Midwest Energy is proposing new electric rates across all rate classes. If approved, the new rates would take effect Feb. 1, 2026, and see the average residential customer’s bill increase annually an average of 5.4 percent, or just over $6 per month, each year over three years.
Some rate classes would see larger bill impacts than others. Two rate classes, General Service Medium and Standard Irrigation (M System) would see slight decreases in average bills.
The new rates would increase revenue annually by approximately $4.9 million across all rate classes, making this the first increase in distribution rates for the company since 2011. Costs for high-voltage transmission, property taxes and wholesale market changes are adjusted more frequently.
“Midwest Energy has held rates steady in the face of inflation for 14 years,” said Patrick Parke, Midwest Energy’s CEO. “We have entered a multi-decade effort to rebuild critical infrastructure like substations and powerlines which will require significant capital, and when combined with ongoing inflationary pressures, we’ve reached the point where this rate case is necessary,” Parke added.
If approved, the rates would go into effect Feb. 1, 2026, and be phased in over a three-year period. Details on proposed changes to residential rates and estimated bill impacts are below; examples of impacts to other rate classes are at the bottom of this page.
Also notable in this rate case is a proposal to rename several line items on all customer bills. The chart below summarizes the changes. These changes follow updates to Kansas tax statutes in 2023, which allow itemized delivery charges to be removed from the taxable basis for Kansas sales tax. Itemizing delivery charges on bills will save Midwest Energy customers roughly $2.5 million per year every year, without changing customer rates.
Members are also invited to attend one of five public information meetings discussing the changes:
Lyons: Oct. 28, 6:30-7:30 pm, Lyons Public Library.
Colby: Nov. 5, 6:30-7:30 pm, Colby Community College Student Union.
Kinsley: Nov. 11, 6:30-7:30 pm, Kinsley City Hall Meeting Room.
Hays: Nov. 12, 6:30-7:30 pm, Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center.
Great Bend: Nov. 13, 6:30-7:30 pm, Front Door Welcome Center.
Members may submit comments on the proposed changes by Friday, Nov. 7 via e-mail to Justin MacDonald, Vice President of Customer Service, at jmacdonald@mwenergy.com.
The Board of Directors will consider and vote on the proposed rate changes at an open meeting Monday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. at Midwest Energy’s office, 1330 Canterbury Dr., in Hays. All Midwest Energy members may attend.
