WEST virginia legislature
2020 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 4953
By Delegate Hanshaw (Mr.
Speaker)
(By Request of the Public Service Commission)
[Introduced February 11, 2020; Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §8-12-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §8-16-18 of said code; to amend and reenact §8-19-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §8-20-10 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-13-16 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-13A-9 of said code; to amend and reenact §24-2-1, §24-2-4a, and §24-2-11 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §24-2H-1, §24-2H-2, §24-2H-3, §24-2H-4, §24-2H-5, §24-2H-6, §24-2H-7, §24-2H-8, and §24-2H-9; and to amend and reenact §31-15A-9 of said code, all relating to authorizing the Public Service Commission to protect the consumers of distressed and failing water and wastewater utilities by ordering various corrective measures up to and including acquisition of a failing utility by a capable water or wastewater utility all relating to clarifying Public Service Commission jurisdiction over water and sewer utilities owned by political subdivisions; establishing uniformity in the class of publications required by municipalities and public service districts for the revision in rates; providing a time period for the filing of and resolution of complaints filed at the Public Service Commission regarding actions of public service districts and municipalities; cleaning up language regarding reference to other sections of the code regarding notice requirements for municipal utilities; and regarding the time period pertaining to the filing of appeals and the resolution of the appeals for rate and construction projects decided by county commissions; adding language to allow the commission to order the acquisition of failing water and wastewater utilities; and allowing water and/or wastewater utilities access to public funds at below market rates and grants to repair, replace and improve acquired failing utilities.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
CHAPTER 8. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
ARTICLE 12. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC POWERS, DUTIES AND ALLIED RELATIONS OF MUNICIPALITIES, GOVERNING BODIES AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; SUITS AGAINST MUNICIPALITIES.
§8-12-17. Sale or lease of municipal public utility.
In any case where a
municipality owns a gas system, an electric system, a waterworks system, a
sewer system or other public utility and a majority of not less than 60 percent
of the members of the governing body thereof shall deem determines
it for the best interest of such the municipality that such
the utility be sold or leased, the governing body may so sell or lease such
the gas system, electric system, waterworks system, sewer system or
other public utility upon such terms and conditions as said the governing
body in its discretion considers in the best interest of the municipality: Provided,
That such the sale or lease may be made only upon: (1) The
publication of notice of a hearing before the governing body of the
municipality, as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the
provisions of §59-3-1 et seq. of this code, in a newspaper published
and of general circulation in the municipality, such the publication
to be made not earlier than 20 days and not later than seven days prior to the
hearing; and (2) the approval by the Public Service Commission of West
Virginia. The governing body, upon the approval of the sale or lease by a
majority of its members of not less than 60 percent of the members of the
governing body, shall have full power and authority to proceed to execute or
effect such the sale or lease in accordance with the terms and
conditions prescribed in the ordinance approved as aforesaid, and shall have
power to do any and all things necessary or incident thereto: Provided,
however, That if at any time after such the approval and
before the execution of the authority under the ordinance, any person should
present to the governing body an offer to buy such the public
utility at a price which exceeds by at least five percent the sale price which
shall have been so approved and authorized or to lease the same upon terms
which the governing body, in its discretion, shall consider more advantageous
to the municipality than the terms of the lease which shall have been
previously approved as aforesaid, the governing body shall have the power to
accept such the subsequent offer, and to make such the
sale or such the lease to the person making the offer, upon
approval of the offer by a majority of not less than 60 percent of the members
of the governing body; but, if a sale shall have been approved by the governing
body as aforesaid, and the subsequent proposition be for a lease, or, if a
lease shall have been approved by the governing body, and the subsequent
proposition shall be for a sale, the governing body shall have the authority to
accept the same upon approval of the offer by a majority of not less than 60
percent of the members of the governing body. The person making such the
proposition shall furnish bond, with security to be approved by the governing
body, in a penalty of not less than 25 percent of such the proposed
bid, conditioned to carry such the proposition into execution, if
the same shall be approved by the governing body. In any case where any such
public utility shall be sold or leased by the governing body as hereinabove
provided, no part of the moneys derived from such the sale or
lease shall be applied to the payment of current expenses of the municipality,
but the proceeds of such the sale or lease shall may
be applied in payment and discharge of any indebtedness created in respect to such
the public utility, and in case there be no indebtedness, the governing
body, in its discretion, shall have the power and authority to expend all such
moneys when received for the purchase or construction of fire fighting
equipment and buildings for housing such the equipment, a
municipal building or city hall, and the necessary land upon which to locate
the same, for capital investments in public works projects, vehicles and
equipment and law-enforcement vehicles and equipment, for the demolition of
dilapidated and abandoned buildings, or for the construction of paved
streets, avenues, roads, alleys, ways, sidewalks, sewers, storm water
systems, floodwalls, and other like permanent improvements, for
fulfilling municipal pension and other post-employment benefit obligations, or
for reducing taxes, and for no other purposes. In case there be a surplus
after the payment of such the indebtedness, the surplus shall be
used as aforesaid.
The requirements of this
section shall not apply to the sale or lease of any part of the properties of
any such public utility determined by the governing body to be unnecessary for
the efficient rendering of the service of such the utility.
ARTICLE 16. MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS; REVENUE BOND FINANCING.
PART VI. IMPOSITION OF RATES, FEES OR CHARGES.
§8-16-18. Rates, fees or charges for services rendered by works.
The governing body shall have plenary power and authority and it shall be its duty, by ordinance, to establish and maintain just and equitable rates, fees or charges for the use and services rendered, or the improvement or protection of property, not to include highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways, provided or afforded, by such works, to be paid by the person using the same, receiving the services thereof, or owning the property improved or protected thereby, and may readjust rates, fees or charges from time to time.
When two or more municipalities take joint action under the provisions of this article, the rates, fees or charges shall be established by each participating municipality, with the concurrence of the other participating municipality or municipalities as to the amount of the rates, fees or charges, and such rates, fees or charges may be the same with respect to each municipality, or they may be different.
Rates, fees or charges heretofore or hereafter established and maintained for the improvement or protection of property, not to include highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways, provided or afforded by a municipal flood control system or flood walls, to be paid by the person owning the property improved or protected thereby, shall be collectible and enforceable from the time provided in any such ordinance, any provision of this or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, if, at such time, such works, though not yet fully completed, are nearing completion and the governing body is reasonably assured that the works will be completed and placed in operation without unreasonable delay.
All rates, fees or charges
shall be sufficient in each year for the payment of the proper and reasonable
expenses of repair (including replacements), maintenance and operation of the
works, and for the payment of the sums herein required to be paid into the
sinking fund. Revenues collected pursuant to the provisions of this section are
considered the revenues of the works. No such rates, fees or charges shall
may be established until after a public hearing at which all the users
of the works and owners of the property served, or to be served thereby, and
others interested, shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the
proposed rates, fees or charges.
After introduction of the
proposed ordinance fixing the rates, fees or charges and before the same is
finally adopted, notice of such hearing, setting forth the proposed schedule of
such rates, fees or charges, shall be given by publishing the same as a Class
I-0 Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions
of §59-3-1 et seq. of this code, and the publication area for the
publication shall be such municipality or each such municipality, as the case
may be. Said notice shall be published at least five days before the date fixed
in such notice for the hearing, which hearing may be adjourned from time to
time. No other or further notice to parties in interest shall be is
required.
After such hearing the ordinance establishing rates, fees or charges, either as originally proposed or introduced, or as modified and amended, shall be adopted and put into effect. A copy of the schedule of such rates, fees and charges so established shall be kept on file in the office of the board having charge of such works, and also in the office of the governing body or bodies, and shall be open to inspection by all parties in interest.
The rates, fees or charges so established for any class of users or property served shall be extended to cover any additional class of users or property thereafter served which fall within the same class, without the necessity of any hearing or notice. Any change or adjustment of rates, fees or charges may be made in the same manner as such rates, fees or charges were originally established as provided in this section. The aggregate of the rates, fees or charges shall always be sufficient for the expenses of repair (including replacements), maintenance and operation, and for the sinking fund payments.
If any rate, fee or charge
so established shall not be is not paid within 30 days after the
same is due, the amount thereof, together with a penalty of 10 percent and
reasonable attorney’s fees, may be recovered by the board in a civil action in
the name of the municipality or municipalities, and in the case of rates, fees
or charges due for services rendered, such rates, fees or charges, if not paid
when due, may, if the governing body so provide in the ordinance provided for
under §8-16-7 of this code, constitute a lien upon the premises served by such
works, which lien may be foreclosed against such lot, parcel of land or
building so served, in accordance with the laws relating to the foreclosure of
liens on real property. Upon failure of any person receiving any such service
to pay for the same when due, the board may discontinue such service without
notice.
ARTICLE 19. MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY WATERWORKS AND ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS.
§8-19-4. Estimate of cost; ordinance or order for issuance of revenue bonds; interest on bonds; rates for services; exemption from taxation.
Whenever a municipality or
county commission, shall under the provisions of this article, determine
decides to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, construct, establish,
extend or equip a waterworks system or an electric power system, or to
construct any additions, betterments or improvements to any waterworks or
electric power system, it shall cause an estimate to be made of the cost
thereof, and may, by ordinance or order, provide for the issuance of revenue
bonds under the provisions of this article, which ordinance or order shall set
forth a brief description of the contemplated undertaking, the estimated cost thereof,
the amount, rate or rates of interest, the time and place of payment and other
details in connection with the issuance of the bonds. The bonds shall be in
such form and shall be negotiated and sold in such manner and upon such terms
as the governing body of such municipality or county commission may, by
ordinance or order, specify. All the bonds and the interest thereon shall be
exempt from all taxation by this state, or any county, municipality or county
commission, political subdivision or agency thereof. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this code to the contrary, the real and personal property which a
municipality or county has acquired and constructed according to the provisions
of this article, and any leasehold interest therein held by other persons,
shall be deemed considered public property and shall be exempt
from taxation by the state, or any county, municipality or other levying body,
so long as the same is owned by the municipality or county: Provided,
That with respect to electric power systems, this exemption for real and
personal property shall be applicable only for the real and personal property:
(1) Physically situate within the municipal or county boundaries of the
municipality or county which acquired or constructed the electric power system
and there was in place prior to the effective date of the amendments to this
section made in the year 1992 an agreement between the municipality and the
county commission for payments in lieu of tax; or (2) acquired or constructed
with the written agreement of the county school board, county commission and
any municipal authority within whose jurisdiction the electric power system is
or is to be physically situate. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
statute to the contrary, this exemption shall be applicable to any leasehold or
similar interest held by persons other than a municipality or county only if
acquired or constructed with the written agreement of the county school board,
county commission and any municipal authority within whose jurisdiction the
electric power system is or is to be physically situate: Provided, however,
That payments made to any county commission, county school board or
municipality in lieu of tax pursuant to such an agreement shall be distributed
as if the payments resulted from ad valorem property taxation. The bonds
shall bear interest at a rate per annum set by the municipality or county
commission, payable at such times, and shall be payable as to principal at such
times, not exceeding 50 years from their date, and at such place or places,
within or without the state, as shall be prescribed in the ordinance or order
providing for their issuance. Unless the governing body of the municipality or
county commission shall otherwise determine, the ordinance or order shall also
declare that a statutory mortgage lien shall exist upon the property so to be
acquired, constructed, established, extended or equipped, fix minimum rates or
charges for water or electricity to be collected prior to the payment of all of
said bonds and shall pledge the revenues derived from the waterworks or
electric power system for the purpose of paying the bonds and interest thereon,
which pledge shall definitely fix and determine the amount of revenues which
shall be necessary to be set apart and applied to the payment of the principal
of and interest upon the bonds and the proportion of the balance of the
revenues, which are to be set aside as a proper and adequate depreciation
account, and the remainder shall be set aside for the reasonable and proper
maintenance and operation thereof. The rates or charges to be charged for the
services from the waterworks or electric power system shall be sufficient at
all times to provide for the payment of interest upon all bonds and to create a
sinking fund to pay the principal thereof as and when the same become due, and
reasonable reserves therefor, and to provide for the repair, maintenance and
operation of the waterworks or electric power system, and to provide an
adequate depreciation fund, and to make any other payments which shall be
required or provided for in the ordinance or order authorizing the issuance of
said bonds: Provided, That the notice given by the
municipality or county commission for a change in rates or charges to be
charged for the services from the waterworks or electric power system, shall be
provided by Class I legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in
its service territory not less than one week prior to the public hearing of the
governing body of the municipality or the county commission required for the
approval of the change in rates or charges.
