FRANKFORT, KY (May 12, 2005) - Attorney General Greg Stumbo intervened today in a case filed by Big Sandy Rural Electric Cooperative. The cooperative, which serves nearly 13,000 customers in seven east Kentucky counties, has asked the Public Service Commission to grant an annual utility rate increase of $831,000.

“I will continue to protect the rate payers of the Commonwealth from excessive rate hikes,” Stumbo said.

Big Sandy has asked that the increase be placed only on the residential and commercial rates. “While I understand the need to keep industrial rates low to maintain and encourage industrial growth, big companies need to shoulder some of the burden of the proposed rates. If any increase is granted by the Commission, it should be shared by all,” Stumbo added.

The Attorney General’s Office is currently reviewing the request to determine the extent to which it will challenge the increase.