Potomac Edison to lower rates

The West Virginia Public Service Commission has ordered a reduction in electrical rates for customers of Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power Company.

A typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh of electricity per month will see a decrease of about $4.80 in their monthly bill, effective January 1, 2013. The companies will take in about $65 million less annually.

The utility firms had requested the Public Service Commission not implement the rate decrease pending the outcome of a separate case that may cause rates to increase in the future. 

The Commission instead ruled that it was in the public interest to lower the electric rates of Mon Power and Potomac Edison as soon as possible.

They cited the challenging economic circumstances that West Virginia rate payers have faced in recent years, the escalating annual rate increases over the last six years and the onset of the winter heating season.