Melissa French keeps the doors of her home closed, unplugs electrical devices when she isn’t using them and has even installed a new heat pump — all in an effort to lower her monthly electric bill from Appalachian Power.
“We have done everything in our house possible to try to cut the rates back,” French, a Bland County resident, said Monday.
Nonetheless, she said, her bill continues to go up. French was one of 11 people who spoke during a virtual public hearing as Virginia’s State Corporation Commission considers Appalachian’s latest request to raise its customers’ rates.
“I think their rates are outrageous and something should be done about it,” French said. The SCC, which regulates electric utilities in Virginia, took public witness testimony during a hearing styled much like a court case, with a judge and attorneys for various stakeholders present at the virtual meeting.
In March, Appalachian asked state regulators for permission to increase its annual revenue by $95.1 million, or 5.1%, and increase its return on equity — essentially, its profit margin — from 9.5% to 10.8%. The company said it needs the additional money to pay for investments, including making its service more reliable.