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Westar Energy, Inc.: Kansas Department of Health and Environment Approves Westar Energy Greenhouse Gas Report

^{Published on 2009-08-11 13:45:49, Last Modified on 2009-08-11 13:45:57 - Market Wire}
 

TOPEKA, KS--(Marketwire - August 11, 2009) - Westar Energy (NYSE: [ WR ]) today announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has approved the company's report on greenhouse gases (GHG) and its plans to mitigate emissions.

"We acknowledge that a carbon constrained future is likely and that the time has come to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, so we're pleased that KDHE approved our report," said Bill Moore, Westar president and CEO. "While technology to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants is still in research and development, in light of lawmakers and regulators developing climate change policy, we are doing things like building renewable energy resources and pursuing energy efficiency as the first, most cost effective steps to mitigate our GHG emissions."

In early 2008, Westar reached agreement with KDHE to perform an evaluation and prepare an inventory of its GHG emissions, as well as potential emissions reduction strategies. Following a protocol established by The Climate Registry, Westar proceeded to inventory emissions of the following GHGs: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Westar also agreed to evaluate GHG emissions reduction measures including carbon capture and sequestration, reduction of sulfur hexafluoride emissions, energy efficiency and demand-side management programs. The agreement also called for Westar to submit its GHG report, called "The Greenhouse Gas Challenge: A Strategic Plan for a Carbon Constrained World," to the KDHE, which Westar filed June 1, 2009.

KDHE has notified Westar that it has now approved the report.

The company's report to KDHE can be found at [ www.WestarEnergy.com ].

Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: [ WR ]) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 684,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,800 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 35,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

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. Therefore, actual results could vary materially from what we expect. Please review our Form 10-K for the period ended Dec. 31, 2007 and our Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008 for important risk factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. 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 except as required by applicable laws or regulations.