PSC lowers electric rates for Mon Power and Potomac Edison - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

PSC lowers electric rates for Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers

CHARLESTON -

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia issued an order Dec. 17 reducing the Expanded Net Energy Cost rates for Monongahela Power Company (Mon Power) and Potomac Edison Company (PE) customers by more than $65 million, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

A residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month will experience a decrease on their monthly bill of approximately $4.80. Average residential use is about 1,200 kWh.

Mon Power and PE asked the commission not to implement the rate decrease pending the outcome of a separate matter -- the proposed transfer of ownership of about 80 percent of ownership of the Harrison power station to Mon Power -- that may cause rates to increase.

The commission instead decided that, in consideration of the challenging economic circumstances that West Virginia ratepayers have faced in recent years, the continuing and escalating annual rate increases over the last six years and the onset of the winter heating season, that it was in the public interest to lower the electric rates of Mon Power and PE as soon as possible.

Mon Power and PE serve approximately 520,000 customers in thirty-seven West Virginia counties.

More information may be obtained by accessing the Commission website, www.psc.state.wv.us, and referencing case number 12-1238-E-GI