CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new report says West Virginians paid more for utilities in 2011 than in the previous year, primarily because of electric utility rate increases.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new report says West Virginians paid more for utilities in 2011 than in the previous year, primarily because of electric utility rate increases.
The report released Wednesday by the Public Service Commission's Consumer Advocate Division says the average West Virginia utility customer paid $292.25 a month for gas, electricity, water and telephone service in 2011. That's a 2 percent increase from 2010, when the average monthly cost was $287.01.
Utility rates ranged from $271.40 in Logan to $310.58 in Bluefield.
Consumer Advocate Division Director Byron Harris says electricity rates in the state have increased by 41.9 percent since 2008. The increase has been partially offset by a 21.2 percent drop in natural gas rates.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new report says West Virginians paid more for utilities in 2011 than in the previous year, primarily because of electric utility rate increases.
The report released Wednesday by the Public Service Commission's Consumer Advocate Division says the average West Virginia utility customer paid $292.25 a month for gas, electricity, water and telephone service in 2011. That's a 2 percent increase from 2010, when the average monthly cost was $287.01.
Utility rates ranged from $271.40 in Logan to $310.58 in Bluefield.
Consumer Advocate Division Director Byron Harris says electricity rates in the state have increased by 41.9 percent since 2008. The increase has been partially offset by a 21.2 percent drop in natural gas rates.
