Electricity, a basic necessity, is increasingly becoming unaffordable for many households in our nation. I am a low income single mother. I am blessed to own a single family home with a monthly mortgage. But I am concerned, and quiet frankly disgusted, with the unacceptable Appalachain Electric Power (AEP) increases that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) is allowing in the state of Virginia.

My AEP bills sky rocketed last winter. This winter, it is through the roof equaling 71% of my mortgage payment. This year, my bill has more than doubled the already sky rocketed amounts from last year. Again, my AEP bill is equal to 71% of my mortgage!  This is equivalent to having two mortgages to pay on a low income, just to keep power on my home.  In the past 2 months, my AEP bills total $2043 for a 1332 square foot single family home!  

The national average electric bill is $145/month.  Yet, here in VA, the bills have sky rocketed.  Why?

I went through the normal channels and AEP, of course, informed me that winter months are a greater demand and performed an inspection of my system.  Virginia's weather is always cold in the winter.  This is nothing new.  My equipment is functioning properly.  This inclined me to research further.

Despite AEP giving the above typical response to complaining customers, further research reveals that these increases are a result of rate increases.  Increases that somehow the SCC has deamed fair.  

Why is it fair to trickle down storm damage costs to the customers?  I own a business as well. I had storm damage myself. I did not trickle the cost of repairs down to my customers. I have insurance and, furthermore, this is simply part of doing business. 

What I haven't found in research, is an allocation or explanation of where these additional funds have been accounted for where storm damage is concerned.  Where is an accounting of AEP efforts and capitol material allegedly associated with these sky rocketing rates? Where have these millions in funds been applied? I have, however, found in numerous occasions, that the customers were the performing the storm clean up, not AEP.

My research also revealed that in the last two years AEP has received over $62.8 million in grant funds. Funds allocated on paper, for research.  I'm sure there are more grants, but these are the only ones I could locate publically.  Despite advancements in renewable energies and energy-efficient technologies, in addition to the above grant funds, consumers are still burdened by high electricity costs. This continuous rise in rates is negatively impacting living standards and exacerbating energy poverty.

In addition, I have spoken with many VA residents.  I would like to draw your attention to one incident in particular.  A resident owns a small hunting cabin.  He shut off the main breaker to the cabin.  He received a $300 electric bill.  AEP gave one of their typical responses that his equipment was faulty.  He hired an electrician to test his equipment.  His equipment was found to be in proper working order.  As a result, he has retained a lawyer.  This is unbelievable.  In addition to illegal charges, this resident has now been forced to expense funds to prove the facts.  How is the state of Virginia allowing this?  AEP is beyond unethical in every aspect and Virginia is allowing it.

I am astonished by these facts.  I cannot fathom how AEP or the SCC can defend any aspect of this.  So what is a common resident of the state left to do?  We must have power to survive.

I am aware that Senator Peake is attempting to pass legislation aimed at lowering AEP bills.  This is a move in the right direction, however, in the meantime, residents are forced to set up payment plans just to have power.  For me peronally, with over $2000 in the last two months, and more high rates to come, this is just a snow ball effect that will result in paying overpriced electrical bills throughout the year.  I am not alone.

We need immediate intervention from our policymakers. This petition urges the national authorities to step in and implement regulations to control the escalating electric rates. Together, we can make electricity affordable for all. Kindly sign this petition to demand a fair electricity pricing structure.

In addition, we are pleading for some restitution. I am literally, slowly, losing my home due to electric bills. How can the SCC or the state allow this.  Again, the national average electric bill is $145. We are pleading for national assistance in this matter.