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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______to_______
logoa05.jpg
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter,
Commissionstate of incorporation, address of principalI.R.S. Employer
File Numberexecutive offices and telephone numberIdentification Number
001-38515EVERGY, INC.82-2733395
(a Missouri corporation)
1200 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
(816) 556-2200
001-03523EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.48-0290150
(formerly Westar Energy, Inc.)
(a Kansas corporation)
818 South Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 575-6300
000-51873EVERGY METRO, INC.44-0308720
(formerly Kansas City Power & Light Company)
(a Missouri corporation)
1200 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
(816) 556-2200
[X]ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934      Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Evergy, Inc. common stockEVRGNew York Stock Exchange
ForSecurities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017Act: Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. Common Stock $0.01 par value and Evergy Metro, Inc. Common Stock without par value.



OR



[ ]Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION
Evergy, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Metro, Inc.YesNo
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 ORor Section 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OFof the Act.
Evergy, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Metro, Inc.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Evergy, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Metro, Inc.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Evergy, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Metro, Inc.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Evergy, Inc.Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated FilerNon-accelerated FilerSmaller Reporting CompanyEmerging Growth Company
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated FilerNon-accelerated FilerSmaller Reporting CompanyEmerging Growth Company
Evergy Metro, Inc.Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated FilerNon-accelerated FilerSmaller Reporting CompanyEmerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Evergy, Inc.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
Evergy Metro, Inc.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Evergy, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.YesNo
Evergy Metro, Inc.YesNo
ForThe aggregate market value of the transition period from voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of Evergy, Inc. (based on the closing price of its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2019) was approximately $14,138,041,261. All of the common equity of Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc. is held by Evergy, Inc.

On February 24, 2020, Evergy, Inc. had 226,659,013 shares of common stock outstanding.







On February 24, 2020, Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc. each had 1 share of common stock outstanding and held by Evergy, Inc.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc. meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and are therefore filing this Form 10-K with the reduced disclosure format.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the 2020 annual meeting proxy statement of Evergy, Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.
Commission File Number 1-3523
This combined annual report on Form 10-K is provided by the following registrants: Evergy, Inc. (Evergy), Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central) and Evergy Metro, Inc. (Evergy Metro) (collectively, the Evergy Companies). Information relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant solely on its own behalf. Each registrant makes no representation as to information relating exclusively to the other registrants.
WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name






Kansas48-0290150
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
818 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612(785) 575-6300
(Address, including Zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $5.00 per shareNew York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Act).     Yes    X       No  ____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     Yes      No    X  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes    X       No  ____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes    X      No  ____
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Check one:
Large accelerated filer    X      Accelerated filer    Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company      Emerging growth company  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes     No    X  
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $7,533,791,379 at June 30, 2017.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share142,233,037 shares
(Class)(Outstanding at February 14, 2018)

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Information required by Items 10-14 of Part III of this Form 10-K will be incorporated by reference to Westar Energy, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement with respect to its 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, if such definitive proxy statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2018. Due to the pending merger with Great Plains Energy Incorporated, we may not be required to file a definitive proxy statement, in which case we will file an amendment to this Form 10-K on or before April 30, 2018 to include the information that is otherwise incorporated by reference.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
Page
Number
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Item 15.
Item 16.




