West Virginians rally against power rate hikes, solar net metering cuts

CHARLESTON, W.Va, (WCHS) — Before Tuesday night’s PSC hearing, West Virginians spoke out in protest against Appalachian Power’s proposed plans which could include rate hikes and slashes to net metering.

“The case in front of us right now includes rate increases as well as slashing the value of solar and collectively that is just absolutely not in the best interest of West Virginians,” Solar Holler marketing and communications director, Heather Ransom said.

AEP has requested 224 million in additional revenue to what they have already received. With this they’re asking for the PSC to accept their proposal to securitize, which they said is a financing tool that can be looked at like financing a home.

“It’s going to allow us to take a lot of our assets and sell bonds to investors. That way, we’re alleviating the cost pressure on our customers and working with investors to actually sell bonds for 20-year terms and lower the cost of this rate increase,” AEP spokesperson Karen Wissing said.

AEP said if the PSC does not approve this proposal, a $24 increase could go to customers instead of an $8 increase.

“The decision will be made before the end of the period that’s been suspended for 270 days. I think the suspension period ends in late September,” director of PSC consumer advocate division, Robert Williams said.

Changes to solar power are being looked at as well, rising concerns from people who said going “off grid” would be even harder if these changes are implemented.

“Right now, our non-solar customers are paying distribution fees, transmission fees, they’re paying fees that our solar customers are not having to pay. So by making this change, we are making it more equitable for our solar customers and our non-solar customers to both receive power,” Wissing said.

Net metering is a system which could be impacted, which is a process where people who use solar energy can send their extra power back to the grid, earning credits for how much electricity they’ve added.

“For folks who are interested in going solar, right now the value of that is what we call retail rate. They’re compensated fully for the energy they send back to the grid and if AEP gets their way, that will be slashed by 70%. So it’s not just a little,” Ransom said.

AEP encourages customers to reach out if they have any concerns.