It could be election year political maneuvering or a rare
occasion of concern for Virginia’s utility “customers” by the Attorney General
(AG), Ken Cuccinelli. On Wednesday, the AG claimed that his job is to make sure
that Virginia’s utility customers pay no more than the law dictates.[1]
Cuccinelli’s public announcement came as a result of
Appalachian Power Co.’s efforts to “recover” $33.3 million in disputed
environmental costs. A decision by the Virginia Supreme Court is expected in
early November.[2]
Despite the upcoming ruling, Virginia regulators already
ruled that Appalachian Power was not entitled to recover the costs from
customers.
Appalachian Power Co.’s efforts to extract $33.3 million
from Virginia’s taxpayers also comes after the State Corporation Commission
approved the utility company’s request in June to increase the amount it
charges customers to recover fuel costs.[3]
On average, the rate increase on the monthly bill of a residential customer
using 1,000 kilowatts of electricity is close to $7.56.
Thus, Appalachian Power isn’t hurting financially in
Virginia, but the company wants to add to its net revenues at the expense of
Virginians regardless.
In Virginia, there needs to be a rebalancing in the
relationship between utility and customer. At present, it is arguable that
Virginia’s utilities usually receive the greatest political favor and the long
end of the stick in financial disputes. But Virginia’s utilities are supposed
to serve the power needs of Virginians, not the other way around.
There can be an environment where Virginia’s utilities are
rewarded for their important services while leaving Virginians with a few extra
disposable dollars to spend on things besides energy. That situation might
arise when Virginia’s politicians learn that these utilities need us as much as
we need them.
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