2





CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Statements made in this report that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our strategic plan, including, without limitation, earnings per share and dividend growth targets, operating and maintenance expense savings goals and future capital allocation plans; the outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings; and other matters relating to expected financial performance or affecting future operations. Forward-looking statements are often accompanied by forward-looking words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "forecasts," "should," "seeks," "intends," "proposed," "projects," "planned," "outlook," "remain confident," "goal," "will" or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information.
In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Evergy Companies are providing a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: economic and weather conditions and any impact on sales, prices and costs; changes in business strategy or operations; the impact of federal, state and local political, legislative, judicial and regulatory actions or developments, including deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding, among other things, customer rates and the prudency of operational decisions such as capital expenditures and asset retirements; changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices, or the interpretations thereof, governing tax, accounting and environmental matters, including air and water quality and waste management and disposal; the impact of climate change, including increased frequency and severity of significant weather events and reduced demand for coal-based energy; prices and availability of electricity in wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry and the Evergy Companies; changes in the energy trading markets in which the Evergy Companies participate, including retroactive repricing of transactions by regional transmission organizations (RTO) and independent system operators; financial market conditions and performance, including changes in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on derivatives and hedges, nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; the transition to a replacement for the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark interest rate; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts, including cyber terrorism; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; cost, availability, quality and timely provision of equipment, supplies, labor and fuel; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; the Evergy Companies' ability to manage their transmission and distribution development plans and transmission joint ventures; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility, including environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including those related to increased costs of, or changes in, retirement, health care and other benefits; disruption, costs and uncertainties caused by or related to the actions of individuals or entities, such as activist shareholders or special interest groups, that seek to influence our strategic plan, financial results or operations; the possibility that the expected value creation from the merger of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) and Evergy Kansas Central that resulted in the creation of Evergy will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; difficulties related to the integration, including the diversion of management time; difficulties in maintaining relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; disruption related to the rebranding of the Evergy Companies, including the impact of the rebranding on receipt of customer payments; and other risks and uncertainties.
This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors included in this report should be carefully read for further understanding of potential risks for the Evergy Companies. Other sections of this report and other periodic reports filed by the Evergy Companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should also be read for more information regarding risk factors. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. The Evergy Companies undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

3





Available Information
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at sec.gov. Additionally, information about the Evergy Companies, including their combined annual reports on Form 10-K, combined quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed with the SEC, is also available through the Evergy Companies' website, www.evergy.com. Such reports are accessible at no charge and are made available as soon as reasonably practical after such material is filed with or furnished to the SEC.
Investors should note that the Evergy Companies announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. In accordance with SEC guidelines, the Evergy Companies also use the Investor Relations tab on their website, www.evergy.com, to communicate with investors. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on Evergy's website is not part of this document.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a glossary of frequently used abbreviations or acronyms that are found throughout this report.
Abbreviation or Acronym Definition
ACEAffordable Clean Energy
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc.
AFUDC Allowance for funds used during constructionFunds Used During Construction
AROAmended Merger AgreementAmended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 9, 2017, by and among Great Plains Energy, Evergy Kansas Central, Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. and King Energy, Inc.
AMTAlternative Minimum Tax
AROs Asset retirement obligationRetirement Obligations
BNSFASC BNSF Railway CompanyAccounting Standards Codification
BtuASR British thermal unitsAccelerated share repurchase
ASUAccounting Standards Update
BSERBest system of emission reduction
CAA Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
CCRCCRs Coal combustion residuals
CO
Carbon monoxide
CO2
 Carbon dioxide
COLI Corporate-owned life insurance
CPP Clean Power Plan
CWA Clean Water Act
CWIPD.C. Circuit Construction work in progressU.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
DOE Department of Energy
DSPPEIRR Direct Stock Purchase PlanEnvironmental Improvement Revenue Refunding
ELG Effluent Limitations Guidelineslimitations guidelines
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPS Earnings per common share
ERISAEmployee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
ERSPEarnings Review and Sharing Plan
EvergyEvergy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries
Evergy BoardEvergy Board of Directors
Evergy CompaniesEvergy, Evergy Kansas Central, and Evergy Metro, collectively, which are individual registrants within the Evergy consolidated group

4





Abbreviation or AcronymDefinition
Evergy Kansas CentralEvergy Kansas Central, Inc., formerly known as Westar Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evergy, and its consolidated subsidiaries
Evergy Kansas SouthEvergy Kansas South, Inc., formerly known as Kansas Gas and Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evergy Kansas Central
Evergy MetroEvergy Metro, Inc., formerly known as Kansas City Power & Light Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evergy, and its consolidated subsidiaries
Evergy Metro Mortgage IndentureEvergy Metro General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated as of December 1, 1986, as supplemented
Evergy Missouri WestEvergy Missouri West, Inc., formerly known as KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evergy
Evergy Transmission CompanyEvergy Transmission Company, LLC, formerly known as GPE Transmission Holding Company, LLC
Exchange Act The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FMBsFMB First mortgage bondsMortgage Bond
GAAPGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles
GHG Greenhouse gas
Great Plains Energy Great Plains Energy Incorporated
IMIntegrated Marketplace
IRCInternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
JEC Jeffrey Energy Center
KCC KansasState Corporation Commission
KCPL of the State of Kansas City Power & Light Company
KDHE Kansas Department of Health and& Environment
KGEKing Energy Kansas Gas and Electric CompanyKing Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Evergy
La CygnekWh La Cygne Generating StationKilowatt hour
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LTISA Plan Long-term incentiveLong-Term Incentive and share awardShare Award plan
MergerMDNR Pending mergerMissouri Department of equals between WestarNatural Resources
MECGMidwest Energy Inc. and Great PlainsConsumers Group
MEEIAMissouri Energy IncorporatedEfficiency Investment Act
Monarch EnergyMonarch Energy Holding, Inc.
MPSC Public Service Commission of the State of Missouri
MMBtuMillions of British thermal units
MW Megawatt(s)Megawatt
MWh Megawatt hour(s)hour
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAV Net Asset Value
NDTNuclear Decommissioning Trust
NEILNuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NOxNitrogen oxides
NO2
Nitrogen dioxide
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NSPSNSR New source performance standards

