BURLINGTON, Kan. (AP) _ The owners of the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant have applied for a 20-year extension of the Burlington plant's operating license.

If the application is approved, it would extend the plant's use from 2025 to 2045.

Consumer advocates support the extension, saying it would keep electricity rates down for much of southern Kansas.

Wolf Creek spokeswoman Jenny Hageman said the utility is asking for the extension 19 years ahead of its license expiration date as part of a group of six similar plants that are also seeking renewals.

That allows the plants to share some of the technical work that is part of the renewal process.

The application process is expected to take 20 to 22 months. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses reactors.