(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council Wednesday evening approved a resolution declaring “ a local state of financial emergency” due to last month's intense cold snapp that's expected to result in significantly higher than normal utility bills.
The city has not received its power bill yet, but has been warned by its energy provider, the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, that it could be four to five times the normal cost.
The open market rate per megawatt-hour surged during the intense cold from the usual $20 to $30 to over $3,000.
The resolution could enable the city to receive funding if a federal disaster is declared.
In addition, the Council voted to authorize Mayor Joe Mitchell to send an investigative request to the Kansas Attorney General's office asking that the pricing of electricity during last month's sub-zero cold snap be audited for potential price gouging.
The Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, headquarted in Overland Park, is listed as the company to be investigated. The city contracts with KMEA to purchase electricity, which the city then distributes to its customers.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Falls City man sentenced to Federal Prison
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Ground Broken for new Sac and Fox Trad'n Post
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Jackson Co traffic stop leads to arrest
One held for past Atchison shooting
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Early Thursday storms leave damage, outages, locally
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
LATEST STORIES
Pawnee City School Board approves personnel changes
Hazard mitigation planning meeting set for Atchison County MO
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Senator Slama on tax relief efforts
SE Nebraska March unemployment report
Falls City Career Academy to open during 24-25 school year
Denim Day declared for Nebraska state colleges