MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After more than 60 days of monitoring the garbage pickup service provided by Republic Services to West Virginia customers, Monongalia County Del. David McCormick is taking formal action.
“It’s been about two and a half months now, and I’m going to file a formal complaint with the Public Service Commission,” McCormick said. “We’re going to get them on this issue officially.”
McCormick wrote a letter and posted a short video on social media about his experience and asking for input. McCormick said he received reports about poor service from several areas of the state.
“In some places it has and in some places it has not,” McCormick said. “I’m still getting a lot of complaints, and there are still a lot of missed pickups.”
Morgantown Republic Service customers have long complained about missed pickups, poor service, or in some cases no service for days at a time. McCormick initiated his monitoring period after the Cheat Lake area of Monongalia County went with no service for 16 days during the heat of June.
McCormick has met with a senior vice president of the company who explained they were talking about the situation with the president of the organization. The executives asked for a 30-day period to make improvements, and McCormick extended that grace period by more than an additional 30 days.
“I’ve actually seen signs in people’s yards asking for their trash to be picked up, and it’s ridiculous to have to do that,” McCormick said.
The PSC could assign an official to the case and could formally serve Republic Services, which would require a response. If an impasse were to result, the matter could be the subject of an administrative hearing.
“An official complaint by me will put the spotlight pretty red hot on this issue, and that’s the next thing I can do,” McCormick said.
Through the efforts, Republic Services did bring additional workers from other areas to increase staff, and the company has ramped up hiring efforts.
“I’m still involved with trying to improve the situation, and this next step of filing a formal complaint with the Public Service Commission is happening today,” McCormick said.