Home » For low-cost electricity, Virginia needs renewable energy — not gas plants

For low-cost electricity, Virginia needs renewable energy — not gas plants

Southwest Virginia leaders are up in arms over electricity rate hikes. It’s understandable: Appalachian Power, which serves residents in 34 counties, has raised rates by over 46% since July 2021, and its rates now rank among the state’s highest. Last March, it sought another increase that would have resulted in residents paying $10.22 more per […]

An Appalachian Power Company substation. (Photo by Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)
Southwest Virginia leaders are up in arms over electricity rate hikes. It’s understandable: Appalachian Power, which serves residents in 34 counties, has raised rates by over 46% since July 2021, and its rates now rank among the state’s highest. Last March, it sought another increase that would have resulted in residents paying $10.22 more per month on average. Although the State Corporation Commission’s November ruling granted APCo a much smaller rate hike, customers are raising a ruckus about the high bills.

ComplaintshavereachedsuchafeverpitchthatDel.JamesMorefield,aRepublicanwhorepresentspartsoffivesouthwestVirginiacounties,filedlegislationthismonthtocaptheratesAPCocancharge.Over