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KCC Files Complaint Against Westar Energy

The Kansas Corporation Commission filed a complaint against Westar Energy at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Wednesday. KMUW's Aileen LeBlanc reports.

According to a press release sent out by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), the complaint contends Westar is charging unjust and unreasonable electric transmission rates. If the complaint is granted, Westar’s current rates could be reduced by approximately $15.8 million annually. Based on anticipated utility growth, this figure is expected to approximately double over the next five years.

The Kansas Corporation Commission specifically objects to the Return on Equity component, which they say is unreasonably high and results in unjust and unreasonable rates for Kansas consumers.

Westar's response is disagreement with the KCC's complaint. In a press release the company says they must agree to disagree with the commission. Company president Mark Ruelle says, “To ensure our Kansas infrastructure continues to serve our communities and keeps our state competitive, we need to remain on a level playing field with our neighbors.”

Westar Energy is Kansas’ largest electric utility. It provides electric service to nearly 700,000 customers and generates electricity fueled by coal, uranium, natural gas, wind, and landfill gas.