PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 23-0577-PWD-42A-CN
MIDLAND PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT
Randolph County, West Virginia
Application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct certain additions and improvements to its existing waterworks system.
NOTICE OF FILING
On July 11, 2023 Midland Public Service District (District) filed a duly verified application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct certain additions and improvements to the District’s existing waterworks system in Randolph County, West Virginia.
The District proposes to construct certain additions and improvements to its waterworks system consisting of installation of approximately 12,500 linear feet of 8-inch, 10,500 linear feet of 4-inch and 2,000 linear feet of 2-inch water line and the necessary valves and appurtenances. The Project will allow the District to serve 88 new customers along Faulkner Road in Randolph County, West Virginia.
The application is on file with and available for public inspection at the Public Service Commission, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia.
The District estimates that the project will cost approximately is $3,695,000. The District proposes to fund the Project with a $2,000,000 federal earmark from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $500,000 grant from the Office of the Governor of West Virginia, $149,500 contribution from The County Commission of Randolph County’s funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, $500,000 grant from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, $515,000 loan from the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Fund (DWTRF) for a term of 40 years at 1% interest and 0.25% administration fee, and $30,500 DWTRF forgivable loan.
The District anticipates charging the following increased Non-Project rates and charges for its customers:
Step 1 (Non-Project Rates and Charges)
APPLICABILITIY
Applicable within entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY
Available for general domestic, commercial, and industrial water service.
RATE
First 3,000 gallons used per month $16.63 per 1,000 gallons
Next 3,000 gallons used per month $15.31 per 1,000 gallons
Next 4,000 gallons used per month $14.43 per 1,000 gallons
Next 10,000 gallons used per month $13.77 per 1,000 gallons
All Over 20,000 gallons used per month $13.11 per 1,000 gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than the following based on meter size:
5/8 – inch meter $27.36 per month
3/4 – inch meter $41.05 per month
1 – inch meter $68.40 per month
1-1/2-inch – meter $136.79 per month
2 – inch meter $218.86 per month
3 – inch meter $437.72 per month
4 – inch meter $683.93 per month
6 – inch meter $1,367.85 per month
The above charge is subject to an additional $7.51 per 1,000 gallons of water used per month.
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all 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.
RECONNECT FEE
$20.00
To be charged whenever the supply of water is turned off for violations of rules, non-payment of bills, or fraudulent use of water.
PRIVATE FIRE INSURANCE SERVICE FEE
Annual private fire service fee of $190.60 for all unmetered private fire service connection lines.
TAP FEE
The following charge is to be made whenever the utility installs a new tap to serve an applicant.
A tap fee of $300.00 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 INCREMENT
$8.80 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 200% of the customer’s historical average usage.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE
A service charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the sewer utility up to a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customer whose check for payment of charges is returned by a bank due to insufficient funds.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Not to exceed two-twelfths (2/12) of the average annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class, or fifty dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater. This fee may be changed by applicable statutory provisions.
The District anticipates charging the following increased Project rates and charges for its customers:
Step 2 (Project Rates and Charges)
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY
Available for general domestic, commercial, and industrial water service.
RATE
First 3,000 gallons used per month $17.47 per 1,000 gallons
Next 3,000 gallons used per month $16.08 per 1,000 gallons
Next 4,000 gallons used per month $15.16 per 1,000 gallons
Next 10,000 gallons used per month $14.46 per 1,000 gallons
All Over 20,000 gallons used per month $13.77 per 1,000 gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than the following based on meter size:
5/8 – inch meter $28.73 per month
3/4 – inch meter $43.11 per month
1 – inch meter $71.82 per month
1-1/2-inch – meter $143.63 per month
2 – inch meter $229.81 per month
3 – inch meter $459.61 per month
4 – inch meter $718.13 per month
6 – inch meter $1,436.25 per month
The above charge is subject to an additional $7.89 per 1,000 gallons of water used per month.
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all 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.
RECONNECT FEE
$20.00
To be charged whenever the supply of water is turned off for violations of rules, non-payment of bills, or fraudulent use of water.
PRIVATE FIRE INSURANCE SERVICE FEE
Annual private fire service fee of $190.60 for all unmetered private fire service connection lines.
TAP FEE
The following charge is to be made whenever the utility installs a new tap to serve an applicant.
A tap fee of $300.00 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 INCREMENT
$8.80 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 200% of the customer’s historical average usage.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE
A service charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the sewer utility up to a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customer whose check for payment of charges is returned by a bank due to insufficient funds.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Not to exceed two-twelfths (2/12) of the average annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class, or fifty dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater. This fee may be changed by applicable statutory provisions.
Step 1 rates represent the following Non-Project-related increases that will become effective prior to substantial completion of the project, unless otherwise ordered:
($) INCREASE (%) INCREASE
Residential (3,000 gallons) $4.56 10%
Commercial (3,000 gallons) $4.56 10%
Step 2 rates represent the following Project-related increases that will become effective upon substantial completion of the project unless otherwise ordered:
($) INCREASE (%) INCREASE
Residential (3,000 gallons) $2.52 5%
Commercial (3,000 gallons) $2.52 5%
The District has no resale customers.
The proposed increased rates and charges not related to the project will produce approximately $131,604 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 10%. The total increase granted will not exceed this estimate unless further notice is provided.
The proposed increased rates and charges related to the project will produce approximately $125,125 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 8.7%. The total increase granted will not exceed this estimate unless further notice is provided.
The increases shown are based on averages of all customers in the indicated class. Individual customers may receive increases that are greater or less than average. Furthermore, the requested rates and charges among the various classes of customers are only a proposal and are subject to change (increases or decreases) by the Public Service Commission in its review of this filing.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene in the 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 Rules of Practice and Procedure. All protests and requests to intervene should be addressed to Karen Buckley, 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 Commission review of the evidence submitted with the application.
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