Kansas City, Mo. ? Rates will be climbing for Kansas City Power & Light customers in Kansas but by less than the utility had requested.

The Kansas City Star reported that the average residential customer’s bills will increase by about $50 a year. The increase will take effect Dec. 1.

The increases are the result of a Kansas Corporation Commission decision released Monday that said KCP&L can collect $22 million more each year.

The utility had asked for about twice that much, but the commission disallowed some requested expenses. It also said KCP&L would have to settle for a lower rate of return and wait longer to depreciate its new Iatan 2 generating plant near Weston.

Over the past five years, rates have edged upward by more than 30 percent. This year’s increase totals about 4.5 percent.