News Release
For more information contact: Linda Berry, (785) 271-3269 or Samir Arif, (785) 271-3188
July 17, 2015
Kansas Corporation Commission To Hold Public Hearing on Westar Energy Rate Request and Proposals
Topeka - The Kansas Corporation Commission will hold two public hearings at six locations across Kansas to receive public input on Westar Energy's proposed rate request and proposals.
On Tuesday, July 21st at 4:30 p.m., the Commission will host a public hearing at Farley Elementary School (6701 SW 33rd St) in Topeka. In addition, video conferencing will allow members of the public to attend the hearing from remote locations in Salina and Emporia. In Salina, members of the public can attend the remote public hearing at Kansas State Salina College Center (2310 Centennial Rd, Salina), and in Emporia at the Flint Hills Technical College (3301 W 18th Ave, Emporia). The hearing will begin with an open house at 4:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. Westar, the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board and Commission Staff will make presentations followed by a question and answer forum. The hearing will conclude with a public comment session, where ratepayer comments will be transcribed and be made a part of the official record of the docket.
On Thursday, July 23rd, at 4:30 p.m., the Commission will host another round of hearings under the same format, with the primary location at Wichita State University's Lowe Auditorium (5015 East 29th St, Wichita). The two remote locations will be in Hutchinson at the Kansas Cosmosphere (1100 N Plum St, Hutchinson) and at Pittsburg High School (1978 E 4th St, Pittsburg).
At each of these hearings, representatives from Commission Staff, Westar Energy and the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board will be in attendance to answer questions. At the end of the question-and-answer session, the Commission will hear on-the-record comments from members of the public regarding the rate adjustment. Members of the public may sign up to address comments to the Commission throughout the hearing, contingent on available time.
The Commission regulates public utilities including telecommunications, natural gas, electric and water companies as well as motor carriers, oil and gas pipelines, and oil and gas producers. The mission of the Commission is to serve the people of Kansas by regulating the State's energy infrastructure, oil and gas production, and commercial trucking to ensure public safety. The Commission's vision is for Kansans to be served by safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, diverse energy supplied at the lowest cost and for safe travel of the motoring public. The Commission does not regulate cell phones, internet service, most municipal utilities or electric and natural gas cooperatives.
An evidentiary hearing on Westar Energy's request is scheduled to begin Aug. 17, 2015, at 9 a.m., at the Commission's Offices (1500 SW Arrowhead Rd., Topeka). A complete copy of Westar Energy's application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission's website at: http://www.kcc.ks.gov (Docket No. 15-WSEE-115-RTS). For more information about submitting comments, or to make special accommodations to attend these hearings, please contact the Commission's Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Office at 1-800-662-0027, or at