For Community Leaders
The proposed acquisition of Aquila by Great Plains Energy, the holding company of KCP&L, will be good for the region in four important ways.
1. It will retain local ownership of our utilities, which increases the likelihood of keeping our utility jobs in the region and increases the likelihood that local community groups and charities continue to receive funding.
2. It will create up to $500 million in savings from operational efficiencies between now and 2017…savings which will be passed along to customers to help control costs and mitigate anticipated energy price increases which are occurring all over the country. We have been fortunate to have energy prices that are 30% below the national average and, even in a rising-price environment, we want to keep our energy rates as low as possible, because affordable energy attracts companies and people to the area.
3. It will allow for expanded environmental investments. This includes environmental upgrades to further reduce emissions at the existing KCP&L and Aquila plants, as well as investments in new wind generation facilities. Together, these initiatives will allow us to protect one of our region’s most precious resources—the clean air we breathe.
4. Finally, the transaction will allow us to provide a consistently high level of reliability and service across the entire region. This, too, is an important aspect of economic development. When businesses or residents consider moving to an area, they want to know that the lights will stay on (or be back on soon), even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Below is a copy of a letter we recently mailed to community leaders, updating them on the transaction and other key initiatives. You'll also find a fact sheet that highlights our strong corporate commitment to the community.
