Bill > SB423

This bill, known as the Public Electrical Savings Act, amends existing West Virginia law to clarify and modify the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC), which oversees public utilities. Key changes include exempting natural gas producers serving 25 or fewer residential customers from PSC oversight regarding residential service, and establishing specific conditions and limitations for on-site energy facilities, such as solar panels, used by retail electric customers. These limitations include requirements for power purchase agreements (PPAs) to be clearly printed, caps on the total capacity of PPAs and net metering arrangements for utilities, and individual customer limits for on-site generator sizes. After July 1, 2026, public entities will be restricted from entering into PPAs that don't guarantee a lower cost per kilowatt-hour than the serving utility or exceed five years in duration, though renewals are permitted. Additionally, public utilities will be required to have third parties inspect meters used in PPA agreements periodically and report findings. The bill also adds solid waste facilities to the list of services under the PSC's jurisdiction and makes minor adjustments to the PSC's oversight of political subdivisions providing water and sewer services, as well as clarifying exemptions for certain electric generating facilities. Finally, it explicitly states the PSC does not have jurisdiction over Internet protocol-enabled services, including voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP), and clarifies that municipal power systems are primarily regulated by their local governing bodies regarding rates.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=423&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill