WICHITA, Kan. - The rate increase that Kansas Gas Service is seeking is far higher than the amount staff at the Kansas Corporation Commission has recommended.
     The gas company is asking for a net increase of about $32?million a year, and KCC staff recommends the company get only $3.6?million.
     The Wichita Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/PkLNpp ) that the recommendations are cited in documents filed last week.
      The gas company's proposal would raise the average customer's bill by $5.68 a month. The KCC proposal would boost those bills about $1.
     KGS spokeswoman Dawn Ewing says the company's still analyzing the KCC staff recommendations but believes its original proposal would result in fair and reasonable rates.
     The KCC's three commissioners serve as judges in rate cases and will make the final decision by Jan. 14.