RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia regulators are seeking comment on a Dominion Virginia Power's request to increase what the utility charges customers to recover its fuel costs.

The State Corporation Commission has set a public hearing for June 18 on the Richmond-based energy provider's request.

If approved, the change would raise the average monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours by $2.36 starting July 1.

Virginia law allows Dominion to bill customers for the cost of the natural gas, coal, uranium and biomass used to generate electricity and the power the utility company buys.

The company says higher fuel costs and increased electricity demand are the primary drivers for its request. It is the company's first fuel rate increase request in two years.

Dominion has about 2.3 million customers in Virginia.