Public commenter urges Monongalia County to intervene in PSC docket over WATI/Marl filings

During the public-comment portion of the April 1 meeting, Judith Delagarza, treasurer of Stewart's Community Council, urged Monongalia County to pursue intervenor status in an ongoing Public Service Commission proceeding involving filings by Marl and WATI.

Delagarza said the PSC's procedural schedule lists an intervener-status deadline of June 1 and that Preston and Hampshire counties have already filed or been approved for intervenor status; Mineral County had not yet appeared on the docket. ‘‘Preston, I just found out this morning, has been approved to have intervener status,’’ Delagarza said. ‘‘So we're hoping that Mon County will follow suit.’’ She also noted the county's intervener workshop that evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department and that the filings had spurred multiple landowner petitions to intervene.

Commissioners acknowledged the comment and one commissioner said the county intends to seek counsel before making any formal decision about intervention. No formal motion or vote on intervener status occurred at the meeting; staff indicated they are seeking legal guidance prior to any official action.