All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

PSC wants comments on Mon Power proposal to charge customers $3 million per month to keep Pleasants Power Station operational

High Voltage Power Line

CHARLESTON, WV – The Public Service Commission has scheduled a public comment hearing in the case to determine the immediate future of the Pleasants Power Station (Pleasants). The hearing will be held Thursday, April 20, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the main hearing room of PSC headquarters at 201 Brooks Street in Charleston.

Pleasants is slated to cease generating power on May 31, 2023. Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison filed a report with the Commission in late March, outlining the possibility of acquiring Pleasants. The companies proposed an interim solution to preserve Pleasants’ operation while the companies, interested parties, regulatory bodies and others complete their analysis. The interim solution includes a temporary surcharge of $3 million per month to continue the plant’s operation. That would add approximately $2.67 per month to the average residential bill.

The companies assert that if the plant closes at the end of May, it will lose experienced staff to operate the complex machinery, it will be difficult to restart the plant after non-operation and the plant will forfeit its injection rights into the PJM-operated transmission network.

“There is a tremendous amount of public interest in this case, with widely varying opinions,” said PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane. “We invite everyone to come and share their suggestions and concerns with us on April 20. If you can’t be here in person, you can still submit a written comment.”

Submit comments on the PSC website by clicking on “Submit a Comment” and then following the prompts to submit a comment on a “Formal Case.” You may also mail written comments to: Karen Buckley, Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323. Please be sure to reference Case No. 22-0793-E-ENEC in written correspondence.

More information, including the procedural schedule and documents filed in this case, can be found on the Commission website www.psc.state.wv.us by referencing Case No. 22-0793-E-ENEC.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon man charged with stealing package from ex-wife’s building, stalking

A Buckhannon man was arrested after allegedly stealing a package and contacting a woman against her will. Thomas Summers, 36, faces charges including entering without breaking, stalking, petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance.

Those pretty red leaves? They’re lying to you: The surprising truth about poinsettias

aoinsettias’ bright red “petals” aren’t flowers at all — they’re modified leaves called bracts, with the true flowers in the tiny yellow center. Learn about the plant’s Aztec roots, how it became a holiday staple, and simple tips to keep it thriving.

Buckhannon man charged with felony domestic battery after altercation over car keys

A Buckhannon man was arrested on a charge of domestic battery, third offense, after allegedly striking a woman when he was “extremely intoxicated” and they refused to give him his car keys.

West Virginia State Parks announces First Day Hikes for New Year’s Day

Twenty-one state parks and forests — including Audra and Canaan — will host free guided hikes on January 1 to help visitors kick off 2026 outdoors.

Mountain CAP to host free workshop for dads in January

Mountain CAP Family Support Center is hosting a free Key Behaviors Workshop for dads and male caregivers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Buckhannon.

The Thread Lab opens Main Street storefront in Buckhannon for custom embroidery and apparel

The Thread Lab has opened a Main Street storefront in Buckhannon, giving customers an easier way to shop and order custom embroidered and personalized apparel. General manager Ashley Marple said a grand opening is planned after the holidays.

WVU doctors warn of whooping cough surge in West Virginia, highest in 15 years

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough cases since 2010, with WVU doctors warning about symptoms and risks. Untreated, the infection can linger for months.

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley, 71, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime trucker and owner of Riley Trucking and Repair, died December 19, 2025, and is survived by his wife Mary Ann, five children, grandchildren and siblings.

Michele Lynn Mellon

Michele Lynn Mellon, 78, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Hallmark employee who loved faith, family and handwritten cards, died peacefully at home after an injury and subsequent stroke.