SWEPCO Seeking Base Rate Hike

SHREVEPORT – AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company is asking the Texas Public Utility Commission to raise its rates by about $69 Million annually. The company says the 12.7% rate increase is to cover $34.4 million annually for additional investment in environmental controls at four major power plants. The two in Texas are the Welsh Plant Units 1 and 3 at Pittsburg and the Pirkey Plant at Hallsville. If approved, new rates could go into effect in mid-to-late 2017.