Rotunda Roundup
West Virginia’s policy pulse is defined by food-aid uncertainty, fast-moving public safety politics, and fiscal signals that cut both ways. SNAP delays tied to the federal shutdown are rippling through households and charities, while the Governor touts expanded immigration enforcement and prepares to appoint a new Supreme Court justice. Financially, S&P nudged the state’s credit outlook positive—then warned of structural headwinds. On the infrastructure front, federal and local dollars continue to flow into water and health facilities. In energy, PJM’s data-center surge and federal grid decisions set the backdrop for West Virginia’s generation ambitions.
State Agencies
SNAP benefits are being delayed in West Virginia as the federal shutdown drags on. Source: [West Virginia Public Broadcasting].
Why it Matters: A delay in SNAP (food stamps) hits one in six West Virginians and cascades into local economies and food banks. West Virginia Public Broadcasting
West Virginians increasingly fear food insecurity as shutdown impacts grow. Source: [WCHS].
Why it Matters: Beyond immediate hunger, reduced SNAP spending hits small grocers, farm-to-market programs, and jobs in rural communities. WCHS
Charities warn they cannot fill the gap if federal SNAP aid stalls next month. Source: [West Virginia Public Broadcasting].
Why it Matters: Nonprofits provide critical relief—but SNAP supplies multiples more meals; replacing federal aid at scale is unrealistic. West Virginia Public Broadcasting
With SNAP delays looming, families already squeezed by health-care cuts brace for harder weeks ahead. Source: [Mountain State Spotlight].
Why it Matters: The convergence of food and health-care pressures compounds hardship for low-wage and fixed-income households. Mountain State Spotlight
S&P lifts West Virginia’s credit outlook to “positive,” while flagging demographic and revenue risks.
Why it Matters: A better outlook lowers borrowing costs, but warnings about population loss and reliance on volatile revenues temper the good news. newsandsentinel.com/
Courts
Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission sends four names to the Governor to fill the late Justice Tim Armstead’s seat. Source: [WV MetroNews].
Why it Matters: The appointment will shape the Supreme Court’s direction on major questions—from separation of powers to agency authority. Mountain State Spotlight
Health Care
A federal rural-health program will not offset Medicaid cuts for West Virginia hospitals, analysis finds. Source: [West Virginia Watch].
Why it Matters: Hospital margins—especially rural—depend on Medicaid; shortfalls could drive service cuts or closures without state action. West Virginia Watch
Sale of a state hospital raises concerns for a neighboring behavioral-health center serving 5,000–6,000 people a year. Source: [WV Press Association].
Why it Matters: Facility transitions can disrupt care capacity; providers and local governments are watching for continuity safeguards. West Virginia Press Association
Federal Government
Shutdown-driven SNAP delays spotlight the stakes for West Virginia’s congressional delegation. Source: [Mountain State Spotlight].
Why it Matters: Decisions on federal nutrition and health funding in Washington immediately alter household budgets and hospital balance sheets in West Virginia. Mountain State Spotlight+1
Coverage of Sen. Jim Justice’s financial obligations keeps national attention on West Virginia’s newest senator.
Why it Matters: Senate influence intersects with personal financial headlines—affecting leverage in federal negotiations touching the state. Source: Associated Press
The Grid — Energy & Utilities
PJM’s data-center boom is driving sticker shock for ratepayers, with load growth projected to surge by 32,000 MW by 2030. Source: [E&E News].
Why it Matters: West Virginia sits in PJM; accelerated demand tightens capacity margins and influences siting, permitting, and fuel-mix debates. E&E News by POLITICO
DOE’s move to drop support for several major transmission projects reverberates across the central U.S. grid.Source: [E&E News].
Why it Matters: Fewer federally backed lines complicate reliability and market access for new generation—including WV’s gas and potential nuclear builds. E&E News by POLITICO
Army Corps proposes expedited fossil-fuel permits in WV and Ohio that would bypass public comment for certain crossings. Source: [Marcellus Drilling].
Why it Matters: Streamlined approvals could accelerate midstream buildout—but invite legal and community pushback over wetlands and streams. marcellusdrilling.com
Tenaska’s carbon-capture test wells in Hancock County face organized opposition, including from a local commissioner. Source: [Marcellus Drilling].
Why it Matters: CCUS is central to “low-carbon” gas; local resistance will shape timelines for storage hubs and industrial decarbonization. marcellusdrilling.com
Regulatory Watch
Appalachian & Wheeling Power ENEC remand hearings are streamlined as the CAD witness and WV Coal Association counsel are excused.
Source: WV PSC Order (ENEC Remand, 21-0339/22-0393/23-0377).
Why it Matters: The evidentiary schedule moves a bit faster and signals limited cross-examination on cost-recovery issues affecting rider adjustments. WV Public Service Commission+1
Craigsville PSD’s proposed ~20.55% sewer increase (~$165k annually) is suspended and referred to an ALJ.
