About Us

History of CURB

Initially, the Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) established CURB in 1988 when he perceived a need for a stronger consumer advocate. During the 1989 legislative session, House Bill 2454 was passed and signed by the Governor. This bill established CURB as a state agency effective July 1, 1989. House Bill 2454 contained a two-year sunset provision. CURB's enabling legislation is set forth in K.S.A. 66-1222 et seq. (1989). During the 1991 legislative session, House Bill 2439 was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. This bill re-authorized CURB and clarified its funding mechanism and budgeting process. This bill also separated CURB from the KCC for budgetary purposes and made CURB an independent agency.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to zealously protect the interests of residential and small commercial utility ratepayers before the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas legislature.

Vision Statement

To protect Kansas residential and small commercial utility ratepayers by promoting the delivery of optimal utility services - being safe, reliable and technically robust, environmentally sensible, cost-effective, and equitably provided to all Kansas utility consumers at just prices.

CURB's Core Values

To advocate for reasonable utility rates for residential and small commercial consumers;
To promote long-term, cost-effective reliability of utility services for residential and small commercial consumers;
To protect residential and small commercial consumers from utility practices which are not in the public interest;
To support a reasonable balance of the interests of present residential and small commercial ratepayers with the interests of future residential and small commercial ratepayers;
To encourage cost-effective measures which result in energy efficiency, technological advancements, and other improvements in the distribution of utility services to residential and small commercial ratepayers; and
To improve transparency and the accessibility of communication channels between utilities and residential and small commercial ratepayers with respect to utility services and consumer rights.

Meet our Board Members

CURB has a five-member volunteer board that is appointed by the Governor. There is one member from each congressional district with the fifth member serving as an at-large appointee. Each member of the board serves a four-year term.

Mary Treaster, Member, First Congressional District
Leilani Grey, Vice-Chair, Second Congressional District
Rachel Jefferson, Member, Third Congressional District
Dr. Danya Burks, Member, Fourth Congressional District
Carol Barta, Chair, Member at Large

Meet our Staff

CURB employs a consumer counsel, two supporting attorneys, two technical positions, and two administrative staff.

David W. Nickel, Consumer Counsel
Joseph R. Astrab, Attorney
Todd E. Love, Attorney
Josh Frantz, Senior Regulatory Analyst
Patrick Orr, Regulatory Analyst
Shonda Rabb, Public Service Administrator II
Della Smith, Senior Administrative Specialist
Audrey Benham, Regulatory Accountant



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Skip navigation Home About Us Consumer Assistance CURB News Cases Legislative Matters Contact Us	About Us History of CURB Initially, the Chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) established CURB in 1988 when he perceived a need for a stronger consumer advocate. During the 1989 legislative session, House Bill 2454 was passed and signed by the Governor. This bill established CURB as a state agency effective July 1, 1989. House Bill 2454 contained a two-year sunset provision. CURB's enabling legislation is set forth in K.S.A. 66-1222 et seq. (1989). During the 1991 legislative session, House Bill 2439 was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. This bill re-authorized CURB and clarified its funding mechanism and budgeting process. This bill also separated CURB from the KCC for budgetary purposes and made CURB an independent agency. Mission Statement Our mission is to zealously protect the interests of residential and small commercial utility ratepayers before the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas legislature. Vision Statement To protect Kansas residential and small commercial utility ratepayers by promoting the delivery of optimal utility services - being safe, reliable and technically robust, environmentally sensible, cost-effective, and equitably provided to all Kansas utility consumers at just prices. CURB's Core Values To advocate for reasonable utility rates for residential and small commercial consumers; To promote long-term, cost-effective reliability of utility services for residential and small commercial consumers; To protect residential and small commercial consumers from utility practices which are not in the public interest; To support a reasonable balance of the interests of present residential and small commercial ratepayers with the interests of future residential and small commercial ratepayers; To encourage cost-effective measures which result in energy efficiency, technological advancements, and other improvements in the distribution of utility services to residential and small commercial ratepayers; and To improve transparency and the accessibility of communication channels between utilities and residential and small commercial ratepayers with respect to utility services and consumer rights. Meet our Board Members CURB has a five-member volunteer board that is appointed by the Governor. There is one member from each congressional district with the fifth member serving as an at-large appointee. Each member of the board serves a four-year term. Mary Treaster, Member, First Congressional District Leilani Grey, Vice-Chair, Second Congressional District Rachel Jefferson, Member, Third Congressional District Dr. Danya Burks, Member, Fourth Congressional District Carol Barta, Chair, Member at Large Meet our Staff CURB employs a consumer counsel, two supporting attorneys, two technical positions, and two administrative staff. David W. Nickel, Consumer Counsel Joseph R. Astrab, Attorney Todd E. Love, Attorney Josh Frantz, Senior Regulatory Analyst Patrick Orr, Regulatory Analyst Shonda Rabb, Public Service Administrator II Della Smith, Senior Administrative Specialist Audrey Benham, Regulatory Accountant
	Revised Friday, 16-Jun-2023 21:51:28 UTC Copyright © Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board, 2006