By Greg Jordan, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power announced Friday that they had filed with the West Virginia Public Service Commission for a rate review application which would increase customers’ monthly electric bills by 17.61 percent, an increase of $28.72 if approved.
Commercial electric rates would increase by 14.53%, a sum of $60.41, according to a press release the power companies issued late Friday afternoon.
Officials with the power companies said their “ day-to-day operations are impacted by inflation, rising interest rates and higher maintenance costs.”
“As we navigate the challenges of increasing energy costs, we are committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity,” said Aaron Walker, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer. “We fully recognize the financial impact of rate increases on our customers and pledge to begin working immediately with stakeholders for solutions to mitigate the impact.”
