WILL OHIOANS GET "POWERED UP?" - Allegheny Power Wants 70% Increase

(06/14/2005)
Ohioan's will be getting "powered up" about a proposed rate increase by Allegheny Power.

Stand back!

Allegheny Power wants a 70% increase.

Washington County, Ohio plants say they will certainly go bankrupt.

"It will have a very serious and devastating impact on this area, not only in terms of the residents in this community but in particular the businesses. Some (plants) will see their rates go up by 10 million dollars a year," says Charlotte Keim, President of the Marietta Chamber of Commerce.

Eramet, a Washington County plant, says they will go under.

"It's going to mean a loss of jobs for many people and you may actually see some of the plants close completely," says Keim.

"The price of electricity has gone up 83 percent in the last year, mainly due to high (natural) gas prices. No business is going to operate if their output is more than the input. People have been paying much less than what the market price is anyway," says Allegheny spokesman Fred Solomon.