West Virginia PSC approves modified Infrastructure Replacement and Expansion Plan for Mountaineer Gas Company
The Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) signed Monday a modified Infrastructure Replacement and Expansion Plan (IREP) for Mountaineer Gas Company.
The IREP uses a surcharge, which was authorized by the Legislature in 2015 by passage of Senate Bill 390, for the expedited cost recovery of natural gas utility infrastructure projects. The surcharge rate increment will be effective Jan. 1, 2019.
In the plan, Mountaineer proposed investing $119.8 million in infrastructure replacements and system upgrades through 2023, including approximately $16.5 million for ongoing investments to expand and enhance service in Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties. The plan includes a pipeline that will enable future expansion of natural gas service between Martinsburg and Charles Town, which will be extended to the proposed Rockwool site.
All parties in the case signed the joint stipulation. The commission-approved plan did not include adding approximately $4.1 million in costs for farm-tap replacements or upgrades into the IREP surcharge rate.
Mountaineer Gas provides natural gas service to approximately 221,000 customers in 49 West Virginia counties.
