The Kansas Corporation Commission is hosting public meetings Monday on a proposed rate increase for Southern Pioneer Electric Company customers.
The utility serves approximately 17,200 consumers and operates in nine counties and 34 communities in southern Kansas. They’ve asked the Kansas Corporation Commission for a rate adjustment.
If approved, customers will see a $1.20 per month increase in the Residential Service and the Municipal Power Service Customer Charge. The company is also proposing two new rates: a grid access charge for customers installing their own power source like solar or wind, and a tariff to recover the cost to install and provide service for new LED lighting for outdoor security and street lighting.
Two meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at:
Liberal High School Auditorium, located at 1611 W. 2nd Street in Liberal and the Medicine Lodge High School Library at 400 W Eldorado Avenue in Medicine Lodge. If you cannot attend, you can hear a recording of the meeting on the KCC website beginning January 9.
The KCC is accepting public comments about the rate increase until 5 p.m. CST on April 1 of this year. You can submit your comments through the KCC website KCC website under the “Your Opinion Matters” link, by sending a letter to the KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604-4027 (Be sure to reference the Docket No. 20-SPEE-169-RTS, or call the KCC Public Affairs Office at 1-800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140.
(Photo courtesy Southern Pioneer Electric Company/Facebook)
