CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – All public utilities have 30 days in which to file with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia plans on how they will notify customers about planned and unplanned service outages.
This new law goes into effect today.
The Commission’s order is in response to House Bill 3263 passed by the Legislature this year to require the filing of this information by all utilities. Gov. Morrisey signed the bill on April 29.
The new law compliments an order issued by the Commission last October 4. That order required all cable and nonmotor carrier utilities to have a process in place to notify customers by text and email regarding service outages, and to request updated contact information from customers.
The order was issued and the law enacted to “assure that public utility customers receive timely notice of planned and unplanned service outages,” the Commission said. “Customers should be alerted as soon as the utility is aware of an issue in the potential area.”
The new law is broader than the original commission order since it applies to all utilities.
Each utility’s plan must include a methodology for advanced notification to all affected customers for planned service disruptions, including methods of communications, and notification content requirements concerning the outages, including an estimate of the duration and end of the outage.
More information on this case can be found on the PSC website: www.psc.state.wv.us. Click on “Case Information” and access General Order No. 267.
