News Release

September 6, 2005

KCC to Hold Public Hearings in Westar's $84.1 million Electric Rate Case

Westar Energy filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) requesting an overall annual revenue increase of $84.1 million. Westar is seeking rate increases of $47.8 million for its northern region electric customers and $36.3 million for its southern region customers.

The northern region is the geographical area historically served by KPL, and the southern region is the area historically served by Westar's KG&E division.

Under the company's proposal for the northern region, Westar's retail electric rates would increase $47.8 million. This represents an average increase of approximately 10.5 % for residential customers and 9.6 % for small general service customers. As a result, the approximate average monthly increase would be $6.15 and $18.98, respectively. Westar serves approximately 352,000 customers in this rate area.

Under the company's proposal for the southern region, Westar's retail electric rates would increase $36.3 million. This represents an average increase of approximately 8.4 % for residential customers and 5.9 % for small general service customers. As a result, the approximate average monthly increase would be $6.05 and $16.44, respectively. Westar serves approximately 303,000 customers in the rate area.

The proposal also includes a request to implement an Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA). The ECA is a mechanism which allows the utility to directly pass any increase or decrease in fuel costs on to the customers on a monthly basis rather than defer to a subsequent full rate case.

In its application filed May 2, 2005, Westar said that since its last rate review in 2001 it has made substantial investments in customer service programs, transmission and distribution facilities and power plants.

The Commission has scheduled four public hearings concerning Westar's rate increase request to provide customers the opportunity to testify before the Commission on the application. Each public hearing will take place in two parts. First, there will be a question and answer period where customers may ask commission staff and company representatives questions pertaining to the rate request. In the second part of the hearing, Westar customers may make their formal statements to the three-member Commission.

The following public hearings have been scheduled at 7:00 p.m.:

• Pittsburg, September 8, Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center, Lower Level B6, 503 N. Pine
• Topeka , September 26, Kansas Corporation Commission, 1500 S.W. Arrowhead Road
• Salina, October 3, Salina Bicentennial Center, Heritage Hall, 800 Midway
• Wichita, October 6, Wichita State University, Sudermann Commons, Room 132, Eugene M. Hughes Metro Complex, 5015 E. 29th (29th & Oliver), Entrance C

The Commission will accept written comments from Westar's customers through October 16, 2005. Comments regarding the rate request should reference Docket No. 05-WSEE-981-RTS and be sent to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas, 66604-4027. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail at public.affairs@kcc.state.ks.us, through the Commission's web site www.kcc.state.ks.us or by calling 1-800-662-0027.

The Commission will hold an evidentiary hearing on the request beginning October 17, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., in the first floor hearing room at the KCC Topeka office, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road. The Commission must issue a decision by December 28, 2005.

Additional information available

For more information about the rate request or the public hearings, contact the KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. Any person requiring special accommodations under The Americans With Disabilities Act needs to give notice to the Commission at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing date.

Docket No. 05-WSEE-981-RTS