SB 605
Requiring certain public or private entities that own, lease, or oversee water or electric supply utility to implement utility continuity rate credit program
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires any public or private entity that owns, leases, or oversees water or electric supply utilities in West Virginia to implement a Utility Continuity Rate Credit Program. The program would provide credits to customers who experience qualifying outages, potentially incentivizing investments in backup power or water storage systems. Municipalities, counties, and the Public Service Commission are required to develop and implement policies related to this program.
Key provisions
- Establishes a Utility Continuity Rate Credit Program for water and electric utilities.
- Defines terms such as ‘Continuity Credit,’ ‘electricity outage,’ and ‘qualifying outage.’
- Outlines circumstances under which a utility customer is entitled to a credit, including qualifying outages and qualifying purchases.
- Specifies maximum credit amounts ($2,500) and how the credit will be applied (amortized monthly).
- Requires municipalities, counties, and the Public Service Commission to adopt rules and policies for the program.
- Allows customers to receive a credit if they have made qualifying purchases within 60 days of a qualifying outage.
- Limits the number of qualifying outages that can trigger a credit within a 30-day period.
- Prohibits utilities from using the program as a justification for rate increases.
Who is affected
- Water utility customers
- Electric utility customers
- Municipalities
- Counties
- Public Service Commission
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Stuart
Cosponsor
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