Nov. 7--An agency that advocates for consumers in Kansas utility rate cases wants residents to turn out when a public hearing is scheduled on Empire District Electric Co.'s proposed hike for Kansas customers.

Empire on Wednesday filed the rate case with the Kansas Corporation Commission, seeking a nearly 25 percent increase in annual revenues, or $5.2 million. The utility based in Joplin has 10,102 Kansas customers in Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena, Riverton and surrounding areas. It is Empire's first rate increase proposal for Kansas customers since 2005.

Empire spokeswoman Amy Bass said this week that a Kansas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity now pays $93.22 per month. That would increase by 27 percent, or $25.09 per month, to $118.31, if the rate increase is approved.

Bass said the difference between the overall revenue percentage increase and the percentage increase in the residential bill is because the overall revenue increase also includes business and industrial customers. There also is a fuel cost involved.

The KCC isn't expected to act on the increase before summer 2010.

David Springe, consumer counsel for the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board, or CURB, said based on Empire's filing, the customer's base rate for electricity would increase by 40 percent.

Empire spokeswoman Julie Maus said Friday that Springe's figure factors in only one part of a customer's bill and that the figures the utility provided represent the percentage increase customers will see on their bills.

Springe said he hopes for a big turnout when a public hearing is scheduled.

"I encourage consumers to come out and I encourage consumers to make their voices heard, because it will make a difference," Springe said.

He said residents can't prevent Empire from making a reasonable profit.

"People can make sure the profit is trimmed to what is absolutely necessary, and that is what we're pushing," Springe said.

Springe said CURB's review of Empire's filing would begin soon. He said the review will include how Empire's costs are allocated between its Missouri and Kansas customers. Empire also is seeking a nearly 20 percent revenue increase from its Missouri customers in a case that was filed a week before the Kansas case.

"You go through a process where you evaluate why certain costs are given to Kansas customers rather than Missouri customers," Springe said. "You really have to ferret down through the details."

Springe said CURB disagrees with a recent practice by the Corporation Commission of holding public hearings early, before CURB completes its study.

"We'll be pushing to have the public hearing moved back to when I have something to say," Springe said. He said he would expect the public hearing to be held somewhere in Cherokee County.

Empire officials have said they need the rate increase to recoup their costs for building new power plants, some of which are online and some are yet to be completed.

"One of the things that I know that is going on is they've really had a sweetheart deal on power they've been purchasing from Westar for many years," Springe said. "That contract is going away."

Springe said the timing of the rate proposal is bad.

"It's certainly awful," Springe said. "This is a horrible time. That may not be entirely in Empire's control. It's a certainly unfortuitous piece of timing. It's not good for consumers."

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