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Notice of Virtual Public Hearing & Comment Period Concerning Evergy Request to Build New Power Generation Assets

Lawrence, KS, USA / KLWN 101.7 FM and 1320 AM
Feb 24, 2025 | 7:28 PM
Notice of Virtual Public Hearing & Comment Period Concerning Evergy Request to Build New Power Generation Assets


Notice of Virtual Public Hearing & Comment Period Concerning Evergy Request to Build New Power Generation Assets

Evergy Kansas Central (EKC) has filed a Petition with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting a determination of the prudency of three generation investments, if the investments will result in just and reasonable rates for customers, and whether EKC would be entitled to recover costs of the investments and under what terms. The generation investments are two new combined cycle gas-fired generating turbine plants (CCGTs) and one solar facility.
Evergy’s Petition requests approvals as follows: 1) EKC’s construction and 50% ownership of two separate CCGTs located in Kansas. The first CCGT plant is near Evergy’s Viola Substation Sumner County and the second is near Hutchinson in Reno County; 2) Flexibility for EKC to own the remaining 50% of the CCGT near Hutchinson; and 3) EKC’s construction and ownership of the Kansas Sky solar facility in Douglas County, Kansas.
Evergy has asked the KCC to allow recovery of construction work in progress (CWIP) during the construction of the CCGTs and in a future rate proceeding will ask for recovery of the investments after they are in service, which is expected at the end of 2026 for the solar facility and 2029 and 2030 for the CCGTs.
Using current rates, Evergy estimated the rate impact for each plant. Kansas Sky would initially increase rates by about 0.70%. For the CCGTs, Evergy would use the CWIP rider during construction. CWIP recovery would range from an increase of about 0.58% in 2026 to about 3.82% as plants near completion, with the charge ending in 2029 when both plants are in service. Each CCGT would initially increase rates by about 4.3% when entering service.
EKC serves about 736,000 customers in Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Parsons, Wichita, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Newton, Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Independence, among other towns and rural areas.
Regulatory Responsibility
The Commission regulates public utilities, including home telephone, natural gas, electric and water companies, as well as motor carriers, oil and gas pipelines, and oil and gas producers. The Commission’s regulatory oversight of public utilities primarily pertains to rates and terms of service. To ensure that customers of regulated utilities are provided sufficient and efficient service at just and reasonable rates, utilities may not change their rates without Commission approval.
Virtual Public Hearing
The Commission has scheduled a virtual public hearing to provide Evergy Kansas customers across the state an opportunity to learn more about the proposed projects and make comments about the proposal.
The virtual hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 6 – 8 pm.
Those who wish to participate virtually using Zoom must register at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters by noon on March 4th. The hearings will be broadcast on the agency’s YouTube channel and recorded for those unable to watch the event live. Registration is not required to view only.
An evidentiary hearing on Evergy’s request is scheduled to begin April 21, 2025, at 9 am Central, at the Commission’s Offices, 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd., Topeka, KS 66604-4027.
A complete copy of Evergy’s Petition and supporting testimony is available on the Commission’s website at: www.kcc.ks.gov , by searching Docket Filings for Docket No. 25-EKCE-207-PRE. 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.
Public Comments
The Commission will accept comments regarding the proposed projects from Feb. 17, 2025, through April 7, 2025, at 5 pm Central. There are three convenient ways to submit a comment.
  1. Go to the Commission’s website ( kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to enter your comment.
  2. 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. 25-EKCE-207-PRE.
  3. Call the Commission’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 800-662-0027.

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