is made up of approximately 881.74 miles of
main ranging in size from less than 2 inches up to 24 inches in diameter. Pipe material
varies from cast iron, asbestos cement (AC), ductile iron, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Galvanized pipe, glued plastic, polyethylene (PE), steel, and wrought iron are other
materials included in Suez’s distribution system. The age of the mains in Suez’s system
range from new to 100 years old with the average age of the mains being 33 years old.
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Suez provided a detailed breakdown of its main materials, ages, and diameters in the
LTIIP.
Suez states that since the 1980's, they have been installing both ductile iron
and PVC pipe that represent 49.2% of the total mains. Recently Suez has shifted to
ductile iron as its primary choice, particularly when: high pressure is encountered; mains
are installed in state highways; or any stream crossings or critical intersections are
involved.
Suez avers that the valves in its system consist of main line valves, hydrant
valves, fire line valves, and pressure-reducing valves. Suez’s LTIIP provided detail on
the number and types of its valves. Suez states it replaces valves under one of the
following conditions: as a part of Suez's main replacement program; or, a valve identified
as needing replaced as a part of Suez's valve maintenance program. Suez avers that the
12,200 main line valves are exercised and inspected via Suez's valve maintenance
program. Currently, Suez is in the process of utilizing its hydraulic models to perform a
valve analysis that will identify which valves are critical and should be inspected on a
more frequent basis and potentially replaced. Suez states it has 25 pressure reducing
valves that ensure proper pressures are maintained in areas that experience high pressure.
Suez’s service lines extend from the main to the curb stop located at the
customer's property line. The customer-owned service line extends from the curb stop to
the meter. Suez’s services consist of copper, plastic, and galvanized material. Suez
states they do not have any inventoried lead services but it plans to file a petition with the
Commission in 2017 to seek recovery of the cost to replace a customer's lead service line
when encountered. Suez’s policy is to replace and not repair Company-owned service
lines as a part of its main replacement program or as a part of its non-revenue water
(NRW) reduction program. In supplemental information filed with the Commission,
Suez avers that it currently does not have any costs included in the LTIIP for replacement
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of customer-owned lead service lines.
Suez states that although 28,068 services are constructed with unknown
material, it has interviewed long-term field employees to determine their experience in
encountering lead services. Suez avers its field employees have indicated that, while they
on occasion encounter lead goose necks, they have not come across any lead services.
Goose necks are a type of connector between the main and the company-owned service
section. Suez states its policy is to replace any lead goose necks when encountered.
Suez states it has 3,352 fire hydrants in its system and they are replaced
under one of the following conditions: as a part of the Suez's main replacement program;
when a fire hydrant is made inoperable due to being struck by a vehicle; relocation of a
hydrant from a smaller diameter main to a larger diameter main so as to improve fire
flow; or, a hydrant identified as needing replaced as a part of the Suez's hydrant
maintenance. Suez states hydrants located throughout the system are inspected and
exercised at least once per year during the Suez's flushing program. Suez utilizes
hydraulic models to identify hydrants that could be relocated to an adjacent larger main
which would improve fire flows.
Suez states it has initiated an aggressive meter replacement program.
Suez’s program is designed to ensure that the meters are in compliance with Commission
regulations on testing as well as replacing meters due to age. Radio frequency end points
are also installed on all meters as part of the program. Suez states that in addition to
reducing meter reading time from the equivalent of eight full-time employees to the
equivalent of one-full time employee, the replacement program allows Suez to focus
more on preventative maintenance, customer service, and NRW efforts. Suez notes it has
installed smart meters on its top 50 customers as well as another 100 strategic accounts.
This enables Suez to track their water usage daily utilizing a program called Water
Scope.
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Comments
The OCA recommended that Suez clarify that no dollars are included for
customer-owned lead service line replacement in the LTIIP period or quantify the amount
by year and by operating area.
Resolution
Upon review of Suez’s LTIIP and all supplemental information filed, the
Commission finds the types and ages of eligible property requirements of element one of
the Final Implementation Order have been fulfilled.