ARTICLE 20. COMBINED SYSTEMS.
§8-20-10. Power and authority of municipality to enact ordinances and make rules and fix rates, fees or charges; deposit required for new customers; change in rates, fees or charges; failure to cure delinquency; delinquent rates, discontinuance of service; reconnecting deposit; return of deposit; fees or charges as liens; civil action for recovery thereof; deferral of filing fees and costs in magistrate court action; limitations with respect to foreclosure.
(a)(1) The governing body of a municipality availing itself of the provisions of this article shall have plenary power and authority to make, enact and enforce all necessary rules for the repair, maintenance, operation and management of the combined system of the municipality and for the use thereof. The governing body of a municipality also has the plenary power and authority to make, enact and enforce all necessary rules and ordinances for the care and protection of any such system for the health, comfort and convenience of the public, to provide a clean water supply, to provide properly treated sewage insofar as it is reasonably possible to do and, if applicable, to properly collecting and controlling the stormwater as is reasonably possible to do: Provided, That no municipality may make, enact or enforce any rule, regulation or ordinance regulating any highways, road or drainage easements or storm water facilities constructed, owned or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.
(2) A municipality has the plenary power and authority to charge the users for the use and service of a combined system and to establish required deposits, rates, fees or charges for such purpose. Separate deposits, rates, fees or charges may be fixed for the water and sewer services respectively and, if applicable, the stormwater services, or combined rates, fees or for the combined water and sewer services, and, if applicable, the storm water services. Such deposits, rates, fees or charges, whether separate or combined, shall be sufficient at all times to pay the cost of repair, maintenance and operation of the combined system, provide an adequate reserve fund, an adequate depreciation fund and pay the principal and interest upon all revenue bonds issued under this article. Deposits, rates, fees or charges shall be established, revised and maintained by ordinance and become payable as the governing body may determine by ordinance. The rates, fees or charges shall be changed, from time to time, as necessary, consistent with the provisions of this article: Provided, That the notice given by the municipality for a change in rates or charges to be charged for the services from the waterworks or electric power system, shall be provided by Class I legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in its service territory not less than one week prior to the public hearing of the governing body of the municipality required for the approval of the change in rates or charges.
(3) All new applicants for service shall indicate to the municipality or governing body whether they are an owner or tenant with respect to the service location. An entity providing stormwater service shall provide a tenant a report of the stormwater fee charged for the entire property and, if appropriate, that portion of the fee to be assessed to the tenant.
(4) The municipality or
governing body, but only one of them, may collect from all new applicants for
service a deposit of $100 or two twelfths of the average annual usage of the
applicant’s specific customer class, whichever is greater, to secure the
payment of water and sewage service rates, fees and charges in the event they
become delinquent as provided in this section. In any case where a deposit is
forfeited to pay service rates, fees and charges which were delinquent and the
user’s service is disconnected or terminated, service may not be reconnected or
reinstated by the municipality or governing body until another deposit equal to
$100 or a sum equal to two twelfths of the average usage for the applicant’s
specific customer class, whichever is greater, is remitted to the municipality
or governing body. After 12 months of prompt payment history, the municipality
or governing body shall return the deposit to the customer or credit the
customer’s account with interest at a rate to be set by the Public Service
Commission: Provided, That where the customer is a tenant, the
municipality or governing body is not required to return the deposit until the
time the tenant discontinues service with the municipality governing body.
Whenever any rates, fees, rentals or charges for services or facilities
furnished remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after they become due, the user
of the services and facilities provided is delinquent and the user is liable at
law until all rates, fees and charges are fully paid. The municipality or
governing body may terminate water services to a delinquent user of either
water or sewage facilities, or both, 10 days after the water or sewage services
become delinquent regardless of whether the governing body utilizes the
security deposit to satisfy any delinquent payments: Provided further,
That any termination of water service must comply with all rules and orders of
the Public Service Commission: Provided, however, That nothing contained
within the rules of the Public Service Commission shall be deemed to require
any requires agents or employees of the municipality or governing
body to accept payment at the customer’s premises in lieu of discontinuing
service for a delinquent bill.
(b) Whenever any rates, fees or charges for services or facilities furnished remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after they become due, the user of the services and facilities provided shall be delinquent and the municipality or governing body may apply any deposit against any delinquent fee. The user is liable until such time as all rates, fees and charges are fully paid.
(c) All rates, fees or charges for water service, sewer service and, if applicable, stormwater service, whenever delinquent, as provided by ordinance of the municipality, shall be liens of equal dignity, rank and priority with the lien on such premises of state, county, school and municipal taxes for the amount thereof upon the real property served. The municipality has the plenary power and authority to enforce such lien in a civil action to recover the money due for services rendered plus court fees and costs and reasonable attorney’s fees: Provided, That an owner of real property may not be held liable for the delinquent rates, fees or charges for services or facilities of a tenant, nor shall any lien attach to real property for the reason of delinquent rates, fees or charges for services or facilities of a tenant of the real property, unless the owner has contracted directly with the municipality to purchase such services or facilities.
(d) Municipalities are hereby granted a deferral of filing fees or other fees and costs incidental to filing an action in magistrate court for collection of the delinquent rates and charges. If the municipality collects the delinquent account, plus fees and costs, from its customer or other responsible party, the municipality shall pay to the magistrate court the filing fees or other fees and costs which were previously deferred.
(e) No municipality may foreclose upon the premises served by it for delinquent rates, fees or charges for which a lien is authorized by this section except through a civil action in the circuit court of the county wherein the municipality lies. In every such action, the court shall be required to make a finding based upon the evidence and facts presented that the municipality has exhausted all other remedies for collection of debts with respect to such delinquencies prior to bringing the action. In no event shall foreclosure procedures be instituted by any municipality or on its behalf unless the delinquency has been in existence or continued for a period of two years from the date of the first delinquency for which foreclosure is being sought.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this article, a municipality which has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer System community, as defined in 40 C.F.R. §122.26, has the authority to enact ordinances or regulations which allow for the issuance of orders, the right to enter properties and the right to impose reasonable fines and penalties regarding correction of violations of municipal stormwater ordinances or regulations within the municipal watershed served by the municipal stormwater system, as long as such rules, regulations, fines or acts are not contrary to any rules or orders of the Public Service Commission.
(g) Notice of a violation of a municipal stormwater ordinance or regulation shall be served in person to the alleged violator or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall state the nature of the violation, the potential penalty, the action required to correct the violation and the time limit for making the correction. Should a person, after receipt of proper notice, fail to correct violation of the municipal stormwater ordinance or regulation, the municipality may correct or have the corrections of the violation made and bring the party into compliance with the applicable stormwater ordinance or regulation. The municipality may collect the costs of correcting the violation from the person by instituting a civil action, as long as such actions are not contrary to any rules or orders of the Public Service Commission.
(h) A municipality which has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer System community shall prepare an annual report detailing the collection and expenditure of rates, fees or charges and make it available for public review at the place of business of the governing body and the stormwater utility main office.
CHAPTER 16. PUBLIC HEALTH.
ARTICLE 13. SEWAGE WORKS AND STORMWATER WORKS.
§16-13-16. Rates for service; deposit required for new customers; forfeiture of deposit; reconnecting deposit; tenant’s deposit; change or readjustment; hearing; lien and recovery; discontinuance of services.
A governing body has the power and duty, by ordinance, to establish and maintain just and equitable rates, fees or charges for the use of and the service rendered by:
(a) Sewerage works, to be
paid by the owner of each and every lot, parcel of real estate or
building that is connected with and uses such the works by or
through any part of the sewerage system of the municipality or that in any way
uses or is served by such the works; and
(b) Stormwater works, to be
paid by the owner of each and every lot, parcel of real estate or
building that in any way uses or is served by such the stormwater
works or whose property is improved or protected by the stormwater works or any
user of such stormwater works.
(c) The governing body may
change and readjust such the rates, fees or charges from time to
time. However, no rates, fees or charges for stormwater services may be
assessed against highways, road and drainage easements or stormwater facilities
constructed, owned or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.
(d) All new applicants for service shall indicate to the governing body whether they are an owner or tenant with respect to the service location. An entity providing stormwater service shall provide a tenant a report of the stormwater fee charged for the entire property and, if appropriate, that portion of the fee to be assessed to the tenant.
(e) The governing body may
collect from all new applicants for service a deposit of $50 or two twelfths of
the average annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class, whichever
is greater, to secure the payment of service rates, fees and charges in the
event they become delinquent as provided in this section. In any case where a
deposit is forfeited to pay service rates, fees and charges which were
delinquent at the time of disconnection or termination of service, service may
not be reconnected or reinstated by the governing body until another deposit
equal to $50 or a sum equal to two twelfths of the average usage for the
applicant’s specific customer class, whichever is greater, is remitted to the
governing body. After 12 months of prompt payment history, the governing body
shall return the deposit to the customer or credit the customer’s account with
interest at a rate as the Public Service Commission may prescribe: Provided,
That where the customer is a tenant, the governing body is not required to
return the deposit until the time the tenant discontinues service with the
governing body. Whenever any rates, fees, rentals or charges for services or
facilities furnished remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after they become
due, the user of the services and facilities provided is delinquent. The user
is liable until all rates, fees and charges are fully paid. The governing body
may, under reasonable rules promulgated by the Public Service Commission, shut
off and discontinue water services to a delinquent user of sewer facilities 10
days after the sewer services become delinquent regardless of whether the
governing body utilizes the security deposit to satisfy any delinquent payments:
Provided, however, That nothing contained within the rules of the Public
Service Commission shall be deemed to require any may require
agents or employees of the governing body to accept payment at the customer’s
premises in lieu of discontinuing service for a delinquent bill.
