Today was expected to be the closing date on the sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority, however that is now being pushed back.
Summit and Center Townships have filed an appeal asking a statewide court to overturn the PUC’s approval of the sale. That appeal is now delaying the closing.
A BASA spokesperson said in a statement that they are “fully prepared to defend this agreement in court because we remain confident that this agreement generates significant community benefits.”
The townships protesting the sale argue that their residents will see significant rate increases without receiving any financial benefit from the sale.
The $230 million agreement will see Pennsylvania American Water take over the operations of sewer facilities, with Butler City and Butler Townships receiving the funds.
Full statement from BASA: “We continue to work toward closing the sale. That means taking time now to prepare our response to the townships’ appeal. We are fully prepared to defend this agreement in court, because we remain confident that this unique sales agreement generates significant community benefits, establishes strong ratepayer protections, enhances local environmental protections, and preserves the jobs and benefits for BASA employees — all facts to which even the state’s consumer and small business watchdogs agreed. We have been open and transparent every step of the way during this process, and we will continue to share information with residents as this process continues and defend the merits of this agreement until it is final.”
Full statement from PA American Water: “On Dec. 14, Summit and Center townships filed an appeal in Commonwealth Court seeking to challenge the PUC’s Nov. 9 Order approving the sale of BASA’s wastewater system to Pennsylvania American Water. This appeal was filed despite the townships not opposing the settlement at the appropriate time procedurally and previously representing to the PUC that they that would not oppose the settlement agreement. The PUC Order expressly noted that the townships did not have standing to object because of their prior agreement not to oppose the settlement. For this reason, Pennsylvania American Water believes there is no merit to this appeal. The company continues to stand ready to close the transaction as soon as the appeal is resolved or dismissed. “
