CURB consumer counsel outlines priorities as utilities file major rate cases

Joseph Astrab, consumer counsel for the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, told the Senate Utilities Committee that CURB represents residential and small commercial ratepayers before the Kansas Corporation Commission, the legislature and in appellate proceedings.

"We are a fee funded agency," Astrab said. "We do not draw upon the state general fund for our funding; rather there's a statute in place that allows the assessment of fees to a utility for our services that's paid through ratepayers through their bill." He described CURB's staff and board: two attorneys, three regulatory analysts, two administrative professionals and a five‑member appointed volunteer board drawn from around the state.

Why it matters: CURB intervenes in utility rate cases and regulatory dockets to present residential customer perspectives; its…