Criterion News

• 5/25/2018 - Great Plains Energy &... (subscriber access)
• 11/22/2017 - Great Plains Reports Shareholder Approval of Merger with Westar
• 7/10/2017 - Great Plains Energy & Westar Energy Agree to No-Premium Merger of Equals
• 5/4/2017 - Great Plains & Westar... (subscriber access)
• 4/5/2017 - NextEra Energy Resources... (subscriber access)
• 3/7/2017 - Great Plains Energy... (subscriber access)
• 3/6/2017 - Great Plains Energy Commencing Senior Note Offering to Fund Westar Acquisition
• 9/28/2016 - Great Plains Energy... (subscriber access)
• 9/26/2016 - Great Plains Energy &... (subscriber access)
• 5/31/2016 - Great Plains Energy... (subscriber access)
• 1/11/2016 - Siemens secures 250MW... (subscriber access)

Press Releases

4/5/2017 - Westar Energy, NextEra Energy Resources celebrate commissioning of two wind energy centers, $650 million investment in Kansas
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Westar Energy, NextEra Energy Resources celebrate commissioning of two wind energy centers, $650 million investment in Kansas
Source: PR Newswire
Orignial Article: http://www.prnewswire.com...
KINGMAN, Kan., April 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- State and local leaders and landowners joined executives from NextEra Energy Resources and Westar Energy to celebrate the commissioning of the Kingman and Ninnescah Wind Energy Centers, which has created hundreds of construction jobs as well as millions of dollars in economic benefits to the region.
"Wind energy is good for Kansas and it's good for our economy," said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, addressing landowners and guests at the commissioning ceremony. "When these blades are turning in the wind, it's just like the combines harvesting wheat from our land – we are creating value from our natural resources to the benefit of our people and I'd like to see more projects like these."
"These projects represent a more than $650 million investment in Kansas," said Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun. An affiliate of the company owns and operates the Kingman and Ninnescah projects. "We are very pleased to bring these wind energy centers online to help serve the state and boost the local economy."
The Kingman and Ninnescah Wind Energy Centers feature more than 240 GE wind turbines designed to pivot to capture the prevailing wind and convert it to clean, renewable electricity. Together, they have a generating capacity of 400 megawatts, capable of powering more than 100,000 homes. The energy serves customers of Westar Energy as well as its wholesale partners Midwest Energy and the cities of McPherson, Chanute, Iola, Fredonia and Sabetha through energy management service agreements.
"These projects modernize and diversify Kansas' energy supply, and provide low-cost, clean energy to our customers," said Mark Ruelle, president and CEO of Westar Energy. "We are also pleased to make this renewable energy available to several of our wholesale customers who now have an opportunity to share in this tremendous investment in our state."
The projects have created a significant economic boost for Kingman and Pratt Counties, creating approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase in 2016, and approximately 35 full-time jobs once the projects became operational in December. The projects will provide more than $40 million in guaranteed payments to the county governments over their projected 30-year operational life, and nearly $100 million in payments to local landowners. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction - a wide variety of local businesses have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.
"Kansas, and Kingman and Pratt Counties in particular, are fortunate to have some of the best wind in the nation," said Rep. Jack Thimesh of Spivey. "These projects are evidence of what we can do when we build strong partnerships to develop this resource, create good jobs and long-term benefits for our communities."
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy Resources"), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 19,990 megawatts of generating capacity, which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 29 states and Canada as of year-end 2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Westar Energy Inc.
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is Kansas' largest electric utility. For more than a century, we have provided Kansans the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. Every day our team of professionals takes on projects to generate and deliver electricity, protect the environment and provide excellent service to our nearly 700,000 customers. Westar has 7,200 MW of electric generation capacity fueled by coal, uranium, natural gas, wind, sun and landfill gas. We are also a leader in electric transmission in Kansas. Our innovative customer service programs include mobile-enabled customer care, expanding use of smart meters and paving the way for electric vehicle adoption. 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.  Westar Energy is on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/yourwestar  and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WestarEnergy.
SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources, LLC

