Appalachian Power files for 11 percent Virginia rate hike to support recovery of transmission costs
In its first rate change sought since 2017, Appalachian Power has filed for a rate hike with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to recover electric transmission costs.
The filing would increase Appalachian’s authorized Transmission Rate Adjustment Clause by $122.6 million to cover transmission services, fees, and new construction. These efforts are being undertaken to improve grid reliability and to support expected growth in renewables use. This would put the new total at $337.7 million, resulting in an average residential monthly bill increase of $11.52 effective as of July 2021.
Appalachian Power, which supports 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee, currently supplies around 31,000 MW of generating capacity throughout the region, including 5,200 MW of renewable energy. This month’s filing was pushed to cover increases in Network Integration Transmission Service charges administered by PJM, the independent regional transmission organization for 13 states in that region.
It will also provide cover for an anticipated decline in revenues for Appalachian’s base rate charges.
