School, hospital, manufacturer electric bills would spike by $25 million with FirstEnergy’s bad deal

Ohio-based FirstEnergy’s attempt to put West Virginians on the hook for its unprofitable power plant could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, a new report finds. Our Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to decide soon if FirstEnergy will be allowed to transfer ownership of the Pleasants Power Station between two of the utility’ssubsidiaries.

The report by energy consultants RunnerStone, LLC, finds schools, hospitals, and manufacturers in West Virginia could expect Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers’ electric bills to increase by more than $230 million over the next 15 years if the transfer is approved. The report examines the impact of the proposed transfer on schools (primary, secondary, and colleges and universities), inpatient and outpatient hospitals, and manufacturers. Broken down by sector, electric costs for West Virginia schools would rise by $42 million, hospitals by $7.5 million, and manufacturers by $181 million.

West Virginians For Energy Freedom, a coalition of economic and ratepayer advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, businesses, and elected officials, commissioned the report. The coalition has worked since January to raise awareness about FirstEnergy’s bad deal for Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers.

While the PSC decision could come at any time, we can still take action to demonstrate public opposition to this bad deal by contacting our legislators. Click here to urge your state legislators to publicly oppose the plant transfer.