Energy Expert Testifies That Retiring Appalachian Power Company Coal Plants Could Save Virginia’s Families & Businesses Up to $1.1 Billion

Richmond, VA-- Today the Sierra Club filed the expert testimony of Rachel Wilson of Synapse Energy Economics with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) opposing Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) request to charge ratepayers to maintain the Amos and Mountaineer coal plants in West Virginia through 2040 rather than investing in more cost-effective clean energy. 

According to Ms. Wilson’s testimony, APCo’s insistence on keeping both coal plants running through 2040 could cost ratepayers up to $1.1 billion more than if the utility were to retire the Amos plant or $670 million if they retired both in 2028 and replace them with clean energy resources and storage. APCo’s proposed expensive rate increase comes at a time when Virginia’s families and businesses are reeling from a global pandemic and already overburdened with utility bills. In 2020, the Commonwealth was ranked as one of the top 10 states with the highest average electricity bills in the nation. 

The SCC will host a public comment hearing concerning the proposed rate increase on June 22 and the case will be heard on June 23 and 24th.

Karan Ireland, Sierra Club’s Senior Campaign Representative for Central Appalachia, released the following statement:

“Appalachian Power’s proposed rate increase to needlessly keep the Commonwealth hooked on expensive coal through 2040 is completely incompatible with Virginia’s clean energy goals. The proposal would cost ratepayers up to $1.1. billion more than if the company were to shut down one or both coal plants by 2028 and replace them with clean energy resources. Virginia’s families and businesses already pay some of the most expensive utility bills in the country and another increase would only further burden ratepayers struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic. The SCC must reject this costly and nonsensical proposal.”