Allegheny Power Seeks Rate Increase In W. Virginia

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Allegheny Power, the electric delivery unit of Allegheny Energy Inc., asked West Virginia authorities Tuesday for permission to increase what it charges state residents for power.

Allegheny asked the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for permission to recover incurred costs of $82 million for fuel and purchased power, and to recover projected costs of $61 million.

Allegheny asked that the new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Assuming the proposed rate increase is granted, the monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours will be $93, an increase of $9.67 compared to current rates, the utility said.

Even with the proposed increase, Allegheny's rates for West Virginia customers would remain 18 percent below the national average, Allegheny said.

Allegheny Energy subsidiaries Monongahela Power Co. and The Potomac Edison Co. jointly submitted the filing.

Greensburg, Pa.-based Allegheny Energy's shares fell 51 cents to close Tuesday at $25.90.