Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a rate increase request?
- Why is KCP&L asking for rate increases?
- How much is my bill going to increase?
- Why has the rate I pay gone up in recent years?
- When will my bill increase?
- What percentage of what I pay goes toward salary and incentives for executives?
- How much of what I pay goes to KCP&L’s shareholders?
- What do rates pay for?
- How can we be sure new rates will be fair and reasonable?
- I continuously manage my finances. What is KCP&L doing to manage its costs?
- Can I expect improvements in my electric service if my rates increase?
- Where can I go for help with my bill?
- Will my budget billing payment change if the rate increases?
What is a rate increase request?
A rate increase request is how KCP&L proposes changes to the base electric rate we charge our customers. To learn more about the rate case process,
click here.
Why is KCP&L asking for rate increases?
KCP&L provides customers with some of the most reliable electric service in the country at a price below the national average. However, the costs of delivering this service to our region continue to increase every year. For more information on the specific costs included in this rate case, click here for Kansas or click here for Missouri.
How much is my bill going to increase?
We have filed four separate rate increase requests for our service areas. If approved, each service area will see a slightly different increase in their rates. For specific rate increase request information for each service area,
click here.
Why has the rate I pay gone up in recent years?
The majority of the increase in your bill in recent years has been to pay for the amount of electricity you actually use. On average, KCP&L residential customers use 42% more electricity today than in 1986. Add to that the fact that average square footage for homes in our area has gone up by 18% over the same period and it becomes clear why bills have risen. When compared to other commonly used products and services, the price of electricity has actually increased very little over the last 20 years. For more information, click here for Kansas or click here for Missouri.
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When will my bill increase?
If approved by each state's commission, new rates for our Kansas and Missouri customers will take effect in early 2013.
What percentage of what I pay goes toward salary and incentives for executives?
This rate increase request and the vast majority of our annual operating costs are for generating and delivering electricity to our customers, specifically investments we've made in our system of poles, wires, generating facilities and substations, and an increasing number of environmental and energy efficiency mandates. In fact, less than 1/2 of one penny of every dollar customers pay goes toward salary and incentives for our executives.
How much of what I pay goes to KCP&L's shareholders?
In addition to approving the amount by which we are able to raise rates, the commissions in Missouri and Kansas also set the authorized rates of return that KCP&L has the opportunity to earn for shareholders who invest in our company. However, these rates of return are only what KCP&L has the potential to earn, not necessarily what we will earn. Our profits are not guaranteed even when customer rates are increased.
What do rates pay for?
Rates, which must be approved by the commissions, are set to recover only essential costs related to providing safe, reliable and affordable service. To read more about what the rate increase requests will help pay for, click here for Kansas or click here for Missouri.
How can we be sure new rates will be fair and reasonable?
We will work with the commissions to ensure that rates are fair and reasonable. In addition, there are a number of opportunities for public involvement during the regulatory process. Click here to read more about the rate request process.
I continuously manage my finances. What is KCP&L doing to manage its costs?
KCP&L has worked hard to make this rate increase request as small as possible by closely managing our costs. For more information on the specific steps we are taking, click here.
Can I expect improvements in my electric service if my rates increase?
KCP&L continues to rank among the best electric utilities in the country in terms of customer service and reliability. Part of these rate increase requests will go to continued investments in and improvements to our delivery system to ensure service reliability.
Where can I go for help with my bill?
KCP&L has a number of flexible payment options and programs to help customers reduce their usage. We also provide information on community assistance services to help customers manage their monthly bill. To learn more, visit our website.
Will my budget billing payment change if the rate increases?
Our Budget Billing program helps you manage monthly payments by taking the average of your bills for the previous 12 months. This program evens out seasonal billing highs and lows. However, if usage or your billed amount decreases or increases, the amount you pay for budget billing also will change accordingly. An increase to the rate will have an impact to your budget billing amount. To learn more about how to monitor your account status, visit our website.