KPL and KGE, the electric utility companies of Western Resources, have filed separate requests with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) seeking recovery of investments in new, state-of-the-art power plants and higher operating and maintenance costs. The 1,000-page filings ask KCC, the regulatory body that sets Kansas retail electric rates, to allow KPL to recover its costs in adding approximately $230 million in new, efficient, gas-fired power plants. Both companies request recovery of rising operating and maintenance expenditures, including increased natural gas costs, incurred since the 1980s when the utility companies were last granted rate increases.
“We are always sensitive to the rates our customers pay. We strive to balance their desire for the lowest possible prices and our commitment to provide safe, reliable electric service,” says David C. Wittig, Western Resources chairman of the board, president and CEO. Western Resources is a consumer services company with interests in monitored services and energy. The company has total assets of almost $8 billion, including security company holdings through ownership of Protection One, which has more than 1.4 million security customers in 48 states.