review
PCBOCI Polychlorinated biphenylOther comprehensive income
PMOPC Particulate matterOffice of the Public Counsel
PRBPISA Powder River BasinPlant-in service accounting
Prairie Wind Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC,
ROEReturn on equity 50% owned by Evergy Kansas Central
RSU Restricted share unit
RTO Regional transmission organization
S&P 500SEC Standard & Poor’s 500 Index
S&P Electric UtilitiesStandard & Poor’s Electric Utility Index
SO2
Sulfur dioxideSecurities and Exchange Commission
SPP Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
SSCGPSouthern Star Central Gas Pipeline
TCJA Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

5





Abbreviation or AcronymDefinition
TCRTransmission Congestion Rights
TFR Transmission formula rate
VaRTransource Value-at-RiskTransource Energy, LLC and its subsidiaries, 13.5% owned by Evergy Transmission Company
VIE Variable interest entity
Wolf Creek Wolf Creek Generating Station
WOTUSWaters of the United States



6

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 we “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend” and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning matters such as, but not limited to:


-the pending merger of equals (merger) between Westar Energy, Inc. and Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy), including the expected timing of closing the merger and costs expected to be incurred in connection with the merger,
-amount, type and timing of capital expenditures,
-earnings,
-cash flow,
-liquidity and capital resources,
-litigation,
-accounting and tax matters,
-compliance with debt and other restrictive covenants,
-interest rates and dividends,
-environmental matters,
-regulatory matters,
-nuclear operations, and
-the overall economy of our service area and its impact on our customers’ demand for electricity and their ability to pay for service.

What happens in each case could vary materially from what we expect because of such things as:

-risks related to operating in a heavily regulated industry that is subject to unpredictable political, legislative, judicial and regulatory developments, which can impact our operations, results of operations, and financial condition,
-the difficulty of predicting the magnitude and timing of changes in demand for electricity, including with respect to emerging competing services and technologies and conservation and energy efficiency measures,
-the impact of weather conditions, including as it relates to sales of electricity and prices of energy commodities,
-equipment damage from storms and extreme weather,
-economic and capital market conditions, including the impact of inflation or deflation, changes in interest rates, the cost and availability of capital and the market for trading wholesale energy,
-the impact of changes in market conditions on employee benefit liability calculations and funding obligations, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on invested plan assets,
-the impact of changes in estimates regarding our Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek) decommissioning obligation,
-the existence or introduction of competition into markets in which we operate,
-the impact of changing laws and regulations relating to air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water emissions, waste management and other environmental matters,
-risks associated with execution of our planned capital expenditure program, including timing and receipt of regulatory approvals necessary for planned construction and expansion projects as well as the ability to complete planned construction projects within the terms and time frames anticipated,
-cost, availability and timely provision of equipment, supplies, labor and fuel we need to operate our business,
-availability of generating capacity and the performance of our generating plants,
-changes in regulation of nuclear generating facilities and nuclear materials and fuel, including possible shutdown or required modification of nuclear generating facilities,
-uncertainties with respect to procurement of nuclear fuel and related services, which are dependent on a single supplier,
-additional regulation due to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight to ensure the safe operation of Wolf Creek, either related to Wolf Creek’s performance, or potentially relating to events or performance at a nuclear plant anywhere in the world,
-uncertainty regarding the establishment of interim or permanent sites for spent nuclear fuel storage and disposal,
-homeland security and information and operating systems security considerations,
-risks arising from changes in federal and state tax laws, regulations and interpretations, and related actions by regulatory commissions,

