The American Electric Power subsidiaries requested the 17 percent increase Friday with the PSC.

If the increase is approved, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would see their bills increase by more than $9 to about $74, beginning in July.

Appalachian Power President Dana Waldo says about $134 million of the revenue generated would cover higher costs for fuel, primarily coal, used to generate electricity, and for purchased power.

Another $17 million would pay for pollution control devices at the John Amos and Mountaineer plants.