CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Public Service Commission has pushed back a hearing concerning the planned acquisition of the Newell Company’s water system.

The PSC met Thursday, issuing an order that afternoon continuing a hearing which had been set for Aug. 14 to now be held at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 29 in the Howard M. Cunningham Hearing Room at the PSC offices in Charleston.

The continuance came at the request of the Tomlinson Public Service District.

According to information provided by the PSC, the Newell Company requested the PSC to declare it a distressed or failing utility in December 2020, with the finding released in May 2022.

In February 2023, the commission approved the purchase prices of Newell’s sewer system by the Hancock County Public Service District at $1,361,079, and its water system by the Tomlinson PSD at $1,638,921.

“On January 25, 2024, Hancock PSD filed a petition requesting that the Commission provide a recommendation to the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (WVIJDC) for funding from the distressed utilities account. The Commission granted Hancock PSD’s request by Order dated March 18, 2024.”

In July 2024, the PSC granted consent for Tomlinson to purchase Newell’s water assets, with Tomlinson officials filing a petition in April for a recommendation to the IJDC for $5 million in funding through the Distressed Utilities Account to assist with the repair of the distribution system.

The $5 million would be included as part of a $21,143,150 funding package proposed by Tomlinson for the repairs and upgrade of the water system.

Under the new schedule, the Tomlinson PSD must submit its preliminary estimates for the project, and a justification statement by Sept. 5, with staff responses and recommendations filed by Oct. 3.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)