Source: WV PSC Order (25-0842-PSD-42T).
Why it Matters: Suspension preserves status quo while Staff audits and parties develop the record; the order sets an audit due 3/3/2026 and a recommended decision by 5/22/2026. WV Public Service Commission+1
West Virginia-American Water rate case hearing start is shifted to December 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Source: WV PSC Order (25-0426-W-42T / 25-0428-S-42T).
Why it Matters: A one-day slide, but it locks in logistics for a major water/sewer case with customer-bill implications statewide. WV Public Service Commission
War Telephone’s rebrand to “GoNetspeed” is approved; revised tariffs must reflect the new name within 30 days.
Source: WV PSC Final Order (25-0801-T-NC).
Why it Matters: Formalizes a telecom identity change that will propagate through tariffs, notices, and consumer disclosures. WV Public Service Commission
Customer complaint against Appalachian Power advances; utility ordered to answer within 10 days and include two years of usage/payment history.
Source: WV PSC Order (25-0902-E-C).
Why it Matters: Signals active Commission oversight on retail complaints and data transparency in billing disputes. WV Public Service Commission
Two additional electric-customer complaints get swift procedural relief: interim measures/answers required for Wheeling Power and Mon Power cases.
Source: WV PSC Orders (25-0896-E-C; 25-0900-E-C).
Why it Matters: A cluster of customer-service cases suggests sustained complaint volume and quick procedural triage by the PSC. WV Public Service Commission
House Speaker Hanshaw publicly urges the PSC to deny Black Diamond Power’s rate hike and order a sale of the utility.
Source: WCHS.
Why it Matters: Political pressure meets regulation: the PSC’s adjudicatory process remains independent, but stakeholder heat is rising around service quality and pricing. WCHS
Context on Black Diamond cases: PSC previously noticed multiple public comment and evidentiary hearings and opened a broader investigation.
Sources: PSC Press Release; WV MetroNews.
Why it Matters: The docket is large and active (purchased power, service complaints, investigation), with potential near-term consumer-impact outcomes. WV Public Service Commission+1
Environmental permitting fight continues around the Tucker County data-center gas plant; citizen groups appeal for more disclosure.
Source: WVPB.
Why it Matters: Transparency and “trade-secret” redactions in air permits are becoming a test case for how West Virginia handles tech-driven generation projects. West Virginia Public Broadcasting
WVDEP enforcement spotlight: additional MVP violations tallied since pipeline startup.
Source: WVPB.
Why it Matters: Ongoing post-startup compliance issues inform future enforcement posture and reclamation obligations.
What’s Next
WVAWC (Water & Sewer rate cases 25-0426-W-42T / 25-0428-S-42T): Evidentiary hearing set for Dec. 3, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the PSC hearing room, continuing daily as needed. WV Public Service Commission+1
Black Diamond Power: Evidentiary hearing Oct. 31, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at PSC HQ (public comment hearings underway/ongoing). WV Public Service Commission
War Telephone → GoNetspeed (25-0801-T-NC): File revised tariffs reflecting the approved name change within 30 days of Oct. 22, 2025 (≈ due Nov. 21, 2025). WV Public Service Commission
Craigsville PSD (25-0842-PSD-42T / 25-0843-PWD-42T): Final joint Staff memo due Mar. 3, 2026; ALJ recommended decision by May 22, 2026; rates suspended until July 21, 2026 unless otherwise ordered. WV Public Service Commission
Town of New Haven (25-0750-S-MA / 25-0751-W-MA): Oct. 27, 2025 hearings canceled per procedural order; new dates to follow post-tolling. WV Public Service Commission
Mon Power complaint (25-0900-E-C): Utility must answer within 10 days of service; referred to ALJ. WV Public Service Commission
Wheeling Power complaint (25-0896-E-C): Utility answer due within 10 days of service; referred to ALJ. WV Public Service Commission
WVAWC customer complaint (25-0895-W-C): Company answer due within 10 days of service; referred to ALJ. WV Public Service Commission
Mammoth Solar (25-0594-E-SCS-PW): Publish revised notice (adding Mammoth BESS, LLC) one time in a Kanawha County newspaper. WV Public Service Commission
Gas PGA updates: Mountaineer Gas (25-0689-G-30C), Hope Gas (25-0695-G-30C), and Cardinal (25-0699/25-0701-G-30C) interim rates effective Nov. 1, 2025; revised tariffs due within 30 days; final joint Staff memos due Dec. 19, 2025. WV Public Service
This briefing compiles the latest developments in West Virginia’s government and policy landscape. For more detailed information, please refer to the cited sources. Feel free to send tips or additions for tomorrow’s edition. |
