PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 23-0843-G-PC
HOPE GAS, INC., STANDARD GAS COMPANY,
and BAZZLE GAS COMPANY, INC.
Joint petition for consent and approval for Hope Gas, Inc. to acquire Standard
Gas Company and Bazzle Gas Company, Inc.
NOTICE OF FILING
On October 27, 2023, Hope Gas, Inc. (Hope), Standard Gas Company (Standard), and Bazzle Gas Company (Bazzle) (jointly, petitioners) filed with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (Commission) a joint petition (Joint Petition) for Commission consent and approval of an acquisition transaction pursuant to which Hope would acquire certain assets of Standard and Bazzle used to provide gas utility service. Standard and Bazzle currently provide natural gas sales service to approximately 460 customers in Lewis and Braxton Counties, West Virginia.
In the Joint Petition, Hope, Standard, and Bazzle assert that the acquisition transaction will have no adverse effect on their customers, other public utilities, or the public in general. Following the transaction, the assets acquired will be owned and operated by Hope, subject to the Commission’s continuing jurisdiction and regulation. From and after the closing of the acquisition, the Customers will become customers of Hope.
Upon the closing of the Transaction, the Standard customers will continue to pay Standard’s existing base rates, purchased gas adjustment (PGA) rate, and a Legacy Surcharge rate increment, which surcharge equates to Hope’s pipeline replacement and expansion (PREP) rate increment, as they change from time to time. Consequently, at close, based on the current base, PGA and surcharge rates proposed, the average monthly bill impact for the Standard customers as a result of the Transaction will be as follows:
($) (%)
Type of Customer Increase/( Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Residential $13.35 21.37%
Commercial $25.87 17.23%
The Bazzle customers will pay Hope’s existing rates, PGA rate and the Legacy Surcharge, as they change from time to time. Consequently, at close, based on the current base, PGA and surcharge rates proposed, the average monthly bill impact for the Bazzle customers as a result of the Transaction will be as follows:
($) (%)
Type of Customer Increase/( Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Residential $60.60 170.56%
Hope proposes that the Standard customers will eventually pay the Hope base rates plus PGA rates and Legacy Surcharge as those rates change from time to time. If the Standard customers were immediately charged the Hope base rates, the current Hope PGA rate, and the current Legacy Surcharge rate, the average monthly bill impact for the Standard customers as a result of the transaction would be as follows:
($) (%)
Type of Customer Increase/( Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Residential $28.79 46.08%
Commercial $64.85 43.19%
The Commission schedules this matter for evidentiary hearing to be held on February 21, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. and continuing to February 22, 2024, if necessary, in the Howard M. Cunningham Hearing Room, Public Service Commission Building, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia. Interested persons should be able to view the evidentiary hearing via an internet livestream. In lieu of an in-person public comment hearing, the Commission will receive public comments online and by mail or hand delivery to the Executive Secretary’s Office. All written comments should state the case name and number and be addressed to Karen Buckley, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323. The Commission website, www.psc.state.wv.us, contains links to “Case Information,” “Submit a Comment,” and “Commission Webcast.”
The Joint Petition 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). Anyone desiring to intervene or protest should file a written request to intervene or protest no later than thirty (30) days following the date of this notice, unless such period is otherwise modified by Commission Order. Failure to timely intervene or protest can affect your right to participate in or protest aspects of this proceeding. All requests to intervene or protest should briefly state the reason for the request to intervene or protest and comply with the rules set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. All requests to intervene and protests should state the case name and number and be addressed to the Executive Secretary at the address listed above.
In the absence of substantial protest received within thirty (30) days of the issuance of this notice, the Commission may waive formal hearing and grant the Joint Petition based on the Commission’s review of the evidence submitted with the Joint Petition.
HOPE GAS, INC.
STANDARD GAS COMPANY, and
BAZZLE GAS COMPANY, INC.
Jan. 5, 12, 2023