Bill > SB931

This bill, titled the "West Virginia Utility Affordability and Economic Competitiveness Act," aims to make utility services more affordable and reliable for West Virginia residents and businesses, recognizing that current utility costs are among the highest in the nation and negatively impact disposable income, business competitiveness, and economic growth. It establishes new definitions for terms like "affordable," which considers the lowest cost method of providing electricity, factoring in all associated costs and impacts on customers, and "reliability," meaning a consistent source of electricity with a high performance standard. The bill sets specific goals for electricity and water affordability by 2030, including reducing the comprehensive cost of electricity to be lower than surrounding states and lowering average residential water utility costs nationally. It also imposes a three-year moratorium on utility rate increases, with limited exceptions, and designates the Department of Commerce as the coordinating authority for statewide utility affordability efforts, emphasizing that these issues are core budgetary priorities. The bill outlines a phased approach for implementation, starting with a needs assessment, followed by statutory and regulatory reforms, and concluding with ongoing implementation and oversight, while also requiring the Public Service Commission to implement standards for affordable, reliable, and clean energy, and prohibiting the use of critical materials sourced from foreign adversary nations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=931&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill