The agreement was filed last month by Empire District Electric, the KCC Staff, Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) and other intervening parties.
The new rates will become effective from July 1, 2010, and allow the company to increase annual revenues by $2.79m, or about 12.4%. For a residential customer using 1,000kWh per month, this represents a monthly increase of about $12.
Since the last rate adjustment for Kansas customers in January 2006, Empire District Electric has completed environmental upgrades at Iatan I and the Asbury Power Plant and a new generating unit, Riverton Unit 12.
These new rates also include the annual operating costs associated with these improvements and additions and will allow the company to continue to provide reliable service to customers with a balanced mix of resources, the company said.
Also included in this case are the capital costs associated with the Plum Point Generating Station and Iatan II construction projects through January 2010. The remainder of the capital costs and operation and maintenance expense associated with these facilities will be recovered in an abbreviated rate case that will be filed within the next year.
Based in Joplin, Missouri, Empire District Electric is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electricity, natural gas and water service, with approximately 215,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
