KCC weighs in on Evergy rate increase proposal

Editor's Note: An earlier push alert sent out to 27 News readers incorrectly stated that the KCC turned down Evergy's rate increase proposal. Both this article and a follow-up push alert display that KCC staff stated Evergy's request for a net revenue increase could not be justified currently. We regret this error.

TOPEKA (KSNT)- The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has responded to Evergy's rate increase proposal, in testimony filed Tuesday afternoon. This move is an important part of what's expected to be a lengthy process in reaching a settlement with the energy provider.

According to a press release from the KCC on Tuesday, the testimony filed by Commission Staff detailed financial audit of the company’s income and expenses determined that an increase of 1.66% or $34,706,527 was all that could be justified at this time to provide service to Evergy Central customers. Staff’s position is in contrast to Evergy’s request for a net revenue increase of $204,152,629 or 9.77%.

KCC Staff’s detailed financial audit of Evergy Kansas Metro’s income and expenses determined that a 7.32% rate decrease totaling $53,194,189 is appropriate. This is in contrast to Evergy’s proposed rate increase of 1.95% or $14,152,521.

Tuesday was the due date for direct testimony to be filed by KCC Staff and all other intervenors in the rate case. The next steps in the process include cross answering testimony, rebuttal testimony from Evergy, a settlement conference to determine if the parties can agree on a resolution to submit for Commission approval, followed by either a settlement hearing or evidentiary hearing before the Commission. KCC Commissioners will issue a final order in the docket in late December or early January of 2024.

Evergy Kansas Central serves 736,000 customers in Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Parsons, Wichita, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Newton, Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Independence, among other towns and rural areas. Evergy Kansas Metro serves approximately 273,000 customers in Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.

Under the company's rate proposal, Evergy Kansas Central Customers could see a monthly average bill increase of $14.24. That includes people living in Topeka, Wichita, Hutchinson and Pittsburg.

Evergy Kansas Metro customers would see an increase of about $3.47.

For testimony filed Tuesday, click here.

The Commission is accepting public comments regarding the rate increase request through 5 p.m., September 29, 2023, on its website, by mail to the Commission’s Office at 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, KS 66604-4027 or by calling the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.