
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 10, 1994                   TAG: 9411100076
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITE|
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

APCO'S RATES TO DECLINE

The average Appalachian Power Co. residential customer will pay roughly 36 cents less a month beginning Tuesday.

The State Corporation Commission, following a public hearing Wednesday, approved a $28 million reduction in the amount that Roanoke-based Apco bills its Virginia customers for the fuel it buys to generate electricity. Apco had asked for the reduction in September, saying it had renegotiated coal contracts and cut its fuel costs.

At the same time, however, the utility asked the commission to approve a $15.7 million increase in its base rates to help pay for repairs made necessary by last winter's ice storms. The commission will let Apco put that rate increase into effect on a temporary basis while it investigates the request. Apco will have to refund with interest any part of the increase that is not approved.

The combination of rate changes will mean a net reduction of $12.3 million in charges to all of Apco's Virginia customers. Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month will see their bills drop about 36 cents a month.

by CNB