CHARLESTON – State regulators on Thursday agreed to reopen the case of a troubled
Northern Panhandle utility over funding issues.
The petition involves The Newell Company, which was found by the Public Service
Commission of West Virginia to be a failing utility in 2022. The Commission issued an
order on February 23, 2023, that Hancock Public Service District and Tomlinson Public
Service District acquire Newell.
Hancock PSD was to pay $1.36 million for the 425-customer sewer system and
Tomlinson PSD was to pay $1.63 million for the 650-customer water system. They were
going to secure funding through the West Virginia Infrastructure Development Council.
On November 28, 2023, Hancock petitioned the Commission to reopen the case. It
expected to have to make repairs of $9.1 million to the system, but an engineering study
it commissioned said the repairs would cost, instead, from $10.5 million to $15.5 million.
The petition said the West Virginia Infrastructure Development Council on Oct. 24,
2023, denied Hancock PSD’s request for $1.3 million to pay for the takeover.
Hancock then asked the Commission to reopen the case to review all matters, including
the acquisition price to be paid by Hancock PSD for Newell.
More information about this case can be found on the Commission website:
www.psc.state.wv.us by referencing Case No. 20-1033-WS-DU