Westar Seeks Rate Increase

Testimony is underway in the Theodore Burnett capital murder trial. Read updates from the courtroom throughout the day on kake.com

Save

Posted: 9:07 PM May 10, 2008
Last Updated: 9:07 PM May 10, 2008

7 comments

A | A | A

Westar Energy is seeking a 22 million dollar annual increase in electric rates to help recover the cost of cutting pollution at the company's power plants.

The proposal is raising eyebrows as customers in southern Kansas
will end up footing the bill for power plants serving customers in
northern parts of the state.

Westar is using a mechanism called an "environmental cost recovery rider," allowing utilities to raise rates for pollution-control projects without a formal rate increase request.

The increase will ultimately pay for 236 million dollars in anti-pollution upgrades at coal- and natural gas-fired plants.

del.icio.us

Google

Yahoo

digg

More Stories
Burnett Murder Trial-Day 2

Crime Prevention

Bar Fight Ends in Shooting

Fire Forces Family Out of Home

Wichita Bus System Needs $210,000

Pratt County Firefighter Arrested For Arson

Officers Targeting Drivers Without Seatbelts

Sheriff's Deparment Investigates Offensive E-Mails

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on May 12, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Didnt they save enough hiring a crew from the Philipenes to work on construction of their peaking plant in Emporia? ir are they expecting a few fines for breaking laws on that one?

Posted by: Lindsey Location: Wichita on May 12, 2008 at 08:35 AM
I used WAY LESS electicity this last month AND still had an increase? I can't imagine what THIS increase will do!! Can't they see that w/ the gas prices that we are being swallowed up between gas AND food???? Give us a break!!! This would CRAMP the kansas economy even MORE!!!

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on May 12, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Gee, I wish I had a "rider" to increase my pay every time they want to raise my rates. Whats the mater, all the money spent trying to get the coal plants passed costing too much?

Posted by: AJ Location: Wichita on May 11, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Hell no to any more increases whatever the excuse is. Not running air or furnace and from march to april bill saw a increase already. stupid to be paying for the whole state guess we have our gov to thank for our increase for veto the coal plants but talking about Kansas become a dump site for toxic waste guess the state can make more money that way.

Posted by: rdy Location: kansas on May 11, 2008 at 06:50 AM
It never ends Hikes on fuel, natural gas, electric rates, health ins prems and on and on.

Posted by: Citizen Location: Kansas on May 11, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I'm sure Westar customers still won't be paying as much as Sumner Cowley Electric COOP customers. I'd trade SCE for Westar service any day if I could! SCE has outragous prices and poor customer service.

Posted by: James Location: w on May 10, 2008 at 09:31 PM
What; a coal plant needing pollution controls? Sunflower says it aint so