CLAY GAS PROBLEMS HEATING UP - PSC Schedules Public Hearing

(02/05/2007)
If you were warm and cozy in your house last night, you might think about a longtime problem in neighboring Clay County.

Customers of Wagner and Valley Gas in the Ivydale community have been long-suffering, with their natural gas pressure going down and their houses getting cold. Other sections of the county are served by the companies.

Last year irate customers showed up for a public meeting and voiced their displeasure after years of low or no gas pressure during cold snaps.

West Virginia Public Service Commission personnel have encouraged customers to file complaints with their agency.

Few have, according to the Clay Communicator, but the PSC has scheduled a hearing at the Clay courthouse this month.

Threats of placing owner John Habjan's companies in receivership have never materialized, although the PSC continues to say they intend to take such action.

A letter from the PSC to Congresswoman Capito said the PSC planned to take Wagner, Beechy and Valley Gas to court and put them into receivership.

Gas suppliers have often threatened selling gas to Habjan's companies, and at times he reportedly held no current business license or charter to operate in WV.

Last October about 150 natural gas customers around Ivydale in Clay County failed to keep warm during the seasons first cold snap.

Lesha's Restaurant was left with a choice of cold food or cold customers in Ivydale, without enough natural gas pressure to run a furnace and a stove at the same time.

Frustrated Ivydale residents blamed Wagner Gas.

A Clay county commissioner said the company has not paid its supplier and that its own wells can't adequately serve Ivydale.

Local residents were bypassing Wagner meter safety devices with vice grip pliers to keep the gas flowing.