-changes in accounting requirements and other accounting matters,
-changes in the energy markets in which we participate, such as the development and implementation of real time and next day trading markets, and the effect of the retroactive repricing of transactions in such markets following execution because of changes or adjustments in market pricing mechanisms by regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators,
-reduced demand for coal-based energy because of actual or perceived climate impacts and the development of alternate energy sources,
-current and future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries,
-cost of fuel used in generation and wholesale electricity prices,
-certain risks and uncertainties associated with the merger, including, without limitation, those related to:
-the timing of, and the conditions imposed by, regulatory approvals required for the merger,
-the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or could otherwise cause the failure of the merger to close,
-the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that have been or may be instituted in connection with the merger,
-the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party to acquire our assets or capital stock (or those of Great Plains Energy) that could interfere with the proposed merger,
-the timing to consummate the proposed merger,
-disruption from the proposed merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers,
-the diversion of management time and attention on the merger,
-the amount of costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger,
-the possibility that the expected value creation from the merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period,
-difficulties related to the integration of the two companies,
-the credit ratings of the combined company following the merger, and
-the effect and timing of changes in laws or in governmental regulations (including environmental laws and regulations) that could adversely affect our participation in the merger, and
-other factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in other reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

These lists are not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. This report should be read in its entirety and in conjunction with the other reports we file from time to time with the SEC. No one section of this report deals with all aspects of the subject matter and additional information on some matters that could impact our consolidated financial results may be included in the other reports we file from time to time with the SEC. The reader should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, as forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements were made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made.




PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General
GENERAL

Overview
WeEvergy, Inc., Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc. are the largest electric utility in Kansas. Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references inseparate registrants filing this Annual Reportcombined annual report on Form 10-K10-K. The terms "Evergy," "Evergy Kansas Central," "Evergy Metro" and "Evergy Companies" are used throughout this report. "Evergy" refers to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words are to Westar Energy,Evergy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Kansas Central" refers to Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Metro" refers to Evergy Metro, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Companies" refers to Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, and Evergy Metro, collectively, which are individual registrants within the Evergy consolidated group.
Information in other Items of this report as to which reference is made in this Item 1 is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 1. The term “Westar Energy” refersuse of terms such as "see" or "refer to" shall be deemed to incorporate into this Item 1 the information to which such reference is made.
EVERGY, INC.
Evergy is a public utility holding company incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Evergy operates primarily through the following wholly-owned direct subsidiaries listed below. In September 2019, these wholly-owned direct subsidiaries were rebranded and renamed under the Evergy brand name.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central), formerly known as Westar Energy, Inc., a Kansas corporation incorporated in 1924, alone and not together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

We provideis an integrated, regulated electric generation, transmission and distribution servicesutility that provides electricity to approximately 708,000 customers in the state of Kansas. Westar Energy provides these services in central and northeasternEvergy Kansas including the cities of Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina and Hutchinson.Central has one active wholly-owned subsidiary with significant operations, Evergy Kansas South, Inc. (Evergy Kansas South), formerly known as Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KGE)Company.
Evergy Metro, Inc. (Evergy Metro), Westar Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, provides these services in south-central and southeastern Kansas, including the city of Wichita. Both Westar Energy and KGE conduct business using the name Westar Energy. Our corporate headquarters is located at 818 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612.

Strategy

We expect to continue operatingformerly known as a vertically integrated, regulated electric utility. Significant elements of our strategy include maintaining a flexible, clean and diverse energy supply portfolio. In doing so, we continue to expand renewable generation, build and upgrade our energy infrastructure and develop systems and programs with regard to how our customers use energy and interact with us. In addition, we entered into an amended and restated agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy that provides for a merger of equals between the two companies. The closing of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Pending Merger,” for additional information.

OPERATIONS

General

As noted above, we supply electric energy at retail to customers in Kansas. We also supply electric energy at wholesale to municipalities and electric cooperatives in Kansas, and have contracts for the sale or purchase of wholesale electricity with other utilities.

