New Rockwool Waterline Project is Unlawful, Must Immediately Stop Work
CHARLES TOWN, WV. Jefferson County Vision (JCV) today filed a formal complaint with the Public Service Commission in Charleston, calling for an immediate cease and desist against the unlawful work underway by Jefferson Utilities on the Rockwool waterline.
Rockwool announced earlier this month that it was going to finance a waterline directly from Jefferson Utilities, abandoning the agreement for state taxpayer financing and Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) ownership of the waterline.
The Public Service Commission approval for the Rockwool waterline project states: ““IT IS FURTHER ORDERED if there are any changes in the plans, scope, or terms of financing of the Project, or changes in rates associated with the Project, Jefferson Utilities, Inc., must petition to reopen for Commission approval of such changes. Changes in project costs or financing do not require separate approval if the changes do not affect rates and Jefferson Utilities, Inc. submits an affidavit from a certified public accountant attesting to the lack of rate impact.”
The financing and structure of the waterline project, ownership of the line, and cost and rate impact have all changed. Jefferson Utilities has not filed a petition to reopen as directed by the Commission Order and is in violation of the PSC order and West Virginia state law.