Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kingsport resident urges local scrutiny of AEP rate changes and TPUC filing
Summary
A Kingsport resident used the public‑comment period to urge local officials and residents to pay attention to a proposed AEP tariff filing with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, raising concerns about local rate impacts and transparency.
Tim Sanders of 1213 Bloomingdale Pike told the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen during public comment on Aug. 19 that residents should scrutinize proposed rate changes from American Electric Power (AEP) and the company’s filing with the Tennessee regulatory commission.
Sanders said a March 28, 2025 petition filed with the Tennessee regulatory commission includes proposed new charges for a Targeted Reliability Plan (TRP) and Major Storm (MS) charges and that those charges are on file with the Tennessee regulatory agency in Nashville. “This is us. I'm a part of Kingsport,” Sanders said, arguing that the tariff surcharge is effectively a tax and that residents will see increases in property, water and sewer rates as a result.
He urged more local discussion and transparency so residents can review filings locally rather than relying on a Nashville office to hold records. Sanders said he will continue the conversation in future meetings.
What happened at the meeting The board took no formal action during the public‑comment period on the AEP matter; the item was a citizen comment. The City Manager acknowledged the public‑comment rules and encouraged residents to speak before or after meetings as well as at the podium.
Context and next steps Sanders referenced filings with the Tennessee utilities commission and used the meeting podium to ask the board to press for more detailed local explanations of proposed tariff changes. The transcript does not show a response from individual board members beyond the City Manager’s reminder about the public comment process.
