Friday, May 28, 2010
Commissioners Scold AEP For Requested Rate Hikes
WEST VIRGINIA....
Representatives with Appalachian Power received a stern scolding this week from Cabell County Commissioners Bob Bailey and Scott Bias after requesting support for two rate increases. The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is considering the July 2010 rate increase and will also consider the March 2011 rate increase. The two proposed rate changes would increase the cost of 1,000 kilowatt hours per month from $80.46 to $94.19, a total increase of 17 percent. Bailey read off a list of names and salaries of AEP employees who make more than $1 million while proposing rate increases on people who are already unable to pay their utility bills. He questioned how AEP could ask for higher rates while the president of AEP flies around in a private plane. Bias expressed concerns with power grids being operated by northern states, saying northern states have the ability to decide which states receive power during peak times. He also questioned why AEP in West Virginia did not require regular maintenance and upkeep of its lines. AEP representatives Steve Stewart and Jim Fawcett tried to explain rate increases were to make up for the increased cost of coal and to purchase new equipment that was mandated by the federal government.
Representatives with Appalachian Power received a stern scolding this week from Cabell County Commissioners Bob Bailey and Scott Bias after requesting support for two rate increases. The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is considering the July 2010 rate increase and will also consider the March 2011 rate increase. The two proposed rate changes would increase the cost of 1,000 kilowatt hours per month from $80.46 to $94.19, a total increase of 17 percent. Bailey read off a list of names and salaries of AEP employees who make more than $1 million while proposing rate increases on people who are already unable to pay their utility bills. He questioned how AEP could ask for higher rates while the president of AEP flies around in a private plane. Bias expressed concerns with power grids being operated by northern states, saying northern states have the ability to decide which states receive power during peak times. He also questioned why AEP in West Virginia did not require regular maintenance and upkeep of its lines. AEP representatives Steve Stewart and Jim Fawcett tried to explain rate increases were to make up for the increased cost of coal and to purchase new equipment that was mandated by the federal government.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 11:06 AM 
