Your power bill may increase nearly 10% starting this winter.

Evergy has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission requesting a net $204 million (9.77%) rate increase for Evergy Kansas Central customers and a net increase of $14 million (1.95%) for Evergy Kansas Metro customers. 

If approved, the earliest prices would become effective would be in December. 

If approved, the increase will result in an average EKC residential customer increase of $14.24 per month. The increase to EKM residential customers would average $3.47 per month. 

Evergy has requested inclusion of the costs to acquire and operate Persimmon Creek wind facility in the EKC rates.

Evergy’s Application for both EKC and EKM requests updated prices to include lower expenses resulting from the Westar Energy-KCP&L merger and higher expenses related to depreciation and infrastructure upgrades. EKC’s application includes adjustments for: the expiration of wholesale contracts that have benefited customers for a decade and the previously established end of a corporate owned life insurance program initiated in 1985.

EKC serves about 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. 

EKM includes about 273,000 customers in Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.

Regulatory Responsibility
The Kansas Corporation Commission regulates public utilities, including home telephone, natural gas, electric and water companies, as well as motor carriers, oil and gas pipelines, and oil and gas producers. 

The commission’s regulatory oversight of public utilities primarily pertains to rates and terms of service. To ensure that customers of regulated utilities are provided sufficient and efficient service at just and reasonable rates, utilities may not change their rates without Commission approval.

The commission has scheduled three public hearings to provide Evergy Kansas customers an opportunity to learn more about the proposed rates, as well as ask questions and make comments about the proposal. 

The public hearing schedule appears below.

All hearings begin at 6 p.m.

  • Tue., July 11 Washburn Institute of Technology Main Conference Center, Building A, 5724 SW Huntoon St., Topeka.
  • Thur., July 13 KU Edwards BEST Conference Center, 12600 S. Quivira Rd., Overland Park.
  • Thur., July 27 Wichita State University, Lowe Auditorium, Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5014 E 29th St. N., Wichita.

Attendees may participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Those opting to participate via Zoom must register at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters by noon the day prior to the hearing they wish to participate in. 

The hearings will be broadcast live on the agency’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend. Registration is not required to view only. Any person requiring special accommodations at the hearing site under the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify the commission at least 10 days prior to the scheduled public hearing by calling 800-662-0027.

Public Comments

The commission will accept comments regarding the proposed rate changes through Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.  There are three convenient ways to submit a comment:

  1. Go to the commission’s website (kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to enter your comment.
  2. Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604-4027. Be sure to reference Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS.
  3. Call the commission’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027.
  4. An evidentiary hearing on Evergy’s request is scheduled to begin Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. at the commission’s Offices, 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd., Topeka, KS.

A complete copy of Evergy’s Application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission’s website at: www.kcc.ks.gov, by searching Docket Filings for Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS. If you need additional assistance regarding the proposed rate increase or submission of public comments to the Commission, contact the Commission’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027, or at public.affairs@kcc.ks.gov.