Parkersburg trash deal clears regulatory hurdle as state commission dismisses investigation
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) — The West Virginia Public Service Commission dismissed a request Wednesday to investigate the City of Parkersburg’s plan to privatize its sanitation and recycling services, ruling that the agency lacks jurisdiction over municipal trash collection.
The commission’s decision came after Carole Hanlon filed a complaint in December requesting an investigation into the city’s proposed contract with Waste Management Inc.
The complaint also asked for a public hearing in Wood County.
“The City, a municipality, has authority to establish and maintain municipal refuse service,” the commission stated in its order, citing West Virginia Code § 8-12-5.
City Approves Contract
On Jan. 13, 2026, the Parkersburg City Council adopted an ordinance authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Waste Management Inc. to provide solid waste disposal services.
The city filed its response to the commission in late January, stating it does not object to approval of the contract.
The commission found that when a city provides trash collection using its own equipment and employees to residents within city limits, it is not a “public utility service” subject to the commission’s regulatory authority.
Private Contractor Still Subject to Filing Rules
While the commission dismissed the complaint, it did not give Waste Management a free pass.
The company remains certificated as a common carrier for transporting solid waste in Wood County and must comply with special contract filing requirements.
If the contract between Waste Management and Parkersburg contains terms that differ from the company’s standard tariff — including differing rates, automatic rate increases, or special billing terms — it must be filed with the commission pursuant to Tariff Rule 17.1.
The commission noted that the proposed contract appears to include a 7% automatic annual rate escalation and rates per residential customer that differ from current rates. Such provisions constitute a “special contract” requiring filing with the state agency.
“Any negotiated rate between Waste Management and the City is subject to Commission review and possible repricing in future rate cases,” the commission stated.
71 Letters of Support
As of the order’s date, the commission received 71 letters of support for Hanlon’s petition to investigate the city’s privatization plan.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: PSC attorneys recommend investigation into Parkersburg trash privatization
Hanlon had filed multiple supplemental requests during the process, including asking for a forensic audit of the city by the West Virginia State Auditor and seeking to expand the investigation’s scope to include possible third-party use of the city’s recycling facilities.
What’s Next
The commission is now serving copies of the order on all parties of record, including Waste Management, according to the ruling.
The case has been removed from the commission’s docket of open cases.
The final decision emphasized that while municipalities have broad power to manage their trash services, any special contracts they enter into must still be filed with the commission for review and potential repricing in future rate adjustments.
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