Changing rates of public utilities

HB 4653 modifies how small public utilities in West Virginia set rates. It exempts utilities with fewer than 4,500 customers or less than $3 million in annual revenue (including small electric/gas cooperatives, municipal water/sewer systems, and telephone cooperatives) from full commission approval, requiring them instead to set rates based on actual service costs and file changes with the Public Service Commission. Utilities must wait 45 days before new rates take effect (or waive this if facing financial distress), and customers can petition the Commission if they believe rates are unfair, triggering a 120-day review period. This bill directly affects small utility providers and their customers by changing the process for rate adjustments.