Watch: Beshear makes announcement regarding Kentucky Power rate increase

Wednesday afternoon Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear took a strong stance opposing the proposed rate increase by AEP Kentucky Power.

"The people of Eastern Kentucky do not deserve any more punches in the gut," said Beshear.

Beshear made the announcement alongside Eastern Kentucky educators and community leaders in Pikeville. He is asking the Public Service Commission to reject AEP Kentucky Power's rate increase request in its entirety.

AEP is proposing a nearly 16 percent increase for customers.

Beshear said the increases would bring AEP 40 million dollars from residential customers.

"The people here can not pay anymore and we're going to fight for them every single day, they should not have to endure more," said Beshear.

There are more than 30,000 AEP customers in this region, many who already pay hundreds of dollars for power.

"What we deal with in my county is people who are choosing between paying for medicine and paying for food for their families or paying their electric bill," said State Representative for the 94th District, Angie Hatton.

Kentucky Power officials released a statement Wednesday: