HUNTINGTON â The Cabell County Commission voted to send two letters to the West Virginia Public Service regarding rate increase requests at two utility companies.
All three commissioners â Jim Morgan, Nancy Cartmill and Kelli Sobonya â approved the letters, which protest possible rate increases at West Virginia American Water and American Electric Power, at their Thursday meeting.
Both letters are addressed to Public Service Commission Chairman Charlotte R. Lane. The letter regarding West Virginia American Water says the proposed rate would add an average of $11.26 to customerâs bills, meaning an extra $330 a year.
âThis pandemic is being blamed for a rise in cost of everything from gas to food to building materials,â the letter said. âAn increase in utility bills is just going to further hurt our constituents and their families in already trying times.â
CHARLESTON â West Virginia American Waterâs request for water and wastewater rate increases has drawn the ire of local residents and officials.
The Kanawha County Commission and members of Charleston City Council are among those objecting to West Virginia Americanâs rate hike requests filed April 30 with state utility regulators.
The company is seeking an additional $40.8 million in annual revenue for water and wastewater operations combined, 26.1% more than the companyâs current rates.
County Commission President Kent Carper weighed in on West Virginia Americanâs request for the rate hike during the commissionâs meeting Thursday.
âIt is easy to sit here and complain as utility companies just recklessly, unfairly raise peopleâs rates,â Carper said. âBut in this case, itâs just true.â
HUNTINGTON â The Cabell County Commission will discuss letters regarding utility rate increases at its Thursday meeting.
According to the agenda for the meeting, the letters are about rate increases from West Virginia American Water and AEP. Commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at the Cabell County Courthouse.
Another agenda item is the commitment of funds for the Cabell-Huntington-Wayne Home Investment Trust Fund. This topic was recently discussed at a Huntington City Council meeting. Council members approved a resolution of commitment on Monday.
Cabell County Commissioners are also expected to discuss purchasing a parking lot near 4 1/2 Alley and 7th Street. The agenda includes an executive session regarding opioid litigation.
CHARLESTON â West Virginia American Water has proposed water and wastewater rate increases that would result in a bill increase of $11.26 per month for the average residential water customer.
The largest investor-owned water utility in West Virginia filed rate requests with the stateâs utility regulators Friday seeking an additional $40.8 million in annual revenue for water and wastewater operations combined, 26.1% more than the companyâs current rates.
The average monthly residential sewer bill would jump from $54.14 to $71.84.
âThatâs a pretty substantial increase,â said Robert Williams, director of the Consumer Advocate Division of the state Public Service Commission, an independent arm of the commission that represents the interests of utility customers.