Press Release: PSC Hearing on Broadband Expansion and Utility Regulations
Charleston, WV – October 3, 2023 – During an evidentiary hearing at the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) headquarters, Chairwoman Charlotte Lane expressed frustration over the slow progress in expanding fiber broadband access across the state. "The PSC will not be the reason we fail to deliver broadband to West Virginia," she asserted, holding utility and internet service providers accountable for current delays.
The hearing stemmed from an August 2024 order creating a task force to establish rules for installing fiber broadband on electric poles owned by FirstEnergy and American Electric Power. The task force’s recommendations included forming a rapid response team for dispute resolution and enhancing pole inspection report sharing. However, lack of consensus on key issues led to the current hearings.
FirstEnergy’s Director of Engineering Services, Ronay Tenney, faced scrutiny over his company’s reluctance to collect and share non-electric service-related pole data. While Tenney claimed broadband was a priority, he emphasized the costs involved in data collection and suggested direct negotiations with ISPs instead of continuing the task force.
As the PSC deliberates, Chairwoman Lane reiterated their commitment to swift action, stating West Virginians urgently need broadband access. The commission plans to issue an order on pole attachment rules promptly.
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