Senator Travis Hackworth (R) filed Senate Bill 1281, which is known as the “AEP Accountability Act,” for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly Session.
The bill would allow residential customers of AEP whose electric bills are more than 25% of the statewide average, as determined by the State Corporation Commission, to give AEP a 90-day notice prior to selecting a different electric provider.
“For customers of AEP, opening their monthly utility bill gives them feelings of anxiety, fear, and anger,” said Hackworth. “Over the past four years AEP rates have increased over 100%. I have met with top AEP officials to ask them to stop
this unconscionable rate increase process that has become what seems to be a runaway train. My arguments, frustrations, and pleas have fallen on deaf ears. AEP customers should have options to purchase their electricity – a basic need – without being held hostage by greedy corporations that put investors and shareholders profits before their customers. I named this the ‘AEP Accountability Act’ because it is time to hold them accountable for their actions and let their customers have a choice in the matter. We demand it as legislators, our people demand it, and our state government should demand it,” said Hackworth.
“AEP provides the most expensive electricity for the one of the most vulnerable populations in the Commonwealth – the people of Southwest Virginia. And right now, there’s nothing that customers can do about it. We need options and this bill opens up opportunities so that people can feel relief in their wallets. AEP needs to realize that their competitors are providing the same service for much less money. And if they want to continue serving our population in Southwest Virginia, they need to find ways to lower their rates to the statewide average,” said Senator Todd Pillion (R – Washington), Chief Co-Patron of SB 1281.
