By Shelby Burrough
Community members came out on Monday to voice their concerns regarding American Electric Power's proposed price hikes at a public hearing.
The proposed rate case at this meeting was regarding AEP asking for $20.4 million to expand its net energy costs beginning Sept. 1.
However, people came out to the meeting today to express their ongoing disapproval of the rate hikes discussed within the past few months.
On Aug. 2, the rate hike proposed would increase residential rates up to 17%, which for most would mean adding $28 to their bill each month.
Wes Holden was among those who attended the meeting to voice his concerns.
"What really has me upset is, for too long West Virginia consumers have felt the boot of AEP on their necks, squeezing out more and more money from us," Holden said.
Holden said he opposes the rate hikes AEP has asked for because his electric bill has grown a large amount in just the past 10 years.
"When you check out the record, billions in profit, the gross billions in profit that they make, why do West Virginia residents have to pay for their mistake?" Holden said.
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