Following is the percentage of our revenues by customer classification. Classification of customers as residential, commercial and industrial requires judgment and our classifications may be different from other companies. Assignment of tariffs is not dependent on classification.
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
Residential 32% 33% 31%
Commercial 28% 29% 29%
Industrial 16% 16% 16%
Wholesale 12% 12% 13%
Transmission 11% 9% 10%
Other 1% 1% 1%
Total 100% 100% 100%


The percentage of our retail electricity sales by customer class was as follows:
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
Residential 32% 33% 33%
Commercial 38% 39% 39%
Industrial 30% 28% 28%
Total 100% 100% 100%

Generating Capability and Firm Capacity Purchases

We have 6,602 megawatts (MW) of generating capability in service. Further, we purchase electricity pursuant to long-term contracts from renewable generation facilities with an installed design capacity of 1,232 MW. See “Item 2. Properties” for additional information about our generating units. Our generating capability and net generation by source as of December 31, 2017, are summarized below.
Source Capability (MW) 
Percent of
Total Capability
 
Net Generation
(MWh)
 Percent of Total  Net Generation
Coal 3,250
 41% 14,855,367
 54%
Nuclear 552
 7% 5,004,571
 18%
Natural gas/diesel 2,370
 31% 1,712,307
 6%
Renewable (a) 1,662
 21% 6,161,823
 22%
Total 7,834
 100% 27,734,068
 100%
_______________
(a)Due to the intermittent nature of wind generation, 230 MW of net accredited generating capacity is associated with our wind generation facilities.

In 2017, we generated or purchased the equivalent of 58% of our total retail sales from emission-free resources. These resources also made up 40% of our total net generation.

In March 2017, we completed construction and placed into operation Western Plains Wind Farm, a wind generating facility with a designed installed capability of 281 MW.

Our aggregate 2017 peak system net load of 5,242 MW occurred in July 2017. Our net accredited generating capacity, combined with firm capacity purchases and sales and potentially interruptible load, provided a reserve margin of 17% above system peak responsibility at the time of our 2017 peak system net load, which satisfied Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) planning requirements.

Under wholesale agreements, we provide firm generating capacity to other entities as set forth below.
Utility (a)Capacity (MW)Expiration
Mid-Kansas Electric Company, LLC174
January 2019
City of ChanuteUp to 45
December 2020
Midwest Energy, Inc.115
May 2022
Kansas Power Pool59
December 2022
Midwest Energy, Inc.150
May 2025
Total543
_______________
(a)
Under a wholesale agreement that expires in May 2039, we provide base load capacity to the city of McPherson, Kansas, and in return the city provides peaking capacity to us. During 2017, we provided approximately 95 MW to, and received approximately 144 MW from, the city. The amount of base load capacity provided to the city is based on a fixed percentage of its annual peak system load. The city is a full requirements customer of Westar Energy. The agreement for the city to provide capacity to us is treated as a capital lease.

Fuel Matters

The effectiveness of a fuel to produce heat is measured in British thermal units (Btu). The higher the Btu content of a fuel, the smaller the volume of fuel that is required to produce a given amount of electricity. We measure the quantity of heat consumed during the generation of electricity in millions of British thermal units (MMBtu).

The table below provides our weighted average cost of fuel, including transportation costs.
 2017 2016 2015
Per MMBtu:     
Nuclear$0.64
 $0.68
 $0.66
Coal1.80
 1.80
 1.77
Natural gas3.55
 3.24
 3.64
Diesel12.51
 11.51
 15.55
All generating stations1.74
 1.76
 1.74
      
Per MWh Generation:     
Nuclear$6.45
 $6.91
 $6.72
Coal20.25
 19.71
 19.78
Natural gas/diesel34.29
 31.80
 37.16
All generating stations18.16
 18.37
 18.44
Our wind production, which produced 22% of our total generation, has no associated fuel costs and is, therefore, not included in the table above.

Fossil Fuel Generation

Coal

Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC): The three coal-fired units at JEC have an aggregate capacity of 2,175 MW, of which we own or lease a combined 92% share, or 2,001 MW. We have a long-term coal supply contract with Blackjewel Marketing and Sales, LLC to supply coal to JEC from surface mines located in the Powder River Basin (PRB) in Wyoming. The contract contains a schedule of minimum annual MMBtu quantities or assesses a charge to the extent the minimum quantities are not achieved. All of the coal used at JEC is purchased under this contract, which expires December 31, 2020. The contract provides for price escalation based on certain costs of production. The price for quantities purchased in excess of the scheduled annual minimum is subject to redetermination every five years to provide an adjusted price for the ensuing five years that reflects the market prices at the time of redetermination. The most recent price adjustment was effective January 1, 2018.

The BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and Union Pacific Railroad Company transport coal to JEC under long-term rail transportation contracts. The terms of these contracts continue through December 31, 2020, at which time we plan to enter into new contracts. These contracts provide for minimum annual deliveries or assess a charge to the extent the minimum deliveries are not achieved. The contract price in each contract is subject to price escalation based on certain costs incurred by the railroads.

La Cygne Generating Station (La Cygne): The two coal-fired units at La Cygne have an aggregate generating capacity of 1,398 MW. Our share of the units is 50%, or 699 MW, of which we either own directly or consolidate through a variable interest entity (VIE). La Cygne uses primarily PRB coal but one of the two units also uses a small portion of locally-mined coal. The operator of La Cygne, Kansas City Power & Light Company, (KCPL)is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Evergy Missouri West, Inc. (Evergy Missouri West), arranges coal purchases and transportation services for La Cygne. Approximately 90%formerly known as KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of La Cygne’s PRB coal requirements are under contract for 2018. About 80%Missouri.
Evergy Transmission Company, LLC (Evergy Transmission Company), formerly known as GPE Transmission Holding Company, LLC, owns 13.5% of those commitments under contract are fixed price for 2018. AsTransource Energy, LLC (Transource) with the PRB coal contracts expire, we anticipate that KCPL will negotiate new supply contracts or purchase coalremaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP). Transource is focused on the spot market.development of competitive electric transmission projects. Evergy Transmission Company accounts for its investment in Transource under the equity method.

Evergy Kansas Central also owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC (Prairie Wind), which is a joint venture between Evergy Kansas Central and subsidiaries of AEP and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. Prairie Wind owns a 108-mile, 345 kV double-circuit transmission line that provides transmission service in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP). Evergy Kansas Central accounts for its investment in Prairie Wind under the equity method.
AllSince the rebranding in September 2019, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro, and Evergy Missouri West have been conducting business in their respective service territories using the name Evergy. The Evergy Companies assess financial performance and allocate resources on a consolidated basis (i.e., operates in one segment). Evergy serves approximately 1,604,300 customers located in Kansas and Missouri. Customers include approximately 1,407,700 residences, 189,600 commercial firms and 7,000 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter.

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The table below summarizes the percentage of Evergy's revenues by customer classification.
 2019 2018 2017
Residential37% 37% 32%
Commercial35% 32% 28%
Industrial12% 12% 16%
Wholesale7% 10% 12%
Transmission6% 7% 11%
Other3% 2% 1%
Total100% 100% 100%
The table below summarizes the percentage of Evergy's retail electricity sales by customer class.
 2019 2018 2017
Residential36% 37% 32%
Commercial43% 41% 38%
Industrial21% 22% 30%
Total100% 100% 100%
Merger of Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central
Evergy was incorporated in 2017 as Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. (Monarch Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy). Prior to the closing of the La Cygne PRB coal is transported under KCPL’s rail transportation agreementsmerger transactions, Monarch Energy changed its name to Evergy and did not conduct any business activities other than those required for its formation and matters contemplated by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 9, 2017, by and among Great Plains Energy, Evergy Kansas Central, Monarch Energy and King Energy, Inc. (King Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monarch Energy (Amended Merger Agreement).
On June 4, 2018, Evergy completed the mergers contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement. As a result of the mergers, Great Plains Energy merged into Evergy, with BNSF throughEvergy surviving the merger and King Energy merged into Evergy Kansas Central, with Evergy Kansas Central surviving the merger. Following the completion of these mergers, Evergy Kansas Central and the direct subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy, including Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Evergy.
The merger was structured as a merger of equals in a tax-free exchange of shares that involved no premium paid or received with respect to either Great Plains Energy or Evergy Kansas Central. As a result of the closing of the merger transaction, each outstanding share of Great Plains Energy common stock was converted into 0.5981 shares of Evergy common stock and each outstanding share of Evergy Kansas Central common stock was converted into 1 share of Evergy common stock.
Evergy Kansas Central was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the merger and thus, the predecessor of Evergy. Evergy had separate operations for the period beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and Kansas City Southern Railroad through 2020. These contracts providereferences to amounts for minimum annual deliveries or assess a chargeperiods after the closing of the merger relate to Evergy. The results of Great Plains Energy's direct subsidiaries have been included in Evergy's results of operations from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
See Note 2 to the extentconsolidated financial statements for more information regarding the minimum deliveriesmerger.
Regulation
Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's Kansas operations are regulated by the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas (KCC) and Evergy Metro's Missouri operations and Evergy Missouri West are regulated by the Public Service Commission of the State of Missouri (MPSC), in each case with respect to retail rates, certain accounting matters, standards of service and, in certain cases, the issuance of securities, certification of facilities and

