Gauley River Public Service District Files Application for Change in Rates

On May 31, 2016, Gauley River Public Service District (“District”) filed an application with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia requesting approval of a two-step change in rates, tolls and charges for furnishing potable water service to 1,331 customers along State Route 39 between Gauley Bridge, Fayette County and Summersville, Nicholas County, as well as along State Route 39 between Gauley Bridge, Fayette County, and Summersville, Nicholas County, as well as along State Route 16 between Belva, Fayette County and Sangamore Road and Big Hollow Road, Clay County and in surrounding areas in Fayette, Nicholas, and Clay Counties.
In Step 1, the District proposes to increase rates and charges by approximately 16.62% for a period of two years.  This increase is expected to generate approximately $203,118 annually I additional revenue.  The Step 1 increase is intended to cover increased costs of operation and maintenance of the District’s water system, including debt service and interest coverage requirements, and to gradually fund a cash working capital reserve required by a recent change in West Virginia Law.  If approved in full, the Step 1 rates will increase the average monthly bills for residential and commercial customers by approximately $7.08.
After the Step 1 rates have been in effect for two years, the District expects that its cash working capital reserve will be fully funded, which will permit the proposed reduced Step 2 rates and charges to be put into effect.  The Step 2 rates and charges are projected to reduce the District’s annually revenues by approximately $69,819, or 4.89%.  After the proposed Step 2 rates and charges become effective, the average monthly bills for residential and commercial customers will decrease by approximately $2.43.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene in the Districts application should file a written protest or notice of intervention prior to July 20, 2016.  Failure to timely protest or intervene can affect your rights to protest any rate increases and to participate in future Public Service Commission proceedings regarding the District’s application.  All protests or requests to intervene should briefly state the reason for the protest or intervention.  Requests to intervene must comply with the Commission’s rule on intervention set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.  All protests and interventions should be addressed to Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV  25323.
A complete copy of the proposed rate changes, as well as a representative of the District to provide any information requested concerning the changes, is available to all customers, prospective customers, or their agents at the District’s office at the following address:  Gauley River Public Service District, 29 South Swiss Road, Swiss, WV  06690.  Telephone 304-632-2508.
A copy of the proposed rates is also available for public inspection at the office of the Executive Secretary of the Public Service Commission at 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, WV.