APCo Steering Committee

In 1978, local governments created a Steering Committee to represent the interests of the localities in the Appalachian Power Company (APCo) service area in connection with the purchase of electric power from APCo. Since that time, the Steering Committee has worked to advance the best interests of localities and other public authority customers, negotiating contractual terms with APCo on behalf of its members and participating in rate-making proceedings involving APCo before the Virginia State Corporation Commission, all for the purpose of ensuring that APCo charges the localities rates that are just and reasonable.

The Steering Committee utilizes a shared cost and leadership structure. This enables the committee to maximize financial benefit to localities and other public authority customers in APCo’s service area by (a) providing experienced counsel and experts in the complex field of utility accounting who are able to challenge APCo’s contractual and other rate-making proposals, assumptions, and calculations where appropriate and work diligently to keep rates and tariffs paid by localities as low as possible, and (b) spreading the cost of these services among all localities in the service area. Without this structure, each locality would have to retain its own independent legal counsel and experts for these services at a much higher cost.

APCo Steering Committee Adopted ByLaws >

Steering Committee Board

For more information about the APCo Steering Committee, please contact Jeff Shawver

Chair
Jeff Shawver
Roanoke City Public Schools
Chief of Physical Plants
40 Douglas Ave., NW
Roanoke, VA 24012

(540) 853-6306

jshawver@rcps.info

Vice Chair
Kevin Blankenship
Town of Abingdon
Assistant Town Manager
133 West Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24212

(276) 628-3167

kblankenship@abingdon-va.gov

Secretary/Treasurer
Virginia Municipal League
Sandra Harrington
13 E Franklin Street
Richmond VA 23219

(804) 523-8524

sharrington@vml.org

Executive Committee

Laura M. Carini
City of Roanoke
215 Church Avenue, SW Room 464
Roanoke, VA 24011
(540) 853-5332
laura.carini@roanokeva.gov

Tim Castillo
Executive Director
Amherst County Service Authority
P.O. Box 100 Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 845-1605
tcastillo@acsava.com

Ashley King
Director of General Services
County of Roanoke
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 777-6331
aking@roanokecountyva.gov

Carol Davis
Town of Blacksburg, Virginia
141 Jackson Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(office) (540) 443-1617
(cell) (540) 808-9036
CDavis@blacksburg.gov

Financial Benefits to Public Authorities due to the Work of the Steering Committee:

View/Download the document "WHY THE VML/VACO APCO STEERING COMMITTEE IS IMPORTANT TO THE LOCALITIES IN APCO’S SERVICE AREA IN VIRGINIA"

View/Download the dcoument "FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO PUBLIC AUTHORITIES FROM THE WORK OF THE VML/VACo APCo STEERING COMMITTEE"

View/Download the document "Individual Member Statement"

There are substantial financial benefits to public authority members arising from the Steering Committee’s representation in recent years. including (but not limited to) those listed below:

CURRENT STEERING COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF LOCALITIES:

Favorable Electricity Rates

Through coordinated negotiations and regulatory participation, the VML/VACo APCo Steering Committee continues to secure favorable electric service terms for Public Authority (PA) customers. The most recent contract cycle (Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2029) includes an annual surcredit benefiting PA customers, along with provisions that provide increased rate stability and improved program access.

Recent outcomes include:

• Negotiation of an annual surcredit to PA customers, applied on a pro-rata basis according to electric usage
• Favorable contract provisions supporting long-term budget predictability for public entities
• Successful participation in State Corporation Commission (SCC) proceedings that reduced or avoided rate increases proposed by APCo
• Improved access to electric service programs related to renewable energy, lighting, and emerging technologies

These outcomes build on prior successes, including surcredits and tax-related refunds provided to PA customers during previous contract cycles.

Legal and Technical Expertise

The Steering Committee retains experienced legal and technical experts to represent Public Authorities in contract negotiations with APCo and in regulatory proceedings before the SCC. For more than 35 years, the Committee has worked to ensure that electric service agreements are fair, reasonable, and aligned with the interests of local governments and public entities.

In recent years, Steering Committee counsel has represented Public Authorities in numerous SCC cases addressing:

proposed electric rate increases
cost recovery mechanisms
renewable energy program structures
generation and infrastructure investments

This coordinated approach helps ensure that Public Authorities have a knowledgeable and effective voice in complex regulatory matters.

Significant Value Through Shared Legal Costs

The Steering Committee provides substantial value by allowing Public Authorities to share the cost of legal, technical, and regulatory expertise. By working collectively, localities benefit from professional representation that would otherwise be costly and difficult to obtain individually.

Assessments are allocated proportionally based on each member’s electric usage, ensuring an equitable distribution of costs while maintaining access to experienced counsel and technical consultants.

Credibility with the State Corporation Commission

Over many years of participation in SCC proceedings, Steering Committee counsel has developed strong credibility with regulators and other parties. The SCC has repeatedly recognized the importance of Public Authority participation in electric utility proceedings, helping ensure balanced consideration of local government interests.

Participation and Designated Contact

Each Public Authority member should designate a primary contact for Steering Committee communications.

To update your organization’s contact information, please contact:

Sandy Harrington
Virginia Municipal League
sharrington@vml.org