Energy (Utility Regulation)

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 931: Relating to utility affordability and economic competitiveness

SB 931 establishes the "West Virginia Utility Affordability and Economic Competitiveness Act" to address high utility costs by imposing a moratorium on rate increases for electricity and water utilities. The bill defines "affordability" as the lowest total cost of electricity (including all rates, fees, and charges) that minimizes financial burden on households and businesses while considering competitiveness with neighboring states. It sets reliability standards requiring electricity sources to maintain 80% performance without intermittent availability (excluding peaker plants) and mandates comprehensive cost evaluations factoring in environmental impacts and supply chain risks. These provisions aim to restore affordability and reliability for West Virginia residents and businesses, which the legislature states are foundational to economic development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes moratorium on utility rate increases to reduce consumer costs, directly aligning with affordability protections for energy consumers as per its defined 'affordability' standard.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5152: Relating to the disconnection of residential utility during a State of Emergency

HB 5152 prohibits public utilities from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water services during a state of emergency declared by the governor. It requires utilities to offer residential customers a payment plan to cover overdue bills without late fees or penalties, and to restore service within 48 hours for those disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these protections and make reasonable efforts to contact affected households to provide payment plan options.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects residential utility consumers from disconnection during emergencies, aligning with consumer protection in the utilities sector (a core energy infrastructure component) without restricting energy production or renewables.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections during emergencies, protecting tenants from displacement and financial hardship, aligns with tenant protection policies in housing legislation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Utility Regulation

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1040: Creating WV Energy Freedom Act

SB 1040, the West Virginia Energy Freedom Act, removes the requirement for certain non-utility power generators to obtain a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" before building or operating facilities. It directly affects solar, wind, and other non-utility electric generation projects, requiring them instead to register with the Public Service Commission and comply with environmental, zoning, and grid interconnection rules. The bill streamlines approvals by waiving the certificate process for projects reviewed and approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council. It also exempts intermittent power sources (like solar and wind) from the certificate requirement, shifting oversight to registration and standard grid connection protocols.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves certificate requirement for solar/wind projects, streamlining approvals to advance renewable energy development while maintaining environmental/zoning compliance.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves regulatory barriers for solar/wind projects, facilitating clean energy development while maintaining environmental compliance requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Transmission Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 5648: Relating to the regulation and oversight of the provision of electricial power to consumers in this State

HB 5648 updates West Virginia's electrical power regulations to prioritize consumer interests and modernize utility oversight. It requires utilities to notify customers before rate increases and hold public hearings for significant rate changes affecting large customer groups. The bill exempts small portable solar devices from connection agreements, allows customers to generate and store power through distributed programs, and mandates utilities to track customers dependent on life support systems. Additionally, it sets new rules for disconnecting service due to non-payment and requires utilities to develop community energy programs under a subscriber model.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly allows customer generation/storage via distributed programs and exempts small solar devices, promoting renewable energy adoption and consumer participation in energy infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4110: Creating the WV Energy Efficiency Jobs Creation Act

HB 4110, the WV Energy Efficiency Jobs Creation Act, requires West Virginia's electric utilities to develop and implement energy efficiency programs aimed at reducing electricity consumption. Utilities must achieve specific, incremental savings targets - starting at 0.5% of 2020 sales by 2027 and reaching 5% by 2031 - through cost-effective programs approved by the Public Service Commission. The bill also creates a "self-directed" option for eligible residential and business customers to manage their own energy efficiency plans, with requirements to meet minimum goals and repay avoided charges if they fail to do so. The Public Service Commission oversees program approval, ensures cost recovery for utilities, and mandates annual reporting to track progress toward state energy efficiency goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandatory utility efficiency programs with incremental consumption reduction targets (0.5% to 5% by 2031) directly advance energy efficiency goals per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires utilities to reduce electricity consumption via efficiency programs, lowering emissions and promoting energy conservation per mandated targets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 461: Requiring any PSC rate increase to have legislative approval

SB 461 would require West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) to obtain legislative approval before implementing any rate increases for utility companies. This affects electric, gas, and water providers seeking to raise customer rates, as they would need to submit proposals to the state legislature for approval. The bill changes the current process by adding a legislative step - requiring PSC rate adjustment recommendations to be formally approved by the Legislature before taking effect. It does not alter the PSC's authority to propose rate changes but shifts final approval to the Legislature. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires legislative approval for utility rate hikes, preventing arbitrary increases and protecting consumers per energy policy indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4385: Cap a utility provider’s rates increases at no more than 5% per year

HB 4385 would cap annual rate increases by West Virginia utility companies (like electricity and gas providers) at a maximum of 5% per year. The bill requires all proposed rate hikes by public utilities to stay within this 5% limit, effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects utility companies and their customers by limiting how much rates can rise annually. The provision applies to all future rate increase requests, replacing any higher proposed increases with the 5% maximum.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCaps utility rate hikes to protect consumers, aligning with consumer protection in energy policy per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4991: West Virginia First Energy Act

HB 4991, the West Virginia First Energy Act, requires coal-fired power plants in the state to maintain a minimum 69% operational utilization rate (measured annually) and hold at least a 30-day coal supply based on average usage. It restricts utilities from retiring or reducing coal or natural-gas plants without Public Service Commission approval, which requires proof the change won’t raise rates, increase market volatility, or harm grid reliability. The bill also prohibits cost recovery for new wind or solar projects and bans power-purchase agreements for intermittent energy unless existing coal/gas capacity meets specific replacement standards. These provisions aim to stabilize electricity rates, preserve coal industry jobs, and prioritize in-state dispatchable power sources over out-of-state or weather-dependent generation.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill mandates coal plant operations, restricts retirement of coal/gas plants, and opposes renewable energy transition by protecting fossil fuel infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates coal plant operations and restricts retirement, preventing cleaner energy transition and maintaining high emissions, weakening environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 423: Creating Public Electrical Savings Act

SB 423, the "Public Electrical Savings Act," establishes rules for public entities (like schools, government buildings, and municipal facilities) entering power purchase agreements (PPAs) for on-site solar energy. It requires that any PPA must guarantee customers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour than the local utility’s rate, limits PPA contracts to five years (with renewal allowed), and caps total solar generation from PPAs at 3% of a utility’s statewide peak demand. The bill also sets individual capacity limits (50kW for homes, 1,000kW for businesses) and mandates utility meter inspections and cost reporting. These provisions aim to ensure public solar projects provide actual cost savings while preventing grid strain.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables public entities to use solar PPAs with cost guarantees below utility rates, promoting renewable energy adoption while capping scale at 3% of peak demand.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables public entities to adopt on-site solar via PPAs with cost guarantees, promoting renewable energy use. Caps limit grid impact but don't restrict environmental goals; focus is on clean energy adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 220: Relating to jurisdiction of PSC

SB 220 amends West Virginia law to redefine "solar photovoltaic energy facility" as "on-site energy facility" within the Public Service Commission's jurisdiction. It establishes specific rules for power purchase agreements (PPAs) between public entities (like schools or government buildings) and utility customers, requiring PPAs to guarantee lower electricity costs than the utility's rate, limit facility sizes (25kW residential, 1,000kW commercial, 2,000kW industrial), cap total PPA capacity at 3% of a utility's peak demand, and restrict PPA terms to five years. The bill also mandates 11-point font for PPA contracts and requires utilities to notify customers if capacity limits are reached within 30 days. These provisions directly affect public entities entering PPAs and utilities managing such agreements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes PPA rules requiring lower costs than utility rates for solar facilities, promoting renewable energy adoption in public entities with size limits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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