(2) SCHEDULE FOR PLANNED REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Suez Position
Suez states it prepares a five-year strategic capital plan which includes all
DSIC-eligible properties. The budgets are based on “blanket” approvals but include
specific project categories and include the following DSIC-eligible property projects:
Replacement Fire Hydrants – Suez States that replacement of fire hydrants are
not included as part of the main replacement projects. Suez budgets hydrant
replacements utilizing historical trends and any known new initiatives, based
on their performance characteristics, main break frequency rates, and expected
service level unless there are other overriding factors such as structural, water
quality or capacity concerns.
Replacement Short Main and Valves – Suez states this project category is for
the replacement of valves and capitalized main breaks. While historical trends
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are used, there has been an increase from the past in this category due to Suez’s
increased NRW efforts in locating leaks as well as the cost of repairs due to
increased restoration costs required by the local municipalities.
Replacement Services – Suez states this project category is for the replacement
of services not included as a part of the main replacement projects. Suez's
policy is to replace the company-owned service in its entirety as opposed to
repairing a service leak. Suez states that because of a more-aggressive NRW
initiative, there has been an increase in this project category as compared to the
past years.
Replacement Fire Services – Suez states this project category is for the
replacement of fire services not included as a part of the main replacement
projects. The Suez avers it has initiated an aggressive fire line survey of its
unmetered fire services and, if unauthorized use is occurring, Suez is requiring
the customer to retrofit the fire line with a meter.
Replacement Meters – Suez states this project category is for the replacement
of aged, damaged and stopped meters as well as meter pits (moving the meter
from inside the house into a meter pit) installed as a part of the main
replacement projects.
Main Replacements – Suez states this project category is for the replacement of
DSIC-eligible mains. Suez evaluates current assets to arrive at a detailed list of
projects which in turn are rolled into a single-number budgetary number. Suez
avers that in the past, a scoring system was used to determine what mains
should be replaced. Suez states it will be transitioning to a computer software
program called "Infomaster," as well as its hydraulic model, to determine
which mains are high priority mains for replacement. In supplemental
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information filed with the Commission, Suez averred that they are still in the
process of implementing Infomaster and expects it to be completed and in use
by the third quarter of this year. Suez is currently compiling the necessary GIS
and hydraulic model data which is required input for Infomaster.
Highway Projects - Suez states that this project category is difficult to budget
as it depends heavily on PennDOT and local municipality projects. Suez meets
with representatives of these agencies to formulate a more-accurate plan. Suez
states by the end of the first or second quarter of each year, it knows what
highway projects are going forward for that given year.
New Mains – Suez states this project category is for the installation of mains to
eliminate dead-ends.
Comments
No comments were received regarding the schedule for planned repair and
replacement of eligible property.
Resolution
Upon review of Suez’s LTIIP and all supplemental information filed, the
Commission finds the schedule for planned repair and replacement of eligible property
requirements of the Final Implementation Order has been fulfilled.
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(3) LOCATION OF THE ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Suez Position
Suez states that the DSIC-eligible property is located throughout its four
operational areas: Harrisburg; Mechanicsburg; Bloomsburg; and Dallas. Suez avers
assets are tracked via its GIS system, which is constantly being updated with better data
and the location of facilities. Suez states field employees are equipped with a GPS unit
linked to a smart tablet which allows them to locate facilities on a continuous basis and
upload data to the GIS system.
Comments
No comments were received regarding the locations of the eligible property.
Resolution
Upon review of the Suez LTIIP and all supplemental information filed, the
Commission finds the location of eligible property requirements of the Final
Implementation Order has been fulfilled.
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(4) REASONABLE ESTIMATES OF THE QUANTITY OF PROPERTY TO BE IMPROVEDAnd,
(5) PROJECTED ANNUAL EXPENDITURES AND MEASURES TO ENSURE
THE PLAN IS COST EFFECTIVE
Suez Position
Tables 1 and 2, below, detail the projected quantities of DSIC-eligible
property to be improved and/or replaced during the LTIIP period. Suez notes that for
valves, services and hydrants, the number of units retired depend largely on the main
replacement program.
Table 1: Projected LTIIP Services, Valves, Hydrants and Meters
Year Services Valves Hydrants Meters
2017 1,250 250 100 3,2502018 1,250 250 100 3,2502019 1,250 250 100 3,2502020 1,250 250 100 3,2502021 1,250 250 100 3,250Total 6,250 1,250 500 16,250
Table 2: Estimated Miles of LTIIP Main Replacement 2017 Through 2021
Year New Mains
Main Replacements
Highway Projects
Total
Miles
2017 0.9 11.9 1.8 14.62018 1 12 2 152019 1 12 2 152020 1 12 2 152021 1 12 2 15Total 4.9 59.9 9.8 74.6
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Table 3, below details the proposed expenditures by project title for each
year of the LTIIP.
