Opinion by Courtney MacDonald
In the face of customer complaints about rising costs, Appalachian Power recently defended its proposed rate increase. As expected, the company assured readers that it prioritizes customer care. But at the same time, its proposal directly limits all customers’ ability to benefit from solar panels on their own rooftops.
Opinon
By Gary Zuckett
Executive Director, WV Citizen Action
The op-ed recently published in the Gazette-Mail by Chris Hamilton hails coal-fired electricity as poised to meet anticipated growing demand, while Attorney General JB McCuskey claims that coal and gas are the most reliable and cost-effective energy sources. However, these assertions neglect the financial realities that West Virginia's ratepayers face, the health and legacy costs of fossil resource extraction and consumption, as well as the opportunities presented by renewable energy. Mr Hamilton’s opinions go along well with his position as head of the WV Coal Association. I’m not sure why our incoming AG feels a need to pick winners and losers in the energy marketplace.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for next June on Appalachian Power Company’s request for a 14 percent increase in its base rate that could up the average customer’s power bill by $24 a month.
Energy Efficient West Virginia Policy Director Emmett Pepper, who is also a member of Charleston City Council, has reviewed the proposal. He said the utility said it could spread out the increase over a number of years.
The West Virginia Public Service Commission has set a mid-June evidentiary hearing date in a big power company rate case, and commissioners approved a major regional grocery store chain’s request to intervene because of how its costs could be affected.
A Letter to the Editor from
Jim Kotcon, Chair
WV Chapter of Sierra Club
Thank you for David Beard’s article regarding the Dec. 9 testimony from PJM to the WV Legislature regarding the reliability of our electric grid. It is certainly true that rising electricity demands, especially from large “data centers,” combined with closing existing electric generating plants creates concern about the reliability of our electric grid.
