Kansas City Power and Light says it has tried to ease the sting of its request to Missouri regulators for suspension of some popular solar rebates. The stated utility plan would keep the bulk of Kansas City inside payment territory.
The request to the Missouri Public Service Commission earlier this month asked some suspension of solar paybacks take effect September 3.
There was a swift outcry over the payments mandated by law. The program grew out of a 2008 statewide referendum.
Speaking for the utility, Katie McDonald said a spending cap has not been reached in Kansas City metro but has to the North and East. No suspension is proposed for Kansas City.
McDonald said the cap arrived when payouts are more than a one percent rate increase for all Missouri customers. She also said rebates would only be suspended until the next calendar year, “and the key isn’t as much that we’re asking for it as that the law dictates we’re not allowed to pay out rebates once we’ve hit that 1 percent cap.”
Opponents of the proposed solar rebate suspensions argue KCP&L found a convenient way to set the cap to stop payouts.
Missouri PSC will decide after considering direct public feedback.
