By Mike Tony, Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Fuel costs have sharply driven up West Virginia ratepayer bills in recent years.
Some bills will go up further after another state Public Service Commission-approved cost recovery increase for Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power.
The PSC last week approved a $20.4 million increase in the fuel cost surcharge for the American Electric Power subsidiaries.
Although West Virginia residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see a rate decrease of $0.39, or 0.23%, commercial and industrial customers whose bills are more heavily influenced by energy use will see an average increase between 1.4% and 2.66%, Appalachian Power spokeswoman Karen Wissing said. The rates took effect last week.