(f) Such The
rates, fees or charges shall be sufficient in each year for the payment of the
proper and reasonable expense of operation, repair, replacements and
maintenance of the works and for the payment of the sums herein required to be
paid into the sinking fund. Revenues collected pursuant to this section shall
be considered the revenues of the works.
(g) No such rates, fees or
charges shall may be established until after a public hearing, at
which all the users of the works and owners of property served or to be served
thereby and others interested shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning
the proposed rates, fees or charges.
(h) After introduction of
the ordinance fixing such the rates, fees or charges, and before
the same is finally enacted, notice of such the hearing, setting
forth the proposed schedule of rates, fees or charges, shall be given by
publication as a Class II-0 Class I legal advertisement in
compliance with the provisions of §59-3-1 et seq. of this code
and the publication area for such the publication shall be the
municipality. The first publication shall be made at least ten five
days before the date fixed in the notice for the hearing.
(i) After the hearing,
which may be adjourned, from time to time, the ordinance establishing rates,
fees or charges, either as originally introduced or as modified and amended,
shall be passed and put into effect. A copy of the schedule of the rates, fees
and charges shall be kept on file in the office of the board having charge of
the operation of such the works, and also in the office of the
clerk of the municipality, and shall be open to inspection by all parties
interested. The rates, fees or charges established for any class of users or
property served shall be extended to cover any additional premises thereafter
served which fall within the same class, without the necessity of any hearing
or notice.
(j) Any change or
readjustment of such the rates, fees or charges may be made in
the same manner as the rates, fees or charges were originally established as
hereinbefore provided: Provided, That if a change or readjustment be
made substantially pro rata, as to all classes of service, no hearing or notice
shall be required. The aggregate of the rates, fees or charges shall always be
sufficient for the expense of operation, repair and maintenance and for the
sinking fund payments.
(k) All rates, fees or
charges, if not paid when due, shall constitute a lien upon the premises served
by such the works. If any service rate, fees or charge is not
paid within 20 days after it is due, the amount thereof, together with a
penalty of 10 percent and a reasonable attorney’s fee, may be recovered by the
board in a civil action in the name of the municipality. The lien may be
foreclosed against such the lot, parcel of land or building in
accordance with the laws relating thereto. Where both water and sewer services
are furnished by any municipality to any premises, the schedule of charges may
be billed as a single amount or individually itemized and billed for the
aggregate thereof.
(l) Whenever any rates, rentals, fees or charges for services or facilities furnished shall remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after they become due, the property and the owner thereof, as well as the user of the services and facilities shall be delinquent until such time as all rates, fees and charges are fully paid. When any payment for rates, rentals, fees or charges becomes delinquent, the governing body may use the security deposit to satisfy the delinquent payment.
(m) The board collecting the
rates, fees or charges shall be obligated under reasonable rules to shut off
and discontinue both water and sewer services to all delinquent users of water,
sewer or stormwater facilities and shall not restore either water facilities or
sewer facilities to any delinquent user of any such facilities until all
delinquent rates, fees or charges for water, sewer and stormwater facilities,
including reasonable interest and penalty charges, have been paid in full, as
long as such the actions are not contrary to any rules or orders
of the Public Service Commission: Provided, That nothing contained
within the rules of the Public Service Commission shall be deemed may
be considered to require any agents or employees of the municipality or
governing body to accept payment at the customer’s premises in lieu of
discontinuing service for a delinquent bill.
ARTICLE 13A. PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS.
§16-13A-9. Rules; service rates and charges; discontinuance of service; required water and sewer connections; lien for delinquent fees.
(a)(1) The board may make, enact, and enforce all needful rules in connection with the acquisition, construction, improvement, extension, management, maintenance, operation, care, protection, and the use of any public service properties owned or controlled by the district. The board shall establish, in accordance with this article, rates, fees, and charges for the services and facilities it furnishes, which shall be sufficient at all times, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or laws, to pay the cost of maintenance, operation, and depreciation of the public service properties and principal of and interest on all bonds issued, other obligations incurred under the provisions of this article, and all reserve or other payments provided for in the proceedings which authorized the issuance of any bonds under this article. The schedule of the rates, fees, and charges may be based upon:
(A) The consumption of water or gas on premises connected with the facilities, taking into consideration domestic, commercial, industrial, and public use of water and gas;
(B) The number and kind of fixtures connected with the facilities located on the various premises;
(C) The number of persons served by the facilities;
(D) Any combination of clauses (A), (B), and (C) of this paragraph; or
(E) Any other basis or classification which the board may determine to be fair and reasonable, taking into consideration the location of the premises served and the nature and extent of the services and facilities furnished. However, no rates, fees or charges for stormwater services may be assessed against highways, road, and drainage easements or stormwater facilities constructed, owned, or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.
(2) The board of a public
service district with at least 4,500 customers and annual combined gross
revenue of $3 million or more from its separate or combined water and sewer
services providing
water or sewer service separately or in combination may make, enact, and enforce all needful rules in
connection with the enactment or amendment of rates, fees, and charges of the
district. At a minimum, these rules shall provide for:
(A) Adequate prior public
notice of the contemplated rates, fees, and charges by causing a notice of
intent to effect such a change to be provided to the customers of the district
for the month immediately preceding the month in which the contemplated change
is to be considered at a hearing by the board. Such The notice
shall include a statement that a change in rates, fees, and charges is being
considered, the time, date, and location of the hearing of the board at which
the change will be considered and that the proposed rates, fees, and charges
are on file at the office of the district for review during regular business
hours. Such The notice shall be printed on, or mailed with, the
monthly billing statement, or provided in a separate mailing.
(B) Adequate prior public
notice of the contemplated rates, fees, and charges by causing to be published,
after the first reading and approval of a resolution of the board considering such
the revised rates, fees, and charges but not less than one week prior to
the public hearing of the board on such the resolution, as a Class
I legal advertisement, of the proposed action, in compliance with the
provisions of §59-3-1 et seq. of this code. The publication area for
publication shall be all territory served by the district. If the district
provides service in more than one county, publication shall be made in a
newspaper of general circulation in each county that the district provides
service.
(C) The public notice of
the proposed action shall summarize the current rates, fees, and charges and
the proposed changes to said rates, fees and charges; the date, time, and place
of the public hearing on the resolution approving such the
revised rates, fees, and charges and the place or places within the district
where the proposed resolution approving the revised rates, fees, and charges may
be inspected by the public. A reasonable number of copies of the proposed
resolution shall be kept at the place or places and be made available for
public inspection. The notice shall also advise that interested parties may
appear at the public hearing before the board and be heard with respect to the
proposed revised rates, fees and charges.
(D) The resolution proposing the revised rates, fees, and charges shall be read at two meetings of the board with at least two weeks intervening between each meeting. The public hearing may be conducted by the board prior to, or at, the meeting at which the resolution is considered for adoption on the second reading.
(E) Rates, fees, and charges approved by resolution of the board shall be forwarded in writing to the county commission with the authority to appoint the members of the board. The county commission shall publish notice of the proposed revised rates, fees, and charges by a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of §59-3-1 et seq. of this code. Within 45 days of receipt of the proposed rates, fees, and charges, the county commission shall take action to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rates, fees, and charges, in its sole discretion. If, after 45 days, the county commission has not taken final action to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rates, fees and charges, as presented to the county commission, shall be effective with no further action by the board or county commission. In any event, this 45-day period shall be mandatory unless extended by the official action of both the board proposing the rates, fees, and charges, and the appointing county commission.
(F) Enactment of the proposed or modified rates, fees, and charges shall follow an affirmative vote by the county commission and shall be effective no sooner than 45 days following action. The 45-day waiting period may be waived by public vote of the county commission only if the commission finds and declares the district to be in financial distress such that the 45-day waiting period would be detrimental to the ability of the district to deliver continued and compliant public services.
(G) The public service
district, or a customer aggrieved by the changed rates or charges who presents
to the circuit court a petition signed by at least 750 customers or 25 percent
of the customers served by the public service district, whichever is fewer,
when dissatisfied by the approval, modification, or rejection by the county
commission of the proposed rates, fees, and charges under the provisions of
this subdivision may file a complaint regarding the rates, fees, and charges
resulting from the action of, or failure to act by, the county commission in
the circuit court of the county in which the county commission sits: Provided,
That any complaint or petition filed hereunder shall be filed within 30 days of
the county commission’s final action approving, modifying, or rejecting such
the rates, fees and charges, or the expiration of the 45-day period from
the receipt by the county commission, in writing, of the rates, fees, and
charges approved by resolution of the board, without final action by the county
commission to approve, modify, or reject such the rates, fees,
and charges, and the circuit court shall resolve said the
complaint: Provided, however, That the rates, fees, and charges so fixed
by the county commission, or those adopted by the district upon which the
county commission failed to act, shall remain in full force and effect, until
set aside, altered, or amended by the circuit court in an order to be followed
in the future.
(3) Where water, sewer,
stormwater, or gas services, or any combination thereof, are all furnished to
any premises, the schedule of charges may be billed as a single amount for the aggregate
of the charges. The board shall require all users of services and facilities
furnished by the district to designate on every application for service whether
the applicant is a tenant or an owner of the premises to be served. If the
applicant is a tenant, he or she shall state the name and address of the owner
or owners of the premises to be served by the district. Notwithstanding the
provisions of §24-3-8 of this code to the contrary, all new applicants for
service shall deposit the greater of a sum equal to two twelfths of the average
annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class or $50 with the
district to secure the payment of service rates, fees, and charges in the event
they become delinquent as provided in this section. If a district provides both
water and sewer service, all new applicants for service shall deposit the
greater of a sum equal to two twelfths of the average annual usage for water
service or $50 and the greater of a sum equal to two twelfths of the average
annual usage for wastewater service of the applicant’s specific customer class
or $50. In any case where a deposit is forfeited to pay service rates, fees,
and charges which were delinquent at the time of disconnection or termination
of service, no reconnection or reinstatement of service may be made by the
district until another deposit equal to the greater of a sum equal to two
twelfths of the average usage for the applicant’s specific customer class or
$50 has been remitted to the district. After 12 months of prompt payment
history, the district shall return the deposit to the customer or credit the
customer’s account at a rate as the Public Service Commission may prescribe:
Provided, That where the customer is a tenant, the district is not required
to return the deposit until the time the tenant discontinues service with the
district. Whenever any rates, fees, rentals, or charges for services or
facilities furnished remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after the same
become due and payable, the user of the services and facilities provided is
delinquent and the user is liable at law until all rates, fees, and charges are
fully paid. The board may, under reasonable rules promulgated by the Public
Service Commission, shut off and discontinue water or gas services to all
delinquent users of either water or gas facilities, or both, 10 days after the
water or gas services become delinquent: Provided, however, That nothing
contained within the rules of the Public Service Commission shall be deemed
may be considered to require any agents or employees of the board to
accept payment at the customer’s premises in lieu of discontinuing service for
a delinquent bill.
