Utility Rates Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Not Just Us: Appalachian Power’s Virginia Customers Will See Higher Bills

If Virginia’s State Corporation Commission approves a settlement between Appalachian Power and multiple parties, the utility’s Virginia customers will see their monthly bills increase by $16 a month.

Appalachian Power’s Virginia customers will see their rates go up, but maybe not as much as in West Virginia.

That’s less than the $25 a month increase that would have resulted from the company’s original application.

In West Virginia, the Public Service Commission is considering two proposals by Appalachian Power. One would raise residential customers’ bills by $19.61 a month. Another would increase them by $5.69.

In both states, Appalachian Power seeks to recover the high costs of coal and natural gas it and other utilities encountered in 2021 and last year.

The John Amos power plant in West Virginia produces electricity for customers in both states.

Appalachian Power is an underwriter of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Mountaineer Gas Asks PSC to Approve $12.2 Million Rate Hike

Mountaineer Gas is seeking state approval to raise rates by $12.2 million.The Public Service Commission says the proposed 4.7 percent increase would raise…

Mountaineer Gas is seeking state approval to raise rates by $12.2 million.

The Public Service Commission says the proposed 4.7 percent increase would raise the average residential monthly bill by $3.46.

Mountaineer Gas filed its request with the PSC on Jan. 5. The company proposes that the rate increase go into effect Feb. 4.

On Wednesday, the PSC granted the company a waiver from a requirement that public utilities give customers separate written notice of a rate filing no later than 15 days prior to the proposed effective date.

Mountaineer Gas issues bills to customers throughout the billing cycle instead of all on one day. The company says this makes it difficult to comply with the notification requirement by using a bill insert.

Utility Bills up 1.2% in 2013 for West Virginia Residents

A new report says West Virginians paid 1.2 percent more for utilities in 2013 than in the previous year, primarily because of increases in natural gas and…

A new report says West Virginians paid 1.2 percent more for utilities in 2013 than in the previous year, primarily because of increases in natural gas and water rates.

     The report released Wednesday by the Public Service Commission’s Consumer Advocate Division says the average West Virginia utility customer paid $280.62 a month for gas, electricity, water and telephone service last year. In 2012, the average monthly cost was $277.22.

     Utility rates ranged from $258.82 in Morgantown to $316.25 in Bluefield.

     Consumer Advocate Division director Jackie Roberts says the increases in natural gas and water rates last year were offset by a decline in electricity rates.

     Roberts said rates have increased by 18 percent for water and 7 percent for electricity since 2010. Natural gas rates have fallen 18 percent.