Table 3 – LTIIP Expenditures for 2017 Through 2021 (in $1,000s)
PROJECT ID PROJECT TITLE 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
CYYD502_002Replacement
Short Mains & Valves — DSIC
$750 $750 $750 $750 $750
CYYD501_002Replacement
Fire Hydrants - DSIC
$45 $45 $45 $45 $45
CYYD700_002 Highway Main Projects DSIC $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
CYYD100_002 New Mains — DSIC $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
CYYD600_002Replacement
Main Projects - DSIC
$11,000 $11,000 $11,000 $11,000 $11,000
CYYF501_002
Replacement Domestic
Services — DSIC
$470 $470 $470 $470 $470
CYYD902_002
Pressure Management Facilities —
DSIC
$375 $375
CYYF503_002Replacement
Fire Services - DSIC
$35 $35 $35 $35 $35
CYYG501_002Replacement
Customer Meters -DSIC
$800 $800 $800 $800 $800
TOTAL NET DSIC $15,975 $15,975 $15,600 $15,600 $15,600
TOTAL NET BUDGET $22,923 $26,740 $31,474 $25,563 S 21,154
PERCENT DSIC 70% 60% 50% 61% 74%
Suez states it continues to implement a continuous improvement process to
ensure that capital expenditures are being deployed in a prudent and cost-effective
manner consistent with the requirements of the Public Utility Code. Suez provided
several examples of how it is improving its processes.
Suez states it has over 200 miles of AC and transite (TR) main and is in the
process of hiring a firm to analyze the condition and to determine the remaining life of
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the pipe. This will help Suez in the prioritization of AC main replacement which is
critical since AC main has a shorter life cycle than other main material such as ductile
iron, cast iron, etc.
Suez states it has access to its parent Company's research and technical
resources and that it is continually evaluating which services are best to be performed
internally and which are best to be outsourced. Suez states flagging and traffic control is
mostly outsourced to Flagger Force, a company that specializes in traffic control. In
addition, Suez outsources the inspection of water mains to engineering firms and its
hydraulic modeling which is utilized for design as well as prioritizing infrastructure
replacement.
Suez notes it prioritizes succession planning and hiring practices and that
hiring employees with the right skills is critical in ensuring efficient deployment of
capital dollars. Suez also notes its bidding process utilizes a list of pre-qualified
contractors that is evaluated and updated annually. Suez states it evaluates those
infrastructure projects could be done internally and those projects that could be bid on an
individual basis. Suez may also bundle projects for bidding if it creates efficiencies.
Suez avers that materials such as pipes, meters, hydrants, valves, etc. are
bid annually by Suez's Corporate Procurement Department. This provides better pricing
than could obtained locally, or as a stand-alone company. Suez has a Commission-
approved master services affiliated interest agreement in place for such services.
Comments
No comments were received regarding the reasonable estimates of the
quantity of property to be improved and the projected annual expenditures and measures
to ensure that the plan is cost effective.
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Resolution
Upon review of the Suez LTIIP and supplemental information filed, the
Commission finds the reasonable estimates of the quantity of property to be improved
and the projected annual expenditures and measures to ensure that the plan is cost
effective, requirements of elements of the Final Implementation Order of Act 11 have
been fulfilled.
(6) ACCELERATED REPLACEMENT AND MAINTAINING SAFE AND RELIABLE SERVICE
Suez Position
Suez notes in the past ten years it has replaced a total of 46 miles of main.
This represents 5.6 % of its mains and is equivalent to a 180-year replacement cycle.
Including the LTIIP, Suez has accelerated its ten-year average replacement slightly to a
6.6 % rate, which is equivalent to a 160-year replacement cycle. Table 5, below, details
Suez's historic main replacement rate.
Table 4 – History Miles of Main Replaced
Period Years Total Average
10 Year 2007 -2016 46.28 4.63
5 Year 2012 -2016 23.17 4.63
3 year 2014-2016 14.60 4.87
2 Year 2015-2016 10.84 5.42
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Suez states that the average age of its mains is only 37 years.
