By Steven Allen Adams for The Intelligencer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Attorneys representing environmental and consumer advocacy groups questioned Monday the decision making by subsidiaries of Columbus-based American Electric Power regarding its coal supplies while the companies are seeking a cost recovery for its expenses.
Meanwhile, the companies are seeking a new base rate increase request through the Public Service Commission for the first time in six years.
The PSC held an evidentiary hearing and a public hearing Monday regarding a $20.4 million increase in Expanded Net Energy Cost (ENEC) rates and Vegetation Management Program rates for Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power requested in April.
The companies are seeking a $1.9 million decrease in ENEC rates for residential customers while seeking a $22.3 million increase for all other customers. The companies are also seeking a $1.2 million increase, or just under a 1% increase, for its Vegetation Management Program. According to AEP, residential customers would see a decrease in monthly bills of .47 cents, or -.27% – in September if both rate increases are approved.
The $20.4 million ENEC rate request is a 1.13% increase over total revenues. The last time the companies received an ENEC rate increase was September 2023, when the companies were allowed more than $321 million in ENEC rate increases over a 10-year period beginning in September.