This week we’ve been giving extensive coverage to APCO’s rates including the new law that did away with the power company’s interim rate increase.
WSLS Reporter Scott Leamon also uncovered information that Virginia customers are actually paying more for one thousand kilowatt usage than APCO customers in other states. I want to give Scott kudos. He did a great job on this story. And, I know it’s important to you, as I have gotten a lot of emails and phone calls from viewers complaining about their bills.
I’ve also spent a lot of time this week talking with APCO officials about the reasons behind our higher bills. They have plenty of explanations, but the bottom line is this: Virginians are paying more. It’s just that simple. And, we’re likely to pay even more when APCO’s rate increase request is considered by the SCC.
All of this is understandably frustrating to the consumer. It’s easy to feel helpless, completely at the mercy of APCO.
But, you know, you’re not. The interim rate was done away with because Virginians complained to their elected officials. Almost all of our leaders got an earful from irate APCO customers. And it worked. The General Assembly started holding hearings and proposing legislation that APCO felt would hurt the company. As a result, we got a brief reprieve from the rate increase.
Now, the SCC is considering the 12.5% rate increase request. And there’s still time for your voice to be heard again. The public comment period will last through next Wednesday. We’ve posted a link to the SCC’s website, where you can e-mail a comment, on wsls.com. Just look under On Air Links.
Posted by Jay Warren at 12:18 AM. Filed under: main •
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Posted by ( Bill ) on February 25, 2010 at 9:28 am
Jay,
Thank you for your investigated reporting on APCO. I know you listed the average price for 1000 KWH but I have a question. Does this include the fuel cost and what determines this cost, how do we know this is not being inflated? We also have a transmission service charge, a distribution charge, an enviromental & realiability cost recovery surcharge and the local taxes(VA electric consumers tax & local consumers tax) we pay. There is a lot of room to hide money in this type of bill. In comparison, this is like buying a car for a set price and then before you drive off the lot you must pay for a set of tires, a radio, and let me add in an engine surcharge. As I have said a lot of room to hide money. Maybe it is time for an electrical service overhaul for Virginia.
Thanks,
Bill
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