Virginia House Bill HB1288

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/22
• Refer: 1/20/22

Caption

Public utilities; rate review by the State Corporation Commission.

Impact

The enactment of HB1288 could lead to significant changes in how public utilities operate within the state. Specifically, it empowers the State Corporation Commission to review and amend rates more rigorously. The Commission is required to ensure that any rates approved not only align with operational costs but also avoid including unnecessary expenditures such as advertising costs, except those required by law. This approach seeks to protect consumers from unjust rates while holding utilities accountable for their financial practices.

Summary

House Bill 1288 focuses on public utilities and the necessity for rate reviews conducted by the State Corporation Commission. The core principle of the bill is to ensure that all rates, tolls, charges, and schedules set forth by public utilities are deemed just and reasonable. The bill mandates that the commission must verify that the rates correspond adequately to the actual costs incurred by the utilities, while also ensuring a fair return on the utility's rate base. This provision aims to establish a fair pricing mechanism for consumers while also ensuring profitability for service providers.

Contention

Notably, some stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding the potential implications of HB1288 on the operational flexibility of public utilities. While advocates argue that the bill serves to protect consumer interests, opponents worry it might lead to underfunding of utility operations if the costs are seen as unreasonably high. The contention lies primarily in balancing the interests of consumers with the need for utilities to remain financially viable. Furthermore, the annual review process placed on the Commission may also result in contentious debates regarding what constitutes 'just and reasonable' rates, potentially affecting service delivery.