The only public hearing on the proposed merger between Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy will take place next Monday in Topeka.
The hearing will give people the opportunity to learn more about the proposed merger between the two utility companies, and a venue to voice any opposition to the proposal. The public hearing is part of the process to receive approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission.
The commission is also accepting written comments on its website through March 29.
If the merger is approved, Westar and Great Plains Energy will combine to create a utility company that serves more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. This is the second attempt at a merger in the past two years.
The meeting will take place Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka.
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Brian Grimmett is an energy and environment reporter for KMUW’s Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio, KCUR and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett.