PSC plans virtual public hearing in Mon Power/Potomac Edison rate-hike case that includes net-metering credit reduction

Jan. 9—MORGANTOWN — The state Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public hearing regarding a Mon Power /Potomac Edison rate-hike case that also includes a proposed decrease in the credit for net-metering contracts for home solar power.

This case is the companies' base-rate case, filed May 31, requesting $207.5 million, including for infrastructure and their energy assistance program. The hike would cost the average residential customer $18.07 per month—raising a bill from $120.20 to $138.27, a 15 % hike. The overall proposed increase across all customer types—residential, commercial, industrial and street lighting—is 13 %.

The virtual public hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22. The PSC said in a release that interested persons may comment telephonically through the Microsoft Teams application from the internet, or in-person at the Commission headquarters, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston.

Those intending to comment should register with the Commission by 4 p.m. Jan. 18.

Registration may be made through the Microsoft Teams meeting link at https://bit.ly /WVPSC20240122.

Full registration instructions are available on PSC website, psc.state.wv.us, under the "PSC Hot Topics " section at the top of the homepage ; by calling 304-340-0836 (Karen Hall), or 304-340-0820 (Andrew Gallagher); or by emailing khall @psc.state.wv.us or agallagher @psc.state.wv.us.

Persons wishing to comment in person at the public comment hearing are not required to register, but should plan to arrive at PSC headquarters by 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

Net-metering customers generate all or a portion of their own power, typically through solar, and receive credits on their bill for any power they generate in excess of what they use.

Currently, the companies provide a full 1-to-1 credit, meaning energy given to the utility is worth the same as energy bought from the utility. The current residential base rate is about 11.4 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), and could go up to about 13 cents as the companies' several rate cases reach their respective conclusions.

The companies propose to change that to base credits on the wholesale rate for electricity, which the filings calculate at 6.6 cents per kWh—roughly half of the 13 cents per kWh. This would take effect for new net-metering customers joining after March 27, 2024.

PSC staff have agreed that the credit needs to be reduced but proposed a middle ground: 8.8 cents per kWh.

Written comments should be submitted to Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323 or online at psc.state.wv.us by clicking on "Submit A Comment " in the left column and following the directions for "Formal Case."

All written comments should be marked with Case No. 23-0460-E-42T.

Interested persons may also attend in person or watch the hearing via webcast. The webcast may be viewed by clicking "Commission Webcast " on the left side of the Commission's website homepage.

The Commission has received 1, 285 written comments in the case. A coalition of three energy-oriented consumer groups asked the state Public Service Commission to schedule at least four public hearings—three in-person and one virtual—in this case ; no in-person hearings have been set at this time.

The PSC has set aside three days for evidentiary hearings in the case, starting at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at PSC headquarters.

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