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Westar Plan Would Raise Residential Rates

By Greg Bebermeyer

07/08/2013

( KNZA )--Westar Energy is seeking a nearly $32 million rate increase to help upgrade pollution controls at one of its coal-fired power plants, and public input on the plan is encouraged.

David Springe, consumer counsel with the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board or CURB, says homeowners and small businesses would pay 6 to 9 percent more under Westar Energy’s latest plan. At the same time, Springe says Westar also wants to cut rates for large and medium-sized businesses.

Westar officials say industrial users and other large-volume customers are now paying more than their share.

CURB is opposing the changes, saying it’s unfair to raise rates on small customers to pay for millions of dollars of cuts for the big users.

The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold a public hearing on the Westar proposal Thursday evening at 6 o’clock at it’s headquarters in Topeka. About 120 people attended a hearing last week in Wichita, with most of the speakers voicing opposition to the plan. The KCC is also accepting written and oral comments from Westar customers through September 23rd. Springe says it’s important that customers give their input.

Springe says Westar has had 19 rate increases since 2009, totaling about 470 million dollars.

The KCC is to make a decision on the rate increase request by early December.

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