(b) In the event that
If any publicly or privately owned utility, city, incorporated town,
other municipal corporation or other public service district included within
the district owns and operates separate water facilities, sewer facilities, or
stormwater facilities, and the district owns and operates another kind of
facility, either water or sewer, or both, as the case may be, then the district
and the publicly or privately owned utility, city, incorporated town or other
municipal corporation or other public service district shall covenant and
contract with each other to shut off and discontinue the supplying of water
service for the nonpayment of sewer or stormwater service fees and charges: Provided,
That any contracts entered into by a public service district pursuant to this
section shall be submitted to the Public Service Commission for approval. Any
public service district which provides water and sewer service, water and
stormwater service or water, sewer and stormwater service has the right to
terminate water service for delinquency in payment of water, sewer or
stormwater bills. Where one public service district is providing sewer service
and another public service district or a municipality included within the
boundaries of the sewer or stormwater district is providing water service and
the district providing sewer or stormwater service experiences a delinquency in
payment, the district or the municipality included within the boundaries of the
sewer or stormwater district that is providing water service, upon the request
of the district providing sewer or stormwater service to the delinquent
account, shall terminate its water service to the customer having the
delinquent sewer or stormwater account: Provided, however, That any
termination of water service must comply with all rules and orders of the
Public Service Commission: Provided further, That nothing contained
within the rules of the Public Service Commission shall be deemed to require
any agents or employees of the public service districts to accept payment at
the customer’s premises in lieu of discontinuing service for a delinquent bill.
(c) Any district furnishing sewer facilities within the district may require or may, by petition to the circuit court of the county in which the property is located, compel or may require the Bureau for Public Health to compel all owners, tenants, or occupants of any houses, dwellings, and buildings located near any sewer facilities where sewage will flow by gravity or be transported by other methods approved by the Bureau for Public Health, including, but not limited to, vacuum and pressure systems, approved under the provisions of §16-1-9 of this code, from the houses, dwellings, or buildings into the sewer facilities, to connect with and use the sewer facilities and to cease the use of all other means for the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage and waste matters from the houses, dwellings, and buildings where there is gravity flow or transportation by any other methods approved by the Bureau for Public Health, including, but not limited to, vacuum and pressure systems, approved under the provisions of §16-1-9 of this code and the houses, dwellings, and buildings can be adequately served by the sewer facilities of the district and it is declared that the mandatory use of the sewer facilities provided for in this subsection is necessary and essential for the health and welfare of the inhabitants and residents of the districts and of the state. If the public service district requires the property owner to connect with the sewer facilities even when sewage from dwellings may not flow to the main line by gravity and the property owner incurs costs for any changes in the existing dwellings’ exterior plumbing in order to connect to the main sewer line, the public service district board shall authorize the district to pay all reasonable costs for the changes in the exterior plumbing, including, but not limited to, installation, operation, maintenance, and purchase of a pump or any other method approved by the Bureau for Public Health. Maintenance and operation costs for the extra installation should be reflected in the users charge for approval of the Public Service Commission. The circuit court shall adjudicate the merits of the petition by summary hearing to be held not later than 30 days after service of petition to the appropriate owners, tenants, or occupants.
(d) Whenever any district has made available sewer facilities to any owner, tenant, or occupant of any house, dwelling, or building located near the sewer facility and the engineer for the district has certified that the sewer facilities are available to and are adequate to serve the owner, tenant, or occupant and sewage will flow by gravity or be transported by other methods approved by the Bureau for Public Health from the house, dwelling, or building into the sewer facilities, the district may charge, and the owner, tenant, or occupant shall pay, the rates and charges for services established under this article only after 30 days’ notice of the availability of the facilities has been received by the owner, tenant, or occupant. Rates and charges for sewage services shall be based upon actual water consumption or the average monthly water consumption based upon the owner’s, tenant’s, or occupant’s specific customer class.
(e) The owner, tenant, or occupant of any real property may be determined and declared to be served by a stormwater system only after each of the following conditions is met: (1) The district has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer System community, as defined in 40 C. F. R. §122.26; (2) the district’s authority has been properly expanded to operate and maintain a stormwater system; (3) the district has made available a stormwater system where stormwater from the real property affects or drains into the stormwater system; and (4) the real property is located in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System’s designated service area. It is further hereby found, determined, and declared that the mandatory use of the stormwater system is necessary and essential for the health and welfare of the inhabitants and residents of the district and of the state. The district may charge and the owner, tenant, or occupant shall pay the rates, fees, and charges for stormwater services established under this article only after 30 days’ notice of the availability of the stormwater system has been received by the owner. An entity providing stormwater service shall provide a tenant a report of the stormwater fee charged for the entire property and, if appropriate, that portion of the fee to be assessed to the tenant.
(f) All delinquent fees,
rates, and charges of the district for either water facilities, sewer
facilities, gas facilities, or stormwater systems or stormwater management
programs are liens on the premises served of equal dignity, rank, and priority
with the lien on the premises of state, county, school, and municipal taxes.
Nothing contained within the rules of the Public Service Commission shall be
deemed to may require any agents or employees of the public
service districts to accept payment at the customer’s premises in lieu of
discontinuing service for a delinquent bill. In addition to the other remedies
provided in this section, public service districts are granted a deferral of
filing fees or other fees and costs incidental to the bringing and maintenance
of an action in magistrate court for the collection of delinquent water, sewer,
stormwater, or gas bills. If the district collects the delinquent account, plus
reasonable costs, from its customer or other responsible party, the district
shall pay to the magistrate the normal filing fee and reasonable costs which
were previously deferred. In addition, each public service district may
exchange with other public service districts a list of delinquent accounts: Provided,
That an owner of real property may not be held liable for the delinquent rates
or charges for services or facilities of a tenant, nor may any lien attach to
real property for the reason of delinquent rates or charges for services or
facilities of a tenant of the real property unless the owner has contracted
directly with the public service district to purchase the services or
facilities.
(g) Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, any establishment, as defined in §22-11-3 of this code, now or hereafter operating its own sewage disposal system pursuant to a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection, as prescribed by §22-11-11 of this code, is exempt from the provisions of this section.
(h)
A public service district which has been designated by the Environmental
Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer
System community shall prepare an annual report detailing the collection and
expenditure of rates, fees, or charges and make it available for public review
at the place of business of the governing body and the stormwater utility main
office
(i) (h) Notwithstanding any code provision to the
contrary, a public service district may accept payment for all fees and charges
due, in the form of a payment by a credit or check card transaction or a direct
withdrawal from a bank account. The public service district may set a fee to be
added to each transaction equal to the charge paid by the public service
district for use of the credit or check card or direct withdrawal by the payor.
The amount of such the fee shall be disclosed to the payor prior
to the transaction and no other fees for the use of a credit or check card or
direct withdrawal may be imposed upon the payor and the whole of such the
charge or convenience fee shall be borne by the payor: Provided, That to
the extent a public service district desires to accept payments in the forms
described in this subsection and does not have access to the equipment or
receive the services necessary to do so, the public service district shall
first obtain three bids for services and equipment necessary to affect the
forms of transactions described in this subsection and use the lowest qualified
bid received. Acceptance of a credit or check card or direct withdrawal as a
form of payment shall comport with the rules and requirements set forth by the
credit or check card provider or banking institution.
CHAPTER 24. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
ARTICLE 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
§24-2-1. Jurisdiction of commission; waiver of jurisdiction.
(a) The jurisdiction of the commission shall extend to all public utilities in this state and shall include any utility engaged in any of the following public services:
Common carriage of
passengers or goods, whether by air, railroad, street railroad, motor, or
otherwise, by express or otherwise, by land, water, or air, whether wholly or
partly by land, water, or air; transportation of oil, gas, or water by
pipeline; transportation of coal and its derivatives and all mixtures and
combinations thereof with other substances by pipeline; sleeping car or parlor
car services; transmission of messages by telephone, telegraph, or radio;
generation and transmission of electrical energy by hydroelectric or other
utilities for service to the public, whether directly or through a distributing
utility; supplying water, gas, or electricity by municipalities or others; sewer
systems servicing 25 or more persons or firms other than the owner of the sewer
systems: Provided, That if a public utility other than a political
subdivision intends to provide sewer service by an innovative, alternative
method, as defined by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the
innovative, alternative method is a public utility function and subject to the
jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission regardless of the number of
customers served by the innovative, alternative method; any public service
district created under the provisions of §16-13A-1, et seq. of
this code, except that the Public Service Commission will have no jurisdiction
over the provision of stormwater services by a public service district; toll
bridges, wharves, ferries; solid waste facilities; and any other public service:
Provided, however, That natural gas producers who provide natural gas
service to not more than 25 residential customers are exempt from the
jurisdiction of the commission with regard to the provisions of such the
residential service: Provided further, That upon request of any of the
customers of such the natural gas producers, the commission may,
upon good cause being shown, exercise such authority as the commission may deem
appropriate over the operation, rates, and charges of such the
producer and for such length of time as the commission may consider to be
proper.
(b) The jurisdiction of the commission over political subdivisions of this state providing separate or combined water and/or sewer services and having at least 4,500 customers and annual combined gross revenues of $3 million or more that are political subdivisions of the state is limited to:
(1) General supervision of public utilities, as granted and described in §24-2-5 of this code;
(2) Regulation of measurements, practices, acts, or services, as granted and described in §24-2-7 of this code;
(3) Regulation of a system of accounts to be kept by a public utility that is a political subdivision of the state, as granted and described in §24-2-8 of this code;
(4) Submission of information to the commission regarding rates, tolls, charges, or practices, as granted and described in §24-2-9 of this code;
(5) Authority to subpoena witnesses, take testimony, and administer oaths to any witness in any proceeding before or conducted by the commission, as granted and described in §24-2-10 of this code; and
(6) Investigation and resolution of disputes between a political subdivision of the state providing wholesale water and/or wastewater treatment or other services, whether by contract or through a tariff, and its customer or customers, including, but not limited to, rates, fees and charges, service areas and contested utility combinations: Provided, That any request for an investigation related to such a dispute that is based on the act or omission of the political subdivision shall be filed within 30 days of the act or omission of the political subdivision and the commission shall resolve said dispute within 120 days of filing. The 120-day period for resolution of the dispute may be tolled by the commission until the necessary information showing the basis of the rates, fees, and charges or other information as the commission considers necessary is filed: Provided, however, That the disputed rates, fees, and charges so fixed by the political subdivision providing separate or combined water and/or sewer services shall remain in full force and effect until set aside, altered or, amended by the commission in an order to be followed in the future.