Article Date
4/5/2017
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9/7/2016 - Kansas City Area Development Council Announces Regional Support for Great Plains Energy's Acquisition of Westar Energy
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Kansas City Area Development Council Announces Regional Support for Great Plains Energy's Acquisition of Westar Energy
Source: PR Newswire
Orignial Article: http://www.prnewswire.com...
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) announced it is leading robust regional support for Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the parent company of KCP&L, in its acquisition of neighboring Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR). The $12.2 billion deal will add capacity and cost savings for residents and businesses in the 18-county, two state Kansas City region.
"Strong, locally-owned utilities are a cornerstone of healthy regional economies," said Tim Cowden, President and CEO, KCADC, the umbrella economic development organization for the Kansas City region. "The combination of KCP&L and Westar Energy will ensure good jobs stay here and will allow us to maintain our competitive electric rates, one of our region's distinct advantages and one of the most important considerations for site selection consultants and companies looking to relocate to our area."
Once the transaction is complete, the new utility will have more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, nearly 13,000 megawatts of generation capacity, almost 10,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 51,000 miles of distribution lines. In addition, more than 45 percent of the combined utility's retail customer demand can be met with emission-free energy.
"Bringing together the senior leadership of KCP&L and Westar Energy ensures that they will remain engaged in Kansas and Missouri," said Cowden. "Local leadership living, working and contributing in our community ensures our economic development efforts will continue to have their full attention. Their involvement and support of our efforts is critical to the future economic health of our region."
The transaction is on track and expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. The downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and downtown Topeka, Kansas, headquarters will remain after closing.
"We are extremely fortunate that Westar Energy found a neighboring buyer that understands and appreciates firsthand the regional needs of individual and corporate customers, especially with regard to business retention and attraction efforts in the heartland," said Matt Pivarnik, president and CEO, GO Topeka. "Both of these outstanding companies share a reputation for doing the right thing and going above and beyond with regard to their commitment to employees, safety, quality, the environment and corporate philanthropy."
KCP&L and Westar each have been serving customers in Kansas and Missouri for more than 100 years and currently jointly own and operate the Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station, as well as the La Cygne and Jeffrey power plants. With the addition of Westar's generation fleet, Great Plains Energy will have a more diverse and sustainable generation portfolio.
In addition, among investor-owned utilities in the United States, the combined company will have one of the largest portfolios of wind generation in the country. KCP&L and Westar each have made significant commitments to harvesting the general wind Kansas provides. KCP&L was the first utility in the country to own and operate a commercial-scale wind farm in the state of Kansas at its 148.5 megawatt Spearville Wind Generation Facility. Westar Energy's multiple wind farms will provide 32% of the utility's retail electricity by the end of 2016.
"A robust portfolio of renewable energy is increasingly important to companies when they are looking to locate facilities," said Cowden.
Great Plains Energy has an established track record of successful integration with adjacent electric utilities. In 2008, Great Plains Energy completed its acquisition of Aquila, an electric utility serving customers in adjacent areas of Missouri. That successful acquisition has delivered – and continues to deliver – significant savings for customers, which have exceeded initial expectations.
Several regional economic development agencies have joined KCADC in their support of KCP&L's acquisition of Westar Energy and in recognition of the enormous economic development benefits that this transaction will have for the region. Those organizations include:
Missouri
• City of Belton
• Cass County Corporation for Economic Development
• Clinton Chamber of Commerce
• De Soto Economic Development Council
• Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City
• Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Independence Council for Economic Development
• Lee's Summit Economic Development Council
• Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• City of Raytown
• Platte County Economic Development Council
• St. Clair County Economic Development
• St. Joseph Economic Development Partnership
• Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County Economic Development
Kansas
• Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce
• Butler County Community Development
• Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas (Emporia)
• El Dorado Chamber of Commerce
• Emporia Chamber of Commerce
• City of Fort Scott Economic Development
• Harvey County Economic Development Council
• Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce
• Leavenworth County Development Corporation
• City of Parsons Economic Development
• Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce
• GO Topeka
• Wyandotte Economic Development Council
About Greater Kansas City
Home to 2.5 million people, the Kansas City region offers the benefits of more than 50 unique communities and 18 counties in Kansas and Missouri. The area ranks as the number one rail center in the U.S., the country's third largest trucking center and one of the largest Foreign Trade Zones in the U.S. The Kansas City region is recognized as "America's Creative Crossroads" as a center for technology and artistry. 
About KCADC
The Kansas City Area Development Council serves the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area by marketing the region's business and lifestyle assets to companies around the world. Working closely with its 50+ state, county and community partners and its more than 250 corporate partners across the region, KCADC has attracted companies pledging to create more than 60,000 new jobs over its 40-year history. Visit thinkkc.com for more information.
 
