Kansas Regulators Asked to Reconsider Denial of Great Plains Energy’s Purchase of Westar Energy

Two big energy companies in Kansas denied a merger by the Kansas Corporation Commission filed a Petition for Reconsideration on Thursday.

Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy announced Thursday the petition had been filed after the KCC issued an order April 19 denying Great Plains Energy’s purchase of Westar.

The two firms are asking the KCC for more time until May 31 to allow further discussions to determine whether a revised transaction could be negotiated to resolve concerns of the Commission.

“We continue to firmly believe that combining Great Plains Energy and Westar creates significant value for customers, employees and communities in Kansas and Missouri as well as for our shareholders, “said terry Bassham, chairman and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy.

Great Plains is headquartered in Kansas City and is the holding company of Kansas City Power and Light and KCPL Greater Missouri Operations Company.

Headquartered in Topeka, Westar Energy is the state’s largest electric utility with nearly 700,000 customers.