City of Lancaster v. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

OPINION BY

Judge SMITH-RIBNER.

In this public utility case, the parties essentially litigate the question of how much litigation is excessive. The case arises from the City of Lancaster’s (City) efforts to increase the rates that it charges to provide wastewater service. An administrative law judge (ALJ) for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Commission) entered a recommended decision that significantly reduced the rate increase sought by the City, mostly on the grounds that the expenses claimed by the City were excessive. The Commission denied the City’s exceptions and adopted the…