Action Alert: Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power Proposed Rate Hike Prompts Concern

AARP West Virginia is encouraging nearly a half-million electric utility ratepayers served by American Electric Power affiliates Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power to make their voices heard with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia on a pending rate case that could significantly impact residential utility rates in 24 West Virginia counties.

• Make Your Voice Heard: See Below How You Can Weigh In On This Rate Case

On September 9, 2021, Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power entered a filing with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to reopen a case related to cost recovery for improvements at the Mountaineer, John Amos, and Mitchell power plants.

In August, 2021, the WV Public Service Commission granted Appalachian Power Company and Wheeling Power Company a certificate of convenience and necessity for making modifications to have the plants comply under federal environmental regulations.

These three West Virginia power plants generate electricity to serve AEP's utility customers in three states - West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky. Regulators in two of those states (Kentucky and Virginia) have already denied similar cost recovery requests by AEP and its affiliates as uneconomic. AARP is urging the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to do the same.

"It is patently unfair to force West Virginia ratepayers to pay for investment costs that should be paid for by ratepayers in two other states – Kentucky and Virginia. This proposal doubles the initial rate increase approved by state regulators, and puts West Virginia consumers on the hook alone for nearly a half-billion dollars in cost responsibility," said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia State Director.

This WV PSC rate case (Case # 20-140-E-CN) is on an expedited timeline for consideration, as the utility providers are seeking a final decision from state regulators by mid-October. The Commission will begin its consideration of the case with an evidentiary hearing set to begin at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 24. One one-hour public hearing is scheduled for ratepayers to provide input on this case, and is set for 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 24 at the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, 201 Brooks St., Charleston, WV.

With opportunities for public comment limited in this rate case, AARP strongly encourages Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power ratepayers to file public comment online at the West Virginia Public Service Commission's website.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Click here to file public comment on the case. In the High Profile Case drop down menu, please select 20-1040-E-CN Appalachian Power Company and Wheeling Power, and Click Search to reach the public comment submission screen.

If you would like to participate in the Sept. 24 public comment hearing via videoconference, please contact the Public Service Commission of West Virginia via email at Case20-1040@psc.state.wv.us with your name, email address, and telephone number using the subject line “Public Comment Hearing – Case No. 20-1040-E-CN.” The PSC will use your telephone number only to call you by phone if there are technical difficulties during the public comment hearing.

Once the PSC receives your participation request, it will respond with a confirmation email, including instructions and connection information for the hearing. The confirmation email will include a link to a Microsoft Teams video conference. This link will go live on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET

Appalachian Power serves more than 420,000 customers in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Wheeling Power serves more than 40,000 customers in Marshall and Ohio counties.

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AARP WV Media Contact: Tom Hunter, tphunter@aarp.org, 304-340-4605