CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Appalachian Power is seeking a rate increase for its customers from the state Public Service Commission. The increase request amounts to 4.4 percent.
“Each year we go before the Public Service Commission and adjust the amount on customers’ bills that pay for the fuel, mostly coal, which we use,” said Appalachian Power Communications Director Jeri Matheney. “This is just an adjustment in that amount.”
The average customer on the Appalachian Power system using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month would see their bill increase by about four dollars each month from $94 to $98.14 a month.
“It’s a pass through cost,” said Matheney. “That means we don’t make any profit on it. If we pay a dollar for coal, a dollar goes on the bill and it looks like costs are inching up for us.”
The proposed increase is about 1.5 percent higher than last year’s.
The new rates would take effect in July if approved by the Public Service Commission.