Dive Summary:
- The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) has concluded a six-month investigation where it found that power outage response and general utility maintenance was lacking.
- One of the major tenants of the PSC's new plan is for utilities to detail reasonable vegetation trimming programs to prepare them to quickly restore power after storms.
- The investigation began after a severe wind storm last summer negatively affected utility service, leaving thousands without power.
From the article:
Their order says that electric utility companies have six months to file paperwork detailing a reasonable vegetation trimming program to assure utility rights-of-way will be maintained.
"It would save on everybody being out of power for several days or several hours that you know, have babies or important medical reasons, you know, that they need their power and don't have the backup for it," said Charles Christman , a resident who rents, but pays for his own utilities. ...