APPALACHIAN POWER, ELECTRICITY PROVIDER TO MORE THAN A MILLION CUSTOMERS IN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND TENNESSEE, IS SEEKING TWO NEW RATE INCREASES. IF APPROVED BY THE VIRGINIA CORPORATION COMMISSION, THE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL WOULD RAISE THE BILL FOR AN AVERAGE CUSTOMER USING ABOUT A THOUSAND KILOWATT HOURS PER MONTH FROM 66-DOLLARS TO 72-DOLLARS BY THE END OF THE YEAR. ONE REQUEST WOULD ADJUST RATES TO REFLECT INCREASES IN FUEL COSTS NEEDED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY. A COMPANY SPOKESMAN SAYS THAT INCREASE IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1ST. IT COULD RAISE MONTHLY RATES BETWEEN 4.7 PERCENT AND 5.8 PERCENT. ANOTHER REQUEST SEEKS TO RECOVER 40 MILLION DOLLARS SPENT MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE COMPANY HOPES TO IMPLEMENT THAT 3.5 PERCENT HIKE BY DECEMBER 1ST.