Virginia senators ask SCC to help public with high power bills
richmond, va. — Three Virginia senators are urging the State Corporation Commission to answer questions regarding the increasingly high bills their constituents have to pay each month for electricity.
Senator Travis Hackworth, R-District 5, Senator Todd E. Pillion, R-District 6 and Senator William M. Stanley, R-District 7 sent a letter this week to the State Corporation Commission about high monthly power bills. The senators issued a joint statement.
'Out of utter frustration over the lack of responsiveness by Appalachian Power Company to chronically high rates, we sent a joint letter to the State Corporation Commission today,' the senators said in a letter to the Virginia SCC. 'In this letter, we are asking for answers to questions about how to revoke APCO's monopoly franchise or block their ability to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We've heard from thousands of our constituents about their ever-increasing power bills and the lack of options to find economic relief.'
Hackworth represents Tazewell County in the Virginia Senate.
The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reached out to Appalachian Power about the senators' concerns.
'We are very disappointed in the inaccurate statements being made while our employees are working in the field around the clock to restore power to our Virginia neighbors following Winter Storm Harlow,' said Karen E. Wissing, communications consultant for Appalachian Power. 'As a company that has proudly served the Commonwealth of Virginia for over a century, our workforce is comprised of men and women born and raised here who want the best for their families, friends, and neighbors.
'Working with the legislature, we have made significant progress toward finding real solutions that bring relief to our customers, and we will continue to do so,' Wissing said. 'We recognize some of our customers are struggling with bills now and need immediate support. We encourage those in need to reach out to us directly at 1-800-956-4237 or via Facebook as soon as possible.'
The senators asked the State Corporation Commission to answer their questions in an effort to address the electric bills their constituents pay.
'During our numerous attempts to find solutions that work for all parties, APCO has not only failed to provide solutions, but they have also insulted the lived experiences of their customers and attempted to convince us all that the problem lies with our overuse of electricity,' the senators added in their letter. 'No more. We look forward to receiving answers from the State Corporation Commission and acting on that information in the days ahead.'
The senators asked the Commission to answer the following questions to help inform future legislative efforts:
1. Is it possible to remove or revoke Appalachian Power Company's monopoly franchise license or ability to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia?
2. Does the authority for such a revocation rest with the Commission or the Virginia General Assembly or both?
3. Is there any precedent in Virginia for the revocation of the monopoly franchise of any public service company?
4. If such a revocation is possible, what are the requirements and steps necessary to begin the process to remove the company's ability to operate in Virginia, including the timing and most importantly the cost. The cost to APCO customers and the cost or current value of the company if its interests in Virginia are able to be sold?
5. Under what circumstances can a revocation of a public utility's franchise typically happen?
A. During such a process, how would customers be served and can a moratorium on shut-offs be in place until such time that a new monopoly franchise be put in place?
B. Could an electric cooperative be set up on a temporary or permanent basis or would the service territory be available for purchase by another investor-owned utility?
C. Would customers of APCO's service territory be required to pay for any of the company's assets or incur any other 'stranded costs?'
6. Are there alternatives the Commission sees as opportunities to address the extreme customer service deficiencies we are experiencing?
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
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