WEST VIRGINIA-- Residents may soon find themselves paying more for electric.

The Public Service Commission, or P.S.C., of West Virginia just wrapped up a 6-month investigation and is asking for significant changes to power outage response and general maintenance around utilities.

This investigation opened up in July after the significant wind storm, or derecho, that blew through the Ohio Valley and much of West Virginia on Jun. 29, 2012.

As a result, the P.S.C. is requiring changes to response and practices in serious weather events.

Those summer storms left a major cleanup and thousands without power, in some cases for weeks in high heat and humidity this past July.

Much of the work for utility companies was reactive. That's not working for the P.S.C., they want a proactive approach.

Their order says that electric utility companies have six months to file paperwork detailing a reasonable vegetation trimming program to assure utility rights-of-way will be maintained.

"It would save on everybody being out of power for several days or several hours that you know, have babies or important medical reasons, you know, that they need their power and don't have the backup for it," said Charles Christman , a resident who rents, but pays for his own utilities.

Furthermore, companies will need to propose a method of cost recovery for the increased costs associated with this program and notify customers of any estimated rate hikes.

One utility company affected, American Electric Power, says the order will in fact improve reliability for their customers.

Officials said about the rate recovery plan, "That's vital because without a method to recover the costs of tree trimming, we are limited in what we're able to accomplish."

"It just depends on how much it actually goes up. If it's going to be an outrageous amount, obviously your bill is going to go up and everything like that, but if it's a small increase, than it's definitely worth it," said homeowner, Robert Williams.

The commission said that this added maintenance and preparation would likely lead to higher electric rates. But also said the higher rates should be less of a burden than a long duration power outages in extreme weather.