ATLANTA -- Georgia Power is asking the Public Service Commission for a 3 percent rate increase to cover the rising cost of buying coal and natural gas.

The company uses both materials to generate electricity.

Georgia Power's John Kraft says the rate hike will be a so-called "pass through charge." He says the company is not allowed to earn any profit on the fuel charge and that the increase would be used only to recover money spent on the fuel.

If the request is approved, the average residential customer would see their bills increase by about $3 a month after June 1.

The PSC is expected to announce its decision on May 20.