The Patriots

[Mr. Williams

Thank you for your comment regarding the Evergy Docker 23-EKCE-775-RTS.  In order for me to attach your comment to the docket for review, I need to know the city you live in.  If you could please reply with that information, I will be happy to get your comment added.

Thank you.

Sherri Eisenbarth

Public Service Administrator

Public Affairs and Consumer Protection

Kansas Corporation Commission

1500 SW Arrowhead Road  |  Topeka, KS  |  66604-4027

Phone (785) 271-3323 |  Fax (785) 271-3111  |  http://kcc.ks.gov/  ]

Evergy's rate increases invite some interesting questions. I thought it expedient to publish some of my comments since the public wont get any meaningful information from the press. Evergy Executives are Raking in Millions of Dollars, While the People are Struggling to Keep the Lights On

How is it that Evergy is seeking a $218 million rate rate increase while paying 524 million in 'Dividends' ?

How will the commitment to electric cars be met by new Wind Turbines (wind speed below 33 mph) and solar power which produces nothing at night? This will simply be exacerbated once charging stations begin to proliferate through out the state. The lunacy continues as Evergy buys additional wind power from Oklahoma: "Over the next 10 years, Evergy plans to add more than 3,500 MW of renewable energy and retire more than 1,900 MW of coal-based fossil generation. Evergy has set a goal of 70% carbon reduction by 2030 (relative to 2005 levels) and a target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045."

As you decrease fossil fuel base loading you enter the risky alternative energy possibilities of brownouts and just energy unavailability.

Equally concerning to residents should be the funding of political campaigns. Lobbying & Campaign Contributions – Should a State-Regulated Monopoly be Allowed to Financially Influence State Campaigns? Funding these campaigns ensures certain company economic objectives are met.  I submit this is moe akin to profiteering than ensuring fair and equitable rates.

But the biggest concern of Kansans by far is how a three member regulatory board can manage meaningful rates for the state?  Rate Increase Wars:The KCC – Can a 3-Member Utility Commission Honestly Represent 3 Million Kansans?

The article states its case well: "The Board would need to have many more participants in order to lessen the possibility of lobbyists, special interests, and bad actors somehow being powerful enough to tip the scales. Local planning and zoning boards typically have 7-11 members for this very reason. Even the National committees with NARUC, which two of these commissioners serve on, have over 30 members on each committee. "

The KCC, as currently under staffed, is not able to regulate the state' s obligations other than in a perfunctory manner which will lead to higher consumer rates and increasing failures of the power grid and  a lower standard of living

by Allen Williams

Recently, I had to upgrade my automobile air conditioning system from R12 to R134a. Getting AC parts for a 1991 Nissan is no easy task. After some research on the Net, I happened upon Parts Geek which seemed to have exactly what I needed at reasonable prices.

I did most of the AC work on my own car, flushing the lines, installing a new compressor, o-rings, etc. I ordered a new Filter-Drier from Parts Geek and it arrived promptly, now note their return policy:

"Return Policy - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ
We have a 30 day return policy. We must be contacted within 30 days of receipt for an RMA number. We will not accept any returns after 30 days, no exceptions. All returns including cores require an RMA number. You MUST fill out a support ticket on our website for an RMA number. We will NOT accept return requests via phone. DO NOT send back any parts without first obtaining an RMA number via e-mail, or else your credit will be delayed significantly. Please visit our website and click on Customer Service for further details."

I installed the new filter-drier and pulled down the system to 29 inches of mercury but the AC system began to leak as soon as the vacuum pump shut off. I checked the system for leaks but couldn't identify any even though the system had green dye in the PAG oil and had been run briefly.

I had to put my car in a local Kansas AC shop and they called to tell me the new Filter-Drier was defective, leaking around the sight glass. The shop replaced the filter drier, pumped it down and charged the system with R134a. It then worked fine.

Now instead of being able to repair and upgrade my auto AC system for less than $200, I wound up paying over $500 because of that defective drier not to mention the time and aggravation I experienced getting an approved RMA number to get the defective part returned for credit. And then they wouldn't pay the shipping for me to return their defective part!

By Robert Gehl      

The media’s going nuts that Hillary Clinton took three big paychecks for three speeches at Goldman Sachs. At $225,000 a pops that’s pretty good scratch – but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
 
She’s been very, very busy, raking in millions in a three-year stretch since she left her post as the Secretary of State. Her defense?  It varies from “It’s what they offered me” to the hilarious, “I happen to think we need more conversations about what’s going on in the world.”

Pricey “conversations” indeed.

Here’s a list of the 92 “conversations” that Clinton has had in just the past three years. The total: $21.7 million.

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Robert Gehl is a college professor in Phoenix, Arizona. He has over 15 years journalism experience, including two Associated Press awards. He lives in Glendale with his wife and two young children.