{Charleston, West Virginia}...The Public Service Commission issued an order Thursday that will prevent any increase in electricity rates for Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power customers. The PSC's order in this annual expanded net energy cost case says the projected costs of fuel, construction, environmental compliance and financial loss for AEP during a recent period of time doesn't warrant adjusting customers' rates. Costs could rise for AEP customers in the future because of other cases before the PSC. Those include Century Aluminum's application for a special electricity rate and a securitization case. Many expect Appalachian Power officials to ask for a rate increase because of damage from the June 29th derecho.