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service territories. The Evergy Companies are also subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with respect to transmission, wholesale sales and rates and other matters. Evergy has an indirect 94% ownership interest in Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek), which is subject to regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with respect to licensing, operations and safety-related requirements.
The table below summarizes the rate orders in effect for Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's retail rate jurisdictions.
 RegulatorAllowed Return on EquityRate-Making Equity RatioEffective Date
Evergy Kansas Central (a)
KCC9.3%51.46%September 2018
Evergy Metro - KansasKCC9.3%49.09%December 2018
Evergy Metro - MissouriMPSC(b)(b)December 2018
Evergy Missouri WestMPSC(b)(b)December 2018
(a) The KCC establishes rates for Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Kansas South on a consolidated basis.
(b) Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's current MPSC rate order does not achieved.contain an allowed return on equity or rate-making equity ratio.

Evergy expects its 2020 Kansas and Missouri jurisdictional retail revenues to be approximately 60% and 40%, respectively, based on historical averages of Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's total retail revenues.

See Item 7 MD&A, Critical Accounting Policies section, and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning regulatory matters.
LawrenceCompetition
Missouri and Tecumseh Energy Centers: LawrenceKansas continue to operate on the fully integrated and Tecumseh Energy Centersregulated retail utility model. As a result, the Evergy Companies do not compete with others to supply and deliver electricity in their franchised service territories in exchange for agreeing to have an aggregatetheir terms of service regulated by state regulatory bodies. If Missouri or Kansas were to pass and implement legislation authorizing or mandating retail choice, Evergy may no longer be able to apply regulated utility accounting principles to deregulated portions of its operations, which may require a surcharge to recover certain costs from legacy customers or could lead to a write-off of certain regulatory assets and liabilities.
Evergy competes in the wholesale market to sell power in circumstances when the power it generates is not required for retail customers in its service territory. This competition primarily occurs within the SPP Integrated Marketplace, in which Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are participants. This marketplace determines which generating units among market participants should run, within the operating constraints of a unit, at any given time for maximum regional cost-effectiveness.
The SPP Integrated Marketplace is similar to other Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) or Independent System Operator (ISO) markets currently operating in other regions of the United States.
Power Supply
Evergy has 14,700 MWs of owned generating capacity and renewable purchased power agreements. Evergy's owned generation and purchased power from others, as a percentage of total MWhs generated and purchased, was approximately 71% and 29%, respectively, over the last two years. Evergy purchases power to meet its customers' needs, to satisfy firm power commitments or to meet renewable energy standards. Management believes Evergy will be able to meet its future purchased power needs due to the coordination of planning and operations in the SPP region and existing power purchase agreements; however, price and availability of power purchases may be impacted during periods of high demand.

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Evergy's total capacity by fuel type, including both owned generating capacity and purchased power agreements, is detailed in the table below.
Fuel TypeEstimated MW CapacityPercent of Total Capacity
Coal5,903
40
%
Natural gas and oil3,988
27
 
