By Angela Hatton
Madisonville, KY – Kentucky Utilities has announced its second rate hike in two months. Eleven cities, including Madisonville negotiated a 3.9 percent increase effective May 1. The Madisonville Messenger reports KU will increase its wholesale electric rate by 8 percent on July 1. Utility company officials say the increases come as a result of the hundred million dollars the company spent repairing damage from the January ice storm. Madisonville Mayor Cox and other affected cities plan to challenge the rate hike.