AEP Rate Increases, Public Hearings, and Going Solar!

PSC Holds Public Hearings on Electric Rate Increase

American Electric Power affiliates Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power want their customers to pay nearly $300 million more per year because the cost of fuel keeps going up. What fuel? Coal of course! Coal is no longer competitive as a base load fuel, but here in WV we’re stuck with a bunch of coal fired power plants that are running way below capacity (some as little as 9% at times). Our Public Service Commission doesn’t seem to have a problem with allowing our electric rates to keep going up and up as long as it helps King Coal. That’s why it’s so important for folks to let the Commissioners know it’s time to stop approving every rate increase put on the table. 

As a founding member of WV for Energy Freedom, we’re asking our members to step up and Just Say No to spiraling rates by either showing up at a public hearing or sending in comments. 

  • The first public comment hearing was held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Ohio County Courthouse, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling, in the courtroom of Judge Jason A. Cuomo.
  • The second hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 27, at the Mercer County Courthouse, 1501 W. Main St., Princeton, in the courtroom of Judge William J. Sadler.
  • The third hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday June 28, in the County Commission courtroom at the Cabell County Courthouse, 750 5th Ave., Huntington. 
  • The PSC will host the fourth hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at its headquarters at 201 Brooks St., Charleston.

 

Mon Power wants Solar Customers

On the other hand, First Energy is planning to build out several solar farms in northern WV but can’t do it until 85% of their capacity has been subscribed to by customers. It involves signing on to purchase the power for a 4 cent a Kwh surcharge to cover their costs. See their press release here. To subscribe or find out more about the solar program, Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia can submit their information at www.firstenergycorp.com/WVSolar or by calling 1-800-505-7283. Tell them WV-CAG sent you 🙂

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