You have a chance to tell KCC to deny the 14% Evergy rate hike

There still may be a chance to prevent the Evergy rate hike, which would raise rates next year an average of $14.24 each month per Kansas household. The Kansas Corporation Commission may still keep this from happening, but only if Kansans act. Three public hearings will be held; all hearings will begin at 6 p.m. Central.

The KCC held the first of three hearings July 11 at 6:00 in Topeka. Three minutes were allotted to citizens who had previously registered to comment during the public comments portion of the Topeka hearing.

Several people came to the microphone to address the Commission. They all spoke of current financial hardships and the difficulty paying for medicine, food and housing costs without adding a 14% increase in their electric bill.

The next  hearing will be held Thursday, July 13, in Overland Park. The third hearing will be Thursday, July 27, in Wichita. The addresses appear below:

• KU Edwards BEST Conference Center, 12600 S. Quivira Rd., Overland Park, KS
• Wichita State University, Low Auditorium, Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5014 E 29th St. North, Wichita, KS

If you are unable to attend the hearings, you have until 5 p.m. Sept. 29, to email, write or call the KCC expressing your objection to the rate hike and asking them to reject the Evergy rate hike. There are three ways to comment regarding the proposed rate changes.

Go to kcc.ks.gov and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to comment.

Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604-4027. Be sure to reference Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS.

Call the Commission’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027.

An evidentiary hearing on Evergy’s request is scheduled to begin Oct. 9, 2023, at 9 a.m. Central, at the Commission’s Offices, 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd., Topeka, Kansas.

You can search at the Docket Filings link for the Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS and for Website problems or questions, call 785-271-3300.

If you need additional assistance regarding the proposed rate increase or submission of public comments to the Commission, contact the Commission’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027, or at public.affairs@kcc.ks.gov.

–Carolyn Cogswell | Metro Voice