CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

Kentucky Power customers have two remaining chances to weigh in on the utility’s proposed 14.62% rate hike in person, but can send written comments to the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

The PSC will hold public comment meetings Dec. 18 in Hazard and Jan. 8 in Ashland.

The proposed increase would raise the average residential monthly bill from approximately $183.37 to $210.67. Commercial customers would see an increase of roughly 13–15% in their electric bills.

Kentucky Power says the increase is necessary to recover rising costs, invest in equipment, prepare for new power generation, and offset a shrinking customer base in Eastern Kentucky.

The first of three PSC public meetings was held Nov. 20 in Pikeville. The remaining sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Hazard: Dec. 18 at 5 p.m., Perry County Courthouse, 481 Main Street, 2nd Floor

• Ashland: Jan. 8 at 5 p.m., Ashland Transportation Center, 99 15th Street

In July, the PSC approved a separate 6.37% “securitized surcharge” to recover costs related to the retirement of the Big Sandy power plant and major storm damage. That surcharge added about $14 to the average residential bill.

In January 2024, the PSC approved a 5.66% increase after the company initially requested a much larger hike.

Customers can also submit their comments on the PSC website at psc.ky.gov/Case/SearchCasesPublicComments, by email to PSC.comment@ky.gov, or by mail to 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601. All comments must include the commenter’s name, address and Case No. 2025-00257 in the subject line.

The full application, public comments and all case filings are available at psc.ky.gov/Case/ViewCaseFilings/2025-00257.

A rate increase would affect about 162,511 customers in all or parts of Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan counties.