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PSC orders audit of Kentucky Power
BY LAUREL SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Kentucky regulators have ordered an independent audit of Kentucky Power Company’s management and operations, citing years of concern over the utility’s planning, decision-making and judgment. The Kentucky Public Service Commission issued the order July 2 in Case No. 2026-00159, opening a formal investigation into Kentucky Power’s managerial and…
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Activist urges Martin County to adopt resolution calling for Kentucky Power audit
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Pike County activist is urging Eastern Kentucky counties to demand a full public audit of Kentucky Power before any additional rate increases are approved. Zachary Tackett, founder of the nonprofit Creek Don’t Rise Coalition, plans to ask the Martin County Fiscal Court on Thursday to adopt a…
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PSC opens enforcement case over Martin County Water District unapproved truck lease
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has opened a formal investigation into the Martin County Water District, five current or former commissioners and an Alliance Water Resources manager over allegations the utility entered into a truck lease without first obtaining state approval required by law. In a March 31…
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PSC rejects Martin County Water District request to end monitoring
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Kentucky Public Service Commission has denied the Martin County Water District’s request to end state monitoring and close the long-running oversight case, ruling that the district has not yet shown it can operate without continued scrutiny or without the support of its outside management company, Alliance Water…
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Martin County Water District asks PSC to end oversight
Opponents warn system remains fragile BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Water District is asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to close a long-running oversight case and lift monitoring requirements imposed more than six years ago, arguing that the utility has made significant financial and operational progress under outside management. The…
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Martin County Water declines rate hike despite revenue gap
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — On paper, the numbers point to a sharp water rate hike. In practice, Martin County water officials say they are charting a different course. The Martin County Water District filed its 2026 Revenue Requirement Report with the Kentucky Public Service Commission on Monday. The filing shows the district…
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This can’t keep happening
BY MARY CROMER Kentucky Power is asking the Public Service Commission to approve yet another rate increase—its third since 2020. Bills have already risen nearly 40% in that period. This time, Kentucky Power is asking for an average 14.9% increase in residential bills. But not everyone’s bills would go up by the same amount. Instead,…
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PSC taking comments on Kentucky Power’s proposed 14.62% rate hike
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Kentucky Power customers have two remaining chances to weigh in on the utility’s proposed 14.62% rate hike in person, but can send written comments to the Kentucky Public Service Commission. The PSC will hold public comment meetings Dec. 18 in Hazard and Jan. 8 in Ashland. The proposed increase would raise the…
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Brown water: Judge calls on PSC to rescind order requiring outside management of Martin County Water District
County fast-tracks weed-cutting BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty is calling on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to rescind its order requiring outside management of the Martin County Water District. He cited operational failures that have led to widespread brown-colored water and growing public frustration. In the same meeting…
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PSC sets informal conference in Martin County Water monitoring case
The Kentucky Public Service Commission has announced an informal conference to address “a recent filing” in case 2020-00154 in which it monitors the Martin County Water District. Scheduled for Nov. 21 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the meeting will be conducted via videoconference “to discuss issues presented in this matter.” According to a notice…
