I have a great deal of difficulty understanding why the editorial staffs of several daily and weekly publications in West Virginia have not addressed the issue of Appalachian Power Company’s proposed rate increases. If approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission in June, these increases will seriously impact the household budget of every West Virginia family.
Appalachian Power is proposing a rate increase of 46.2 percent — (18.5 percent in July, 14.5 percent in 2010 and 13.2 percent in 2001). Last year (2008), the West Virginia Public Service Commission approved a rate increase of 11.35 percent for Appalachian Power — and everyone’s electric bill increased accordingly. If the current proposed increases are approved, the three-year total will be a ridiculous 57.55 percent increase. The sad part is that these rate increases will become a reality if the good citizens of West Virginia do not stand up and stop this madness.
American Electric Power (AEP), AP’s parent company, has reported profits of more than $1 billion in each of the last three years (last year — 2008 — AEP’s profit was $1,380,000,000). The profit reported by the company for the first three months of 2009 was $360,000,000. I wish someone could explain to me why this company should increase my electric power bill by more than half when they are realizing profits of this magnitude. The only explanation I can imagine includes the words “sheer greed.”
The current proposed rate increase by Appalachian Power will significantly impact on your family’s budget. I strongly urge every Appalachian Power customer to “light up the switchboard” at the West Virginia Public Service Commission (phone, 1-800-344-5113). If the good citizens of West Virginia do not object furiously, the PSC is very likely to approve the ludicrous increases proposed by Appalachian Power. I am also wondering why our state and national politicians are not being heard on this issue. If the cap and trade legislation is enacted by the U.S. Congress — and the PSC approves the Appalachian Power proposed rate increases — each West Virginia family is facing a potential cost increase of $400 or more per month on their power bill. In the words of Earl Pitts, “Wake Up America” — you gotta act to stop this idiocy!
Ed Chafin
Fort Gay
Letters to the Editor
May 29, 2009
Speak up about proposed rate hike
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