The House of Delegates passed Tuesday a measure to temporarily suspend a rate increase by Appalachian Power Company.  The utility already has a rate increase request pending before the State Corporation Commission but has imposed the 12.8 cent rate increase since December. The House also kept alive a bill that would return Appalachian Power to an older regulatory scheme that may prohibit future rate increases. The suspension measure is likely to pass the Senate and would take effect as soon as Governor McDonnell signs the bill into law. Homeowners and businesses would began to feel some relief soon thereafter.

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