TAZEWELL, Va. — With electric rates rising once again in Virginia, officials are bracing for a growing number of citizens who will need help keeping their homes warm this fall.
Appalachian Power received the go-ahead to raise its prices in Virginia by 7.7 percent last week to recover the money spent buying fuel for generating electricity. Two additional rate increases sought by the company are still pending with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
David Anderson, chairman of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, said he is extremely disappointed with the commission’s decision.
“It is just a shame,” Anderson said. “As a county, we cut our budget. We didn’t give increases to our people. We knew the cost of living was high. A lot of the private industries, and the private sector didn’t get raises.”
Anderson said a packed room of citizens and lawmakers from across Southwest Virginia spoke in opposition to the Appalachian Power rate increase last month during a public hearing in Wytheville. “To see the room filled, and then to still see a 7.7 percent increase is just disappointing,” he said.
Anderson said he spoke with Bluefield, Va., Mayor Don Harris, and with help from Ruth Groseclose in the county administration offices, the trio were able to compile a list of various groups and organizations that can provide heating and cooling assistance to residents of Tazewell County.
Anderson is making several recommendations for citizens who need help. They include:
• The Virginia Department of Social Services, which accepts applications from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November for fuel assistance. Anderson said the program will help with heating costs, but can also be used for furnace restarts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges and connection or reconnection fees. The benefits will be determined and authorized for deliveries for service and sent to vendors in December based on income.
Anderson said citizens must contact the Department of Social Services for information on income guidelines and the application process. The DSS also offers a Crisis Assistance Program to meet household emergency heating needs when no other resource is available. The DSS will accept applications for the program from Nov. 1 through March 15. The program includes a one-time only heat security deposit; a portable space heater for temporary use, a payment for emergency shelter and or heating equipment repair and assistance. The DSS office in Tazewell County can be reached at (276) 988-8500.
• Clinch Valley Community Action, which provides a weatherization program to assist low income families to help reduce energy loss such as attic insulation, heating system inspections and sidewall insulation along with heating equipment and repair. Anderson said the application process through the Department of Social services is Nov. 1 through March. CVCA also can provide a one-time annual assistance program for utility emergencies. The applications are based on need. The program also is administered through the Center for Christian Action in Pocahontas and at the Barnett Building in Richlands, according to the information compiled by Groseclose for Anderson and Harris. CVCA can be reached at (276)-988-5583.
• Appalachian Power’s Neighbor to Neighbor program is administered through the local Department of Social Services. Contributions to the program come from AEP customers to assist low-income citizens who may have trouble paying their electric bills.
• The Cumberland Plateau Planning Commission currently offers no fuel assistance programs, but does provide an indoor plumbing and rehabilitation program. The commission can be reached at (276) 889-1788.
• Project W.A.R.M., or Winter Assistance and Relief Program, through the Bluefield Union Mission. According to Anderson, donors give and contributions are used to help families heat their homes through the winter months based on need. The program starts After Dec. 1 when the cold months approach. The Bluefield Union Mission can be reached at (304) 327-8167.
– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
Local News
August 8, 2009
Agencies to offer heating cost help
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