As Evergy seeks major rate hike, Kelly moves to reshuffle board overseeing utilities
Gov. Laura Kelly moved Friday to replace one of the three individuals who will decide whether Evergy is allowed to raise electric rates in Kansas.
The Democratic governor announced the nomination of former state Rep. Annie Kuether to the Kansas Corporation Commission. Kuether, a Topeka Democrat, would replace the KCC’s current chair, Susan Duffy, whose term expired in March.
Kuether could join the KCC as early as October, placing her in a position to vote on the commission’s final order allowing or blocking a rate hike. Kuether served in the Kansas House from 1997 to 2022, and had been the ranking Democrat on the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.
“Representative Kuether brings experience to the Kansas Corporation Commission from her 25 years in the Legislature,” Kelly said in a statement, noting Kuether’s time as the committee’s top Democrat.
In an interview with The Star, Kuether wouldn’t directly give her views on Evergy’s proposed rate increases.
“I think the usual give and take is going back and forth, which I think is healthy. Good discussion before we get down to the real nitty gritty, so I think that’s good,” Kuether said. “Other than that, there’s really not a lot I can say.”
Asked what factors and principles would be important to her in making decisions on the KCC, Kuether again demurred. “Again, I think I have to keep my powder dry there,” she said.
Evergy is seeking its first major rate increase in Kansas since it was formed in 2018 by the merger of Westar and KCP&L. The company is asking the KCC to approve raising rates by 5.9% in some areas in Kansas and up to 24.9% in a region that includes Topeka, Wichita and western parts of Johnson County.
KCC staff have pushed back on the request, calling for smaller revenue increase in most of its Kansas service area and a revenue drop in areas close to Kansas City. The commissioners will issue a final order in the case by mid-December.
“Former Rep. Kuether has a reputation for being fair, open-minded and for working across parties lines during her time in the Legislature. Her experience in policymaking will be valuable at the commission,” Evergy spokesperson Gina Penzig said in a statement.
Duffy, who was appointed by Kelly in 2019, didn’t seek reappointment, the governor’s office said. She had previously been the general manager of the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority and had also been the KCC’s director and chief financial officer.
Kuether’s appointment must be confirmed by the Kansas Senate, which will vote after the legislative session begins in January. But Kuether can join the KCC sooner if the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee approves her. The committee is expected to hold a hearing and consider her nomination this month.
A spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Senate Vice President Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican and a member of the Confirmation Oversight Committee, said questions related to the rate case are certain to come up during Kuether’s hearing. Wilborn said he barely knows Kuether, given they served in different chambers.
“All I know is she’s a nice lady and that’s about it,” Wilborn said.
When the Senate confirmed Duffy, the vote was 38-1. Kelly’s other appointment to the KCC, Andrew French, was confirmed in January 2021 on a 36-0 vote. Kelly on Friday also reappointed French, whose term will expire in March 2024.
The third commissioner, Dwight Keen, was initially appointed by former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer in 2018 and reappointed by Kelly last year. His term will expire in 2026.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 12:38 PM.
