| Appalachian Power customers in West Virginia could see a 43% hike in their electric bills later this year.
The company has their request before the Public Service Commission.
The increase is being made to the PSC in the heart of coal producing country, the state exports electric power to much of the east coast.
An AEP spokesperson says the hike is to recover some $442 million in fuel, purchased power and environmental compliance costs.
Appalachian Power wants the rate hike distributed over three years. 18.5 percent in year one and two, and 13.5-percent in year three.
The first hike would start July 1.
The increase will not likely cover consumer costs with the monumental increase in electric production by the state's coal-fired power plants, with the erection of hundreds of miles of 765 KV high-tension lines across the state to the east coast.
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