Press Releases

GRIFFITH SENDS LETTER OPPOSING APCo RATE INCREASES

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released the following statement today regarding a recent letter sent to the Virginia State Corporation Commission opposing Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) rate increase requests:

“Over the past decade, APCo customers have seen their electricity rates increased by roughly 40 percent. Many families in Virginia are already struggling to make ends meet. Increasing electricity rates by 9.6 percent would only add to that financial stress. Hardworking families in Virginia should not have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. I urge the Commission to carefully weigh the impacts of a rate increase of this magnitude on Virginians.”

The full text of the letter follows below and is also attached in PDF form:

The Honorable Judith Williams Jagdmann

Chairman

Virginia State Corporation Commission

Post Office Box 1197

Richmond, Virginia 23218-1197

Dear Chairman Jagdmann:

I am writing regarding Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) recent rate increase requests, which were filed with the State Corporation Commission on March 31, 2011.  I respectfully urge the Commission to deny these requests and to resist similar rate hike proposals that may be submitted in the near future.

As you are aware, APCo’s submission of four rate requests would collectively raise electricity rates by 9.6 percent on Virginia customers beginning next year.  While I will continue to work to eliminate federal regulations that limit domestic energy production and lead to higher energy costs, I am conscious of the fact that APCo’s profit margins remain healthy.  Over the past decade, APCo customers have seen their electricity rates increased by roughly 40 percent -- a precipitous rise.  At a time of high gasoline prices, it would be unreasonable to add to the impact of rising energy costs, placing more financial stress on hardworking Virginians and their families.  I fear that Commission approval of APCo’s request could force some Virginians to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.  For these reasons, I trust the Commission will carefully weigh the real world impacts of such a rate increase on Virginians, particularly those Virginians who will attend and express their concerns at the regional public hearings.                                                                                 

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