Latest news with #WestVirginiaAmericanWater
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PSC denies West Virginia American Water proposal to automatically enroll customers in paperless billing
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways May 7—dbeard @ MORGANTOWN — West Virginia American Water's quest to channel most of its customers into paperless billing has failed — with the Public Service Commission this week denying the request WVAW put forth last June. WVAW wanted to turn its "opt in " paperless billing option to "opt out, " saying it's convenient, has been successful in other parent company territories and could save lots of money. But PSC staff said the proposal is unreasonable under state code and could potentially harm customers who are less tech savvy or lack connectivity, by effectively forcing them into a billing method they may not understand or want. An administrative law judge sided with PSC staff and denied WVAW's request, but WVAW disputed the order. The PSC said in its Wednesday order, "The commission understands and appreciates the benefits of paperless billing that the company has outlined in this case. ... However, paperless billing should continue to be an affirmative or 'opt in' choice for utility customers in West Virginia." The PSC said WVAW should focus on other methods to encourage customers to choose paperless billing and to promote the benefits it believes come with paperless billing. It should consider incentivizing enrollment in paperless billing by offering a fair discount to customers who enroll. During the course of the case, WVAW said it has 171, 000 customers and 44, 000 are enrolled in paperless billing. It estimated another 65, 000 would be eligible to switch over to paperless. Customers eligible to be automatically enrolled would be those who have a valid email or text contact on file and are registered on WVAW's "MyWater " portal. The company would send several notices to them announcing the automatic enrollment and provide an online link to opt out, followed by a mail notice with another opt-out opportunity. Low-income customers and those who have a "do not solicit " flag on their accounts would not be included. WVAW said the move could save it $490, 000 in annual print and postage costs, if all eligible customers enrolled. In the face of PSC staff opposition, it offered to launch a 12-month pilot program. PSC argued that the program is unreasonable, flawed and poorly supported. A customer who has a MyWater account doesn't necessarily use it or ever wants to use it. Many people have secondary email accounts they rarely access. And WVAW has customers without reliable internet. Staff said it "believes that customers who did not 'opt in' should be burdened with the task of having to jump through hoops to 'opt out' of a program that they have already rejected." Central to the case was a prior case where Frontier wanted to start a similar program and impose a $2.99 monthly paper billing fee, which the PSC determined was unjustly discriminatory to seniors and those unfamiliar with paperless billing. Staff argued that while there is no fee involved in the WVAW case, the principle remains the same and PSC's Frontier order applies here. WVAW countered that since no feel is involved, the Frontier case was irrelevant. The administrative law judge said in his December decision that the Frontier case applied, and utilities should "encourage " customers to opt in, and that WVAW's automatic enrollment with an opt out was unreasonable, despite the safeguards the company proposed. In its order, the PSC directed WVAW to file a report in six months indicating how many additional customers have enrolled in paperless billing. And it reminded the company that it may not impose a fee for paper bills.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WV American Water marks National Work Zone Awareness Week
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — West Virginia American Water is shining a light on National Work Zone Awareness Week. According to a press release, the campaign, a yearly effort to promote highway work zone safety, runs from April 21, 2025, to April 25, 2025. Three new Almost Heaven swings added in the Mountain State At West Virginia American Water, our teams and contractors work daily in and around roadways to help ensure reliable service for our customers. While safety remains a priority, work zones can pose serious risks. National Work Zone Awareness Week emphasizes our shared responsibility to keep roads and workers safe. When you slow down and stay alert in work zones, you're helping protect lives, including your own. Scott Wyman | President, West Virginia American Water West Virginia American Water invests an estimated $104 million into water infrastructure on a yearly basis and has more than 15 crews working within the state, the release stated. Regardless of if the upgrades relate to water and wastewater or if crews are performing routine maintenance, West Virginia American Water stated that the safety of their crew and motorists are top priority. Golf pro offers tips to help you successfully return to the golf course West Virginia American Water provides these simple rules when driving through work zones, as listed within the release: Stay alert: Pay attention to flaggers, workers, and equipment, and be prepared for sudden stops. Slow down: Follow all posted speed limits and adjust for traffic flows and weather conditions. Give yourself some space: Leave at least a minimum of three seconds of braking room between other vehicles. For more information regarding West Virginia American Water's dedication to safety, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Virginia American Water president addresses water infrastructure in the state
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The President of West Virginia American Water, Scott Wyman, released a statement regarding the grades for drinking and wastewater. According to a press release, the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure gave a C- for water and D+ for wastewater. WorkForce West Virginia announces upcoming Statewide Virtual Job Fair The ASCE 2025 Report Card reveals no change or improvement over the last four years – America's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is stagnant. The Report Card highlights the urgent need for significant investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, not just across the nation, but also here in West Virginia. Our state continues to face challenges when it comes to investing in critical infrastructure, particularly in these sectors. Scott Wyman | President, West Virginia American Water With more than a trillion dollars in infrastructure investments needed within the nation in the next 20 years, American Water works with leaders to assist communities across the Mountain State in strengthening their water systems. WorkForce WV announces new text campaign for their Unemployment Insurance program Throughout the next ten years, American Water aims to invest an estimated $42 billion in water systems across the country to enable access to safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services. For more information regarding American Water, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield proposes sale of sanitary board to West Virginia American Water
