natural gas

Some of the deep geothermal wells from the heating and cooling system at Raytown South High School and the Herndon Career Center allowed methane to accumulate below a parking lot. But repairs are underway, and students returned to class this week.

When consumers get their utility bills every month, it’s not always clear why energy costs as much as it does — and there are usually no other options. Why? The upfront investment and barriers to entry create natural energy industry monopolies. Plus: Learn why local fruits and veggies are often more expensive than produce shipped thousands of miles.

Evergy announced last year its intent to build two gas plants in Kansas and one in Missouri, as well as one solar plant in each state. The projects are expected to cost more than $2.75 billion.

In states without policies to drive renewable energy, power prices could surge as federal tax incentives for clean energy disappear, according to the think tank Energy Innovation. The firm expects rates to rise by at least 39% in Missouri and 30% in Kansas.

Evergy Kansas Central customers will see bills increase about 8.6% to fund the construction of two natural gas plants and a solar plants. Evergy last received a $41 million rate hike in 2023.

Both Evergy and Ameren Missouri asked a Missouri House committee to support legislation that would allow them to charge customers for natural, or methane, gas power plants even before they’re completed, saying the state needs more electrical power.

Currently, Missouri utilities rely on audited past expenses — called a “test year” — to set rates. Critics say that allowing gas, water and sewer utilities to base rates on upcoming expenses would hurt customers.

Gov. Laura Kelly said the construction of the plants would create 500 construction jobs and 165 permanent jobs. She said the plants would ensure reliable energy in emergencies and during hot summer days.

Evergy Missouri West wants the Public Service Commission to OK a nearly 14% increase in electric rates, giving the company up to $105 million more in annual revenue. Last year, the company reported $731 million in earnings.

In October, Evergy will force customers to choose between new electricity plans that implement time-of-use pricing, which places a premium on electricity prices at times of high demand. Under the default plan, power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will cost four times more than other hours.

The utility, which serves 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, is drawing criticism from environmental groups for keeping open its oldest coal plant. Evergy also said that Kansas City's clean energy goals are “incredibly aggressive” and too expensive.

Spire's rate increase would come to about 12.7% for western Missouri customers, or about $11 a month. But state regulators and consumer advocates are skeptical the energy company needs to increase rates by so much.