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Kanawha Falls PSD representatives brief commission on takeover proposal, FEMA repairs and public meetings; executive session held
Summary
Kanawha Falls Public Service District officials and county commissioners discussed storm damage, FEMA repair work, and a proposal by West Virginia American Water to assume local PSD systems. The commission met in executive session on contract negotiations; no decisions were made.
Representatives from Kanawha Falls Public Service District (PSD) briefed the Fayette County Commission on Feb. 12 about storm damage to sewer lines, ongoing FEMA work on repairs, and a proposal from West Virginia American Water to assume operation of certain PSD systems.
Carl Harris, representing the PSD, and the district’s counsel, Todd Swanson, told the commission the PSD has scheduled a series of public information meetings in March to present findings and gather input from residents. The PSD and county staff described long‑running repair work following a storm that damaged sewer infrastructure, including lines serving the state prison; engineers and emergency‑management staff have been working with FEMA on a project that staff said is approximately $20 million in scope, with most funding identified except about $1 million.
Commissioners and PSD leaders also discussed a proposal by West Virginia American Water to acquire water or sewer operations in several PSDs. County officials cautioned that a takeover could affect eligibility for federal grant money; staff said federal grants and FEMA funds can be jeopardized if a private utility assumes the system and the grantee relationship changes. Several commissioners and PSD board members said they worry the regulatory process at the Public Service Commission (PSC) favors large utilities and that takeover discussions have been framed as a likely outcome in prior PSC hearings.
The commission moved into executive session to discuss contract negotiations with PSD representatives and the district’s counsel. The commission returned to open session and stated that no final decisions were made in executive session. Commissioners said they plan more public engagement and will meet again with PSD boards and counsel to consider options.
The PSD representatives and county staff said the public meetings in March are intended to share technical findings, explain FEMA timeline and funding status, and solicit community input before any binding action is taken.
