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Commission Sets Hearing Involving Chemical Spill Probe
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The state Public Service Commission has set a date for a hearing to investigate a water company’s handling of the January 2014 chemical spill that contaminated the drinking water supply of Kanawha Valley.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that commissioners issued an order Monday scheduling an evidentiary hearing in the investigation for Nov. 15-17.
The commission previously had concerns about whether its probe of the West Virginia American Water Company’s preparations for and response to the chemical spill could conflict with drinking water safety reforms that state lawmakers mandated.
Commissioners reasoned that the PSC has a duty under state law to require utilities to perform in a manner designed to safeguard the interests of the public and the utilities.