CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The state Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed rate increases by New York State Electric & Gas Corp. from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2, at the Broome County Library in Binghamton.

The utility has proposed to increase delivery charges for electricity and natural gas by a total of $104.3 million over three years.

Electricity rates would go up by 1.3 percent this year and 2.3 percent in both 2011 and 2012. Natural gas rates would rise 2.1 percent this year and 2.2 percent in the following two years.

A similar public hearing on Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. proposed hikes is planned on Aug. 3 in Rochester.

The public can comment at the PSC website. Go to www.dps.state.ny.us and click on "Electric" and/or "Natural Gas."

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