Approximately 30% of Suez’s 881 miles of main is greater than 50 years old and 40% is
less than 30 years old. Over 50% of Suez’s main is ductile iron or PVC Pipe.
Suez's focus for the next five years in regards to its accelerated main
replacement program concerns galvanized pipe, glued plastic pipe in its Newberry
operation, and AC pipe. Suez avers that its five-year plan proposes to replace both the
entire 19 miles of Galvanized main and the 10 miles of glued plastic pipe. This
represents an average replacement rate of six miles per year for those mains. Suez states
that remaining replacements will focus on AC pipe and unlined cast iron, as well as
mains required to be replaced due to highway projects.
Suez states in 2016, its main breaks per mile of main was only 0.192 (169
main breaks). This is down from the 2015 rate of 0.237 (209 main breaks) and the 2014
rate of 0.243 (214 main breaks). In addition, Suez avers that because of its NRW
program, it has reduced its NRW consistently over the past five years. Suez notes that in
the past five years it has been able to reduce its NRW by 16.9%, which is equivalent to
580 million gallons per year, or 1.59 million gallons per day.
Tables 5 and 6, below, detail the actual expenditures and materials replaced
or improved over the previous 10 years under Suez’s DSIC program. As can be seen
when compared to Tables 1 through 3, above, Suez’s LTIIP continues its increased level
of infrastructure replacement and expenditures.
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Table 5 – Main Replacement Projects by Year and by Operating Area from 2012 through 2016
Year
Bloomsburg Dallas Harrisburg Mechanicsburg Total
Cost Installed Cost Installed Cost Installed Cost Installed Cost Installed
$ x 1,000 Feet $ x
1,000 Feet $ x 1,000 Feet $ x
1,000 Feet $ x 1,000 Feet
2012 $370 2,195 $1,144 6,399 $2,183.1 13,598 $811.3 3,370 $4,508.1 25,5622013 $423 2,859 $626 4,550 $1,688.7 9,995 $313.4 2,305 $3,050.5 19,7092014 $434 5,704 $915 4,980 $1,607.0 6,212 $524.5 3,445 $3,480.1 20,3412015 $711 2,626 $1,404 9,090 $3,140.0 16,038 $465.2 1,830 $5,719.5 29,5842016 $ $1,390 6,063 $4,143.4 17,380 $929.3 6,891 $6,120.3 28,182Total $1,936 13,384 $5,479 31,082 $12,762 63,223 $3,044 17,841 $22,879 123,378
Table 6 – A Breakdown of Historic Utility Plant In-Service Additions by Year from 2007 through 2011
Account Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
331.40Transmission and
Distribution Mains
$74,521,548 $80,516,469 $84,758,631 $90,555,977 $96,423,386
333.40 Services $20,520,158 $22,351,546 $23,623,517 $25,119,461 $26,647,527
334.40 Meters and Meter Installations $7,499,057 $7,985,998 $8,217,260 $8,920,613 $9,891,430
335.40 Hydrants $4,985,025 $5,253,191 $5,538,722 $5,764,035 $6,012,990
Total $107,525,788 $116,107,204 $122,138,130 $130,360,086 $138,975,333
Comments
The OCA suggested generally that Suez should provide additional
information regarding its historic rates of replacement and its proposed rate of
replacement for the LTIIP period.
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Resolution
Suez has demonstrated that the LTIIP expenditures are an acceleration of
historical spending in the eligible property categories outlined in the LTIIP projects areas.
Upon review of the Suez’s LTIIP and supplemental information filed, the Commission
finds the manner in which replacement of aging infrastructure will be accelerated and
how repair, improvement or replacement will maintain safe and reliable service
requirements of the Final Implementation Order have been fulfilled.
(7) WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM
Suez Position
Suez states that it continually evaluates both its internal workforce and its
utilization of external contractors to ensure that it has in place a safe and efficient
workforce to complete its infrastructure replacement program. Suez avers that in 2016 it
utilized eight different contractors to replace mains in its four operational areas. Each
contactor must be prequalified, which requires evaluation of past performance, adherence
to company specifications, attendance at Suez's annual training and review of the
contractor's safety record.