SOURCE Kansas City Area Development Council

Article Date
9/7/2016
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5/31/2016 - WESTAR ENERGY (WR) ALERT: Johnson & Weaver, LLP Launches an Investigation into the Fairness of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Westar Energy, Inc.; Are Shareholders Getting a Fair Price?
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WESTAR ENERGY (WR) ALERT: Johnson & Weaver, LLP Launches an Investigation into the Fairness of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Westar Energy, Inc.; Are Shareholders Getting a Fair Price?
Source: PR Newswire
Orignial Article: http://www.prnewswire.com...
SAN DIEGO, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson & Weaver, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP).
Additional Information:
Westar is an electric utility company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Kansas.
On May 31, 2016, Westar announced it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Great Plains Energy. Under the terms of the agreement Westar shareholders will receive $60.00 per share of total consideration for each share of Westar common stock, consisting of $51.00 in cash and $9.00 in Great Plains Energy common stock, subject to a 7.5% collar based upon the Great Plains Energy common stock price at the time of the transaction closing.
The investigation concerns whether the Westar board failed to satisfy their duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for Westar shares of common stock. Nationally recognized Johnson & Weaver is investigating whether the proposed deal price represents adequate consideration.
If you are a shareholder of Westar and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you're interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker (jimb@johnsonandweaver.com) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number where you can be reached.
About Johnson & Weaver, LLP:
Johnson & Weaver, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonandweaver.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Contact:
Johnson & Weaver, LLP
Jim Baker, 619-814-4471
jimb@johnsonandweaver.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160211/332409LOGO
 
SOURCE Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Article Date
5/31/2016
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5/31/2016 - WESTAR ENERGY INVESTOR ALERT BY THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LOUISIANA: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Westar Energy, Inc.
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WESTAR ENERGY INVESTOR ALERT BY THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LOUISIANA: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Westar Energy, Inc.
Source: PR Newswire
Orignial Article: http://www.prnewswire.com...
NEW ORLEANS, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Westar Energy, Inc. ("Westar" or the "Company") (NYSE: WR) to Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Westar will receive only $51.00 in cash and $9.00 in Great Plains Energy stock for each share of Westar that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.
If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857.
To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
206 Covington St.
Madisonville, LA 70447
 
 
 
SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Article Date
5/31/2016
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2/4/2016 - Westar Extends AMI Contract with Landis+Gyr
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Westar Extends AMI Contract with Landis+Gyr
Source: PR Newswire
ATLANTA, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr announced a recent contract extension with Westar Energy, the largest electric utility provider in Kansas, for a full deployment of the utility's advanced metering infrastructure and continued management of its AMI network.
The original contract with Westar covered deployment of Landis+Gyr's Gridstream^® AMI solution within the Wichita, KS service area. The extension includes the remainder of Westar's electric meters and network infrastructure for all other areas of Westar's territory. Landis+Gyr will continue to provide network management and data hosting services as part of the agreement.
"The initial deployment and success of the service agreement with Landis+Gyr made us confident to move ahead," said Greg Greenwood, Senior Vice President, Strategy at Westar Energy. "We've been seeing value from day one and plan to expand our use of the network and data for a variety of grid management applications."
The technology deployment supports Westar's existing pre-payment and variable pricing programs, delivery of energy usage information to customers through the internet, and support of outage management and power quality operations. Remote meter connection capabilities also reduce miles driven by utility personnel, especially for servicing high-transient populations in university communities.
"Landis+Gyr is excited to partner with Westar Energy on expansion of their project. Our services group is able to function as an extension of the utility's smart grid team, providing increasingly valuable insights and operating support in a timely manner as the deployment goes forward," said Prasanna Venkatesan, Executive Vice President, Americas at Landis+Gyr.
Landis+Gyr, a global leader in energy and resource management technologies, has successfully implemented some of the largest advanced metering and grid automation deployments in North America and around the world. The Gridstream AMI solution utilizes a multi-purpose network to communicate with advanced meters, sensors, switches and other grid devices, providing automation and control of grid operations.
About Westar Energy
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is Kansas' largest electric utility. For more than a century, we have provided Kansans the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. Every day our team of professionals takes on projects to generate and deliver electricity, protect the environment and provide excellent service to our nearly 700,000 customers. Westar has 7,200 MW of electric generation capacity fueled by coal, uranium, natural gas, wind and landfill gas. We are also a leader in electric transmission in Kansas. For more information about Westar Energy, visit www.WestarEnergy.com.
About Landis+Gyr
Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management products tailored to energy company needs and unique in its ability to deliver true end-to-end advanced metering solutions. Today, the Company offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry, and is paving the way for the next generation of smart grid. With annualized sales of more than US$1.5 billion, Landis+Gyr, an independent growth platform of the Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502) and 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, operates in 30 countries across five continents, and employs 5,500 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at landisgyr.com.
SOURCE Landis+Gyr

Article Date
2/4/2016
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Parent Entities: Westar Energy, Inc.