Dear Friends and Neighbors and Fellow West Virginians,

Are you tired of being taken advantage of by Potomac Edison? You’re not alone! For far too long, this West Virginia power company has been exploiting its customers with outrageous rates and billing practices. Imagine receiving a power bill that costs more than your monthly rent—over $1,200! This is the harsh reality for many families in our community, and it’s time we put a stop to it.

I, too, am experiencing this struggle firsthand. As a resident of West Virginia, I have spoken with hundreds of residents in Berkeley and Jefferson counties alone, and I’ve heard their heart-wrenching stories. I’ve read countless posts and comments from fellow residents detailing similarly frustrating, abusive, and even illegal practices by both Potomac Edison and the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The stories are consistent and alarming, and they highlight a systemic failure to protect consumers.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, it seems no attorney is willing to take up this fight. Therefor, as a current law student, I am ready and able to advocate for our community because someone needs to make our voices heard. The state has failed us for years, allowing Potomac Edison to continue this cycle of exploitation. It’s time to demand change and relief for our residents!

That’s why I am launching this petition calling on the Governor of West Virginia, and MANY other elected officials and Government Agencies to take action. We need a thorough investigation into Potomac Edison and the West Virginia Public Service Commission to hold them accountable for their failures, their blatant actions and their practices.  We Deserve Fairness and OPTIONS! My petition will be sent to key decision-makers, including:

✅ The Governor of West Virginia
✅ Berkeley and Jefferson County Commissioners
✅ Members of the West Virginia State Senate and House
✅ Individual Local Senators and Delegates
✅ The Federal Trade Commission
✅ The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
✅ Our Federal Senators and Congressmen

But I can’t do this alone! I need YOUR help to make our voices heard. Here’s how you can take action:

SIGN the petition to show your support for accountability and fair treatment.

SHARE this post with your friends, family, and local groups. The more people we reach, the stronger our message will be!

COMMENT below with your experiences and thoughts. Your stories matter and will help us advocate for change.

Together, we can stand up against unfair practices and demand that our state officials take action. Let’s unite for a brighter, fairer future for all West Virginians!

💪 SIGN THE PETITION NOW! 💪

📜 Read the letter below that will be sent to all governing bodies and officials. 📜

Thank you for your support! Let’s make our voices heard! 📢

#PotomacEdison #ConsumerRights #WestVirginia #Accountability #FairRates #TakeAction 

 

Letter to Governor Morrisey:

February 9, 2025

Hon. Patrick Morrisey
Office of the Governor
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Charleston, WV 25305

Dear Governor Morrisey,

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned citizen of West Virginia, compelled to bring to your attention a pressing issue that has been affecting countless residents across our state. The actions and practices of Potomac Edison, our only power provider, have escalated to a level of unaccountability that is not only alarming but also intolerable. As our elected leader, I implore you to take immediate action to hold Potomac Edison accountable and demand that the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) fulfill its vital duty to protect the residents of our state from these unfair and exploitative practices.

My personal experience with Potomac Edison has been both frustrating and infuriating. In 2021, I left my home for three months for training, ensuring that all electrical appliances were unplugged and the main power was turned off at the breaker. Despite these precautions, I was shocked to receive power bills exceeding $300 each month during my absence—while no one was living in the house and no power was being consumed. This experience was not just an anomaly; it was the beginning of a long struggle against a utility company that appears to operate without regard for its customers’ rights or well-being.

When I reached out to Potomac Edison for an explanation, I was met with silence and threats of disconnection if I did not pay the bill. I subsequently contacted the West Virginia Public Service Commission, the very agency tasked with regulating Potomac Edison and safeguarding the interests of consumers. After they intervened, I was informed that Potomac Edison deemed the bill to be correct, and my complaint was closed without further investigation. To this day, I have not received a satisfactory answer or a refund for the unjust charges levied against me.

Upon my return, the exorbitant charges continued unabated. Determined to get to the bottom of this perplexing situation, I decided to conduct my own investigation. I turned off the main breaker in my house and went outside to monitor the electrical meter. To my disbelief, I observed that the meter continued to tick and register power consumption, despite the breaker being off. This blatant discrepancy not only raised my suspicions, but it also indicated a serious problem that needed to be addressed.

Concerned about this disturbing anomaly, I contacted Potomac Edison once again, requesting that they send a technician to my home during a time when I would be present. I wanted to demonstrate the issue firsthand so that they could witness the malfunctioning meter and understand the basis for my complaint. Potomac Edison assured me that they would reach out to schedule a visit. However, instead of honoring this request, they sent a technician to my home without notifying me. I was not present when the technician arrived, and upon my return, I discovered that the technician had replaced my meter with a new one—without my knowledge or consent.

When I contacted Potomac Edison to inquire about this unauthorized change, they admitted that a technician had come to my home and replaced the meter. The implications of this action are deeply troubling. By replacing the meter, Potomac Edison effectively removed the evidence that could have substantiated my claims against their faulty billing practices. This was not merely an oversight; it was a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth and evade accountability for their actions. Such behavior is not only unethical but also raises serious legal concerns regarding consumer rights and protections.

Despite contacting the public service commission about this egregious behavior by Potomac Edison, a clear attempt to cover up their deeds to make it impossible for me as a consumer to prove my case and demand a refund that is legally and rightfully owed to me for months and years of over billing. The public service commission Told me that unfortunately there was nothing they could do to help me, as the meter had already been removed. The public service commission is the agency of the state tasked with intervening in situations like this and protecting the rights of myself and other consumers from companies like Potomac Edison. This is not only an unacceptable answer and response from a government agency passed with these duties, but it is also downright Infuriating and embarrassing for the state. That should never be the answer from a consumer protection agency.

