JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri regulators have approved a request from Kansas City Power & Light-Greater Missouri Operations to raise the fuel charge on electric bills.

The Public Service Commission says the increase amounts to about 78 cents a month for residential customers in portions of Kansas City, and $1.29 for those in St. Joseph. They take effect Sept. 1.

The fuel adjustment charge allows power companies to recover most of its fuel costs. Charges appear in a separate category on customer bills. The charge is designed to help utilities address volatility in fuel pricing.

The change affects about 313,000 electric customers in an area of Missouri that includes Kansas City and St. Joseph.