Legal 3 col x 8”
1129
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 23-0773-G-CN-PW
HOPE GAS, INC.
Application for a certificate of public convenience
and necessity to construct new and uprated facilities
NOTICE OF FILING AND HEARINGS
CONSTRUCTION OF PIPELINE FACILITIES IN MONONGALIA AND MARION
COUNTIES, WEST VIRGINIA
On September 22, 2023, Hope Gas, Inc; (Hope) filed with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (Commission) an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (Application) for Hope’s construction of new and uprated pipeline facilities substantially adjacent to existing pipeline infrastructure (located in Monongalia and northern Marion counties, West Virginia) (Project) to enhance the reliability of service by increasing the delivery of additional gas supply to the Morgantown, West Virginia area served by Hope, including to enhance reliability of service to critical public services such as important medical facilities in that area. Hope expects to commence construction on the Project on November 1, 2024, and to place the Project facilities into service on November 1, 2025. The Application is not proposing any immediate changes to Hope’s rates.
The proposed Project facilities, which are subject to change: begin near Wadestown, Monongalia County, West Virginia (Wadestown), west of WV-7; traverse easterly crossing WV-7 and continuing to a point on the Monongalia-Marion county border after crossing near WV 218; traverse easterly through northern Marion County to a point on the Marion-Monongalia county border after crossing and near CR 25; traverse easterly crossing CR 37 and continuing easterly crossing US 19 from the north at a location just north of Hope’s proposed Black Knight measurement and regulation station (Black Knight), which is approximately 1.7 miles west of 1-79 at Grapevine Hill; traverse north from Black Knight crossing CR 1924, and then traverse northeast crossing 1-79 and WV 7; and terminate at a location northwest of Star City/Osage, West Virginia. In total, the Project facilities, which include pipeline, measurement and regulation stations, and other appurtenant facilities, traverse approximately 30 miles on existing and new right of way. A map of the Project facilities as well as a listing of all required permits and approvals are contained in the Application. A map of Project facilities can also be found at:
https://hopegas.com/docs/PSC_Overview_map_Morgantown_Connecttor.pdf.
The Application is on file with and available for public inspection at the Commission, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia, and is available online at the Commission website (www.psc.state.wv.us).
The current estimated total Project cost is approximately $177 million. The potential rate impact for the Project is unknown at this time and Hope will seek to recover the actual cost in future rate proceedings.
The Commission will conduct a public comment hearing on the Application at 5:30 p.m. on December 14, 2023, at the Public Service Commission headquarters, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia. Those wishing to speak at the public comment hearing may sign up in person at the Commission headquarters before the hearing or pre-register to speak virtually by 4:00 p.m. December 14, 2023, by providing their name and phone number to Andy Gallagher at [email protected] or 304-340-0820. For those who pre-register to attend virtually, the Commission will call each person in order of registration during the public comment hearing.
As an alternative to speaking at the public comment hearing either virtually or in-person, individuals or entities interested in providing written comments regarding this case should submit their comments by mail or hand delivery to Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323, or on-line at by clicking on “Submit A Comment” in the left column and following the directions provided. All written comments should be marked with Case No. 23-0773-G-CNPW. Interested persons may also attend the public comment hearing in-person or via webcast to observe the public comment hearing. The webcast may be viewed by clicking “Commission Webcast” located under the “Inside the PSC” section in the left column on the Commission’s website: www.psc.state.wv.us.
The Commission has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Tuesday, December 19, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Public Service Commission headquarters, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia. The Commission may cancel the evidentiary hearing for good cause shown and interested persons intending to attend the hearing should monitor the Commission web docket.
Anyone desiring to intervene should file a written request to intervene and pre-filed direct testimony no later than December 4, 2023, unless such date is otherwise modified by Commission Order. Failure to timely intervene can affect your right to participate in aspects of this proceeding. All requests to intervene should briefly state the reason for the request to intervene and comply with the rules set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. All requests to intervene should contain the case name and number and be addressed to Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323. In the absence of substantial protest, the Commission may waive formal hearing and grant the Application based on the Commission’s review of the evidence submitted with the Application.
HOPE GAS, INC