Staff members for the Kansas Corporation Commission are disagreeing with Evergy’s proposal for an increase in electric rates.
A staff report for the KCC says a rate increase of 1.66 percent, or $34.7 million, was all that could be justified to provide service for Evergy Central customers. Evergy had previously submitted a request for a 9.77 percent rate hike, for $204.1 million. Evergy Central includes customers in Wichita, Hutchinson, Topeka, El Dorado, Arkansas City and Salina.
The KCC audit also showed that Evergy Kansas Metro customers in the Kansas City area should see a 7.3 percent rate decrease instead of Evergy’s proposed 1.9 percent rate increase.
The next steps in the process will include rebuttal testimony, a settlement conference to determine if the parties can agree on a resolution to submit to the KCC, and a settlement hearing or evidentiary hearing before the KCC. A hearing was expected in October, and the KCC will issue a final order in late December or early January.
