Duke energy wants to increase rates

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Duke Energy Ohio is seeking an $86.6 million increase in electric rates and $44.6 million in natural gas rates for customers in southwest Ohio.

The utility on Monday filed applications for the increases with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Duke Energy wants the proposed increases to take effect in January.

A Duke spokeswoman says the typical residential electric customer would pay about $6.50 more monthly. The average residential gas bill would go up about $8.21 monthly.

Commercial and industrial customers would see about a 4.6 percent increase in electric rates and about a 3.7 percent increase in gas rates.

The increases would affect 690,000 electric customers and 420,000 gas customers in several southwest Ohio counties.

The proposed electric rate increase would affect 690,000 electric customers in all or parts of Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, Preble, Montgomery and Warren counties.

The proposed gas rate increase would affect 420,000 customers in all or parts of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, Montgomery and Warren counties.