PSC to Schedule Hearings Soon on Proposed Rate Hikes

The Kentucky Public Service Commission is expected to schedule public hearings soon on a request by Louisville Gas and Electric Company to raise its rates for electricity and natural gas.Spokesperson Chip Keeling says the company needs the extra money for capital investments."We are now in the process of building a new generation unit in Trimble County to help service both KU and LG&E customers in a growing territory," says Keeling.Keeling says they also plan to replace about 615 miles of natural gas lines in downtown Louisville.The LG and E proposals to raise electricity rates by two-percent and natural gas by 5.9-percent were announced Friday. The requests must be approved by the public service commission.