APPALACHIAN POWER IS ASKING THE VIRGINIA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR TWO ELECTRIC RATE INCREASES THAT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT FOR CUSTOMERS IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. THE FIRST ONE WOULD RAISE THE BASE RATE CHARGED TO CUSTOMERS BY NEARLY 24 PERCENT WHILE THE SECOND INVOLVES INCREASING THE SURCHARGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND RELIABILITY COSTS BY TWO PERCENT. APPALACHIAN POWER SERVES NEARLY A HALF-A-BILLION CUSTOMERS ACROSS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. THE REQUESTS WERE FILED THIS PAST FRIDAY AT THE SCC OFFICE IN RICHMOND.