ICYMI: Appalachian Power Wants to Charge Customers Even More

Richmond, Virginia—Despite charging customers nearly 64% more on energy bills from 2007 to 2020, Appalachian Power Company is seeking additional rate hikes. Appalachian Power wants to add another $22 to each bill for residential customers now with a possible 55% increase by 2035.

All of this comes after a report from the State Corporation Commission (SCC) saying that between 2007 and 2020, utility bills increased on average by $42.42 a month, a whopping 64% increase. 

“Hardworking people in Virginia are struggling to keep the lights on during a pandemic when many people have lost their jobs. And yet, utility monopolies like Appalachian Power want to charge their customers even more,” Ashleigh Crocker, communications director at Progress Virginia, said. “Legislators had the opportunity to pass rate reform legislation to ensure that utility monopolies aren’t incentivized to overcharge their customers, but it failed to pass during the most recent legislative session. It’s time to get serious about protecting consumers from corporate greed and make sure that these monopolies are charging their customers fair rates.”

Appalachian Power customers could see their monthly bills rise by $22. Here’s How.  [The Roanoke Times, Laurence Hammack]

A report from the State Corporation Commission looks at a slightly different time frame, from 2007 to 2020, and concludes that bills went up by $42.42 a month, an increase of nearly 64%.

The details quickly get complicated. But this much is clear: Appalachian is seeking a series of future rate hikes — either from the SCC or the Virginia Supreme Court — that would add another $22 to the tab for someone who consumes 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month in their home.

Bills are expected to go up another 3.5% over the next five years as Virginia takes steps to address climate change, Appalachian said last year in an SCC filing. Long-term projections are more sketchy but show a possible 55% increase by 2035.