Ohio County Commission Objects to Utility Rate Increases
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WHEELING -- Ohio County commissioners this week voiced their opposition to rate increases being proposed by both American Electric Power and Mountaineer Gas.
Both requests are pending before the West Virginia Public Service Commission, County Administrator Randy Russell told commissioners.
"This will be Mountaineer Gas's seventh rate increase in the last few years," he said. "In December of last year, they were awarded a 15% increase, and now they are asking for an additional 7.85% increase.
"We don't believe this is the right time for an additional burden on residents of Ohio County. We request your approval to launch an objection into both rate increases with the West Virginia Public Service Commission."
AEP and Wheeling Power, meanwhile, are requesting a collective rate increase of approximately $641.7 million.
"I am sensitive to businesses having to make a profit, but I think you have to be careful in cases like this where people aren't considering what's reasonable and responsible," Commission President Don Nickerson said. "I have an issue with those rate increases.
"It's unfortunate that people don't have a lot of options -- if any."
Solicitor Don Tennant noted that in the matter of the proposed AEP increase, Kanawha County commissioners intervened and led to a smaller $297 million rate increase being denied last year. The amount would have added about $20 to the average electric bill.
He noted the PSC has already determined AEP was at fault by not securing long-term agreements for coal and oil, and that led to a $640 million financial loss that they are now trying to recoup.
"We talk about that in these inflationary times what a bad time it is to put an additional (financial) burden on people. I feel strongly about that, and I am in favor of objecting (to the increase)," Nickerson said.
Commissioner Zach Abraham agreed.
"Knowing the history of the increases that have already been approved, I think the increases they are proposing now would be more burdensome," he said. "I would be supportive of not supporting an increase."
The public comment hearings regarding the proposed AEP increase will be held on Aug. 21 in Wheeling. Announcements with details about times and locations will be announced closer to that date, according to the PSC.
Meanwhile, the PSC determined last month that Mountaineer Gas's request needs further review.