West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 150 - Public Service Commission
West Virginia Code of State Rules – Agency 150: Public Service Commission (PSC)
Overview:
Agency 150 of the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR) contains the administrative regulations adopted by the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is the state agency responsible for regulating public utilities and common carriers to ensure safe, adequate, and reasonably priced services across West Virginia.
These rules support the implementation of West Virginia Code Chapter 24, which governs public utilities, and apply to entities providing services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications, transportation, and towing.
Key Functions Regulated Under Agency 150:
Utility Rate Regulation:
Procedures for filing rate cases, tariff adjustments, and rate design.
Rules for public hearings, interventions, and consumer protections in utility rate changes.
Service Standards:
Establishes technical and customer service standards for utilities (e.g., meter testing, billing, outage response).
Enforces rules on quality and reliability of service.
Transportation Oversight:
Regulates motor carriers, including taxis, limousines, towing companies, and solid waste haulers.
Includes licensing, safety, insurance, and inspection requirements.
Telecommunications and Broadband:
Oversees limited aspects of telephone service and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).
Rules related to universal service, Lifeline programs, and service obligations.
Pipeline and Utility Safety:
Implements federal and state safety regulations for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Requires inspection, maintenance, and emergency response planning.
Formal Complaint and Dispute Resolution:
Provides mechanisms for customers to file complaints against utilities.
Describes hearing procedures and appeals processes.
Examples of CSR Series Under Agency 150:
| CSR Section | Description |
|---|---|
| 150-1 | Rules of Practice and Procedure before the PSC |
| 150-3 | General Rules for Electric Utilities |
| 150-4 | General Rules for Gas Utilities |
| 150-5 | Rules for Water Utilities |
| 150-7 | Rules for Motor Carriers and Transportation Providers |
| 150-9 | Rules Governing Sewer Utilities |
| 150-25 | Pipeline Safety Regulations (incorporating federal DOT standards) |
| 150-36 | Regulation of Towing and Recovery Operators |
📚 Full texts are available via the WV CSR Database under Agency 150.
Legal Authority:
Based on West Virginia Code Chapter 24 (Public Utilities)
Includes related provisions from Chapters 17C, 24A, 24B, and others for specific utility and transportation sectors.
Purpose:
The PSC’s rules aim to protect consumers, ensure safe and reliable service, and allow utilities to operate sustainably and fairly within the regulatory framework.
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