PSC Seeks Public Comment In Rate Increase Case

State regulators are encouraging public comments through January on a more than $200 million rate increase proposal filed by Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison.

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has set aside three days for hearings on the companies’ proposed 15 percent increase in residential rates, commonly called base rates.

If approved by the commission, the average retail customer would see an increase of more than $18 in monthly rates, while the overall rate increase being sought by the companies is 13 percent.

“We encourage and actively seek comments from those affected by any rate increase pending before the commission,” PSC Chairman Charlotte R. Lane said. “But these larger cases seem to attract more notice than smaller cases.” 

Both companies recently announced they will give customers a one-time fixed bill credit on their 2024 July bill after a PSC audit revealed financial misconduct and called for greater accountability of lobbying expenses and better record keeping.

An evidentiary hearing starts at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at the PSC headquarters at 201 Brooks St., Charleston. The case was filed May 31, 2023. 

Public comments can be filed by email on the Commission’s website, or they may be mailed to the PSC. Reference Case No. 23-0460-E-42T in your comments. 

Written comments should be addressed to Karen Buckley, executive secretary, 201 Brooks St., Charleston, WV, 25323. 
More information on this case can be found on the PSC website: www.psc.state.wv.us. Click on “Case Information” and access Case No. 23-0460-E-42T.