I am writing to urge immediate government intervention regarding Appalachian Power’s (a subsidiary of AEP) continuous rate hikes and excessive fees imposed on West Virginia residents. The lack of competition in our state allows this monopoly to raise electricity costs unchecked, burdening customers with unsustainable bills.
Excessive Fees Beyond Actual Electricity Usage
Recent evidence from an itemized Appalachian Power bill reveals a shocking reality:
• Out of an $800 bill, only $200 accounted for actual electricity usage.
• The remaining $600 was composed of vague “riders,” surcharges, and unexplained fees that Appalachian Power does not openly disclose on standard customer bills.
• These charges include the Environmental Compliance Surcharge, Energy Efficiency/Demand Response Cost Recovery Rider, Vegetation Management Surcharge, Business Ready Site Program, Broadband Surcharge, and multiple rate relief surcharges—none of which are clearly explained to customers.
This practice is deceptive and predatory, effectively hiding the true cost of electricity while inflating customer bills with unexplained charges.
Frequent and Unreasonable Rate Hikes
• In January 2025, Appalachian Power implemented yet another rate increase.
• The company is already requesting another 14.1% rate hike, totaling $250.5 million, despite West Virginians struggling to afford the last increase. West Virginia Rate Review
• The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) has temporarily suspended the request until May 2025, but this is only a temporary delay—not a solution. [PSC Suspends Appalachian Power Rate Increase Until May 2025 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting : West Virginia Public Broadcasting]
The Impact on West Virginia Residents
• 18% of West Virginians live in poverty, well above the national average.
• The state’s median income is $20,000 below the national average, making these increases even more harmful.
• Many residents are now paying $800–$1,000 per month for electricity, a completely unsustainable cost.
Call for Government Action
The government must take action to protect West Virginians from these unfair practices by:
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Investigating Appalachian Power’s Billing Practices – A full audit should be conducted to analyze their “rider” fees and ensure transparency.
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Capping Rate Increases – Regulatory limits should be placed on how often and how much Appalachian Power can raise rates.
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Requiring Clearer Billing Statements – Customers should have full visibility into their charges, with explanations of all added fees.
West Virginians cannot afford to continue being gouged by a monopoly that exploits its position as the sole electricity provider. The current situation is unsustainable, and we need immediate action to protect consumers from excessive fees and endless rate hikes.