(7) Customers of water and sewer utilities operated by a political subdivision of the state may bring formal or informal complaints regarding the commission’s exercise of the powers enumerated in this section and the commission shall resolve these complaints: Provided, That any formal complaint filed under this section that is based on the act or omission of the political subdivision shall be filed within 30 days of the act or omission complained of and the commission shall resolve the complaint within 180 days of filing. The 180-day period for resolution of the dispute may be tolled by the commission until the necessary information showing the basis of the matter complained of is filed by the political subdivision: Provided, however, That whenever the commission finds any regulations, measurements, practices, acts or service to be unjust, unreasonable, insufficient or unjustly discriminatory, or otherwise in violation of any provisions of this chapter, or finds that any service is inadequate, or that any service which is demanded cannot be reasonably obtained, the commission shall determine and declare, and by order fix reasonable measurement, regulations, acts, practices or services, to be furnished, imposed, observed and followed in lieu of those found to be unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, or unjustly discriminatory, inadequate or otherwise in violation of this chapter, and shall make such other order respecting the same as shall be just and reasonable: Provided further, That if the matter complained of would affect rates, fees and charges so fixed by the political subdivision providing separate or combined water and/or sewer services, the rates, fees, or charges shall remain in full force and effect until set aside, altered or amended by the commission in an order to be followed in the future.
(8) In the event that
If a political subdivision has a deficiency in either its bond revenue
or bond reserve accounts, or is otherwise in breach of a bond covenant, any
bond holder may petition the Public Service Commission for such redress as will
bring the accounts to current status or otherwise resolve the breached
covenant, and the commission shall have jurisdiction to fully resolve the
alleged deficiency or breach.
(c) The commission may, upon application, waive its jurisdiction and allow a utility operating in an adjoining state to provide service in West Virginia when:
(1) An area of West Virginia cannot be practicably and economically served by a utility licensed to operate within the State of West Virginia;
(2) Said The
area can be provided with utility service by a utility which operates in a
state adjoining West Virginia;
(3) The utility operating in the adjoining state is regulated by a regulatory agency or commission of the adjoining state; and
(4) The number of customers to be served is not substantial. The rates the out-of-state utility charges West Virginia customers shall be the same as the rate the utility is duly authorized to charge in the adjoining jurisdiction. The commission, in the case of any such utility, may revoke its waiver of jurisdiction for good cause.
(d) Any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding:
(1) An owner or operator of
an electric generating facility located or to be located in this state that has
been designated as an exempt wholesale generator under applicable federal law,
or will be so designated prior to commercial operation of the facility, and for
which such facility the owner or operator holds a certificate of public
convenience and necessity issued by the commission on or before July 1, 2003, shall
be is subject to §24-2-11c(e) through §24-2-11c(j) of this code as
if the certificate of public convenience and necessity for such the
facility were a siting certificate issued under §24-2-11c of this code and shall
is not otherwise be subject to the jurisdiction of the commission
or to the provisions of this chapter with respect to such the
facility except for the making or constructing of a material modification
thereof as provided in §24-2-1(d)(5) of this code.
(2) Any person,
corporation, or other entity that intends to construct or construct and operate
an electric generating facility to be located in this state that has been
designated as an exempt wholesale generator under applicable federal law, or
will be so designated prior to commercial operation of the facility, and for
which facility the owner or operator does not hold a certificate of public
convenience and necessity issued by the commission on or before July 1, 2003,
shall, prior to commencement of construction of the facility, obtain a siting
certificate from the commission pursuant to the provisions of §24-2-11c of this
code in lieu of a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to
the provisions of §24-2-11 of this code. An owner or operator of an electric
generating facility as is described in this subdivision for which a siting
certificate has been issued by the commission shall be is subject
to §24-2-11c(e) through §24-2-11c(j) of this code and shall is
not otherwise be subject to the jurisdiction of the commission or to the
provisions of this chapter with respect to such the facility
except for the making or constructing of a material modification thereof as
provided in §24-2-1(d)(5) of this code.
(3) An owner or operator of
an electric generating facility located in this state that had not been
designated as an exempt wholesale generator under applicable federal law prior
to commercial operation of the facility that generates electric energy solely
for sale at retail outside this state or solely for sale at wholesale in
accordance with any applicable federal law that preempts state law or solely
for both such sales at retail and such sales at wholesale and
that had been constructed and had engaged in commercial operation on or before
July 1, 2003, shall is not be subject to the jurisdiction
of the commission or to the provisions of this chapter with respect to such
the facility, regardless of whether such the facility
subsequent to its construction has been or will be designated as an exempt
wholesale generator under applicable federal law: Provided, That such
the owner or operator shall be is subject to §24-2-1(d)(5)
of this code if a material modification of such the facility is
made or constructed.
(4) Any person,
corporation, or other entity that intends to construct or construct and operate
an electric generating facility to be located in this state that has not been
or will not be designated as an exempt wholesale generator under applicable
federal law prior to commercial operation of the facility that will generate
electric energy solely for sale at retail outside this state or solely for sale
at wholesale in accordance with any applicable federal law that preempts state
law or solely for both such sales at retail and such sales at
wholesale and that had not been constructed and had not been engaged in
commercial operation on or before July 1, 2003, shall, prior to commencement of
construction of the facility, obtain a siting certificate from the commission
pursuant to the provisions of §24-2-11c of this code in lieu of a certificate
of public convenience and necessity pursuant to the provisions of §24-2-11 of
this code. An owner or operator of an electric generating facility as is
described in this subdivision for which a siting certificate has been issued by
the commission shall be is subject to §24-2-11c(e) through
§24-2-11c(j) of this code and shall is not otherwise be
subject to the jurisdiction of the commission or to the provisions of this chapter
with respect to such the facility except for the making or
constructing of a material modification thereof as provided in §24-2-1(d)(5) of
this code.
(5) An owner or operator of
an electric generating facility described in this subsection shall, before
making or constructing a material modification of the facility that is not
within the terms of any certificate of public convenience and necessity or
siting certificate previously issued for the facility or an earlier material
modification thereof, obtain a siting certificate for the modification from the
commission pursuant to the provisions of §24-2-11c of this code in lieu of a
certificate of public convenience and necessity for the modification pursuant
to the provisions of §24-2-11 of this code and, except for the provisions of
§24-2-11c of this code, shall is not otherwise be subject
to the jurisdiction of the commission or to the provisions of this chapter with
respect to such the modification.
(6) The commission shall
consider an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity
filed pursuant to §24-2-11 of this code to construct an electric generating
facility described in this subsection or to make or construct a material
modification of such the electric generating facility as an
application for a siting certificate pursuant to §24-2-11c of this code if the
application for the certificate of public convenience and necessity was filed
with the commission prior to July 1, 2003, and if the commission has not issued
a final order thereon as of that date.
(7) The limitations on the
jurisdiction of the commission over, and on the applicability of the provisions
of this chapter to, the owner or operator of an electric generating facility as
imposed by and described in this subsection shall not be deemed to do
not affect or limit the commission’s jurisdiction over contracts or
arrangements between the owner or operator of such the facility
and any affiliated public utility subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(e) The commission shall
does not have jurisdiction of Internet protocol-enabled service or
voice-over Internet protocol-enabled service. As used in this subsection:
(1) “Internet protocol-enabled service” means any service, capability, functionality, or application provided using Internet protocol, or any successor protocol, that enables an end user to send or receive a communication in Internet protocol format, or any successor format, regardless of whether the communication is voice, data, or video.
(2) “Voice-over Internet protocol service” means any service that:
(i) Enables real-time two-way voice communications that originate or terminate from the user’s location using Internet protocol or a successor protocol; and
(ii) Uses a broadband connection from the user’s location.
(3) The term “voice-over Internet protocol service” includes any service that permits users to receive calls that originate on the public-switched telephone network and to terminate calls on the public-switched telephone network.
(f) Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this article, the commission shall have has
jurisdiction to review or approve any transaction involving a telephone company
otherwise subject to §24-2-12 and §24-2-12a of this code if all entities
involved in the transaction are under common ownership.
(g) The Legislature finds that the rates, fees,
charges, and ratemaking of municipal power systems are most fairly and
effectively regulated by the local governing body. Therefore, notwithstanding
any other provisions of this article, the commission shall have has
jurisdiction over the setting or adjustment of rates, fees, and charges of
municipal power systems. Further, the jurisdiction of the Public Service
Commission over municipal power systems is limited to that granted specifically
in this code.
§24-2-4a. Procedure for changing rates after June 30, 1981.
(a) After June 30, 1981, no public utility subject to this chapter, except for water and/or sewer utilities that are political subdivisions of the state providing separate or combined services and having at least 4,500 customers and annual gross revenue of $3 million or more from its separate or combined services, shall change, suspend or annul any rate, joint rate, charge, rental or classification except after 30 days’ notice to the commission and the public, which notice shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates or charges shall go into effect; but the commission may enter an order suspending the proposed rate as hereinafter provided. The proposed changes shall be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time, and kept open to public inspection: Provided, That the commission may, in its discretion, and for good cause shown, allow changes upon less time than the notice herein specified, or may modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting and filing of tariffs, either by particular instructions or by general order.
(b) Whenever there shall
be is filed with the commission any schedule stating a change in the
rates or charges, or joint rates or charges, or stating a new individual or
joint rate or charge or joint classification or any new individual or joint
regulation or practice affecting any rate or charge, the commission may, either
upon complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, enter upon a
hearing concerning the propriety of such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice; and, if the commission so orders, it
may proceed without answer or other form of pleading by the interested parties,
but upon reasonable notice, and, pending such the hearing and the
decisions thereon, the commission, upon filing with such the
schedule and delivering to the public utility affected thereby a statement in
writing of its reasons for such the suspension, may suspend the
operation of such the schedule and defer the use of such the
rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer
period than 270 days beyond the time when such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and
after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice goes into effect, the commission may
make such the order in reference to such the rate,
charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a
proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or
practice had become effective: Provided, That in the case of a public
utility having 2,500 customers or less and which is not a political subdivision
and which is not principally owned by any other public utility corporation or
public utility holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of
such the schedule and defer the use of such the
rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer
period than 120 days beyond the time when such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and in
the case of a public utility having more than 2,500 customers, but not more
than 5,000 customers, and which is not a political subdivision and which is not
principally owned by any other public utility corporation or public utility
holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of such the
schedule and defer the use of such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than 150
days beyond the time when such the rate, charge, classification,
regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and in the case of a
public utility having more than 5,000 customers, but not more than 7,500
customers, and which is not a political subdivision and which is not
principally owned by any other public utility corporation or public utility
holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of such the
schedule and defer the use of such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than 180
days beyond the time when such the rate, charge, classification,
regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and after full hearing,
whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation
or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such the
order in reference to such the rate, charge, classification,
regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the
rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective: Provided,
however, That, in the case of rates established or proposed that increase
by less than 25 percent of the gross revenue of the regulated public service
district, there shall be no suspension period in the case of rates established
by a public service district pursuant to §16-13A-9 of this code and the
proposed rates of public service districts shall go into effect upon the date
of filing with the commission, subject to refund modification at the conclusion
of the commission proceeding. In the case of rates established or proposed that
increase by more than 25 percent of the gross revenue of the public service
district, the district may apply for, and the commission may grant, a waiver of
the suspension period and allow rates to be effective upon the date of filing
with the commission. Notwithstanding
the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, the public service district shall provide notice by
Class 1 legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in its
service territory of the percentage increase in rates at least 14 days prior to
the effective date of the increased rates. Any refund determined to be determined
to be due and owing as a result of any difference between any final rates
approved by the commission and the rates placed into effect subject to refund
shall be refunded by the public service district as a credit against each
customer’s account for a period of up to six months after entry of the
commission’s final order. Any remaining balance which is not fully credited by
credit within six months after entry of the commission’s final order shall be
directly refunded to the customer by check: Provided further, That if
any such hearing and decision thereon is not concluded within the periods of
suspension, as above stated, such the rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice shall go into effect at the end of such
the period not subject to refund: And provided further, That if
any such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect
because of the failure of the commission to reach a decision, the same shall
not preclude the commission from rendering a decision with respect thereto
which would disapprove, reduce or modify any such proposed rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice, in whole or in part, but any such
disapproval, reduction or modification shall not be deemed to require a refund
to the customers of such the utility as to any rate, charge,
classification, regulation or practice so disapproved, reduced or modified. The
fact of any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice going into
effect by reason of the commission’s failure to act thereon shall does
not affect the commission’s power and authority to subsequently act with
respect to any such application or change in any rate, charge, classification,
regulation or practice. Any rate, charge, classification, regulation or
practice which shall be approved, disapproved, modified or changed, in whole or
in part, by decision of the commission shall remain in effect as so approved,
disapproved, modified or changed during the period or pendency of any
subsequent hearing thereon or appeal therefrom. Orders of the commission
affecting rates, charges, classifications, regulations or practices which have
gone into effect automatically at the end of the of the suspension period are
prospective in effect.
