PSC May Scale Back Ala. Power's Rate Proposal MONTGOMERY, AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - Members of state's utility regulatory board say they hope to scale back Alabama Power Co.'s request for a record rate hike of more than 14 percent for homes and nearly 25 percent for industries.

Public Service Commission President Jim Sullivan says he's going to use every opportunity to try to decrease or eliminate the rate hike, if possible.

Commissioners Jan Cook and Susan Parker say the PSC must be fair to utilities, but its goal is to keep electric rates as low as possible.

Alabama Power filed for the rate hike due to rising fuel prices. The commission will hold a public hearing on the request September 23. Some of Alabama's leading industries have already filed notice they will oppose the hike.

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