Appalachian Power customers beg SCC to vote down rate increase

Three buses pulled up to Franklin County High School Thursday night, loaded with Appalachian power customers from Martinsville, Hillsville, Stuart and surrounding areas.

Many of them immediately headed inside to sign their name to address the State Corporation Commission.

The panel of 3 listened to state representatives, business leaders, non-profits and customers just like you.

Galax furniture company owner, Doug Bassett, says Appalachian Power rates are the biggest threat to jobs in Southwest Virginia and his words struck a cord with the crowd.

“We believe Appalachian Power should have requested a rate decrease as I’ve heard Dominion Power has done in the eastern part of the state,” explained Bassett, COO of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company.

We ask Appalachian Power spokesman, Todd Burns, why one company is decreasing rates while APCO has asked for four increases this year.

“Dominion has historically been a more expensive price per kilowatt hour company than we have,” Burns said.

Burns explained customers ultimately decide the price of their bill, but customer Betty Canaday says she’s cut back on electricity usage and her bill has risen.

“Last year I used more wattage, less money than I do this year and it’s tripled. Our paychecks aren’t going higher…they’re going lower,” Canaday said.

Many more customers echoed her concerns, leaving the SCC more than enough testimony to think about on their way back to Richmond.

Appalachian Power says starting December 12th, APCO will begin increasing customer’s bills.

The SCC is not going to rule on the increase until March. If they vote it down, the spokesman says they will refund the money with interest to the customers