Legal 3 col x 13-3/4”
0425
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 20-0298-W-CN
RONCEVERTE MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT,
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Application for a certificate of convenience and
necessity to construct a Water System Upgrade – Phase I Project
NOTICE OF FILING
On March 17, 2020, Ronceverte Municipal Water Department (Ronceverte) filed a duly verified application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to construct a Water System Upgrade – Phase I.
Ronceverte proposes to upgrade and improve its water distribution system by replacing over 15,000 feet of aging cast iron and asbestos concrete pipe, replacing gate valves and tire hydrants that are not operational, replacing two existing water tanks in poor condition, relocating the main control valve station, improving existing water booster stations, improving the existing radio telemetry system, and replacing existing water meters with radio-read meters.
In the event the construction bids received exceed the available project funding for the project, Ronceverte will seek additional funding for the project. If no additional funding is available, Ronceverte will seek to reduce the project cost by reducing construction costs by change order or deductive alternates with the successful bidder.
In the event the construction bids received are less than the available project funding for the project, Ronceverte anticipates using any remaining funds for replacing additional old cast iron and asbestos concrete pipe water lines and related work to reduce water loss.
The application is on tile with and available for public inspection at the Public Service Commission, 201 Brooks Street, in Charleston, West Virginia.
The estimated total Project cost is $4,200,000, and will be funded by a Drinking Water
Treatment Revolving Fund repayment loan of $2,275,000 with a 0.75% interest rate (no administrative fee), for a term of 30 years, a DWTRF principal forgiveness loan of $1,100,000, a West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council grant of $500,000, and a DWTRF design loan of $325,000 with a 1% interest rate and a 0.25% administrative fee which closed on August 28, 2019 (Waterworks System Design Revenue Bonds, Series 2019 A).
Ronceverte does not seek a rate increase in connection with this project and will continue to charge its existing rates for its customers. Ronceverte’s current rates were enacted and became effective February 3, 2020, in accordance with the Public Service Commission’s rules for municipal rate change.
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within the entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY
Available for residential, commercial, industrial, public authority, and sale for resale water service.
RATES (Customers with metered water supply)
First 1,000 gallons used per month $ 30.36 per 1,000 gallons
All Over 1,000 gallons used per month $ 19.65 per 1,000 gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than the following based on meter size:
5/8 inch meter $ 30.36 per month
3/4 inch meter $ 45.54 per month
1 inch meter $ 75.90 per month
1-1/2 inch meter $ 151.80 per month
2 inch meter $ 242.88 per month
3 inch meter $ 485.76 per month
4 inch meter $ 759.00 per month
6 inch meter $ 1,518.00 per month
8 inch meter $ 2,428.80 per month
BULK RATE
All water for bulk purchase will be billed in accordance with the approved rate of $21.50 per 1,000 gallons.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE
A service charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the City or a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customer whose check for payment of charges is returned by the bank due to insufficient funds.
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all current accounts not paid in full when due, ten percent (10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
RECONNECTION FEE $20.00
To be charged whenever the supply of water is turned off for violation of rules, nonpayment of bills, or fraudulent use of water.
TAP FEE
The following charges are to be made whenever the Utility installs a new tap to serve an applicant.
A tap fee of $100.00 will be charged to customers applying for service before construction is completed adjacent to the customer’s premises in connection with a Certificate proceeding before the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (“Commission”). This pre-construction tap fee will be invalid after the completion of construction adjacent to an applicant’s premises that is associated with a Certificate proceeding.
A tap fee of$350.00 will be charged to all customers who apply for service outside of a Certificate proceeding before the Commission for each new tap to the system.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$10.21 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when the bill reflects unusual consumption, which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall be applied to all such consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
EFT, ACH, CREDIT CARD AND DROP BOX PAYMENTS
A service charge will be imposed on EFT, ACH, Credit Card or Drop Box payments. The amount shall be equal to the actual charges from the financial institution for processing payment.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
A deposit of $50.00 or two-twelfths (2/12ths) of the average annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class, whichever is greater. This fee may be changed by applicable statutory provisions.
PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION RATES
Where connections, hydrants, sprinklers, etc., are on property maintained by the customer:
Per Annum
2 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 60.00
3 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 120.00
4 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 240.00
6 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 480.00
8 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 960.00
10 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 1,920.00
12 inch service line with hydrants, sprinkler, and/or connections $ 3,840.00
MUNICIPAL EXCISE TAX SURCHARGE
The municipality listed below, having imposed a public utility tax computed on the basis of two percent (2%) of revenues from water sales by the City of Ronceverte’s water utility within the corporate limits of such municipality, shall be billed as a “surcharge” to the customers receiving service within said corporate limits.
The Utility is required to collect the utility tax pursuant to West Virginia Code 8-13-5a.
Customers receiving water service within the corporate limits of the specified municipality shall pay a surcharge based on the following surcharge rates:
Municipality of Ronceverte – Utility Excise Surcharge Rate – Two Percent (2%) of the gross amount billed.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene in this Certificate proceeding should file a written protest or request to intervene within thirty (30) days following the date of this publication unless otherwise modified by Commission order. Failure to timely protest or intervene can affect your right to protest aspects of this certificate case or participate in future proceedings. All protests or requests to intervene should briefly state 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. All protests and requests to intervene should be addressed to Connie Graley, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
In the absence of substantial protest received within thirty (30) days of this publication, the Commission may waive formal hearing and grant the application based on the Commission’s review of the evidence submitted with the application.