(c) At any hearing
involving a rate sought to be increased or involving the change of any rate,
charge, classification, regulation or practice, the burden of proof to show the
justness and reasonableness of the increased rate or proposed increased rate,
or the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice
shall be upon the public utility making application for such the
change. The commission shall, whenever practicable and within budgetary
constraints, conduct one or more public hearings within the area served by the
public utility making application for such the increase or
change, for the purpose of obtaining comments and evidence on the matter from
local ratepayers.
(d) Each public utility
subject to the provisions of this section shall be required to establish, in a
written report which shall be incorporated into each general rate case
application, that it has thoroughly investigated and considered the emerging
and state-of-the-art concepts in the utility management, rate design and
conservation as reported by the commission under §24-1-1(c) of this code as alternatives
to, or in mitigation of, any rate increase. The utility report shall contain as
to each concept considered the reasons for adoption or rejection of each. When
in any case pending before the commission all evidence shall have been taken
and the hearing completed, the commission shall render a decision in such
the case. The failure of the commission to render a decision with
respect to any such proposed change in any such rate, charge, classification,
regulation or practice within the various time periods specified in this
section after the application therefor shall constitute neglect of duty on the
part of the commission and each member thereof.
(e) Other than as
provided in subsection (b) of this section relating to public service
districts, where more than 20 members of the public are affected by a
proposed change in rates, it shall be a sufficient notice to the public within
the meaning of this section if such the notice is published as a
Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of
§59-3-1 et seq. of this code and the publication area for such the
publication shall be the community where the majority of the resident members
of the public affected by such the change reside or, in case of
nonresidents, have their principal place of business within this state.
(f) The commission may
order rates into effect subject to refund, plus interest in the discretion of
the commission, in cases in which the commission determines that a temporary or
interim rate increase is necessary for the utility to avoid financial distress,
or in which the costs upon which these rates are based are subject to
modification by the commission or another regulatory commission and to refund
to the public utility. In such that case the commission may
require such the public utility to enter into a bond in an amount
deemed by the commission to be reasonable and conditioned upon the refund to
the persons or parties entitled thereto of the amount of the excess if such
the rates so put into effect are subsequently determined to be higher
than those finally fixed for such the utility.
(g) No utility regulated under the provisions of this section may make application for a general rate increase while another general rate application is pending before the commission and not finally acted upon, except pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed so as to prohibit any such rate application from being made while a previous application which has been finally acted upon by the commission is pending before or upon appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
§24-2-11. Requirements for certificate of public convenience and necessity.
(a) A public utility,
person or corporation other than a political subdivision of the state providing
water or sewer services and having at least 4,500 customers and annual gross
combined revenues of $3 million dollars or more may not begin the construction
of any plant, equipment, property or facility for furnishing to the public any
of the services enumerated in section one, article two of this chapter, nor
apply for, nor obtain any franchise, license or permit from any municipality or
other governmental agency, except ordinary extensions of existing systems in
the usual course of business, unless and until it shall obtain from the Public
Service Commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing such the construction franchise, license or permit.
(b) Upon the filing of any
application for the certificate, and after hearing, the commission may, in its
discretion, issue or refuse to issue, or issue in part and refuse in part, the
certificate of convenience and necessity: Provided, That the commission,
after it gives proper notice and if no substantial protest is received within
30 days after the notice is given, may waive formal hearing on the application.
Notice shall be given by publication which shall state that a formal hearing
may be waived in the absence of substantial protest, made within 30 days, to
the application. The notice shall be published as a Class I legal advertisement
in compliance with the provisions of §59-3-1 et seq. of this
code. The publication area shall be the proposed area of operation.
(c) Any public utility, person or corporation subject to the provisions of this section other than a political subdivision of the state providing water and/or sewer services having at least 4500 customers and combined annual gross revenue of $3 million dollars or more shall give the commission at least 30 days’ notice of the filing of any application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section: Provided, That the commission may modify or waive the 30-day notice requirement and shall waive the 30-day notice requirement for projects approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council.
(d) The commission shall render its final decision on any application filed under the provisions of this section or §24-2-11a of this code within 270 days of the filing of the application and within 90 days after final submission of any such application for decision following a hearing: Provided, That if the application is for authority to construct a water and sewer project and the projected total cost is less than $10 million, the commission shall render its final decision within 225 days of the filing of the application.
(e) The commission shall render its final decision on any application filed under the provisions of this section that has received the approval of the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council pursuant to §31-15A-1 et seq. of this code within 180 days after filing of the application: Provided, That if a substantial protest is received within 30 days after the notice is provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commission shall render its final decision within 270 days or 225 days of the filing of the application, whichever is applicable as determined in subsection (d) of this section.
(f) If the projected total cost of a project which is the subject of an application filed pursuant to this section or §24-2-11a of this code is greater than $50 million, the commission shall render its final decision on any such application filed under the provisions of this section or §24-2-11a of this code within 400 days of the filing of the application and within 90 days after final submission of any such application for decision after a hearing.
(g) If a decision is not rendered within the time frames established in this section, the commission shall issue a certificate of convenience and necessity as applied for in the application.
(h) The commission shall
prescribe rules as it may deem considers proper for the
enforcement of the provisions of this section; and, in establishing that public
convenience and necessity do exist, the burden of proof shall be upon the
applicant.
(i) Pursuant to the requirements of this section, the commission may issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any intrastate pipeline, interstate pipeline or local distribution company for the transportation in intrastate commerce of natural gas used by any person for one or more uses, as defined by rule, by the commission in the case of:
(1) Natural gas sold by a producer, pipeline or other seller to the person; or
(2) Natural gas produced by the person.
(j) A public utility, including a public service district, which has received a certificate of public convenience and necessity after July 8, 2005, from the commission and has been approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council is not required to, and cannot be compelled to, reopen the proceeding if the cost of the project changes but the change does not affect the rates established for the project.
(k) Any public utility,
person or corporation proposing any electric power project that requires a
certificate under this section is not required to obtain such the
certificate before applying for or obtaining any franchise, license or permit
from any municipality or other governmental agency.
(l) Water or sewer
utilities that are political subdivisions of the state and having at least 4,500
customers and combined gross revenues of $3 million dollars or more desiring to
pursue construction projects that are not in the ordinary course of business
shall provide adequate prior public notice of the contemplated construction and
proposed changes to rates, fees and charges, if any, as a result of such
the construction to both current customers and those persons who will be
affected by the proposed construction as follows:
(1) Adequate prior public notice of the contemplated construction by causing a notice of intent to pursue a project that is not in the ordinary course of business to be specified on the monthly billing statement of the customers of the utility for the month immediately preceding the month in which an ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction and proposed changes to rates, fees and charges, if any, is to be before the governing body for the public hearing on the ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction and proposed changes to rates, fees and charges, if any.
(2) Adequate prior public
notice of the contemplated construction by causing to be published as a Class I
legal advertisement of the proposed public hearing on the ordinance or
resolution approving the proposed construction and proposed changes to rates,
fees and charges, if any, in compliance with the provisions of §59-3-1 et
seq. of this code. The publication area for publication shall be all
territory served by the political subdivision. If the political subdivision
provides service in more than one county, publication shall be made in a
newspaper of general circulation in each county that the political subdivision
provides service.
(3) The public notice of the proposed construction shall state the scope of the proposed construction; a summary of the current rates, fees and charges, and proposed changes to said rates, fees and charges, if any; the date, time and place of the public hearing on the ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction and proposed changes to rates, fees and charges, if any; and the place or places within the political subdivision where the ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction and proposed changes to rates, fees and charges, if any, may be inspected by the public. A reasonable number of copies of the ordinance or resolution shall be kept at the place or places and be made available for public inspection. The notice shall also advise that interested parties may appear at the public hearing before the political subdivision and be heard with respect to the proposed construction and the proposed rates, fees and charges, if any.
(4) The ordinance or resolution on the proposed construction and the proposed rates, fees and charges shall be read at two meetings of the governing body with at least two weeks intervening between each meeting. The public hearing may be conducted prior to, or at, the meeting of the governing body at which the ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction is considered on second reading.
(5) Enactment or adoption
of the ordinance or resolution approving the proposed construction and the
proposed rates, fees and charges shall follow an affirmative vote of the
governing body and the approved rates shall go into effect no sooner than 45
days following the action of the governing body. If the political subdivision
proposes rates that will go into effect prior to the completion of construction
of the proposed project, the 45-day waiting period may be waived by public vote
of the governing body only if the political subdivision finds and declares the
political subdivision to be in financial distress such that the 45-day waiting
period would be detrimental to the ability of the political subdivision to
deliver continued and compliant public services: Provided, That, if the
political subdivision is a public service district, in no event shall may
the rate become effective prior to the date that the county commission has
entered an order approving or modifying the action of the public service
district board.
(6) Rates, fees and charges approved by an affirmative vote of the public service district board shall be forwarded in writing to the county commission with the authority to appoint the members of the public service board of the public service district. The county commission shall, within 45 days of receipt of the proposed rates, fees and charges, take action to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rates, fees and charges, in its sole discretion. If, after 45 days, the county commission has not taken final action to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rates, fees and charges, the proposed rates, fees and charges, as presented to the county commission, shall be effective with no further action by the board or county commission. In any event this 45-day period may be extended by official action of both the board proposing the rates, fees and charges and the appointing county commission.
(7) The county commission
shall provide notice to the public by a Class I legal advertisement of the
proposed action, in compliance with the provisions of §59-3-1 et seq.
of this code, of the meeting where it shall consider the proposed increases in
rates, fees and charges no later than one week prior to the meeting date.
