CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thousands of low-income Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power customers in West Virginia are getting a “fresh start” with their power bills.
On bills for either February or March, about 5,500 residential customers will see one-time bill credits administered through the Dollar Energy Fund under the Fresh Start Program.
“It’s desperately needed,” said Jackie Roberts, West Virginia’s consumer advocate, of the bill help.
The money, which will cover portions of electric bills that were 60 or more days past due as of Jan. 28, comes from savings both Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power saw out of the 2017 federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
It’s one component of a larger settlement with the state Public Service Commission.
There are no applications for Fresh Start.
“All customers who were eligible will automatically get it,” explained Jeri Matheney, communications director for Appalachian Power.
Along with the overdue bill requirement, those in the Fresh Start Program have received bill payment assistance from a government agency or nonprofit organization within the past year.
Letters have already been sent out to those who qualify.
“The Consumer Advocate Division has been concerned over the last few years at the accelerated rate with which utility bills have increased and it was our belief that we had to find a way to help those in poverty in West Virginia,” Roberts said.
“About 40 percent of customers are at or below the poverty level.”
The Fresh Start Program came out of negotiations between Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power, staff at the state PSC and the PSC’s Consumer Advocate Division about federal tax savings.
Others involved included the City of Charleston, the Kanawha County Commission, Energy Efficient West Virginia and Mountain State Justice.
There are a range of bill credit amounts based on individual circumstances.
“Most of the credits are in the hundreds of dollars, some are higher, some are lower,” Roberts said.
In all, $1.6 million is being used this year out of a total $15 million set aside for consumer relief from tax savings.
Throughout the coming year, Roberts said work would continue to develop programs for the rest of the funding, including those possibly dealing with home weatherization.
Questions about the bill credits can be directed to the Dollar Energy Fund online at dollarenergy.org or by calling 800-227-8205.