BANGOR (AP) – Rates will soon be going up for Bangor Hydro Electric customers.

The company says transmission rate increases will result in residential customer bills going up about 4 percent, or roughly $4.50 a month on average. Commercial and industrial customers will see their bills go up 4 to 5 percent.

The new rates go into effect on July 1.

Bangor Hydro officials say the price hikes are due mainly to increased work on transmission lines to make sure they remain reliable.

AP-ES-06-27-08 1028EDT