(8) A public service
district, or a customer aggrieved by the changed rates or charges who presents
to the circuit court a petition signed by at least 750 or 25 percent of
the customers served by the public service district, whichever is fewer,
when dissatisfied by the approval, modification, or rejection by the county
commission of the proposed rates, fees and charges under the provisions of this
subsection (l) may file a complaint regarding the rates, fees and charges
resulting from the action of, or failure to act by, the county commission in
the circuit court of the county in which the county commission sits: Provided,
That any complaint or petition filed hereunder shall be filed within 30 days of
the county commission’s final action approving, modifying or rejecting such
the rates, fees and charges, or the expiration of the 45 day period from
the receipt by the county commission, in writing, of the rates, fees and
charges approved by resolution of the board, without final action by the county
commission to approve, modify or reject such the rates, fees and
charges, and the circuit court shall resolve said complaint: Provided,
however, That the rates, fees and charges so fixed by the county
commission, or those adopted by the district upon which the county commission
failed to act, shall remain in full force and effect, until set aside, altered
or amended by the circuit court in an order to be followed in the future.
ARTICLE 2H. Power of commission to order measures up to and including the acquisition of distressed and failing water and wastewater utilities.
§24-2H-1. Short title.
This article shall be known and cited as the Distressed and Failing Utilities Improvement Act.
§24-2H-2. Legislative Findings.
(a) The provision of safe drinking water and the collection and treatment of wastewater has resulted in a drastic reduction in the incidence of disease, increase in life expectancy, and other major public health advancements.
(b) Development of water and wastewater infrastructure has advanced economic development through increased production and productivity within West Virginia’s economic sectors and commercial expansion geographically throughout the state.
(c) A number of water and wastewater utilities face substantial capital investment needs to maintain and replace aging infrastructure with limited financial resources.
(d) For some water and wastewater utilities, adequately addressing infrastructure needs may adversely affect their ability to maintain reasonable rates and ability to borrow funds to address such needs.
(e) Many water and wastewater utilities have experienced a loss of customers resulting from decline in populations served which has created an additional rate burden on the remaining population.
(f) Failure to timely address infrastructure needs has resulted in the inability of water and wastewater utilities to adequately serve customers and maintain regulatory compliance, thereby threatening human health and hindering economic growth.
(g) West Virginia needs a comprehensive plan to confront the financial, organizational, and regulatory challenges faced by water and wastewater utilities in the state to ensure that all citizens of West Virginia have access to safe drinking water and adequate and safe wastewater treatment.
§24-2H-3. Definitions.
A “distressed utility” is a water or wastewater utility, that for financial, operational or managerial reasons:
(1) (A) Is in continual violation of statutory or regulatory standards of the Bureau for Public Health, the Department of Environmental Protection or the commission, which affect the water quality, safety, adequacy, efficiency or reasonableness of the service provided by the water or wastewater utility;
(B) Fails to comply within a reasonable period of time with any final, nonappealable order of the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau for Public Health or the commission concerning the safety, adequacy, efficiency or reasonableness of service, including, but not limited to, the availability of water, the potability of water, the palatability of water or the provision of water at adequate volume and pressure and the collection and treatment of wastewater;
(2) Is no longer able to provide adequate, efficient, safe and reasonable utility services; or
(3) Fails to timely pay some or all of its financial obligations, including, but not limited to, its federal and state tax obligations and its bond payments to the West Virginia Water Development Authority, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other bondholders; fails to maintain its debt service reserve; or fails to submit an audit as required by its bond or loan documents or state law.
“Failing water or wastewater utility” means a public utility that:
(1) Meets the definition of a distressed water or wastewater utility; and either:
(2) Has not, after a reasonable time period, been stabilized and improved by corrective measures put in place under §24-2H-4 of this code; or
(3) Has had the requirements of §24-2H-4 of this code suspended for good cause shown by an order of the commission.
“Capable proximate water or wastewater utility” means a public utility which regularly provides adequate, safe and reasonable service of the same type as the distressed utility and is situated close enough to the facilities of a distressed utility that operational management is reasonable, financially viable, and nonadverse to the interests of the current customers of the nondistressed utility.
§24-2H-4. Preparation of List of potentially unstable water and wastewater utilities.
Annually, the commission shall prepare a list of water and wastewater utilities that appear to be financially unstable by reviewing annual reports, rate case filings and other financial data available to it. Commission staff shall contact each utility placed on the list and provide advice and assistance in resolving any financial instability or managerial or operational issues that are contributing to the utility’s financial instability.
§24-2H-5. Determination of whether a utility qualifies as a “distressed utility,” “failing utility,” or a “capable proximate utility”.
(a) In determining whether a utility is distressed or failing, the commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The financial, managerial and technical ability of the utility;
(2) The level of expenditures necessary to make improvements to the water or wastewater utility to assure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory standards concerning the adequacy, efficiency, safety or reasonableness of utility service and the impact of those expenditures on customer rates;
(3) The opinion and advice, if any, of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau for Public Health as to steps that may be necessary to assure compliance with applicable statutory or regulatory standards concerning the adequacy, efficiency, safety or reasonableness of utility service;
(4) The status of the utility’s bond payments and other financial obligations;
(5) The status and result of any corrective measures previously put into place under §24-2H-4 of this code; and
(6) Any other relevant matter.
(b) In determining whether a utility is a capable proximate utility, the commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The financial, managerial and technical ability of all proximate public utilities providing the same type of service;
(2) Expansion of the franchise or operating area of the acquiring utility to include the service area of the distressed utility;
(3) The financial, managerial, operational and rate demands that may result from the current proceeding and the cumulative impact of other demands where the utility has been identified as a capable proximate utility; and
(4) Any other relevant matter.
§24-2H-6. Notice to distressed or failing utility and formal proceeding.
(a) A proceeding under this article may be initiated by the commission on its own motion, or by the staff of the commission, or any other person or entity having a legal interest in the financial, managerial or operational condition of the utility, by filing a petition with the commission. In any such petition, the utility shall be named as the respondent. The commission shall include as additional parties any capable proximate public and private utilities that may be able to acquire the utility.
(b) The commission shall hold an evidentiary and public hearing(s) in the utility’s service area. The commission shall give notice of the time, place and subject matter of the hearing as follows:
(1) A Class I legal publication in a qualified newspaper pursuant to §59-3-2(a) of this code in the county or counties where the utility is located to take place no more than 10 days before the date of the hearing;
(2) Issuance of a press release;
(3) Written notice by certified mail or registered mail to:
(A) The utility;
(B) The Consumer Advocate Division;
(C) Capable proximate public or private utility(s) that were made parties to the proceeding; and
(D) The county commission if the utility is a public service district; or
(E) The municipality if the utility is owned and operated by the municipality.
(4) The utility shall give notice to its customers of the time, place and subject matter of the hearing either as a bill insert or printed on its monthly bill statement as ordered by the commission.
(c) The public hearing shall be conducted to receive public comments, including, but not limited to, comments regarding possible options available to bring the distressed or failing utility into compliance with appropriate statutory and regulatory standards concerning actual or imminent public health problems or unreasonable quality and reliability service standards. At the evidentiary hearing, the commission shall receive evidence to determine if the utility is a distressed or failing utility and whether a capable proximate utility should acquire the utility. If there is more than one capable proximate utility, then sufficient evidence should be presented to allow the commission to determine the appropriate capable proximate utility to acquire the distressed or failing utility.
§24-2H-7. Commission order for acquisition of failing utility; list of distressed and failing utilities to Legislature.
(a) Following the evidentiary hearing, the commission shall enter a final order stating whether the utility is a distressed or failing utility and identifying the capable proximate utilities, if any, as defined in §24-2H-3 of this code. If the commission determines that a utility is a distressed utility, then the commission may make an order consistent with subsection (b) of this section. If the commission determines that the utility is a failing utility, then the commission may order the acquisition of the failing utility by the most suitable capable proximate water or wastewater utility, if there are more than one.
(b) Before the commission may designate a water or wastewater utility as failing and order acquisition by a capable proximate utility it shall determine whether there are any alternatives to an ordered acquisition. If the commission determines that an alternative to designating a utility as failing and ordering an acquisition is reasonable and cost effective, it may order the distressed utility and, if applicable to the alternative a capable proximate utility, to implement the alternative. Commission staff shall work with the utility to implement the alternative, as necessary. Alternatives that the commission may consider include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Reorganization of the utility under new management or a new board, subject to the approval of the applicable county commission(s) or municipal government;
(2) Operation of the distressed utility by another public utility or management or service company under a mutually agreed arms-length contract;
(3) Appointment of a receiver to assure the provision of adequate, efficient, safe and reasonable service and facilities to the public pursuant to §24-2-7(b) of this code;
(4) Merger of the water or wastewater utility with one or more other public utilities, subject to the approval of the applicable county commission(s) or municipal government;
(5) The acquisition of the distressed utility through a mutual agreement made at arms-length; and
(6) Any viable alternative other than an ordered acquisition by a capable proximate utility.
(c) The commission shall provide a list of utilities designated by a final order of the commission as a distressed or failing utility to the Legislature as part of its annual Management Summary Report beginning in the 2021 reporting period and annually thereafter. The commission shall provide the same list to the Water Development Authority and the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council on or before January 31 of each year beginning in 2021.
§24-2H-8. Commission approval of operating agreement, acquisition price; rates for distressed and failing utilities; improvement plan; debt obligations; cost recovery.
(a) After an order has been entered pursuant to §24-2H-4 of this code, the distressed utility and acquiring utility shall file a petition with the commission under §24-2-12 of this code to approve the necessary operating agreement if such alternative is directed by the commission. After an order has been entered pursuant to §24-2H-7 of this code, the failing utility and acquiring utility shall file a petition with the commission under §24-2-12 of this code, to approve the purchase price of the acquisition. Where the parties are unable to agree on an acquisition price, the filing may request that an evidentiary hearing be held so that the commission may determine the acquisition price and any other issues related to the acquisition. The acquisition price must, at a minimum, satisfy all outstanding loans, tax obligations, required grant repayment, liens and indebtedness owed by the failing utility or the acquiring utility must agree to assume the indebtednesses if legally permitted. The acquiring utility shall consult with the lenders or lienholders regarding payment in full or the assumption, to the extent legally permissible, of any outstanding obligations of the failing utility.
(b) The parties to an acquisition may propose to the commission other methods of determining the acquisition price.
(c) As part of the proceeding, the acquiring utility may propose to the commission that it be permitted for a reasonable period of time after the date of acquisition, to charge and collect rates from the customers of the failing utility pursuant to a separate tariff which may be higher or lower than the existing tariff of the distressed or failing utility or may allow a surcharge on both the acquired and existing customers. A separate tariff or rate filing must be made by the acquiring utility before the commission will consider any increase in rates or allow a surcharge to be placed on the acquiring utility’s acquired or existing ratepayers.
