West Virginia House Bill HB2456

West Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/11/23

Caption

Relating to a customer constructing a connection or other infrastructure necessary for the customer to connect to the public utility

Impact

The proposed changes in HB2456 are significant for consumer rights and access to utility services. By prohibiting utilities from denying customers the ability to connect to their services—provided that the work meets established standards—this bill strengthens consumer protections. The measure is designed to enhance competition and potentially lower costs for consumers by allowing more freedom in how service connections are managed and maintained. Such changes may encourage better service delivery standards from utilities, as they will no longer have exclusive control over connection processes.

Summary

House Bill 2456 aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to prevent non-investor-owned water or sewer public utilities from prohibiting customers from constructing, installing, or maintaining necessary connections or infrastructure that allow them to connect to these utilities for service. This legislation seeks to provide greater autonomy to customers, ensuring they can choose how to access essential services without undue interference from utility providers. The bill emphasizes the right of customers to hire contractors of their choice for any installation or maintenance work required for connection to the public utilities.

Sentiment

The discussion around HB2456 reflects a generally positive sentiment among consumer advocacy groups and some legislators who view the bill as a necessary step toward greater consumer rights and operational transparency. Proponents argue that the law will empower customers and ensure they are not subjected to unreasonable policies or practices by non-investor-owned utilities. Conversely, there might be concerns from utility companies regarding the implications this bill could have on their operations and regulatory frameworks, which may lead to potential disputes over the enforcement of these new measures.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB2456 include concerns from utility companies about the potential for increased operational challenges and costs associated with expanded customer access to connection services. Critics may argue that while the intent of the bill is to protect consumer rights, it could inadvertently lead to complications in service provision if standards are not rigorously defined and enforced. Thus, the balance between protecting consumer interests and ensuring effective utility service management remains a key point of discussion.