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Local Government

Mon Power, Hope Gas seek rate increases from PSC

CHARLESTON — Two West Virginia utilities are asking the state Public Service Commission for a rate increase. Both Hope Gas and Mon Power/Potomac Edison made filings this week with the PSC. Hope Gas, which provides natural gas to approximately 111,000 customers in 35 West Virginia counties, filed a $66.5 million rate case. If approved, the average residential customer’s bill would increase approximately 5.8%, which is $6.45 a month. Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy, have filed for a $207 million increase in the current base rate. Approval would ...

Federal lawsuit filed over unpaid civil penalties by Justice companies

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a civil filing over unpaid penalties by more than a dozen companies Gov. Jim Justice and his family. The filing does not name Jim Justice, but it does name his son Jay and 13 coal companies under the family’s ownership. Since Jim Justice has been governor, he has said the coal companies are under Jay’s leadership. The federal court filing aims to collect unpaid civil penalties on behalf of the Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, as well as Abandoned Mine Land reclamation fee and audit ...

Regional gov’ts protest utility increases in Fayette, Mercer, Cabell

Local governments are protesting rate increase proposals by two big utilities, Appalachian Power and West Virginia American Water. “With a median household income $8,000 less than the average for our state median household income, Fayette County residents simply cannot absorb any additional financial burden,” Fayette County commissioners wrote in a letter that cited the combined financial effects of both rate increase proposals. The potential rate increases for water and power, which will be considered separately, were announced within days of each other. Customers would ...

AG reps to make mobile office stops

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a representative from his office will meet with north-central West Virginia residents in June to discuss consumer-related issues and answer any questions. “These public events are a great way for consumers to talk one-on-one with our consumer representatives,” Morrisey said. “Residents can easily get questions answered, learn what is going on in their area and how to keep personal information safe and secure.” Pam Krushansky, a consumer outreach and compliance specialist with the office, will host the ...

Granholm, Manchin in Wheeling for battery factory

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined the groundbreaking for the $760 million Form Energy industrial battery plant on site of the old Weirton Steel property, calling the development possible because of the federal Inflation Reduction Act. “One of the things that we’ve got to be clear about is that the revitalization in communities like Weirton and across the country is happening because of the Inflation Reduction Act,” Granholm told a crowd that gathered to celebrate redevelopment at the northern West Virginia property. Form Energy expects to start construction of ...