A customer-comment hearing tonight will let residents around south-central Iowa tell what they think of a proposed rate increase by Interstate Power and Light, also known as Alliant Energy. Utilities board spokesman Rob Hillesland says the electric company’s asked for an increase that will let it collect an additional 92-million dollars a year in revenue. The board’s already held nine hearings around the state since the filing of the rate-increase proposal. Hillesland says there are several ways customers can get their opinion to the board. You can send written comments to the I-U-B, and he suggests being clear and specific about your ideas and objections. Hillesland says you can also come in person, alone or with others who agree with your ideas, to a public-comment hearing like one tonight near Osceola.You can put on a “show of force” by coming as a group of people, but it’s a good idea to have one person speak on behalf of the group. He says a person or group may want to compose and write down their opinions so their chosen speaker can deliver their point clearly, and quickly.Sometimes the board has to limit comments to a few minutes each so all can talk, but he says they really want to hear from customers what they’re thinking and how the utility rates affect them. Hillesland says written comments can be sent to the Utilities Board at 350 Maple Street, Des Moines, 50319. Tonight’s meeting will be at seven in the Lakeside Casino Resort Ballroom near Osceola.