The Tennessee American Water Company is seen in the foreground of this aerial file photo.Tennessee’s consumer advocate is recommending Tennessee American Water be granted only about a fourth of its request for a 24.9 percent increase in water rates.
The Tennessee Attorney General’s office said today that the Chattanooga utility should be granted only $2.8 million of the $10.6 million it has requested in a rate proposal to be heard today by the Tennessee Regulatory Agency.
TRA directors will conduct a public hearing today at the Hamilton County Courthouse from 4 to 7 p.m. to hear public comments on the company’s proposed increase in water rates.
State Attorney General Bob Cooper said if regulators approve the full increase sought by Tennessee American, Chattanooga water rates will be the highest of any major city in Tennessee.
“We will urge the TRA to reject this proposed rate increase as disproportionate in relation to the company’s ability to make a fair profit,” Cooper said in a statement today.