West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5657: Electric Choice and Competition Act
Status: Introduced, February 17, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §24-9-1, §24-9-2, §24-9-3, §24-9-4, §24-9-5, §24-9-6, §24-9-7, §24-9-8, and §24-9-9, relating to establishing the Electric Choice and Competition Act; providing a short title and legislative findings; defining terms; permitting retail freedom and competition for the purchase and sale of electric power for certain non-residential retail customers; providing procedures for the commission to establish eligible load capacity allowance; providing for the establishment of a subscription queue; providing.
From the introduced text, February 17, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §24-9-1, §24-9-2, §24-9-3, §24-9-4, §24-9-5, §24-9-6, §24-9-7, §24-9-8, and §24-9-9, relating to establishing the Electric Choice and Competition Act; providing a short title and legislative findings; defining terms; permitting retail freedom and competition for the purchase and sale of electric power for certain non-residential retail customers; providing procedures for the commission to establish eligible load capacity allowance; providing for the establishment of a subscription queue; providing notice requirements; providing utility rate transparency requirements for electric utilities; requiring the licensing of competitive service providers; requiring the commission prohibit unreasonable shifting of costs to ratepayers; requiring additional commission oversight measures; providing the commission rulemaking authority; establishing annual reporting requirements. ARTICLE 9. Electric choice and competition ACT. §24-9-1. Short title; legislative findings. (a) This article shall be known and cited as the "Electric Choice and Competition Act." (b) The Legislature hereby finds (2) Electric demand is increasing rapidly due to the growth of data centers, industrial expansion, and the transition to a more electrified economy; (3) Over the last several years, regulated electric rates for non-residential retail customers in West Virginia have increased significantly and harmed the competitiveness of West Virginia business and industry; (4) Over the last two decades, there have been few investments …