The Kansas Corporation Commission is on board with a reduced rate increase proposal from Kansas Gas Service.
On Tuesday, the KCC approved a settlement as negotiated by Kansas Gas, KCC staff, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board and other stakeholders. Residents will see an average increase of $2.40 a month, or just under 4.25 percent.
Kansas Gas’ original application called for a $45.6 million total increase to base rates and a monthly residential increase of $5.67, or 10 percent. The settlement approved Tuesday increases rates by $21.5 million instead.
New rates take effect Wednesday.
Yet to be determined is whether Kansas Gas can keep the tax savings it has gathered since the Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act took effect in late 2017. Kansas Gas has asked to retain the nearly $18 million in savings to offset service costs, but CURB and KCC staff are questioning that request. The KCC will decide Feb. 25.
