UPDATE
UPDATE
The AEP base rate case has been REFILED!
The AEP base rate case was refiled on November 1st. The West Virginia Public Service Commission has delayed the rates taking effect until August of 2025 to give customers and interveners more time to understand the proposal, intervene, make comments, and litigate. Some members of WV4EF have already intervened in the case in order to litigate.
Under the proposal, there would be an overall bill increase of up to $23.74 per month, or approximately 13.5%, for a residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month. The average West Virginia residential customer uses 1,123 kWh per month.
AEP also has introduced a proposal to spread out the cost over time, which would reduce the monthly impact, but it would last longer. It may be that the overall cost would be reduced under this proposal, as well. Some of our members are hard at work evaluating the details.
In addition, the proposal makes solar far less affordable for aspiring solar panel owners, slashing the “net metering” credit for excess energy produced, by about 2/3.
We are continuing to work through the proposal to understand more about what AEP is asking for and will update you as more facts become available. We expect to take action and fight against any rate hikes and net metering threats soon and will alert you when new actions need to be taken.
You can read more about an earlier-filed version of this case below.
What happened?
On Friday, August 2, 2024, AEP’s West Virginia utilities, Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power, filed the initial documents to increase rates for most, if not all, of their customers. The paperwork filed on that day describes the impact of the proposal to how rates work for the customers. It did not, however, give any reasoning for why AEP believes that the Public Service Commission (PSC) should approve their request. The case number for the case is 24-0669–E-42T.
The PSC rejected this initial filing, citing the lack of information from AEP. AEP refiled on November 1st with a different proposal for rate increases citing inflation, higher material and labor costs, rising capital costs, higher interest rates, and storm cost recovery as well as capital improvements in service and delivery.
Because of the complexity of the case, the PSC moved the hearing date to August 2025. This was designed to give more time for customers and interveners to obtain more information and prepare testimony.
What comes next?
The exact timeline is not set in stone, but this is likely to be an approximate timeline:
First Quarter, 2025
There are gaps in explanations for what they are proposing. Organizations that intervene (“The Parties”) can ask questions and request missing information to fill in the gaps. (Several members of WV4EF are often parties in PSC cases).
Second Quarter, 2025
The Parties can offer their own testimony proposing changes to the rate impacts and changes to how programs work.
Late Second Quarter/Early Third Quarter, 2025
The expert witnesses are cross-examined by lawyers for all parties in the case. Public comments can be submitted until there is a decision in the case, but within a few weeks after the hearing, it will be harder to influence the outcome of the case. Some cases are able to be settled either before or after the hearing, but before the PSC makes a decision.
August, 2025
The PSC decides on the case and the rates go into effect.
What can I do to make my voice heard in the case?
Comments are already being submitted to the PSC. You can file a written protest by contacting the West Virginia Public Service Commission at P.O. Box 812, Charleston, W.Va. 25323 or visit psc.state.wv.us for more information.
West Virginians for Energy Freedom will also be coordinating actions in the coming months. To make your voice heard, you can:
Tell Your Story
Tell your story about how this rate increase will affect you!
Sign up for WV4EF emails
We will keep you updated with the latest information.
MAKE COMMENTS
Make comments on the case after the testimony comes in and we have more information about the case. Our supporters expect us to have accurate and complete information before weighing in on a proposal and we take that duty seriously.
Speak with US
Speak with a WV4EF staff member about becoming active.
Interested in having a training about energy freedom and rate increases to your area?
Want to write a letter to the local newspaper?
Want to host a protest?
Want to put up a billboard about electric rates?
Let’s talk. You can sign up for a time to speak with our coalition staff by emailing info@energyfreedomwv.org. We want to help you accomplish your goals to bring more energy freedom to West Virginia. We need to all work together to fight the powerful interests that cause our bills to keep going up!