Appalachian Power is asking for a base-rate increase—here is what is proposed and how to comment

What Appalachian Power has asked regulators to approve

Appalachian Power’s current Virginia base-rate case is docketed as PUR-2026-00044. In filed testimony, the company asks the State Corporation Commission to authorize about $61.4 million in additional annual revenue, which it describes as a 3.3 percent increase.

The company estimates that a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would pay about $9.10 more each month if the request were approved as filed.

Those are applicant figures, not a final rate. The SCC’s proceeding is where the company’s evidence, other parties’ evidence and public testimony are examined.

The commission may approve, reject or modify the request. The practical first step for a household or business is to confirm whether Appalachian Power is the electric provider named on the bill; the case does not apply to every electricity customer in the region.

Two different ways to put a local experience in the record

The SCC lists a public-witness hearing for October 19 at 10 a.m. by telephone. People who want to testify must register by October 15.

Written comments in the case are also due October 15. Use case number PUR-2026-00044 and follow the commission’s current instructions rather than sending billing or account information through a public comment.

A useful comment can explain the monthly usage shown on recent bills, the effect of a proposed increase on a household or business budget, and any service or affordability fact that the commission should consider. Redact account numbers and private financial information.

A comment is part of the regulatory record; it is not a request for emergency bill assistance or a substitute for contacting the utility about an individual service problem.

• Check the provider name and average monthly kilowatt-hour use on your own bill.
• Label company estimates as proposals, not settled rates.
• Register to testify or submit a written comment by October 15.
• Keep account numbers, bank information and medical details out of the public filing.

What remains unknown

The final size and timing of any rate change remain undecided. Gretna Junction has not independently calculated a customer-specific bill, and the 1,000-kilowatt-hour example will not match every home or business.

Riders, taxes, usage and other bill components can also affect a customer’s total.

Readers should use the SCC docket and later final order for the decision. This explainer will be corrected if the commission changes the schedule or if the filed customer example is amended.