On June 16, 2025, Topeka residents gathered at the Washburn Institute of Technology to participate in a public hearing organized by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The focus of the event was Evergy’s proposal for a $196.4 million rate increase, a move that has sparked debate among customers.
Details of the Rate Hike Proposal
The rate adjustment, filed by Evergy in January 2025, seeks an 8.62% increase in customer charges. If the proposal is approved, residential users could see an average monthly increase of $13.05 beginning in September 2025.
Mixed Reactions from Customers
Some customers voiced concerns about the affordability of the proposed hike amid rising living costs.
“They’re still profiting from both stakeholders and customers. While a rate increase might be justified, 8% seems excessive,” said Brandt Vircks, an Evergy customer.
Others acknowledged the cost but questioned the timing.
“Thirteen dollars won’t break me,” said customer Amory Lovin, “but with rising costs in food, gas, and other essentials, every bit adds up.”
Evergy Justifies the Rate Increase
According to Evergy spokesperson Gina Penzig, the proposed rate hike is necessary to offset investments in aging infrastructure, rising operational expenses, and efforts to improve service reliability.
“Outage durations have decreased by about 10% in recent years, which reflects our commitment to delivering more reliable service,” Penzig said.
Public Hearing Part of Regulatory Process
This event marked the second of two public hearings designed to gather public feedback before the KCC makes a final decision on the proposed rate hike.
As Evergy seeks approval for a $196.4 million rate increase, Kansans are weighing in with mixed perspectives. While the utility defends the proposal as necessary for infrastructure and service improvements, many customers are questioning the timing and size of the increase amid broader economic pressures.
The Kansas Corporation Commission’s final decision will play a crucial role in determining how much more residents will pay for electricity later this year.