West Virginians are being asked to dig deeper into their pockets once again. The Public Service Commission recently approved another increase in electric rates for Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers. While the Commission rejected the utilities’ original request for a much larger increase, the average residential customer will still see their monthly electric bill rise over the next year.
That may not sound like much to some people, but for many families in West Virginia, every dollar matters. Our seniors on fixed incomes, young families trying to make ends meet, veterans, teachers, and working people are already facing higher costs for groceries, housing, insurance, and healthcare. Another increase in their electric bill is one more burden they shouldn’t have to carry.
What makes this especially frustrating is that West Virginia is one of America’s leading energy-producing states. We mine the coal, produce the natural gas, and generate the electricity that powers homes and businesses across the region. Yet the people who actually live here continue to struggle with rising utility costs. That should concern every elected official in Charleston.
For years, Republican leaders have promised to make West Virginia more affordable for working families. Instead, many residents feel like they’re falling further behind while utility costs continue to climb. The Public Service Commission made this decision, but the Legislature has a responsibility to examine whether our laws provide enough protection for consumers and whether monopoly utilities are being held sufficiently accountable. West Virginians deserve policies that prioritize affordability and transparency while ensuring reliable electric service.
No one expects utilities to operate without recovering legitimate costs. But there must also be a recognition that the people paying these bills are not an unlimited source of revenue. Every rate increase has real consequences for families already living paycheck to paycheck. West Virginia should be a place where producing America’s energy translates into affordable energy for the people who call this state home. Our citizens deserve nothing less.
Jason Armentrout
Fort Ashby