(d) As part of this proceeding, the acquiring utility shall submit to the commission for approval a plan, including a timetable for bringing the failing utility into compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory standards, including, but not limited to, plans for regionalization. The acquiring utility shall have previously obtained the approval of the plan from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau for Public Health, as applicable and those agencies are directed to use their full discretion in working towards long-term solutions that will support compliance. The failing utility shall cooperate with the acquiring utility in negotiating agreements with state and federal agencies, including, but not limited to, negotiation of hold harmless agreements, consent orders or enforcement moratoria during any period of remediation. In addition, the failing utility shall cooperate with the acquiring utility in obtaining the consent of the failing utility’s and the acquiring utility’s bondholder(s) to the acquisition. The acquiring utility must present to the commission as part of its financing plan, documentation on how the failing utility’s indebtedness will be paid or assumed.
(e) A nonprofit acquiring public utility may seek grant funding from the Distressed Utilities Account established pursuant to §31-15A-9(i) of this code to repair, maintain and replace the distressed water and wastewater utilities facilities as needed. A for-profit acquiring public utility may seek below market loans pursuant to §31-15A-9(f) of this code to assist in repairing and replacing failing water and wastewater utilities or its facilities as needed. The reasonably and prudently incurred costs of the acquiring utility shall be recoverable in rates as provided in §24-2H-9 of this code.
(f) If the distressed or failing utility is a public service district, then the commission shall make a recommendation to the respective county commission(s) with regard to the acquisition of distressed or failing utilities as provided in §16-13A-2(a)(2) of this code. If the distressed or failing utility is a municipal corporation, then the commission shall make a recommendation to the respective municipal council with regard to the acquisition of distressed or failing utilities as provided in §8-12-17 of this code.
(g) The capable proximate utility may propose one or more of the cost recovery methods or incentives set forth in §24-2H-9 of this code as part of its petition for approval from the commission.
§24-2H-9. Recovery of costs for acquisition, operation, repairs and improvements to distressed or failing utility facilities.
The commission may approve an appropriate and reasonable cost recovery mechanism to allow the capable proximate utility to recover its acquisition costs and projected cost of service of operating, maintaining and improving the facilities of the failing water or wastewater utility or its net costs incurred for operating, maintaining and improving the distressed utility under an operating agreement. The cost recovery mechanism may include a surcharge or surcharges on both acquired and existing customers if approved by the commission in a separate rate or tariff proceeding which shall be considered by the commission on an expedited basis without the need for a full base rate proceeding. Rate increments and surcharges established pursuant to this section shall be subject to adjustment on an annual basis to reflect changes in costs, additional projected capital and operating costs and true-up of any over or under recoveries of costs. Cost recovery mechanisms may also include:
(1) A surcharge above existing rates that allows recovery of additional incremental cost increases, net of contributions necessary to operate, maintain and improve the failing utility’s service level to an acceptable level and into compliance with all applicable regulatory standards;
(2) An acquisition adjustment to private for profit utilities as an incentive to acquire a failing utility;
(3) An increased return on investment as an incentive to acquire a failing utility; or
(4) Any other incentive method proposed by the acquiring utility if the method is determined by the commission to be appropriate, reasonable and in the public interest.
CHAPTER 31. CORPORATIONS.
ARTICLE 15A. WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
§31-15A-9. Infrastructure fund; deposits in fund; disbursements to provide loans, loan guarantees, grants and other assistance; loans, loan guarantees, grants and other assistance shall be subject to assistance agreements; West Virginia Infrastructure Lottery Revenue Debt Service Fund; use of funds for projects.
(a) The Water Development Authority shall create and establish a special revolving fund of moneys made available by appropriation, grant, contribution or loan to be known as the “West Virginia Infrastructure Fund”. This fund shall be governed, administered and accounted for by the directors, officers and managerial staff of the Water Development Authority as a special purpose account separate and distinct from any other moneys, funds or funds owned and managed by the Water Development Authority. The infrastructure fund shall consist of sub-accounts, as deemed necessary by the council or the Water Development Authority, for the deposit of: (1) Infrastructure revenues; (2) any appropriations, grants, gifts, contributions, loan proceeds or other revenues received by the infrastructure fund from any source, public or private; (3) amounts received as payments on any loans made by the Water Development Authority to pay for the cost of a project or infrastructure project; (4) insurance proceeds payable to the Water Development Authority or the infrastructure fund in connection with any infrastructure project or project; (5) all income earned on moneys held in the infrastructure fund; (6) all funds deposited in accordance with §31-15B-4 of this code; and (7) all proceeds derived from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to §31-15B-1 et seq. of this code.
Any money collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the West Virginia infrastructure fund by the state agent or entity charged with the collection of the same, credited to the infrastructure fund, and used only for purposes set forth in this article or §31-15B-1 et seq. of this code.
Amounts in the infrastructure fund shall be segregated and administered by the Water Development Authority separate and apart from its other assets and programs. Amounts in the infrastructure fund may not be transferred to any other fund or account or used, other than indirectly, for the purposes of any other program of the Water Development Authority, except that the Water Development Authority may use funds in the infrastructure fund to reimburse itself for any administrative costs incurred by it and approved by the council in connection with any loan, loan guarantee, grant or other funding assistance made by the Water Development Authority pursuant to this article.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, amounts in the infrastructure fund shall be deposited by the Water Development Authority in one or more banking institutions: Provided, That any moneys so deposited shall be deposited in a banking institution located in this state. The banking institution shall be selected by the Water Development Authority by competitive bid. Pending the disbursement of any money from the infrastructure fund as authorized under this section, the Water Development Authority shall invest and reinvest the moneys subject to the limitations set forth in §31-18-1 et seq. of this code.
(c) To further accomplish the purposes and intent of this article and §31-15B-1 et seq. of this code, the Water Development Authority may pledge infrastructure revenues and from time to time establish one or more restricted accounts within the infrastructure fund for the purpose of providing funds to guarantee loans for infrastructure projects or projects: Provided, That for any fiscal year the Water Development Authority may not deposit into the restricted accounts more than 20 percent of the aggregate amount of infrastructure revenues deposited into the infrastructure fund during the fiscal year. No loan guarantee shall be made pursuant to this article unless recourse under the loan guarantee is limited solely to amounts in the restricted account or accounts. No person shall have any recourse to any restricted accounts established pursuant to this subsection other than those persons to whom the loan guarantee or guarantees have been made.
(d) Each loan, loan guarantee, grant or other assistance made or provided by the Water Development Authority shall be evidenced by a loan, loan guarantee, grant or assistance agreement between the Water Development Authority and the project sponsor to which the loan, loan guarantee, grant or assistance shall be made or provided, which agreement shall include, without limitation and to the extent applicable, the following provisions:
(1) The estimated cost of the infrastructure project or project, the amount of the loan, loan guarantee or grant or the nature of the assistance, and in the case of a loan or loan guarantee, the terms of repayment and the security therefor, if any;
(2) The specific purposes for which the loan or grant proceed shall be expended or the benefits to accrue from the loan guarantee or other assistance, and the conditions and procedure for disbursing loan or grant proceeds;
(3) The duties and obligations imposed regarding the acquisition, construction, improvement or operation of the project or infrastructure project; and
(4) The agreement of the governmental agency to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, and all rules and regulations issued or imposed by the Water Development Authority or other state, federal or local bodies regarding the acquisition, construction, improvement or operation of the infrastructure project or project and granting the Water Development Authority the right to appoint a receiver for the project or infrastructure if the project sponsor should default on any terms of the agreement.
(e) Any resolution of the Water Development Authority approving loan, loan guarantee, grant or other assistance shall include a finding and determination that the requirements of this section have been met.
(f) The interest rate on any loan to governmental, quasi- governmental, or not for profit project sponsors for projects made pursuant to this article shall not exceed three percent per annum. Due to the limited availability of funds available for loans for projects, it is the public policy of this state to prioritize funding needs to first meet the needs of governmental, quasi- governmental and not for profit project sponsors and to require that loans made to for-profit entities shall bear interest at the current market rates. Therefore, no loan may be made by the council to a for-profit entity at an interest rate which is less than the current market rate at the time of the loan agreement, except in the case where a for-profit entity is seeking a loan from the council to make repairs, replacements and improvements to an acquired failing utility as designated by the Public Service Commission and defined in §24-2H-3 of this code. In those cases, the for-profit entity shall pay an interest rate not to exceed three percent per annum or the rate set forth in this subsection for governmental, quasi-governmental and not for profit project sponsors.
(g) The Water Development Authority shall cause an annual audit to be made by an independent certified public accountant of its books, accounts and records, with respect to the receipts, disbursements, contracts, leases, assignments, loans, grants and all other matters relating to the financial operation of the infrastructure fund, including the operating of any sub-account within the infrastructure fund. The person performing such audit shall furnish copies of the audit report to the commissioner of finance and administration, where they shall be placed on file and made available for inspection by the general public. The person performing such audit shall also furnish copies of the audit report to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
(h) There is hereby created in the Water Development Authority a separate, special account which shall be designated and known as the “West Virginia Infrastructure Lottery Revenue Debt Service Fund,” into which shall be deposited annually for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, and each fiscal year thereafter, the first $6 million transferred pursuant to §29-22-18d of this code and any other funds provided therefor: Provided, That such deposits and transfers are not subject to the reservations of funds or requirements for distributions of funds established by §31-15A-10 and §31-15A-11 of this code. Moneys in the West Virginia Infrastructure Lottery Revenue Debt Service Fund shall be used to pay debt service on bonds or notes issued by the Water Development Authority for watershed compliance projects as provided in section seventeen-b of this article, and to the extent not needed to pay debt service, for the design or construction of improvements for watershed compliance projects. Moneys in the West Virginia Infrastructure Lottery Revenue Debt Service Fund not expended at the close of the fiscal year do not lapse or revert to the General Fund but are carried forward to the next fiscal year.
(i) The Water Development Authority shall establish a separate restricted account within the infrastructure fund to be expended for the repair and improvement of failing water and wastewater systems by nonprofit public utilities as recommended by the Council and supported by recommendations from the Public Service Commission in accordance with the plan developed under §24-2H-1 et seq. of this code. The restricted account shall be known as the “Distressed Utilities Account”. Annually, prior to any division of funds by congressional district, the council may direct the Water Development Authority to transfer available funds from the infrastructure fund in an amount not to exceed $5 million to the restricted account. Notwithstanding the provisions of §31-15A-10(b) of this code, the council may approve grants from this account for up to 100 percent of the cost of failing utility repairs, replacements and improvements and such grant along with other grants awarded by the council may exceed 50 percent of the total project cost: Provided, That at no time may the balance of the restricted account exceed $5 million.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide the Public Service Commission with authority to order the acquisition of failing utilities and a variety of tools to assist distressed and failing utilities. It also: (1) Allows for an acquiring utility to recover costs associated with the acquisition of a failing utility and any costs associated with the repair, replacement or improvement of the failing utility facilities; (2) allows for profit entities to receive below market loans from the Water Development Authority to repair, replace and improve failing utilities; and (3) provides for grants up to 100 percent of the cost of repair, replacement, debt repayment, grant repayment, and improvement of a failing utility by a nonprofit public utility.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.