recommended decision. Subsequent to the entry of the December 4, 2014 Opinion and Order, and prior to the scheduling of an evidentiary hearing in this matter, on December 15, 2014, PAWC filed a compliance tariff. The compliance tariff specifies that the DSIC is applicable to the Coatesville, Claysville, Clean Treatment, Clarion, Pocono, Lehman Pike, Winona Lakes and Blue Mountain wastewater systems. Supp. 6 to Tariff-Wastewater Pa. P.U.C. No. 15 at 5G. The compliance tariff was approved by Secretarial Letter issued on December 22, 2014. The compliance tariff filed by PAWC on December 15, 2014, specifies that the DSIC is not applicable to Franklin and Koppel wastewater systems, and accordingly, the issue PAWC’s referred to the OALJ for evidentiary hearings and preparation of a recommended decision has been resolved. IV. DISCUSSION OF THE SETTLEMENT The Commission encourages parties in contested on-the-record proceedings to settle cases. Settlements eliminate the time, effort and expense of litigating a matter to its ultimate conclusion, which may entail review of the decision by the appellate Commission’s courts of Pennsylvania. Such savings benefit not only the individual parties, but also the Commission and all ratepayers of a utility, who otherwise may have to bear the financial burden such litigation necessarily entails. By definition, a a compromise of the positions that the “settlement” reflects parties of interest have held, which arguably fosters and promotes the public interest. When active parties in a proceeding reach a settlement, the principal issue for Commission consideration is whether the agreement reached suits the public interest. In their Joint Stipulation, PAWC, OCA and OSBA conclude that the Joint Stipulation is proposed by the Settling Parties to resolve the single issue referred by the Commission to OALJ in the December 4, 2014 Opinion and Order and should be approved by the Commission. The issue specifically addressed by the parties is discussed below. Applicability of the DSIC to Franklin and Koppel Wastewater Systems PAWC’s
recommended decision. Subsequent to the entry of the December 4, 2014 Opinion and Order, and prior to the scheduling of an evidentiary hearing in this matter, on December 15, 2014, PAWC filed a compliance tariff. The compliance tariff specifies that the DSIC is applicable to the Coatesville, Claysville, Clean Treatment, Clarion, Pocono, Lehman Pike, Winona Lakes and Blue Mountain wastewater systems. Supp. 6 to Tariff-Wastewater Pa. P.U.C. No. 15 at 5G. The compliance tariff was approved by Secretarial Letter issued on December 22, 2014. The compliance tariff filed by PAWC on December 15, 2014, specifies that the DSIC is not applicable to PAWC’s Franklin and Koppel wastewater systems, and accordingly, the issue referred to the OALJ for evidentiary hearings and preparation of a recommended decision has been resolved. IV. DISCUSSION OF THE SETTLEMENT The Commission encourages parties in contested on-the-record proceedings to settle cases. Settlements eliminate the time, effort and expense of litigating a matter to its ultimate conclusion, which may entail review of the Commission’s decision by the appellate courts of Pennsylvania. Such savings benefit not only the individual parties, but also the Commission and all ratepayers of a utility, who otherwise may have to bear the financial burden such litigation necessarily entails. By definition, a “settlement” reflects a compromise of the positions that the parties of interest have held, which arguably fosters and promotes the public interest. When active parties in a proceeding reach a settlement, the principal issue for Commission consideration is whether the agreement reached suits the public interest. In their Joint Stipulation, PAWC, OCA and OSBA conclude that the Joint Stipulation is proposed by the Settling Parties to resolve the single issue referred by the Commission to OALJ in the December 4, 2014 Opinion and Order and should be approved by the Commission. The issue specifically addressed by the parties is discussed below. Applicability of the DSIC to PAWC’s Franklin and Koppel Wastewater Systems
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