Report: Kansas electricity costs higher than other states

(AP) A report says Kansas customers are paying more for electricity than in neighboring states because of investments in coal and wind power.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas Corporation Commission recently presented its analysis of electricity rates to lawmakers.

The commission found that utilities Westar Energy and Kansas City Power & Light spent billions of dollars over the last decade on coal-fired power plants in Kansas. They also spent millions of dollars complying with a now-repealed state rule for 20 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.

Commission Chief Accountant Justin Grady says Kansas decided to invest in coal when it was cheaper than gas, but the price of natural gas has since dropped.

The state Senate Utilities Committee plans to discuss the report next week.