BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore Gas & Electric says it is seeking rate increases for electricity and natural gas distribution.

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Company officials say they asked state regulators Friday for the increases. The utility says they are needed to make improvements to comply with recently enacted state and federal reliability and public safety requirements.

If approved, the transmission portion of typical residential electric bills would increase 6.6 percent and residential gas transmission would increase 7.9 percent.

Transmission accounts for about 30 percent of utility bills. The cost of the actual electricity and gas accounts for the remainder. BGE says if approved, rates are expected to go up in February.

The company also sought an increase on distribution rates in 2010. BGE said at the time they were needed for new technologies and customer service improvements.