bluefield — An ordinance authorizing the sale of Bluefield's wastewater collection and treatment system to West Virginia American Water company had its first reading Tuesday before the Bluefield Board of Directors. Mayor Ron Martin said during Tuesday's board meeting that West Virginia American Water had approached the city about purchasing its wastewater collection and treatment system. The board unanimously approved this first reading. 'West Virginia American Water approached the city of Bluefield and the Sanitary Board and made a proposal to talk about potentially selling it, and we've been in discussions for the last year and a half to get us to this point,' City Manager Cecil Marson said after the meeting. Marson said the city had a long way to go before any sale could be finalized. Before the board of directors can vote about accepting the proposal, there must be a public hearing, a second reading for the ordinance and approval from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. 'We're still a long way before it's finally sold,' he said. 'It will probably be anywhere from eight to 12 months if we go that far, but there's still a long ways to go.' A public hearing about the West Virginia American Water sale is scheduled for Monday, April 7 at the Bluefield Arts Center in downtown Bluefield. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. 'That's a good forum for all the folks to come and we encourage everyone to ask questions so they can fully understand why we're going down this path and what we've got set up to work on,' Marson said. Under the proposal, the city's current sewer rates will stay in place until Jan. 1, 2029. 'Well, I think it's the stable fees because the rates won't change for the next five years,' Marson said about the city's reasons for considering the water company's proposal. 'But really what the board's weighing is to keep up with our infrastructure. An example I would give you is the Midway Project that the Sanitary Board's done a phenomenal job with. That project's taken us eight years to get to the starting point right now. We have to bond, go through grants to get funding and right now with what West Virginia American Water's proposing we've got five major projects that are on our radar for them to get done in the next five years.' The Bluefield Sanitary Board has done 'phenomenal' work, but the city still has big infrastructure challenges which need to be addressed, Marson said. 'That actually factored into it, but I would say the sanitary board is a great organization that's done a really good job and I think it's strengthened our position really to have this discussion and do what we can for what's best for the citizens.' The Bluefield Sanitary Board is a joint board with representatives from both Bluefield, Va., and Bluefield, as well as an organization called the Bluefield Sanitary Board, Inc. that also involves representatives from Tazewell County, Va., Marson said. There have been discussions with these representatives as well as the water company. 'We've had numerous meetings,' Marson said. 'The shareholders are the city of Bluefield; but yes, we've had numerous discussions to get to this point.' 'It has to go through PSC first,' Marson said. 'Once that's been done, there will be a huge announcement that it's been sold.' Under the proposal, West Virginia American Water would finish the following capital projects which the Bluefield Board of Directors passed on July 9, 2024 at a project cost of $35 million with completion occurring no later than five years from the date of closing: • Midway Sewer Replacement Project • Nichols Road/Thompson Pump Station Project • Wintercreek Sewer Replacement Project conducted in tandem with the Town of Bluefield stormwater replacement project • Union Street Replacement Project conducted in tandem with the City of Bluefield stormwater replacement project • Completion of College Avenue Phase III Sewer Replacement Project connecting Phase I and Phase II capital line projects. The city would receive a payment through the agreement. 'And yes, if the deal does go through, it will be close to $19 million to $20 million for the city,' Marson said. Another part of the proposal calls for the water company to establish a regional wastewater operations center within Bluefield, city limits in a newly constructed or remodeled building with a new facade and at a location agreed upon by both parties. This new or remodeled building would need to be big enough for allow for 25 water company employees. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
WATCH: Water line breaks, floods streets in Weston
WESTON, (WBOY) — A main water line broke in downtown Weston Friday afternoon, disrupting service and flooding the streets. According to a Facebook post made by Lewis County Commissioner Agnes Queen, a water main break occurred on Court Avenue between the Library and the CVS location. A video sent in by a 12 News viewer shows water shooting out of the ground and sailing high above buildings in the area. A message put out by West Virginia American Water said that 12 customers in the Court Avenue area are expected to see service disruptions until around midnight. These customers are also under a boil water advisory until then. Roads closed for flooding in north central West Virginia Once the system is restored, West Virginia American Water will collect water quality samples in the area, which will take a minimum of 24 hours to analyze. The exact cause of the break has yet to be released, but it is similar to two other ones that occurred in downtown Clarksburg in 2023 and required parts of Pike and Main Streets to be closed and repaved. This story has been updated to include viewer-submitted video from the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
