JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, is updating area residents on utility rate changes that are scheduled to start early next month from Evergy Missouri Metro, Inc.

“The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the revisions to Evergy’s Time-of-Use (TOU) Program,” Sen. Cierpiot said. “This means the utility can start charging different rates between 4 and 8 p.m., which are peak times for electricity usage. This change means customers can now opt in to these new rates, rather than opt out of the old system. In other words, customers would no longer be forced into a new rate plan.”

Beginning Oct. 8, 2023, Evergy will implement these new time-based plans for customers. This is an attempt to ease demand on the electrical grid during evening hours, the peak time for electricity usage. Both Evergy Missouri Metro, which serves the Kansas City metropolitan area, and Evergy Missouri West, which serves counties outside the immediate metropolitan area, will take part.

The Missouri PSC approved these changes on Sept. 27. In addition, the PSC gave its approval to changing the names of the rates affected by the move. The current Standard Peak Saver will now be known as the Summer Peak Time-Based Plan. The current Peak Reward Saver will be called the Default Time-Based Plan. Again, these changes are expected to happen on Oct. 8.

“While I understand why Evergy asked for these changes, my main concern is the customers,” Sen. Cierpiot said. “These types of rate changes could be disruptive to a lot of people’s lives, especially the elderly and those with small children, who may not be able to curb certain basic necessities between 4 and 8 p.m. I fully intend to use every tool at my disposal as your state senator to examine this change and monitor its impact on the people of the district.”