Nik Lee is a lifelong resident of Whitesburg. But the Appalshop filmmaker, like many of her neighbors, has seen the cost of her electric bill go up.
Lee took a camera to two public comment hearings on Kentucky Power’s rate increase proposal. The first was in November in Pikeville. The second was in Hazard in December.
At those meetings, Lee documented the frustration and anger over Kentucky Power’s proposal.
Residents told Public Service Commission members that their electricity is costing them as much or more a month as their housing. They said they’re looking for alternative sources of heat, or other places to move.
“I've lived in Whitesburg all my life, and everything is very expensive right now, more expensive than I've ever known it to be," Lee said. "So a lot of folks are struggling right now.”
Whitesburg was hit hard by historic flooding in 2022. Appalshop’s headquarters sustained heavy damage, and much of its archive of cultural treasures couldn’t be saved. Appalshop continues its work out of Jenkins, also in Letcher County.
While Lee says some residents feel their leaders don’t hear their struggles, public participation can make a difference.
Thousands of Appalachian Power customers in West Virginia opposed a rate increase last year. That rate increase ultimately was not approved.
“I think just put your word in, put your two cents in, even if it feels kind of useless or futile or if you've given up hope, just still, you know, make your voice heard in these times, which is kind of why I made this documentary,” Lee said.
The Kentucky PSC will decide on Kentucky Power’s rate proposal in the coming weeks.
Watch Lee’s documentary here.
