WV HB5648

Establishes priority for customer interests in Public Service Commission regulation and requires public comment hearings for rate increases affecting more than 10,000 customers, with hearings held within 50 miles of affected customers

Requires utilities to notify customers of proposed rate increases through billing statements and websites, including plain language explanations, estimated bill impacts, and information about public hearings and consumer advocacy assistance

Expands low-income reduced rate eligibility to include Medicaid, LIHEAP, TANF, and SSDI recipients, and extends the 20% discount to summer billing months (June, July, August) in addition to winter months

Prohibits termination of electric or gas service for nonpayment during January through April for all utilities, and during June through August for electric utilities, while requiring 30 days advance notice with three contact attempts before any termination

Authorizes distributed power plant programs and community energy programs allowing customers to participate in alternative generation and storage, and exempts portable solar generation devices under 25 kilowatts from interconnection agreements