Electric utility Appalachian Power Company (APCo.) has proposed a new tariff to replace off-site green energy, and the State Corporation Commission is now accepting comments on the proposal.
The tariff is essentially a new voluntary residential rate class that would restrict competition so the only provider that could offer off-site renewable energy is the APCo itself.
“My business is opposing this bait and switch tariff because we believe it will cost jobs and increase the cost of renewable energy,” said Brian Brown, president of Renewable Engineered Systems (RES) of Martinsville.
According to the Code of Virginia, if approved, Appalachian Power Company’s green tariff means that if a consumer wants to buy 100 percent clean energy in his territory, then he must buy it from the utility.
This tariff will apply only to individuals or organizations executing off-site power purchase agreements in the APCo. service territory. All comments for PUE-2016-0051 can be filed with the State Corporation Commission through Nov. 7 at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case/PublicComments.aspx.
