Evergy seeking rate increase that would cost Wichita customers about $14 more a month
If you live in Wichita, Hutchinson, Topeka or Pittsburg, there’s a chance your energy bill could increase by the end of the year.
Kansas Evergy customers might pay, on average, an extra $14.24 every month after Evergy requested a utility rate increase of 9.77% for the central Kansas area, a Tuesday news release says. The rate increase would result in an addition $204 million in revenue.
After maintaining a flat rate the past five years, this is the first rate review requested from the company since 2018, according to the release.
“Since 2017, overall rates for Evergy Kansas customers have increased just 0.1% and residential rates have decreased 2.5%,” the release reads. “During the same time period, other electric utility rates in states surrounding Kansas have increased nearly 13% and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 20%. In addition, since the merger, Evergy has delivered $232 million in merger savings and bill credits to Kansas customers.”
Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy merged in 2018, resulting in Evergy. The company’s Kansas headquarters are based in Topeka.
The company also requested a 1.95% rate increase for the Kansas Metro service area, coming out to an average of $3.47 more per customer. Customers in this area reside in Lenexa, Overland Park and around the Kansas City metro area.
The nearly 2% rate increase for these area would result in an addition $14 million in revenue, according to the release.
How energy rates are set in Kansas
The request comes after an eight-month process through the Kansas Corporation Commission. In order for the request to be approved, Evergy has to show the increase is warranted.
For an energy company to change its rates, the company has to go through the formal process through the KCC. The process includes the following steps, according to the commission’s website:
Energy company applies to change its rates
Commission staff reviews the request
KCC holds a public hearing. This is not required, but common
KCC holds an evidentiary hearing to review the facts
KCC reviews the record
KCC makes a decision
Evergy is currently on step one of the process. Once the commission has more time to review the case, there will be a public hearing and public comment period, a KCC representative told The Eagle.
If approved, the new rates would begin in December.
Getting help paying your energy bill
If you need help paying your energy bill, there are several resources in Kansas. The KCC’s website recommends calling United Way at 211 to get matched to a program nearby.
There are programs through the Salvation Army, as well, for those who meet income requirements. There’s also Project DESERVE through a partnership with the Center of Hope and Evergy to helps those over the age of 65 pay their energy bills.
You can see a longer list of resources on the KCC’s website.
