NASHVILLE – A hearing on a proposed 28 percent increase in Tennessee American Water Co. rates for local consumers will be held in Chattanooga, state regulators said today.
The Tennessee Regulatory Authority voted 3-0 to hold both public comments and the evidentiary hearing in Chattanooga.
Tennessee American Water Co. attorneys supported holding the public comment section of the hearing in Chattanooga but opposed the evidentiary hearing being held there, citing costs for the company’s attorneys and the state.
But the local hearing was supported by the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association, the Utility Workers Union of America Local 121, which represents the water company employees, and the state’s Consumer Advocate and Protection Division of Tennessee Attorney General’s office. They argued that holding the hearing locally would give area business and residential users an opportunity to attend.
TRA Chairman Mary Freeman said she weighed the arguments and also relied on a letter from the Hamilton County legislative delegation requesting that the entire hearing be held in Chattanooga.
“While there will be significant expenses to the Authority, the interests of the consumers outweigh the potential costs,” she said.