Kansas Corporation Commission

Paul Snider, a lobbyist with Kansans for Lower Electric Rates, said inability of the Kansas Corporation Commission to bring about regionally competitive utility rates led to introduction of Senate Bill 88. It would require KCC members to be elected statewide, block utility companies from being involved financally in those campaigns and transfer KCC authority to the attorney general. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Spirit AeroSystems backs KCC reform bill in quest to bring competitive electric rates to Kansas

BY: - February 13, 2023

Kansas Chamber and SpiritAerosystems seeks overhaul of Kansas Corporation Commission to bring about more affordable utility rates across state.

Evergy blames renewable plans, inflation for $1 billion rise in infrastructure plans

BY: - January 10, 2023

Kansas’ largest electric utility says inflation and plans to add more renewable energy are to blame for the ever-rising estimated cost of its infrastructure investments. Evergy’s plan, which outlines investments in the grid and energy production, is more than $1 billion higher than the one it filed in 2021, which was $1 billion higher than […]

Evergy building in downtown Topeka

Kansas regulators want to slash Evergy’s energy efficiency plan

BY: - November 23, 2022

Regulators’ opposition could unravel a consensus plan to provide millions of dollars in energy efficiency programs to Evergy’s Kansas customers. Evergy, the largest electric utility in Kansas, came to agreement with consumer and environmental advocates on a variety of programs meant to lower energy demand and save customers close to $100 million over four years. […]

Jim Zakoura, an energy lawyer frustrated by the Kansas Corporation Commission's refusal to investigate possible natural gas market manipulation in the 2021 winter storm, participates in a Kansas Reflector podcast to discuss an order requiring residential customers to cover $622 million in extraordinary costs incurred by utility companies during a storm named Uri. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas energy lawyer presses for inquiry of potential market manipulation in 2021 cold snap

BY: - November 7, 2022

Kansas energy attorney frustrated by KCC's unwillingness to explore possible natural gas market manipulation during 2021 winter storm.

Evergy building in downtown Topeka

Kansas regulators order Evergy to explain ‘highly concerning’ jump in planned capital spending

BY: - September 21, 2022

The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Evergy to explain a more than 20% jump in the cost of its capital improvement plan. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas has $25 million to plug abandoned gas wells that can leak methane, polluting water and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. (Curtis Shuck/Well Done Foundation)

Kansas gets ‘once in a lifetime’ funds to plug thousands of abandoned gas wells

BY: - September 9, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A “once in a lifetime” federal investment will clean up more than 2,300 abandoned gas wells — some of which may be leaking super-polluting methane — in Kansas.  But that’s only a fraction of the state’s approximately 11,000 abandoned wells. And data about old wells can be flawed. “Even if we have records, […]

Evergy, regulators clash over costs of Kansas energy efficiency program

BY: - August 23, 2022

Evergy could soon receive approval for more than $96 million in energy efficiency programs in Kansas meant to lower carbon emissions — and customers’ bills.  But the proposal is in a precarious position.  “I want to be excited, but I also know there’s a big a piece missing still, and it could easily all fall apart,” […]

Kansas regulators approve natural gas utility’s plan to recoup $366 million from customers

BY: - February 8, 2022

Customers of Kansas’ largest natural gas utility will see their bills go up in the wake of last winter’s deep freeze — but it’s still unclear by how much and for how long.  Kansas regulators on Tuesday approved an agreement with the Kansas Gas Service to recoup $366 million in excess natural gas costs, incurred […]

Evergy proposes energy efficiency programs designed to save customers $42M

BY: - December 20, 2021

Evergy customers in Kansas could soon get discounts and rebates to upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient.  The electric utility, which serves 1.2 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, filed a plan with Kansas regulators last week to invest in a host of energy efficiency programs for business and residential customers.  The plan, […]

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for governor, issued a nonbinding legal opinion saying the Legislature had authority to delay preparations to rebid the $4 billion contracts with KanCare providers until 2024 rather than 2023.. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas AG’s natural gas well presents possible conflict of interest as he investigates industry

BY: - December 14, 2021

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has a financial interest in the sale of natural gas, prompting calls for him to disclose more information about his earnings as he investigates gas companies for potential price gouging during February’s severe freeze. Schmidt, the state’s top law enforcement official, is investigating whether companies raised natural gas prices, which […]

On top of $1B fallout from February cold snap, natural gas prices expected to climb this winter

BY: - November 2, 2021

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a historic cold snap depleted natural gas reserves in February, prices for heating could be as much as 30% higher this winter, prompting concerns about increasing bills for Kansas and Missouri customers. Kansas is already grappling with the $1 billion fallout from this winter’s cold snap, when natural gas prices […]

Evergy building in downtown Topeka

Kansas Evergy customers could soon get help to make homes more energy efficient

BY: - October 25, 2021

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Ashok Gupta and his wife bought their home, adding insulation to their walls and roof and investing in energy-efficient appliances was a no-brainer knowing they would save money in the long run through lower energy bills. But Gupta, a senior energy economist for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said myriad […]