Bi-partisan energy affordability package being discussed in Richmond

Southwest Virginia lawmakers say customers served by Appalachian Power are paying too much, and blaming the state’s monopoly utility system for rising bills. Lawmakers said a new proposed plan would strengthen oversight of the utility, while Appalachian Power said lawmakers’ claims about rates and profits are misleading. Lawmakers met Tuesday in Richmond to announce a bi-partisan energy affordability package. Lawmakers plan to continue discussions and the package could be taken up as early as next week.