Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Customers Oppose AEP Rate Hike Request
WEST VIRGINIA....
American Electric Power is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a 13.8 percent rate hike, but customers are asking for a break. For the average customer that's almost a $13 per month increase added to the 7.6 percent increase which took effect July 1st, or $6 a month. AEP customers are angry. Senate Majority Leader H. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, says he has received 5,580 signatures on a petition protesting the rate hike. Representatives for American Electric Power say the increase is needed due to a spike in coal costs and environmental requirements, but leaders from West Virginia dispute their claims and have demanded their request be denied. The current plan would mean residential customers who use 1,000-kilowatt hours per month would pay $99.22 instead of $86.44 every month. Company officials say the new rate increase proposal would bring in $155 million in additional revenue. An evidentiary hearing is set for December 13th.
If approved, the hike wouldn't take effect until April 1st.
Written comments can be sent to the Public Service Commission's office in Charleston. They can be mailed to:
West Virginia PSC
201 Brooks St., P.O. Box 812
Charleston, WV 25323
201 Brooks St., P.O. Box 812
Charleston, WV 25323
Those who mail comments should reference PSC case No. 10-0699-E-42T.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:06 PM 
