Topeka ? Kansas utility regulators plan to resume hearings this week on equalizing rates for the state’s largest electric company.

Westar Energy charges different rates in its northern and southern divisions. It wants to put the same charges for some items — such as transmission costs — on all customers’ bills.

The Kansas Corporation Commission began hearings last week and plans to have one Thursday in Wichita, broadcasting it at the KCC’s offices in Topeka. The KCC has until late October to rule.

Westar formed when two utilities merged in the 1990s. The Wichita-based company serving what is now Westar’s southern division had higher rates than the Topeka utility serving what became the northern division.

The KCC has narrowed the gap. Westar believes the rates are close enough to allow consolidation.