KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In an effort to aid water customers in Lincoln and Kanawha counties, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia on Friday severely chastised Lincoln Public Service District, accusing it of “blatant disregard” of PSC orders.
On its own motion, the Commission commenced proceedings on why the district should not be declared a failed utility under the Distressed and Failing Utilities Improvement Act of 2020. Such a designation would allow it to be taken over by a larger utility.
“The utility gravely misapprehends its role in the distressed utility proceeding and its obligation to comply with Commission orders,” the Commission said of the Alum Creek-based water provider.
The district serves 2,422 customers in northeastern Lincoln County and southern Kanawha County, according to its 2022 annual report.
The district was found to be distressed last year in a Commission proceeding that said it suffered from multiple deficiencies. Instead of ordering its acquisition by another utility, the PSC told it to file a rehabilitation plan by Aug. 3.
That filing was to include an asset management plan (AMP), which the district failed to do.
“By not submitting the AMP, Lincoln PSD is further displaying its inadequate, inefficient, and irresponsible management and blatant disregard for the Commission’s lawful order,” the Commission wrote.
The district was ordered to file a response within 15 days on why the Commission “should not proceed to declare Lincoln PSD a failed utility.”