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Kentucky Utilities to Seek Rate Increase

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky Utilities customers would pay an extra 6.5% in their base electricity rate under a proposal the company plans to file with the state Public Service Commission later this month.

KU will go before state regulators asking to increase its electricity rates by $82 million. In a video posted to the company’s website, spokeswoman Chris Whelan says the request is to recover some of the costs of making upgrades to power generating and distribution systems.

“We work hard to keep expenses down, but the demand for energy as well as the costs of creating and delivering it continue to rise.”

KU serves more than 500,000 customers in 77 counties across the state.

For residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month, the rate increase would mean an extra 7 dollars on their bill. If approved, the new rates would start in January 2013.

Last month the Public Service Commission gave the okay for Kentucky Utilities and LG & E to build a new natural-gas fired facility in Jefferson County, which could lead to a 4% rate increase for customers once the plant is operational.

The PSC will review the latest request and hold public meetings about the proposal before making its decision.

Lexington native Brenna Angel anchored local morning newscasts for WUKY through May 13. She joined the station in March 2010 after previously working for WHAS-AM in Louisville.