News Release

For more information contact: Abbie Hodgson, 785-271-3269

January 8, 2010

Wheatland Hearing Tuesday
Commission will consider $4.8 million settlement agreement

Topeka, KS- The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a technical hearing on Tuesday regarding Wheatland Electric Cooperative's application for a rate increase.

Wheatland filed an application for a $7.7 million rate increase on March 2, 2009. Wheatland elected to file its application under certain Commission regulatory provisions available for the benefit of small rural electric distribution cooperatives.

On August 20, 2009, a unanimous settlement agreement was filed, in which the parties agreed to a $4.8 million rate increase. Under the terms of the agreement, the average residential customer would see an increase of 7.3% or $6.62 a month.

The Commission issued an order on September 9th setting interim rates based upon the unanimous settlement and opening up a 90 day comment period to allow customers to submit comments in support of or in opposition to the rate increase.

At the technical hearing next week, the Commissioners will hear testimony from Wheatland and the KCC staff in support of the unanimous settlement agreement and take into consideration the public comments received.

A copy of Wheatland's application, supporting testimony, and the settlement agreement is available at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kcc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=b19b08d9-0674-4f2b-b177-6f8cdc026b19.