Utilities Ask for Rate Increase

Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power have filed a request with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for a $114.6 million revenue increase. If passed, the request would raise rates in West Virginia by 7.85 percent, according to a news release from Appalachian Power. Residential customers would see an increase on their bills of about $14 per month. Commercial customers would see an increase of $42. A news release said about half of the requested increase is due to a significant decline is the amount of electricity used by customers, along with a need for infrastructure improvements.