PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 21-0507-W-DSIC
WEST VIRGINIA-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY
Application for approval of the 2022 Distribution System Improvement
Plan and Charge.
NOTICE OF FILING & HEARING
On June 30, 2021, West Virginia-American Water Company (WVAWC) filed an application for approval of a Distribution System Improvement Plan and Charge (Application) pursuant to the direction of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (Commission) in its February 24, 2016 Order that resolved WVAWC’s 2015 rate application, Case Nos. 15-0675-S-42T and 15-0676-W-42T.
WVAWC proposes to invest approximately $32.5 million for infrastructure replacement and system upgrades beginning March 2022 through December, 2022 throughout WVAWC’s service area and to implement a Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) to recover the capital costs on the proposed investments. This DSIC application primarily would cover the replacement of transmission and distribution mains, valves, hydrants, tanks, meters, booster stations and service lines. The projects proposed for 2022 are identified in the Application, which is on file and available for public inspection at the Commission’s offices at 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia, and may be viewed on the Commission website, www.psc.state.wv.us.
As with the DSIC currently in place, WVAWC proposes to recover costs associated with these investments through a separate rate component on customer bills, calculated as a percentage of the total monthly bill for service (comprised of both the minimum meter charge and the volumetric rate component).
WVAWC projects that if the program and revenue requirement are approved as requested, the 2022 DSIC will recover $3.5 million or 2.32% over and above bills at current base rates. Compared to the 2021 DSIC rate, the average monthly bill for its various classes of customers, will change as follows:
$ Increase % Increase Average Usage
Residential $ 1.33 2.32% 3,100 gallons per month
Commercial $ 7.24 2.32% 16,973 gallons per month
Industrial $ 220.83 2.32% 877,619 gallons per month
Sale for Resale $ 218.53 2.32% 874,184 gallons per month
The increases shown above are based on averages of all customers in the indicated class. Each class may receive an increase greater or less than stated here. Individual customers may receive increases that are greater or less than average. The requested rates and charges are only a proposal and are subject to changes (increases or decreases) by the Public Service Commission in its review of the filing. In addition, WVAWC has proposed new base rates in its pending base rate proceeding, Case No. 21-0369-W-42T which have been suspended until February 25, 2022. The percentage change in average monthly bills noticed herein may be higher or lower depending on the result of the Commission decision in Case No. 21-0369-W-42T. The new DSIC rate increment will become effective either on March 1, 2022 or, if ordered by the Commission, coincidental with the effective date of rates in Case No. 21-0369-W-42T, which date is currently February 25, 2022.
The Commission set a procedural schedule, including a hearing date, on the Application. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. on November 12, 2021.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene should file a written protest or request to intervene that briefly states the reason for the protest or request to intervene. Requests to intervene must comply with the rules on intervention set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure and must be filed within twenty (20) days following the date of this publication unless otherwise modified by Commission order. The Commission will receive public comments throughout the entirety of the proceeding. All written comments and requests to intervene should state the case name and number and be addressed to Connie Graley, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323. Public comments may also be filed online by clicking the “Formal Case” link at
http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/onlinecomments/default.cfm.
WEST VIRGINIA-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY