IT’S EXPECTED TO COST APPALACHIAN POWER CUSTOMERS IN KINGSPORT MORE MONEY TO FLIP ON THE LIGHT SWITCH BY MID SUMMER. THE POWER COMPANY HAS FILED PLANS TO INCREASE RATES BY 20 PERCENT. APPALACHIAN POWER IS ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO PHASE IN THE HIKE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS STARTING JULY 1ST. THE COMPANY FEELS THE INCREASE IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO OFFSET HIGHER COAL PRICES FUELED BY GROWING WORLDWIDE DEMAND IN PLACES LIKE CHINA AND INDIA.