News Release
April 27, 2007
KCC public hearing concerning future rate impact from new Westar natural gas-fired generating facility
Westar Energy has filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (Commission) to request predetermination of the ratemaking principles and treatment that will apply to the recovery in rates of the costs to be incurred by Westar in the construction of Emporia Energy Center.
Public Hearing
The Commission has scheduled a public hearing in order to provide the public an opportunity to testify before the Commission on the application. The public hearing will take place in two parts. First, a question and answer period will allow customers to ask Commission Staff and Westar representatives questions pertaining to the project. In the second part of the hearing, customers will be allowed to make their formal statements to the three-member Commission. The public hearing is scheduled in Emporia, Kansas:Monday, April 30, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Emporia State University
Memorial Union
The Kanza Room
1200 Commercial Street
Emporia, KS
The Commission is also accepting written comments from the public through May 2, 2007. Comments regarding the case should reference Docket No. 07-WSEE-616-PRE and should be sent to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604-4027. Comments may also be submitted to the Commission at or by calling 1.800.662.0027.
The Commission will also conduct a technical hearing concerning the proposed ratemaking consideration. The technical hearing is scheduled to begin May 2, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in the first floor hearing room at the Kansas Corporation Commission’s Topeka office, 1500 S.W. Arrowhead Road. At this hearing, the Commission Staff, Westar representatives, and interveners will present their case to the Commission. The Commission must issue a decision by June 18, 2007.
Westar's Predetermination Request
Westar Energy filed an application with the Commission for a predetermination of the ratemaking principles and treatment applicable to the recovery in rates of the costs to be incurred by Westar in the construction of generation facilities and for authority to file a rate change request.
Westar is seeking a determination of future rate treatment of its investment in its proposed Emporia Energy Center (EEC) combustion turbines. Westar anticipates that the facilities at issue would be completed and enter commercial operation in two phases with commercial operation of phase one commencing in mid-2008 and phase two commencing commercial operation in mid-2009. Westar Energy expects to invest about $318 million to construct the plant and has requested that any predetermination apply to its investment up to $318 million.
Additional Information Available
For more information about the proposed project, public hearing or technical hearing, contact the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1.800.662.0027.
Release No. 06-2007
Docket No. 07-WSEE-616-PRE