Westar requests $33.7 million in environmental costs through surcharge
April 8, 2009
Westar Energy is now seeking to recover $33.7 million from ratepayers through its Environmental Cost Recovery Rider (ECRR). This line-item surcharge passes along to customers Westar's costs of upgrading its emissions-control equipment at its generation plants. Residential ratepayers will bear about 44% of these costs.
Westar North customers will be hit the hardest: $25.8 million of the costs were accrued at plants assigned to their service territory. Westar South customers will face a $7.9 million increase.
The higher costs in the company's North territory are primarily due to major installation projects at Jeffrey Energy Center and the Tecumseh Energy Center.
Westar South customers will take their turn at bearing more of the costs when upgrades at LaCygne Energy Center are placed into rates.