TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas regulators have approved a 9 percent increase in Kansas City Power & Light’s annual electric rates, raising them less than the utility sought.

But the three-member Kansas Corporation Commission split over how much profit KCP&L’s stockholders should be allowed to earn. The final rate is 9.3 percent.

The commission said KCP&L’s charges for its 247,000 customers in northeast Kansas will increase nearly $49 million a year. No figure was immediately available for the monthly increase in an average residential customer’s bill.

Missouri regulators last week approved an 11.7 percent rate increase for KCP&L customers there.

In Kansas, KCP&L proposed boosting annual revenues by $67 million, or 12.5 percent and $11.67 a month for an average residential customer.

KCP&L argued it needed additional revenues to pay for power plant upgrades.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas regulators are preparing to give their final approval to an increase in Kansas City Power & Light’s annual electric rates that’s likely to be less than the utility sought.

The Kansas Corporation Commission was meeting Tuesday to discuss KCP&L’s rates for its 247,000 customers in the state’s northeast corner. It was the last day the commission could issue a rate-setting order under state law.

KCP&L proposed boosting its annual revenues by $67 million and estimated its request would raise rates by 12.5 percent or $11.67 a month for an average residential customer.

But a state consumer advocacy agency says decisions already announced publicly by the commission suggest KCP&L’s rates will increase about $40 million annually.

The company contends it needs additional revenues to pay for power plant upgrades.