Relating to the Disconnection of Residential Utility during a State of Emergency

HB 2822 prohibits public utilities in West Virginia from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water service during a declared state emergency. It requires utilities to offer customers a deferred payment plan (without down payments or penalties) if they face financial hardship due to the emergency, and mandates service restoration within 48 hours if disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers affected by emergency-related financial hardship, while requiring utilities to notify customers about these protections. Utilities may still recover unpaid bills after the emergency through standard procedures.