Appalachian Power Seeks Increase To Environmental Surcharge

The company wants an additional $37.2 million to meet federal environmental regulations at its three West Virginia power plants.

The Mitchell Plant's cooling towers and exhaust stack send columns of steam and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere on an overcast summer day.

Appalachian Power wants an increase to its environmental compliance surcharge, and it could result in higher monthly bills.

If the Public Service Commission approves Appalachian Power’s proposal, most customers would see their monthly bills go up by 1.7 percent, or $2.84.

The company wants an additional $37.2 million to meet federal environmental regulations at its three West Virginia power plants.

The Mountaineer, Mitchell and John Amos plants are being upgraded to comply with rules for the disposal of coal ash and treatment of wastewater.

In 2021, the PSC approved those costs. The plants also serve Virginia customers, and the State Corporation Commission approved them last year.

The Kentucky PSC, however, did not approve all of the costs for the Mitchell Plant, which serves Kentucky Power customers. Now, West Virginia customers may have to make up the difference.

Appalachian Power is an underwriter of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Author: Curtis Tate

Curtis is our Energy & Environment Reporter, based in Charleston. He has spent more than 17 years as a reporter and copy editor for Gannett, Dow Jones and McClatchy. He has written extensively about travel, transportation and Congress for USA TODAY, The Bergen Record, The Lexington Herald-Leader, The Wichita Eagle, The Belleville News-Democrat and The Sacramento Bee. You can reach him at ctate@wvpublic.org.

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