West Virginia American Water Company Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

West Virginia American Water Seeks Rate Increase For Customers

In a letter to the Public Service Commission, the mayor and city council requested the proposed rate increases be rejected, or at minimum, delayed until April 1, 2024 or later.

West Virginia’s Public Service Commission Tuesday will hear a request from West Virginia American Water Company to raise water rates.

Despite overwhelming public disapproval during a public hearing last month, the utility wants the PSC to approve a rate increase of slightly more than $41 million. That equates to a nearly 22.5 percent increase in monthly bills for customers.

Residential customers using 3,000 gallons a month would see an increase of about $19. The average commercial customer using 16,000 gallons per month would see an increase of $101.08.

The water company said the increase is needed to cover $340 million in upgrades to water and wastewater systems. Further upgrades are planned in 2024.

Charleston Mayor Amy Schuler Goodwin and members of the city council are opposed to the rate increase. They said the rate increase should be scrapped and cited West Side residents who went weeks without service after water flooded gas lines and shut down their gas service.

In a letter to the Public Service Commission, the mayor and city council requested the proposed rate increases be rejected, or at minimum, delayed until April 1, 2024 or later.

“During a time when our families on the West Side are struggling, it is imperative we do everything we can to lessen the burden,” Goodwin said. “As utility rates continue to rise, it becomes more difficult for our families to make ends meet. We strongly urge the PSC to consider our request – especially as we approach winter and the holiday season.”

Charleston City Council Member Emmett Pepper said it is critical that families be provided some relief during a difficult time.

“Not only are our West Side families faced with the potential financial burden of increased water and gas rates, but they are also now going to be faced with higher electric bills due to the reliance on electric heaters during this gas outage,” Pepper said.

The letter urged the PSC to consider taking further action to empower residents to “better control their energy bills through increased energy efficiency programs for gas and electric customers.”

The PSC hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the PSC headquarters at 201 Brooks Street.

Water Company Must Now Inform Nonprofits Of Tax Exemptions

West Virginia-American Water Company (WVAWC) is now required to let nonprofit organizations know when they might be entitled to tax breaks on their utility bills.

On Wednesday, the Public Service Commission (PSC) said the water company must break out clearly for tax-exempt customers any tax breaks being offered by any town or city across the state in its coverage area.

Those breaks would be for exemptions to local taxes for some charitable, religious or nonprofit organizations.

The requirement was limited to the 19-county water company.

Some municipalities impose business and occupation taxes and municipal excise taxes, which were the subject of the decision. Some towns and cities also provide tax exemptions for various religious, nonprofit or charitable organizations.

The case involved a complaint brought by a tax-exempt school that claimed it was denied its proper status by WVAWC. Further, the school asserted the company had improperly collected municipal taxes from it.

The commission was “troubled that exemptions we know to exist in certain municipalities” served by the water company are not explained to customers.

WVAWC “should be aware of exemption qualifications specified in ordinances and notify a customer seeking an exemption of the qualification requirements,” the PSC ruled.

The company “may be charging customers with municipal tax surcharges and not providing sufficient notice to the customers that certain statutory exemptions exist.”

It said the commission is “certain” that no exemptions were listed on the company’s filing with the commission.

“We direct WVAWC to obtain current copies of the municipal tax ordinances for the municipalities listed as requiring tax surcharges in its tariff and file updated tariff pages with explanatory footnotes if any exemptions apply,” the PSC said.

More information on this case can be found on the PSC website: www.psc.state.wv.us. Click on “Case Information” and access Case No. 22-1035-W-C.

PSC Investigates Water Outages At Mt. Olive Prison

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is investigating why the Mt. Olive Correctional Complex doesn’t have reliable water. The PSC will hold a hearing on June 1 to establish whether the Gauley River Public Service District is a distressed or failing utility.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is investigating why the Mt. Olive Correctional Complex doesn’t have reliable water.

The PSC will hold a hearing on June 1 to establish whether the Gauley River Public Service District is a distressed or failing utility.

It follows an ongoing investigation of interruptions in water service to the prison.

PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane called it “a matter of basic human necessity and public safety” that the state’s largest prison correctional complex has access to a reliable water service.

“The Public Service Commission is dedicated to doing everything we can to ensure all West Virginians have safe, reliable and affordable water and sewer service,” Lane said. “Identifying and assisting the distressed and failing utilities in the state is a critical piece of that mission.”

In addition to the Gauley River PSD, the investigation includes Kanawha Falls Public Service District, West Virginia American Water Company, the City of Summersville and the Consumer Advocate Division.

The full procedural schedule and documents filed in this case can be found on www.psc.state.wv.us by referencing Case No. 22-0456-PWD-DU.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on June 1 at the Gauley Bridge Town Hall.