North Carolina Utilities Commission Issues Order Involving Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Sept. 4 -- The North Carolina Utilities Commission issued the following order (Docket No. WR-1516):

In the Matter of Notification by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, d/b/a Chapel Hill North Apts., 200 Perkins Drive, Suite 230, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, of Revised Rates and Fees for Charging for Water and/or Sewer Utility Service in Chapel Hill North Apartments in Orange County, North Carolina

Order Approving Tariff Revision

BY THE COMMISSION: On August 22, 2019, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, d/b/a Chapel Hill North Apts. (Applicant) filed with the Commission a notification of revised rates and fees for charging for water and/or sewer utility service to its customers in Chapel Hill North Apartments in Orange County, North Carolina, the increased cost of purchasing water and sewer service from Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA).

Based upon the filings of the Applicant, the Public Staff has recommended approval of a monthly administrative fee of $6.19 (consisting of $3.75 for the Applicant's meter reading, billing, and collecting costs plus a pass through of OWASA's $2.44 base charges for water and sewer service). Based upon 4,000 gallons per month usage and rates of $6.07 per 1,000 gallons for water and $6.94 per 1,000 gallons for sewer, the total monthly bill will be $58.23 ($52.04 usage charge and $6.19 administrative fee), effective on and after October 1, 2019.

Based upon the foregoing, the Commission is of the opinion that the rates recommended by the Public Staff should be approved. The Commission is also of the opinion that, if OWASA's base charges and/or usage rates should be reduced for any reason, the Applicant should be required to notify the Commission immediately for a tariff revision.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED as follows:

1. That The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, d/b/a Chapel Hill North Apts., is granted a tariff revision for Chapel Hill North Apartments in Orange County, North Carolina, as set forth herein.

2. That the Schedule of Rates, attached as Appendix A, is approved and deemed to be filed with the Commission pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 62-138. Said Schedule of Rates is authorized to become effective for service rendered on and after October 1, 2019.

3. That, if OWASA's base charges and/or usage rates should be reduced for any reason, the Applicant shall notify the Commission immediately for a tariff revision.

4. That a copy of this Order and the Schedule of Rates, attached as Appendix A, shall be mailed with sufficient postage or hand delivered by the Applicant to all its customers in Chapel Hill North Apartments contemporaneously with the next billing of customers.

5. That, if the service area is sold or the ownership changes, the Applicant and the new owner shall file an Application for Transfer of Authority (Form WR2 may be found on the Commission's website - www.ncuc.net). Failure to do so may result in revocation of the certificate of authority and suspension of rates.

ISSUED BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION.

This the 4th day of September, 2019.

NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION

A. Shonta Dunston, Deputy Clerk