News Release
September 8, 2006
KCC to hold public hearing on KCPL's $42.3 million electric rate increase request
the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC or Commission) will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 12 in the Overland Park City Council Chambers, 8500 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas concerning Kansas City Power & Light Company’s $42.3 million electric rate increase request.
On January 31, 2006, KCPL filed an application with the KCC requesting an overall electric rate increase of approximately $42.3 million or 10.5 percent.
Under KCPL’s proposal, the average increase for a residential customer would be $8.29 per month. Increases will vary within the five residential subclasses, and for some subclasses could be as high as 20 percent. The average increase for small general service customers would be approximately $12.25 per month.
Current and KCPL proposed monthly customer charges are reflected below.
| Residential: | Current | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| One meter | $5.78 | $8.26 |
| Two meters | 7.23 | 9.95 |
| Small General Service: | Current | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| 0-24 kw | $12.58 | $13.91 |
| 25-199 kw | 32.90 | 36.37 |
| 200-999 kw | 67.73 | 36.37 |
| 1000 + kw | 464.46 | 36.37 |
Public Hearing and Comment Period
The public hearing provides an opportunity for customers to learn more about KCPL’s rate increase request and to formally present their position and/or concerns about the request to the Commission. The public hearing will consist of two parts. First, there will be a question and answer period to allow customers to ask KCC staff and company representatives questions pertaining to the rate increase request. In the second part of the hearing, customers will have the opportunity to make their formal statement to the three-member Commission.
The Commission will accept written comments from KCPL customers through October 1, 2006. Comments should reference Docket Number 06-KCPE-828-RTS and be sent to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Comments may also be submitted by email to or by calling 800.662.0027.
Evidentiary Hearing
The Commission will conduct an evidentiary hearing on the rate increase request beginning October 2, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. in the first floor hearing room at the Commission office located at 1500 S.W. Arrowhead Rd., Topeka. At this hearing, commission staff, company representatives and any interveners will present their case to the Commission. The Commission must issue a decision by December 11, 2006.
Background
In August 2005, the Commission approved a five year regulatory plan which addresses the supply, delivery and pricing of electric service to be provided by KCPL into the future. Under the five year plan, KCPL committed to invest approximately $1.2 billion in the construction of a new power generation plant, environmental upgrades to existing generation facilities and energy efficiency programs for consumers.
This rate case is one of the requirements of the five year regulatory plan, enabling the Commission to assure rates are currently fair and reasonable. The plan requires KCPL to file one more rate case, with the option of up to three other additional rate filings over the life of the plan. The rate case filings provide a structure for KCPL to incrementally address any need for rate adjustments during implementation of its plan.
The Kansas City Power & Light Company’s corporate office is located in Kansas City, Missouri. KCPL provides retail electric service to approximately 230,000 customers in northeast Kansas. The company’s last rate change was in 2002 when the Commission required KCPL to reduce overall rates by approximately $12.4 million or 3 percent.
For more information, the public may contact the KCC at 800.662.0027.
Docket No. 06-KCPE-828-RTS