The ability to generate power in a more cost-effective manner was a major factor in the rate decrease, as APCO was able to use more hydroelectric generation due to record rainfall.

This decrease will reduce an average retail customers bill an average of 7.4 percent, beginning in January 2010.  This decrease also follows the PSC’s broadening of the LPS (light, power, small) definition which can also reduce the rates of small businesses within the Alabama Power service area.

The PSC voted to broaden the definition of the LPS rate, which stands for “light and power, small.” Effective January 1, 2010, thousands more small businesses will qualify for the LPS rate.

Small business managers are advised to call Alabama Power’s customer center at 1-888-430-5787 to ask whether they will qualify for the LPS rate.

Rate changes normally happen automatically, but PSC officials said this type of rate change requires customers to make sure they are on the correct rate. Moving to the LPS could save businesses at least $25 a month, the PSC said.

More information is also available from the PSC by calling (334) 242-5191.

10-Digit Calls In Alabama’s 256 Area Code To Begin Soon

New Area Code Will Share the Same Region as the Existing 256 Area Code

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the Public Service Commission of Alabama (PSC) has approved the addition of the 938 area code for the geographic region currently served by the 256 area code. This is called an Area Code Overlay. Area code 938 is a telephone numbering plan code in the state of Alabama officially scheduled to take effect on July 10, 2010, as an overlay of area code 256. In order to allow people time to reprogram electronics such as phones, computers, and other devices, 10-digit dialing was made available for “voluntary compliance” across the 256 area code beginning on November 7, 2009, and with mandatory usage by June 5, 2010.

To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. This means that all calls from the 256 area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits will need to be dialed using the area code + 7-digit telephone number.

However, long distance calls will remain the same. Callers need to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number whenever placing a long distance call from the 256 or 938 area code.