Appalachian Power starts interim electricity rate hike

Read the news release below from Appalachian Power

Appalachian Power today implemented an interim increase in the base rates for its Virginia retail customers.  The revised rates are prorated and will apply to customer purchases of electricity beginning today.

In order to recover increased operating expenses and expenditures for mandatory environmental compliance, Appalachian filed a request in May with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeking approval of a $207.9 million increase in base rates. The SCC established a schedule for the case (PUE-2008-00046) and agreed that the rates could be implemented on an interim basis beginning Oct. 28.

State statute allows interim rates to be collected by regulated utilities subject to refund pending a final order by the SCC. A hearing on the case begins tomorrow, Oct. 29, at the Commission’s Tyler Building in Richmond.  (The SCC intends to Webcast the audio portion of the hearing; information may be found at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case/webcast.aspx .)

Appalachian estimates the interim rates will increase the monthly bill paid by a residential customer for 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity from the current amount of $77.42 to $93.95.

Appalachian Power requested a general base rate increase for Virginia in 2006 and implemented interim rates later that year. The Commission approved a lower final rate in mid-2007 and the company refunded the collected differences to customers in addition to interest of about eight percent.

Customers are urged to manage their energy use wisely and to visit the company’s new Internet site ( http://www.WattWhyAndHow.com ) for energy-saving tips and a free home energy calculator that can help explain how they use power and how they can conserve. The site also provides information on payment options available to customers.

Customers who recognize that they may have bill problems or may be unable to pay a full amount should contact the company on-line at http://www.appalachianpower.com or by phone at 1-800-956-4237 as soon as they can in order to work out payment arrangements.