BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A Pike County activist is urging Eastern Kentucky counties to demand a full public audit of Kentucky Power before any additional rate increases are approved.
Zachary Tackett, founder of the nonprofit Creek Don’t Rise Coalition, plans to ask the Martin County Fiscal Court on Thursday to adopt a resolution calling on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to halt future rate increases until Kentucky Power undergoes what he describes as a “full, honest, public audit.”
Tackett said families throughout Eastern Kentucky are increasingly struggling to keep up with the costs of electricity, water, gasoline, food and medicine while wages, retirement income and Social Security checks remain unchanged. Elderly residents on fixed incomes are often forced to choose between paying utility bills and purchasing necessities, he said.
Tackett, who works for a regional medical center overseeing NICU, PICU and labor and delivery departments, said he became involved after witnessing the impact high electric bills had on an elderly neighbor. He later began organizing residents across the region to push for greater transparency from Kentucky Power.
Tackett argues customers have faced three separate Kentucky Power rate hikes between 2021 and 2026, including a February increase of 5.87% — approximately $10.76 more per month for the average residential customer — with an additional 0.76% increase scheduled the following year.
In July 2025, the PSC also approved a 6.37% “securitization surcharge” tied to plant retirement and storm recovery costs. Another partial base rate increase approved in January 2024 raised the average residential bill by about 5.665%. Tackett noted the PSC approved another base rate increase in early 2021.
“During the last five years, Kentucky Power has only been asked to provide reporting and documentation to explain why they need the rate increases,” Tackett said. “But we all know there’s a big difference between documentation and even taking a deep dive into a utility company’s finances, than it is to see the results of a complete financial audit.”
Tackett criticized the PSC process, claiming regulators and utility representatives dismiss concerns raised by Eastern Kentucky residents.
“The PSC says they hear us, but they don’t care,” Tackett said. “They think private residents are not knowledgeable or educated enough on utility rate increases or the alleged needs behind them to offer an opinion.”
Tackett wants Kentucky Power to publicly explain how ratepayer money is being spent, what operational costs justify increases and whether the company’s spending practices warrant additional hikes.
“We must demand an audit,” he said.
“My goal is to get 160,000 residents who are Kentucky Power customers to say, ‘Hey, we are tired of this and demand transparency.’”
Tackett said eight Eastern Kentucky counties have already backed similar resolutions, and he hopes Martin County officials will join the effort. He acknowledged concerns from local leaders who may fear political consequences for opposing the utility company, as the region continues to seek infrastructure funding.
He said he spoke with Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty about the proposal.
Tackett encouraged Martin County residents who support the effort to attend Thursday’s Fiscal Court meeting and urge magistrates to adopt the resolution.
“One county can be ignored,” he said. “But many counties joining together creates real pressure on the PSC to do what’s right.”
Tackett said the issue should not be viewed through a political lens.
“This is not a political issue, but a human issue,” he said.