Suez states it contracts out the inspection of its main replacements to
engineering firms that specialize in watermain installation. Suez has also outsourced
paving restoration and the majority of traffic control. Suez avers that outsourcing allows
Suez employees to focus more on Suez's core business of providing high quality water
service. Suez states its workforce primarily focuses on capitalized main breaks,
replacement of valves, services and hydrants under its annual programs, and the majority
of meter replacements.
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Suez states it has an Environmental, Health and Safety Manager. Suez
tracks both lagging and leading indicators to monitor the effectiveness of the safety
program. Suez avers that recordable accidents, lost time accidents and vehicle accidents
are measured and monitored daily via Suez’s Intelex software. Suez avers that all
accidents must be reported within one day and a review call depending on severity is
required anywhere within one day to twenty one days. Near misses or unsafe work
conditions are tracked and remedial measures are implemented as appropriate. Suez
states in 2015, 30 near misses and, in 2016, 43 near misses were reported.
Suez states it requires that all jobs require that a safe work plan be filled out
prior to the commencement of the work. Suez avers this is now paperless, as the report is
filled out on the employee's smart tablet, which allows for easier completion and allows
for better data retention.
Suez states that all employees are required to take the appropriate safety
training. Suez has a goal of eight hours of annual safety training per employee and bases
the hourly employee's year-end bonus on safety.
Comments
No comments were received regarding the workforce management and
training program.
Resolution
Upon review of the Suez LTIIP and supplemental information, the
Commission finds the workforce management and training program requirements of the
Final Implementation Order have been fulfilled.
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(8) A DESCRIPTION OF A UTILITY’S OUTREACH AND COORDINATION
ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER UTILITIES, PENNDOT AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS ON PLANNED MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS
Suez Position
Suez notes that it works with PennDOT, local municipalities, and other
utilities to accumulate information as to their intentions to undertake paving and other
public works within the budget year. Suez avers that, by working and communicating
with these entities, disruptions are minimized and ensure that infrastructure replacement
is efficient and cost-effective.
Suez avers that it maintains a list of PennDOT's proposed projects that is
used in gauging the magnitude of replacement work that is required for each project.
Suez states that while it may be aware of a project, there are times that it needs to begin
relocating its facilities within months of when PennDOT gives notice to Suez of its intent
to proceed.
Suez deals closely with municipal public works directors to understand
what work is being planned within a municipality's jurisdictional boundaries. Suez
evaluates paving projects to determine if replacement of Suez's facilities is warranted
based on their age and maintenance history. More-extensive projects require a different
evaluation and often require Suez to relocate its facilities as a result of the project. Suez
states the timing and notification of this work often does not always coincide with its
budget and work schedule and can prevent Suez from finalizing designs and scheduling
the work with contractors.
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Suez utilizes Pennsylvania's One Call system during the initial phase of
project design and before the first dig. Suez states it recently purchased a Hydro
Excavator which allows Suez to locate other facilities utilizing a safer and more efficient
process.
Suez informs its customers about water disturbances by utilizing door-to-
door notifications, issuing press releases, posting SUEZ website banners, making social
media posts, and mailing informational letters notifying customers and communities
affected by the work.
Comments
No comments were received regarding the coordination activities.
Resolution
Upon review of the Suez’s LTIIP, the Commission finds the coordination
activities requirements of the Final Implementation Order have been fulfilled.
LTIIP SUMMARY
The Commission reviewed the eight required elements for Suez’s Petition
for Approval of its LTIIP and any resulting Petition comments. Suez’s proposed LTIIP
appears to demonstrate its associated expenditures are reasonable, cost effective, and
designed to ensure and maintain efficient, safe, adequate, reliable, and reasonable service
to its customers.
The Commission finds Suez’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan
and manner in which it was filed conforms to the requirements of Act 11 and our Final
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Implementation Order. The plan, as approved herein, is designed to maintain safe,
adequate and reliable service and, as such, Suez shall be required to comply with the
infrastructure replacement schedule and elements of that plan; THEREFORE,
IT IS ORDERED:
1. The Petition for Approval of Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement
Plan (LTIIP) filed by Suez Water Pennsylvania Inc. is approved, consistent with this
Order.
2. That the proceeding at Docket No. P-2017-2589724 be closed.
BY THE COMMISSION,
Rosemary ChiavettaSecretary
(SEAL)
ORDER ADOPTED: June 14, 2017
ORDER ENTERED: June 14, 2017
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