CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Black Diamond Power’s president plans to sell the utility as a state investigation into the company remains ongoing, according to a local lawmaker.
State Sen. Brian Helton, R-Fayette, said Black Diamond Power President David Musser intends to put the company up for sale amid scrutiny from the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
Chairman Charlotte Lane halted a scheduled hearing following the announcement.
The parties later agreed to suspend the hearing for approximately two months to allow time for negotiations related to a potential sale.
According to Helton, Black Diamond has already engaged Appalachian Power Company regarding the transaction. Black Diamond currently purchases its electricity from Appalachian Power under a purchase-power agreement.
“Last fall, Senator Rollan A. Roberts and I along with [Mullens] Mayor Alan Mills and the Mullens City Hall demanded an investigation into abusive billing practices and outrageous rate hikes,” Helton said.
“We didn’t back down and now Black Diamond is no longer in business and has agreed to sell. This is what happens when a community stands together and brings accountability.”
Senator Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh) also cheered the news.
“We won! The 5,000 customers of Black Diamond in Raleigh, Wyoming, and Clay counties will get reliable service,” Roberts said.
The PSC opened a general investigation into Black Diamond Power in October following customer complaints about billing concerns and service reliability.
Black Diamond Power serves approximately 5,000 customers across Clay, Wyoming and Raleigh counties.
