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Residents of Clay, Raleigh and Wyoming counties who get their electricity from Black Diamond Power are one step closer to some relief, but it may take another three years to complete.
Last September, state Public Service Commission (PSC) staff became aware of problems with the small electric utility serving fewer than 5,000 customers. The PSC launched an investigation and determined the service to be “inadequate and unreasonable.”
Oct. 16, 2025, the commission entered an order initiating a general investigation into Black Diamond and set the date for an evidentiary hearing on Feb. 13, 2026.
Nov. 5, 2025, staff filed a motion to join Monongahela Power Company (MonPower) and Appalachian Power Company (APCo) in the present case since they were large electric utilities providing service near Black Diamond and both would have the ability to act as a receiver or to negotiate a sale for a portion or all of Black Diamond’s assets and territory in Clay, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties.
Jan. 15, 2026, staff filed a Joint Staff Memorandum Regarding Reliability Data Analysis recommending that Black Diamond be directed to address the deficiencies.
Feb. 13, 2026, upon testimony that Black Diamond was in discussions regarding a potential to sell, the Commission suspended the evidentiary hearing.
Feb. 25, 2026, the commission entered an order setting a status hearing for April 13, 2026, and directed staff to continue its investigation.
April 13, 2026, that hearing revealed that it would cost APCo $88 million and three years to take over Black Diamond. Mon Power’s proposal would take longer and cost more. The commission ordered APCo and Black Diamond to continue talks.
April 30, 2026, the PSC set a status hearing for July 23 for both companies to provide an update on their plans.
The status hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Howard M. Cunningham Hearing Room, Public Service Commission Headquarters, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25301.
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Small towns around the Monongahela National Forest are raising funds for workers to clear hundreds of miles of trails in the North Zone.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsOver $50 million is scheduled to be paid to West Virginia on an accelerated, 9-year timeline due to the disproportionate impact the opioid crisis has had on the state.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsRevenue is up in almost every category of state collections for the month of April.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsU.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Thursday that Pres. Donald Trump is working to bring gas prices down but won't compromise on his efforts to end Iran's nuclear ambitions.
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