FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Power is asking state regulators for permission to raise electric rates on an interim basis if a final decision in its rate case is delayed past March 1.

In a motion filed with the Kentucky Public Service Commission, the utility says it may need to put temporary rates in place while the commission completes its review. Any increase would be subject to refund, meaning customers could get money back if the final approved rates are lower.

Kentucky Power says it prefers to use lower rates included in a proposed settlement filed earlier this month. Those rates would result in an annual increase of about $52 million, significantly less than the nearly $96 million increase originally requested.

The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office said when the settlement was reached that the average residential customer would pay less than $5 a month extra if it is approved.

The company says the request is necessary because the commission has indicated it may not be able to issue a final ruling by March 1, the date Kentucky Power originally expected new rates to take effect.

Kentucky Power argues its customers are especially sensitive to rate increases and says using the lower settlement rates would reduce the financial impact on households if interim rates become necessary.