By Nadia Ramlagan
A proposed rate hike by American Electric Power that would have affected customers in two dozen West Virginia counties is off the table for now.
West Virginia regulators dismissed AEP’s case, citing incomplete documents and failure to disclosure financial information.
Courtney MacDonald, coalition coordinator with West Virginians for Energy Freedom, said while advocates would like to cheer the case dismissal, it will likely resurface.
She said residents should stay tuned.
“There were so many eyes on this case,” said MacDonald. “There was a lot of outrage and frustration from West Virginians that already can’t afford their electricity bills.”
The proposal would have raised rates by nearly 18% – or around $29 a month for residential customers, and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for AEP.
The utility argues the rate hike is needed to cover increased costs involved in procuring and supplying energy.
MacDonald contended energy companies should be working to lower costs through efficiency programs and renewable power sources, instead of placing the burden on communities.
“Fifteen to 22% for schools, 25% for churches, and 25% to 30% for small businesses,” said MacDonald, “which we all know in this post-COVID world are already struggling.”
MacDonald added that residents who want to be involved in the regulatory process and share their views with the Public Service Commission can sign up for alerts online, at energyfreedomwv.org.
“You will get an alert to let you know that it is time to start writing letters again, and we provide a form that makes that easy to do,” said MacDonald. “Within two minutes, you can have your own personalized message sent to the PSC.”
Mountain State residents saw their average electricity costs jump by 90% between 2005 and 2020, an increase higher than almost all other states, according to the group Conservation West Virginia.
