The New York State Public Service Commission seeks public comments on a petition in which American Water Works Company, Inc. (American Water) and other affected water companies seek permission for American Water to acquire Aqua New York, Inc. (Aqua NY), including water supply systems currently operated by Aqua NY directly or through subsidiaries.
American Water currently provides regulated water service in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, through its subsidiary, Long Island Water Corp. d/b/a Long Island American Water. American Water proposes to acquire the following additional regulated operations from Aqua NY:
* Aqua NY d/b/a New York Water Service Corp., in Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown, and Massapequa (southeastern Nassau County);
* Aqua Sea Cliff, in Sea Cliff, Glenwood Landing, and Glen Head (northern Nassau County);
* Aqua NY, Cambridge district, in Cambridge, Jackson, and White Creek (Washington County);
* Aqua NY, Wild Oaks district, in and around Goldens Bridge, Katonah, and Lewisboro (Westchester County);
* Aqua NY, Kingsvale district, in Ulster (Ulster County);
* Aqua NY, Dykeer district, in Somers (Westchester County); and
* Aqua NY, Waccabuc district, in Lewisboro (Westchester County).
Public Service Law §89-h requires that the Commission determine whether the transaction would be in the public interest. Aqua NY has 50,603 customers in New York; Long Island American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, has 74,000 customers.
The Commission may deny the petition; or grant it, with or without conditions. The transaction also is subject to approval by Ohio regulatory authorities insofar as it would involve transfer of American Water’s Ohio operations to an Ohio affiliate of Aqua NY.
The Commission encourages the public to comment as follows.
Writing: Comments can be written and submitted electronically to the Secretary at secretary@dps.ny.gov. Persons unable to submit comments electronically may mail or deliver them to Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. Your comment should refer to “Case 11-W-0472 – American Water Works Acquisition.”
Toll-Free Opinion Line: You can call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should select English or Spanish and press “1” to leave comments about the American Water Works Acquisition proposal.
All comments by these methods must be received by the Secretary no later than February 23, 2012. All such comments will become part of the record; will be posted for public viewing on the Commission’s www.dps.ny.gov if written; and will be reported to the Commission for its consideration.
In addition to the comments, one can find the petition and any exhibits, affidavits, pleadings, and other documents issued or filed in this case by searching for Case 11-W-0472 on the above website. Many libraries offer free Internet access.
