A Kansas consumer advocate agency is saying that Westar Energy, Inc. can make necessary environmental improvements at its power plants with a smaller rate increase than it requested.
An attorney for theCitizens' Utility Ratepayer Board filed testimony with the Kansas Corporation Commission yesterday, saying Westar could reduce its rate increase request by $1 million and still accomplish its goals.
CURB also argues against Westar's plan to shift the burden of the increase away from large businesses to residential customers.
Westar is the largest electric utility in Kansas; the utility asking the Kansas Corporation Commission for a $31.7 million rate increase from its customers. It wants the extra revenue to pay for $1.2 billion in environmental upgrades at its LaCygne plant in eastern Kansas.
Click here for information on Westar's request.
CURB says, based on its calculation, Westar can get by with only $30.6 million.
