Public Service Commission of West Virginia

Coal plant retirement and replacement resource planning: Appalachian Power's resource planning obligations following the retirement of coal generation assets are under active PSC review, with contentious debate over whether replacement capacity should include gas peakers, demand response, or utility-scale renewables given West Virginia's statutory preferences for fossil fuel generation.

Transmission cost allocation and FERC-PSC jurisdictional tension: West Virginia ratepayers continue to bear significant allocations from PJM regional transmission projects; the PSC and legislative stakeholders are pressing for greater scrutiny of transmission rider cost pass-throughs, particularly from AEP and FirstEnergy affiliates.

Water and wastewater infrastructure funding for Public Service Districts: Dozens of PSC-regulated PSDs face compliance deadlines under EPA consent orders and WVDEP enforcement actions; rate increase requests have accelerated, and the PSC is managing a high-volume docket of small-system water cases with limited engineering staff resources.

Broadband pole attachment and right-of-way disputes: Expansion of rural broadband under BEAD program funding is generating disputes between ISPs and electric utilities over pole attachment rates, make-ready timelines, and access to utility infrastructure; the PSC has seen increased filings seeking expedited resolution of attachment complaints.

Natural gas rate design and low-income affordability: Mountaineer Gas rate case proceedings have elevated debate over fixed charge levels, declining block rates, and the adequacy of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) as a bill mitigation tool, with consumer advocates arguing current rate design disproportionately burdens low-volume residential customers.