RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia legislators continue to put pressure on Appalachian Power Company (APCo) to address the ongoing issue of high rates for electricity, this time asking for assistance from the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
State Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell County, has joined two of his colleagues in sending a letter to the commission seeking answers to questions about what steps can be taken to possibly revoke the company’s franchise.
“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. 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.”
The letter, which is also signed by State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, and Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, said APCo has not cooperated in finding solutions.
“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. No more. We look forward to receiving answers from the State Corporation Commission and acting on that information in the days ahead.”
The letter said Appalachian Power’s rates have increased 70 percent since 2007.
Hackworth recently introduced a bill that would have given APCo customers options on choosing providers if rates increased above a threshold that was not in line with other providers’ rates. But it failed to advance out of committee.
However, a bill co-sponsored by Del. James W. “Will” Morefield, R-Tazewell County, that would stop any rate increases at least until March 2026 is expected to pass House and Senate and go to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.
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