Posted Thursday, October 4, 2012 --- 9:20 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Public Service Corp. has agreed to freeze electric rates and slightly decrease gas rates next year.

The Citizens Utility Board and the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group opposed a proposed 9 percent increase in electric rates and a nearly 4 percent gas rate the Green Bay utility proposed earlier this year.

WPSC says the freeze is possible by increased electric sales, decreased fuel costs and retaining a $19 million refund to customers. The Stevens Point Journal (http://tinyurl.com/9q7yd85 ) says the utility is expecting approval from state regulators within six weeks.

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Information from: Stevens Point Journal, http://www.stevenspointjournal.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.