By Courtney Cutright courtney.cutright @roanoke.com 981-3345 The red and green directional markers on Smith Mountain Lake that many boaters take for granted have muddied the waters for one lake- area agency. The Tri-County Lake Administrative Commission, which has been mandated by the U.S.

One conclusion is clear in this year's drought-intensified dispute over water releases at Smith Mountain Lake: Appalachian Power Co. is right to look for a more flexible formula that can take into account historical trends and current conditions.

By Jeff Sturgeon jeff.sturgeon@roanoke.com 981-3251 State regulators preparing to open hearings this month have received 2,000 comments on a proposal to raise electrical rates in Western Virginia.

By Jeff Sturgeon jeff.sturgeon@roanoke.com 981-3251 Appalachian Power Co. sought approval Monday to build a new power line over Poor Mountain in Southwest Roanoke County, proposing it run alongside an existing one.

Appalachian Power Co. plans to buy electricity from a wind farm that's being developed in Greenbrier County. Appalachian Power's parent, Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power, announced the 20-year purchase agreement with Beech Ridge Energy LLC on Thursday.