Why is my Evergy Bill getting more expensive?
Evergy Missouri customers to see increase in monthly electric bill. The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved electric rate increases for Evergy Missouri Metro, Inc. and Evergy Missouri West, Inc., allowing them to increase rates by approximately $25 million and $30 million, respectively. The increases began taking effect on January 9, 2023. This increase means that residential customers using around 1,000 kWh per month will see their bills go up by approximately $3.75 per month for Evergy Missouri Metro customers and $4.50 per month for Evergy Missouri West customers. This is an average increase approximately about 4% from previous years.
Evergy filed its rate request in January 2022, seeking an electric rate increase of approximately $47.0 million and $59.8 million for Evergy Missouri Metro and Evergy Missouri West, respectively. Evergy raised rates in 2022 on some customers. The company said that the primary reason for the rate increases was infrastructure improvement aimed at enhancing reliability, as well as addressing customer interest in cleaner energy sources and offering more choices in electric rate options.
The Missouri Renewable Energy Standard requires investor-owned utilities like Evergy and Ameren to generate or purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) also called SRECs equal to a certain percentage of their retail electricity sales. For example, in 2021, Evergy was required to generate or purchase RECs equivalent to at least 15% of its retail sales. While Evergy has invested heavily in Wind, less than 3% of power generation comes from solar. Evergy has a goal of being carbon neutral and increasing solar energy to 20% by the year 2045. This is good news for customers and solar companies like Helio GreenTech alike, and it shows that solar has a bright future in Missouri and Kansas.
If Evergy or other power companies in Kansas and Missouri like Ameren or Independence Power and Light (IPL) do not meet this requirement, they may face penalties or fines from the Missouri Public Service Commission. This requirement helps promote the use of renewable energy sources and reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which can have positive environmental impacts.
However, homeowners in the Kansas City area can take steps to help shelter themselves from rising energy costs. One of the best ways to do this is by going solar. Helio GreenTech, is a top-ranked solar company in Kansas City, we offer free solar quotes for homeowners looking to reduce their energy bills.
Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that can provide significant cost savings over time. By switching to solar power, homeowners can take control of their energy bills and reduce their dependence on the grid, protecting themselves from future rate increases. In fact, many homeowners who switch to solar can save thousands of dollars over the life of their solar system.
The Missouri Public Service Commission's approval of the Evergy rate increases highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to manage energy costs. Evergy and Ameren aren’t the only power companies to ask for a price increase. The average residential electricity rate in Independence, MO is over 17 ¢/kWh, which is 22% higher than the average electricity rate in Missouri of 12.52 ¢/kWh. The average residential electricity rate in Independence, MO is 20% lower than the national average rate of 19 ¢/kWh.
While rate increases may be out of our control, homeowners can take steps to reduce their energy usage and invest in renewable energy sources like solar to help protect themselves from future rate increases.
In addition to going solar, homeowners can also take other steps to reduce their energy usage and save money on their electric bills. For example, energy vampires like electronics and appliances that continue to use energy even when turned off can add up to significant energy costs over time. By unplugging these devices or using power strips, homeowners can reduce their energy usage and save money on their bills.
While electric rate increases are outside of our control, there are steps that Kansas City homeowners can take to help protect themselves from rising energy costs. Going solar is one of the most effective ways to do this, as it can provide significant cost savings over time. Homeowners should also take steps to reduce their energy usage and invest in energy-efficient appliances and electronics to further reduce their energy bills. With proactive measures, homeowners can take control of their energy costs and protect themselves from future rate increases. Get a free solar quote from Helio Greentech to see how much you could save on your energy bills.
