Utility rates don’t always rank high among hot-button political controversies. But the last few months in Missouri have seen an increasingly contentious dance playing out.

Evergy has seen blowback from customers and elected officials over mandatory time-of-use pricing, which it's expected to implement next month under an order from the Missouri Public Service Commission. That might encourage conservation, and a reduced used of fossil fuels, though that’s led some to say the whole thing is part of a political agenda.

Host Brian Ellison spoke with Allison Kite, data reporter for The Missouri Independent and Kansas Reflector, about these new plans and how they will impact current Evergy customers.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Paris Norvell, Byron Love and KCUR Studios and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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