CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Commission is continuing its fight against utility companies pushing for rate increases despite millions of dollars in savings from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the body is not alone.
The commission signed a letter at its Thursday meeting creating the Kanawha County and Cities Association, an ad hoc organization consisting of local bodies opposing proposed rate hikes by Appalachian Power and West Virginia American Water Company.
Both utility companies have requested to the state Public Service Commission an increase in rates despite millions in savings from the federal tax law passed in December. The PSC held hearings this week regarding the savings.
“We’ve written letters, we’ve complained before,” Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said. “I’ve been up there a time or two, but certainly not with this much venom. I have venom on this. This is just wrong.”
Members of the association include local entities such as the Kanawha Charleston Health Department and the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, the local governments of Dunbar, St. Albans and Smithers and Metro 911. The city councils of Charleston, Nitro and South Charleston are expected to vote on membership at upcoming council meetings.
Carper testified before the PSC about the issues with Appalachian Power’s proposal, which included how Kanawha County customers have repeatedly been without service.
“They have a $235 million windfall and then they ask for a rate increase, and meanwhile people are sitting in the dark and their food is spoiling,” he said. “They can’t understand why people aren’t happy with them.”
The PSC is expected to release its verdict on the rate increase next month.