Evergy wants to raise its central Kansas rates by over $14 a month. How to weigh in
Wichita area residents can comment at a hearing this week on Evergy’s proposed increase in electricity rates.
Evergy projects that residential customers in the Kansas Central region, which includes south central Kansas, would see their monthly bills rise by $14.42 on average if state regulators approve the rate request with no changes. That comes out to an extra $173.04 per year.
Customers in the Kansas Metro region near Kansas City would see their bills rise by $3.47 per month on average. That comes out to an extra $41.62 per year.
These figures come from a combination of higher electricity costs and small decreases to other charges on customers’ bills. The cost of electricity alone will rise by an estimated $19.03 in the central region and $6.08 in the metro region, according to Evergy’s filing documents.
Why is Evergy requesting a rate increase in Kansas?
According to documents Evergy filed with state regulators, the rate hikes will lead to a 9.77% revenue increase in revenue in the Kansas Central region and a 1.95% revenue increase in the Kansas Metro region, netting the company a total of $218.4 million annually.
Evergy said these additional funds are needed mainly due to its investments in its power plants over the past five years and rising interest rates.
Other reasons the company cited include the cost of dismantling its retiring power plants, IT expenses associated with its billing system and several expiring contracts, including one for “life insurance policies on key company executives.”
“The proposed revenues are just and reasonable and necessary to ensure continuing, adequate, and efficient utility service and to maintain (Evergy)’s financial integrity,” the company wrote in its filing documents.
You can read the company’s full explanation of its request in publicly available documents on the Kansas Corporation Commission’s website under the docket number 23-EKCE-775-RTS.
How can I give my feedback on this rate increase request?
State regulators have held two public hearings and will hold another this week, at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at Wichita State University’s Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5014 E. 29th St. North, Wichita. Click here to register by noon July 26 to participate by Zoom
If you can’t attend the hearing virtually or in person, you can still submit your comments to the Kansas Corporation Commission until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. To comment on Evergy’s rate case, be sure to use the docket number 23-EKCE-775-RTS.
You can submit a comment online here, call 785-271-3140 or write a letter to the commission addressed to:
KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection
1500 SW Arrowhead
Topeka, KS 66604-4027
Do you have a question about utility rates in the Wichita area? Send it to tips@wichitaeagle.com.
This story was originally published July 25, 2023 at 5:55 AM with the headline "Evergy wants to raise its central Kansas rates by over $14 a month. How to weigh in."
.jpg)