Big Win for Kansas Electricity Customers! Kansas Corporation Commission Approves Evergy Settlement Agreement

Evergy customers in Kansas may see an increase in their utility bill come December, but it won't be as much as Evergy had anticipated. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has approved a proposed settlement agreement in the Evergy rate case with some customers seeing an increase and others seeing a decrease depending on where they live in Kansas. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 21 - a month before the KCC's deadline to make a decision on the settlement proposal.

A unanimous agreement, resolving all issues in the case, was submitted to the Commission on September 29, 2023 following negotiations between KCC staff, Evergy, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, AARP Kansas, and a variety of groups representing commercial, educational, and environmental interests.

AARP staff and volunteers attended public hearings held by the KCC to get input from consumers about the proposed increases and submitted testimony on the impact increased rates would have on Kansans, especially older Kansans living on fixed incomes. In an op-ed published in the Topeka Capital Journal, AARP Kansas State Director Glenda DuBoise said the KCC needed to consider the economic effects of inflation and other pressures that continue to jeopardize many Kansans’ finances, and what must be done to help families maintain access to the electricity they rely on for cooking and cooling.

In its application, Evergy sought a net revenue increase of $204 million (9.77% increase) for Evergy Kansas Central (formerly Westar) and a net revenue increase of $14 million (1.95% increase) for Evergy Kansas Metro (formerly KCP&L). Under the approved settlement agreement, Evergy Kansas Central will receive a net revenue increase of $74 million (3.54% increase), and Evergy Kansas Metro will receive a net revenue decrease of $32.9 million (4.53% decrease).

The average monthly impact to residential customers will be an increase of $4.64 per month for Evergy Kansas Central customers and a decrease of $6.07 per month for Evergy Metro customers. The new rates will take effect based on the customer billing cycle date beginning December 21, 2023.

For more information about the rate case and settlement agreement, click HERE.