BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The first part of a two-phase overall $4.2 million rate increase for customers of Beckley Water Co. goes into effect on June 24 after state regulators endorsed a joint settlement filed by the parties in the case.
The settlement laid out in a Public Service Commission of West Virginia administrative law judge’s decision became effective Thursday. The June increase will be $2.2 million and the second hike of $2 million begins once a construction project being undertaken by the system is finished.
The company has five different rates for its 22,500 customers, but the majority, which are in Beckley, will see a 15.05 percent increase in the first step, or $4.47 more on the average monthly bill. The second stage will be a 14.15 percent increase, or $4.37 more over current rates.
The average increase for the remaining customers will be 14.7 percent, or $4.41 more a month, in phase one; and a 13.8 percent increase, or $4.30 more, in phase two.
The settlement was worked out between the utility and Commission staff.
Beckley originally filed for a $4.36 million increase, or a 28.65 percent increase in rates, on Aug. 29, 2023.
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. 23-0732-W-42T.