The situation is made even more alarming by the fact that many residents throughout Berkeley County and beyond share similar experiences. A simple search through community forums reveals countless stories of frustration, confusion, and despair as individuals attempt to navigate the opaque billing practices of Potomac Edison. Many residents have filed complaints with the PSC, only to receive inadequate responses or no relief at all. This lack of action has left us feeling powerless and abandoned by the very institutions that are supposed to protect us.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission is tasked with regulating utility companies and ensuring that fair pricing practices are upheld. However, during my time as a resident of West Virginia, I have yet to witness a single instance where the PSC has denied Potomac Edison’s requests for rate increases. Instead, these requests have been granted without any substantial justification or consideration for the financial burden they impose on residents. As a result, we are left with power bills that routinely exceed $600 to $1200 per month—costs that often surpass our rent and leave many families struggling to make ends meet. This is not just a financial strain; it is a violation of our rights as consumers. No utility bill should ever cost as much or more than someone monthly rent. There is no excuse for that.

The argument that extreme weather conditions justify these staggering increases is fundamentally flawed. Across the nation, we see that cold winters and hot summers do not lead to such drastic spikes in energy bills. My experiences living in states like New York, North Carolina, and Florida, where energy costs are high but manageable, highlight the absurdity of Potomac Edison’s pricing strategies. In New York, where energy costs are notoriously high, my bills never exceeded $250 - $300 a month—even during the harshest winters. In North Carolina and Florida, I experienced similar rates, regardless of the extreme temperatures. The reality is that we are being taken advantage of by a monopoly that operates without accountability.

Furthermore, Potomac Edison offers their “budget plan“, which is meant to appear to be an economy plan to assist consumers with high bills by leveling out their bills to a manageable amount per month. I myself was on that budget plan in the hopes that it would assist me, however, the bills were still $600-$800 per month. I got myself off of that budget plan, because a thorough review of my bill showed that the budget amount I was being charged each month was in fact higher than what my actual usage was for the month. That is not a budget plan, that is a company that is out of control with its prices, and taking advantage of West Virginians.

As you are aware, the monopoly laws in our state, as well as federal regulations, exist to protect consumers from unjust practices. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 is one of the most significant pieces of federal legislation aimed at curbing monopolistic behavior. Specifically, Section 1 of the Act prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies in restraint of trade, while Section 2 prohibits monopolization or attempts to monopolize any part of interstate commerce. Furthermore, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 strengthens these provisions by addressing specific practices that may lead to anticompetitive behavior, including price discrimination and exclusive dealings.

In the context of Potomac Edison’s practices, we must consider whether their pricing strategies constitute a violation of these federal laws. The high and unjust rates imposed on residents, coupled with the lack of competition in the West Virginia energy market, raise significant concerns about whether Potomac Edison is engaging in practices that stifle competition and harm consumers. The West Virginia Antitrust Act, found in Chapter 47 of the West Virginia Code, prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies that unreasonably restrain trade or commerce. This state law complements federal statutes and provides a framework for holding monopolies accountable for their actions.

In light of these legal precedents, I urge you to take immediate action to investigate the practices of Potomac Edison and the failures of the Public Service Commission. We need a thorough examination of the company’s billing practices, as well as an assessment of the PSC’s regulatory effectiveness. It is essential that we hold Potomac Edison accountable for its actions and demand transparency in its operations.

Additionally, we must explore avenues for increasing competition in our energy market. The lack of alternatives leaves residents vulnerable to exploitation, and it is crucial that we consider reforms that would promote fair competition and protect consumers from monopolistic practices.

Governor Morrisey, the residents of West Virginia deserve fair rates, transparent billing practices, and a utility company that respects its customers. The time has come for you to take a stand against these injustices. We need your leadership now more than ever to ensure that Potomac Edison is held accountable and that the Public Service Commission fulfills its mandate to protect the citizens of our great state.

Times are tough enough for our residents, without having to deal with the financial strain of an out of control and unchecked power company that is both unregulated (despite what PSC says they are there to do) and is taking advantage of the resident of West Virginia, your constituents. The time for change has come. We deserve and demand fair pricing, accountability and power options. Potomac Edison should not and cannot be allowed to continue as the only power company option in West Virginia.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing meaningful action taken to protect the residents of West Virginia from the unfair practices of Potomac Edison.

Sincerely,

Antonio Ibarra 

CC:
Hon. Randy Smith - WV State Senate President
Hon. Patricia Rucker - WV State Senator (Jefferson County)
Hon. Jason Barrett - WV State Senator (Berkeley County)
Hon. Tom Willis - WV State Senator (Berkeley County)
Hon. Roger Hanshaw - WV Speaker of the House
Hon. George Miller - WV Delegate - District 90
Hon. Ian Masters - WV Delegate - District 91
Hon. Michael Hite - WV Delegate - District 92
Hon. Michael Homby - WV Delegate - District 93
Hon. Larry D. Kump - WV Delegate - District 94
Hon. Chuck Horst - WV Delegate - District 95
Hon. Lisa White - WV Delegate - District 96
Hon. S. Chris Anders - WV Delegate - District 97
Hon. Joe Funkhouser - WV Delegate - District 98
Hon. Wayne Clark - WV Delegate - District 99
Hon. Bill Ridenour - WV Delegate - District 100
Berkeley County Commissioners
Jefferson County Commissioners
Morgan County Commissioners
West Virginia Senate
West Virginia House of Delegates
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Federal Trade Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission