Side by side (VA, EIA-861)
| Metric | Appalachian Power Co | Rappahannock Electric Coop |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 17.02 | 14.89 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 15.88 | 14.81 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,838 | $1,608 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 465,283 | 169,489 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in VA | 34 | 22 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Appalachian Power Co · Rappahannock Electric Coop · Virginia overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Albemarle county (VA, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Appalachian Power Co and Rappahannock Electric Coop do not compete for the same meters. Virginia is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (scc.virginia.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Appalachian Power Co cheaper than Rappahannock Electric Coop?
- No — in 2024 Appalachian Power Co customers averaged 17.02 cents/kWh versus 14.89 for Rappahannock Electric Coop (EIA-861). Rappahannock Electric Coop was cheaper by 2.13 cents, about $230 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Appalachian Power Co to Rappahannock Electric Coop?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Virginia has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is Appalachian Power Co more expensive than Rappahannock Electric Coop?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Appalachian Power and Rappahannock Electric Coop territory all feed the 2.13-cent gap.