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EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT 99.2 - WESTAR ENERGY INC /KSwr-03312017x8xkexhibit992.htm
8-K - 8-K - WESTAR ENERGY INC /KSwr-03312017xearningsreleas.htm
Exhibit 99.1

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Westar Energy Announces 1st Quarter 2017 Results.
TOPEKA, Kan., May 9, 2017 - Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) today announced earnings of $60 million, or $0.42 per share, for the first quarter 2017 compared with earnings of $66 million, or $0.46 per share, for the first quarter 2016.

Lower net income for the quarter, compared with last year, was driven by the effect of mild weather resulting in lower residential and commercial sales. Also contributing to the lower net income was a decrease in corporate-owned life insurance income, higher depreciation expense due in part to the start of operations of our Western Plains Wind Farm, and higher distribution expense from taking advantage of the warmer winter weather to execute our vegetation management strategy earlier in the year.

Additional Information
Because of the pending transaction with Great Plains Energy, Westar Energy will no longer host a quarterly webcast and conference call. Investors may continue to contact our Investor Relations Department at (785) 575-8227.

This earnings announcement, a package of detailed first-quarter financial information, the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar. 31, 2017, and other filings the company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the company's website at www.WestarEnergy.com.
- 30 -


As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. We have 7,800 MW of electric generation capacity that includes renewables and traditional power sources with half the electricity supplied to our more than 700,000 customers from emissions free sources: nuclear, wind and solar, with a third coming from renewables. We are a leader in electric transmission in Kansas coordinating a network of lines and substations that supports one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. Our employees live, volunteer and work in the communities we serve..

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this news release are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “pro forma,” “estimate,” “intend,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although Westar Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include those discussed herein as well as (1) those discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016 (a) under the heading, “Forward-Looking Statements,” (b) in ITEM 1. Business, (c) in ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (d) in ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and (e) in ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Notes 3, 14 and 16; (2) those discussed in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2017, (a) under the heading, "Forward-Looking Statements," (b) in ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (c) in Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Notes 3, 11 and 12 and (d) in ITEM 1A. Risk Factors; and (3) other factors discussed in the company's filings with

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WESTAR ENERGY NEWS RELEASE    Page 1 of 3

Westar Energy announces 1st quarter results

the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made.


Media Contact:
Gina Penzig
Media Relations Manager
Phone: 785-575-8089
Gina.Penzig@westarenergy.com
Media line: 888-613-0003

Investor Contact:
Cody VandeVelde
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: 785-575-8227
Cody.VandeVelde@westarenergy.com


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WESTAR ENERGY NEWS RELEASE    Page 2 of 3

Westar Energy announces 1st quarter results

Westar Energy, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
176,169

 
$
179,290

 
$
(3,121
)
 
(1.7
)
Commercial
155,707

 
165,673

 
(9,966
)
 
(6.0
)
Industrial
98,516

 
100,697

 
(2,181
)
 
(2.2
)
Other retail
(12,349
)
 
(14,381
)
 
2,032

 
14.1

Total Retail Revenues
418,043

 
431,279

 
(13,236
)
 
(3.1
)
Wholesale
77,367

 
67,412

 
9,955

 
14.8

Transmission
69,441

 
63,915

 
5,526

 
8.6

Other
7,723

 
6,844

 
879

 
12.8

Total Revenues
572,574

 
569,450

 
3,124

 
0.5

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel and purchased power
113,855

 
100,058

 
13,797

 
13.8

SPP network transmission costs
60,674

 
60,760

 
(86
)
 
(0.1
)
Operating and maintenance
81,198

 
77,757

 
3,441

 
4.4

Depreciation and amortization
88,625

 
83,640

 
4,985

 
6.0

Selling, general and administrative
59,157

 
56,456

 
2,701

 
4.8

Taxes other than income tax
42,716

 
48,968

 
(6,252
)
 
(12.8
)
Total Operating Expenses
446,225

 
427,639

 
18,586

 
4.3

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
126,349

 
141,811

 
(15,462
)
 
(10.9
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment earnings
3,155

 
2,016

 
1,139

 
56.5

Other income
1,300

 
9,477

 
(8,177
)
 
(86.3
)
Other expense
(5,316
)
 
(5,543
)
 
227

 
4.1

Total Other (Expense) Income
(861
)
 
5,950

 
(6,811
)
 
(114.5
)
Interest expense
41,095

 
40,431

 
664

 
1.6

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
84,393

 
107,330

 
(22,937
)
 
(21.4
)
Income tax expense
20,911

 
38,622

 
(17,711
)
 
(45.9
)
NET INCOME
63,482

 
68,708

 
(5,226
)
 
(7.6
)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
3,821

 
3,123

 
698

 
22.4

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCK
$
59,661

 
$
65,585

 
$
(5,924
)
 
(9.0
)
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC. (See 10-Q Note 2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.42

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
(8.7
)
Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.42

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
(8.7
)
AVERAGE EQUIVALENT COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
142,437

 
141,993

 
444

 
0.3

Diluted
142,696

 
142,311

 
385

 
0.3

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
$
0.40

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.02

 
5.3

Effective income tax rate
25
%
 
36
%
 
 
 
 

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WESTAR ENERGY NEWS RELEASE    Page 3 of 3