By Curtis Tate, West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Appalachian Power’s president says a bill in the state Senate could raise electric bills for residents.
Aaron Walker, Appalachian Power’s president and operating chief, says the company will follow the policy path the legislature chooses, but that Senate Bill 505 could raise costs.
A coalition of nonprofits and solar companies strongly opposes Appalachian Power's (AEP) proposed rate increase, saying it would directly harm West Virginians by undermining rooftop solar adoption and penalizing ratepayers. The proposal, currently under review by the Public Service Commission, not only increases rates across the board, but it would also directly limit all customers’ ability to benefit from solar panels on their rooftops.
One of West Virginia's major utilities, Appalachian Power, is proposing a more than 13% rate hike, along with cuts to its current net metering rate for solar users.
Residents' monthly bills have already jumped more than $40 since 2019.
