Kentucky Public Service Commission Denies Intervention Request in Electric Rate Adjustment Case

Strategic Insights -

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has issued an order denying a request for intervention in a case involving an adjustment of electric rates by Kentucky Utilities Company. The order was issued on August 20, 2025, and denies the request of Rick Thompson, who had sought to intervene in the case citing concerns about the impact of the rate increase on fixed-income individuals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Service Commission denied Rick Thompson's request for intervention in the case citing that he failed to demonstrate a special interest in the proceeding or provide evidence that his intervention would assist the Commission without unduly complicating or disrupting the proceedings.
  • The Commission noted that the Attorney General has a statutory right to intervene in such proceedings and has already been granted intervention in this case.
  • Thompson will still have the opportunity to participate in the proceedings and provide public comments, including at the hearing scheduled for November 3, 2025.
  • The Commission found that Thompson's request for intervention was untimely and without good cause shown, citing a procedural schedule that established a deadline for intervention requests as June 25, 2025.
  • Thompson received notice enclosed with his electric bill on July 18, 2025, and filed his motion to intervene on July 29, 2025, which was 11 days after receipt of the notice.
  • The Commission cited several precedents in denying Thompson's request for intervention, including Case No. 2020-00349, Electronic Application of Kentucky Utilities Company for an Adjustment of Its Electric Rates.
  • The Commission found that Thompson's interest in the proceeding was not a special interest meriting full intervention, and that his intervention would not assist the Commission in fully considering the matter without unduly complicating or disrupting the proceedings.
  • The Commission will continue to review all public documents filed in the case and monitor its website for updates on the proceedings.
  • Public comments will be taken from all interested parties, including Thompson, throughout the proceedings.

Statistics:

  • 1: The number of days Thompson had to file his request for intervention after receipt of notice enclosed with his electric bill on July 18, 2025.
  • 11: The number of days Thompson took to file his motion to intervene after receipt of the notice enclosed with his electric bill on July 18, 2025.
  • June 25, 2025: The deadline for intervention requests established by the Commission in the procedural schedule.
  • 2020-00349: The case number cited by the Commission as a precedent for denying requests for intervention.
  • November 3, 2025: The date of the hearing scheduled in this matter.
  • 2025-00113: The case number of this proceeding.

Sources:

  • Commonwealth of Kentucky Before the Public Service Commission, In the Matter of: Electronic Application of Kentucky Utilities Company for an Adjustment of Its Electric Rates and Approval of Certain Regulatory and Accounting Treatments, Case No. 2025-00113, Order (August 20, 2025).
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky Before the Public Service Commission, In the Matter of: Electronic Application of Kentucky Utilities Company for an Adjustment of Its Electric Rates, Case No. 2020-00349, Order (January 12, 2021).