Charleston, W.Va. (Ap) -- Allegheny Energy is seeking permission to sell about $105 million in bonds to complete a pollution control project at its Fort Martin Power Plant.

The Greensburg, PA.-based utility says if the West Virginia Public Service Commission approves the request, customers could see an increase in their monthly utility bills.

Allegheny Energy says a customer who uses about 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month would pay an extra $1.21 a month.

The utility is installing a scrubber system at the Maidsville Power Station to remove sulfur dioxide and mercury from its emissions.

Both are key byproducts of burning coal and can cause harm to both humans and the environment in high enough concentrations.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)