TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission Wednesday approved a stipulation and agreement, increasing Westar’s overall annual revenue by 50-million dollars, or 3.2%.

The granted increase represents about half of the amount requested. Westar’s original request was for an annual revenue increase of $90.8 million. An average residential customers in the Westar service area including Hutchinson can expect to see an approximate $3.54 per month increase in their base rates.

Legally, Westar can put the new rates into affect as soon as proper tariffs are on file with the Commission.

The Final Order states, “The Commission finds that stipulation and agreement will result in just and reasonable rates that are in the public interest, in that it protects ratepayers from excessive increases while allowing the utility to maintain a healthy business able to provide reliable service.” This is consistent with the Commission’s statutory directive to ensure safe and reliable service.

Approval of the increase for the partial roll-out of tree trimming program, which is designed to increase reliability for customers.

The Commission granted intervention to several parties, including: the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB); The Kroger Co. (Kroger); Unified School District 259 (USD 259); Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (Spirit); the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 304 (IBEW); the United States Department of Defense (DOD); Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC); Cargill, Incorporated (Cargill); Occidental Chemical Corporation (Oxy); The Boeing Company (Boeing); the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB); Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing, LLC (CRRM); the Kansas Industrial Consumers Group, Inc. (KIC); Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart); and Tyson Foods (Tyson).

CURB is the only party who objected to the agreement.

The Commission regulates public utilities including home telephone, natural gas, electric and water companies, and oil and gas producers. The Commission’s regulatory oversight of public utilities primarily pertains to rates and terms of service. In order to ensure that customers of regulated utilities are provided sufficient and efficient service at just and reasonable rates – utilities may not change rates without Commission approval.

A copy of Westar’s application, supporting testimony, and order is available by visiting https://kcc.ks.gov, clicking “Docket Filings” on the left menu and entering docket number: 12-WSEE-112-RTS.