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West Virginia
Restructuring Overview | Restructuring
Resources | Consumer Protection
Legislation Passed
Electric Y Gas Y
1998, HB 4277;
legislation authorizing a PSC deregulation plan subject to legislative review.
2000, HCR 27;
approves the Public Service Commission’s deregulation plan as set forth in the
PSC’s January 28, 2000 order in Case No. 98-0452-E-GI.
Electric
Overview
- In light of the low cost of electricity in West Virginia and the price spikes
experienced in other states that have restructured retail markets, lawmakers seem to need
to be convinced that restructuring will benefit West Virginia consumers. Before the
provisions of the restructuring law can take effect, a resolution must be passed by the
legislature. Most concerns center on protecting small (residential) consumers from price
increases.
Choice Status
- A plan to introduce retail electric choice was approved by the West Virginia legislature
in its 2000 session. The plan is now on hold, pending changes to the state's tax laws,
which are needed to keep tax revenues level. Those changes were not made in the 2001
session, effectively delaying the implementation of customer choice until at least
sometime after the 2002 session of the legislature.
Natural Gas
Overview
- Open access gas transportation service has been available since 1986 and the Commission
has issued General Orders 228, 228.1 and 228.2 setting forth parameters for gas
transportation. Industrial customers, a number of commercial customers, and a very limited
number of "special circumstance" residential customers have taken advantage of
the transportation option. Only since the early part of January 2002, has the Commission
concluded proceedings related to pooling parameters for the state’s two largest gas
utilities, Dominion Hope and Mountaineer Gas, but no final Orders have been issued, as of
1/18/02.
- There is a proceeding in its very early stages, General Order 189.19, in which it is
contemplated that the final result will be a Commission-adapted Gas Code of Conduct,
Licensing, and Consumer Protection Rules.
Choice Status
- As of December 2001, only 21 of the state's 360,471 residential customers were receiving
unbundled service.
Choice education
www.psc.state.wv.us/elecrest/default.htm
This state website contains the task force reports and Public Service Commission rulings
that recommended restructuring in West Virginia, as well as the 1998 restructuring law.
Suppliers
www.psc.state.wv.us/utilities/default.htm
Aggregation - buying coops
- Aggregator is included in the definition of electric energy supplier.
State Restructuring Resources
Utility Regulatory Commission
Public Service Commission of West Virginia
1-800-344-5113
www.psc.state.wv.us/
Consumer advocate
Consumer Advocate Division
304-558-0526
www.cad.state.wv.us/
Grassroots groups
West Virginia Citizens Action Group (WVCAG)
304-346-5891
http://www.wvcag.org
This group’s mission is to make government more responsive to the needs of West
Virginians. WVCAG has consistently advocated for the legislature to slow down any move
toward deregulation and will continue to oppose any plan to deregulate electricity that
increases rates for homeowners and small business and fails to include programs to
encourage conservation and support the creation of alternative "green energy"
provisions.
West Virginia Environmental Council (WVEC)
304-346-5905
http://www.wvecouncil.org
The mission of this group is to promote environmental protection in West Virginia. Among
WVEC’s many issues is the need to correct basic flaws in the state’s
deregulation plan to better protect consumers and the environment.
Consumer Protection
As of 1/18/02, the Commission has delayed the issuance of any further Rules until there
is further action on Customer Choice and Restructuring.
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