Old Dominion Power is asking Virginia regulators for permission to raise base rates by 23% on average, a change the utility says would add about $43 a month to bills for its more than 28,000 customers in Southwest Virginia.

For households and small businesses in the region, the request would follow an 11% increase that took effect in 2025, WCYB reported.

Here's what to know

Before any change can take effect, the State Corporation Commission must review Old Dominion Power's filing. 

In that request, the utility — which serves more than 28,000 customers in Southwest Virginia — seeks $18,976,479 in additional revenue through higher base rates.

A three-judge SCC panel, not the company alone, will decide whether to approve the request.

The filing follows the 11% increase ODP customers saw in 2025 to support capital projects. 

Terri Taylor, owner of Townes Crafts in Castlewood, told WCYB that repeated increases are taking a toll on customers.

"How long are the customers going to be the ones that carry the companies? And nobody gets answers. And you can't do anything about it," she commented.

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More background

A second major increase since 2025 would add new utility costs for households and storefronts already dealing with high prices for basic necessities across the board.

For a customer facing the average increase ODP described, $43 a month adds up to roughly $516 a year. 

For a small business such as Townes Crafts, that kind of added overhead can be especially hard to absorb because electricity is a recurring operating expense, not a one-time purchase, WCYB reported.

The pushback has already spread beyond frustrated customers. 

Virginia state Sen. Todd Pillion opposes the request and cast the issue as one of affordability for Virginians, WCYB reported.

Electricity is not optional. 

When utility companies seek double-digit increases, residents cannot simply stop paying for the service, and cases like this can become flashpoints over whether corporate revenue needs are taking priority over everyday people.

What can be done?

Residents and business owners have until Nov. 5 to submit comments through the SCC's public process before regulators decide whether ODP should be allowed to raise rates.

Political pressure is also building around the proposal. Pillion has already said publicly that he plans to fight the increase as the case moves through review.

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If regulators approve the request, the higher rates could take effect by Feb. 1, 2027.

Pillion was resolute about the proposed hike. 

"I'm going to oppose it. I've already opposed it publicly," he explained. "This is something that, at a time when Virginians are struggling [to] pay for groceries and gas and healthcare, that they can't afford electricity, which isn't a luxury."

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