The Kansas Corporation Commission is closely watching the Missouri Public Service Commission’s investigation into Liberty Utilities billing, a spokesman said.
In late February, MPSC initiated an investigation after multiple complaints about high bills.
“The Commission has had numerous inquiries, complaints, comments and testimony about issues with Liberty Utilities billing and customer service,” the Commission said in its order. “These inquiries have come through the Commission’s customer service hotline, comments and testimony submitted at local public hearings and constituent inquiries received by Missouri legislators. Because of these persistent concerns, the Commission will direct its Staff to investigate all the Liberty (Utilities) companies operating in Missouri and file a report with any recommended actions to be taken by the Commission.”
According to KOAM TV, Missouri lawmakers have received similar complaints.
While only a small portion of Southeast Kansas gets its electricity from Liberty Utilities, the KCC said it has received a number of complaints.
“The KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection has received 20 complaints since late February from Liberty customers concerned about inaccurate billing (high bill or disputed bill),” Justin Grady, deputy director of utilities for the KCC, said in an email statement. “Our staff has contacted Liberty and investigated each one. Where a billing irregularity was found, the company corrected the billing.”
Grady said the irregularities are “concerning.”
“KCC staff is aware of the MPSC decision to open an investigation into Liberty’s billing issues, and we are currently evaluating whether to pursue a similar investigation in Kansas,” Grady said. “We are also closely following the Missouri investigation, and we are in contact with the MPSC about their investigation. We have a history of collaborating with our Missouri counterparts in matters of utility regulatory issues involving jurisdictional utilities with both Missouri and Kansas operations.”
MPSC has ordered their staff to provide reports every three months, with the first report due April 30, 2025.
Kansans with questions or complaints may contact the KCC at (785) 662-0027 or via email at kcc.public.affairs@ks.gov.