Wind (a)
3,642
24
 
Uranium1,104
8
 
Solar, landfill gas and hydroelectric (b)
72
1
 
Total capacity14,709
100
%
(a) MWs are based on nameplate capacity of the wind facility. Includes owned generating capacity of 550 MW. We579 MWs and long-term power purchase PRBagreements of approximately 3,063 MWs of wind generation that expire in 2028 through 2048. See Item 2, Properties, for additional information.
(b) Includes a long-term power purchase agreement for approximately 60 MWs of hydroelectric generation that expires in 2023.
Evergy's projected peak summer demand for 2020 is approximately 10,367 MWs. Evergy expects to meet its projected capacity requirements for the foreseeable future with its existing generation assets and power and capacity purchases.
Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are members of the SPP. The SPP is a FERC-approved RTO with the responsibility to ensure reliable power supply, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive wholesale electricity prices in the region. As SPP members, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are required to maintain a minimum reserve margin of 12%. This net positive supply of capacity is maintained through generation asset ownership, capacity agreements, power purchase agreements and peak demand reduction programs. The reserve margin is designed to support reliability of the region's electric supply.
Environmental Matters
There have been, and management believes there will continue to be, policy, legal and regulatory efforts to influence climate change, such as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), impose a tax on emissions and create incentives for low-carbon generation and energy efficiency. These efforts, and climate change itself, have the potential to adversely affect the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information.
The Evergy Companies have taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on its businesses. For example, the Evergy Companies regularly conduct preparedness exercises for a variety of disruptive events, including storms, which may become more frequent or intense due to climate change. In addition, the Evergy Companies have invested, and will continue to invest, in grid resiliency. Much of the Evergy Companies' infrastructure is aged, and grid resiliency efforts include building additional transmission and distribution lines, replacing aged infrastructure and proactively managing the vegetation that can damage systems during severe weather. The Evergy Companies also monitor water conditions at their generating facilities and focus on water conservation at these facilities to address resource depletion.
Transforming Evergy's Generation Fleet
The Evergy Companies are committed to a long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions in a cost-effective and reliable manner and are targeting to achieve an 80% reduction of carbon emissions by 2050 from 2005 levels. The trajectory and timing of reaching this goal could be impacted by political, legal and regulatory actions and technological matters. Public attention is currently focused on reducing GHG emissions and closing coal-fired generating units. Diversity of fuel supply has historically provided cost and reliability benefits. In addition, the Evergy Companies must prudently utilize the generation assets that regulators have allowed the Evergy Companies to include in rates and avoid "stranding" assets by prematurely closing facilities. The Evergy Companies use an integrated resource plan, which is a detailed analysis that estimates factors that influence the future supply and

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demand for electricity, to inform the manner in which they supply electricity. The integrated resource plan considers forecasts of future electricity demand, fuel prices, transmission improvements, new generating capacity, integration of renewables, energy storage, energy efficiency and demand response initiatives. Strategies that the Evergy Companies have pursued include:
retiring fossil fuel generation;
developing renewable energy facilities;
collaborating with regulators to offer customers the opportunity to procure electricity produced with renewable resources; and
investing in customer energy efficiency programs.
Since 2005, the Evergy Companies have added over 3,500 megawatts of renewables, while retiring more than 2,400 megawatts of fossil generation. The transition of their generation fleet has allowed the Evergy Companies to reduce carbon emissions by almost 40% since 2005. The Evergy Companies are also committed to transparency. On its website, www.evergy.com, Evergy provides quantitative and qualitative data regarding various environmental, social and governance matters, including information related to emissions, waste and water. The contents of the website and report are not incorporated into this filing.
See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding environmental matters.
Fuel
The fuel sources for Evergy's owned generation and purchased power agreements are coal, wind and other renewable sources, uranium and natural gas and oil. The actual 2019 fuel mix and fuel cost in cents per net kilowatt hour (kWh) delivered are outlined in the following table.
    Fuel cost in cents per
 
Fuel Mix(a)
 
net kWh delivered (b)
 Actual Actual
Fuel2019 2019
Coal50% $2.03
Wind, hydroelectric, landfill gas and solar27  2.36
Uranium18  0.60
Natural gas and oil5  2.91
   Total100% $1.94
(a) Fuel mix based on percent of net MWhs generated by owned resources and delivered under renewable purchased power agreements.
(b) Fuel cost in cents per net kWh delivered includes purchased power costs associated with renewable purchased power agreements.
Coal
During 2020, Evergy's generating units, including jointly-owned units, are projected to use approximately 17 million tons of coal. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have entered into coal-purchase contracts with various suppliers in Wyoming's Powder River Basin (PRB), the nation's principal supply region of low-sulfur coal, and with local suppliers. The coal to be provided under these contracts is expected to satisfy approximately 80% of the projected coal requirements for these energy centers under a contract with Arch Coal, Inc. that provides2020 and approximately 10% for 100%2021. The remainder of the coal requirements is expected to be fulfilled through entering into additional contracts or spot market purchases.
Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have also entered into rail transportation contracts with various railroads to transport coal from the PRB and local suppliers to their generating units. The transportation services to be provided under these contracts are expected to satisfy almost all of the projected transportation requirements for these facilities through 2019.2020 and approximately 75% for 2021. The contract providesrates adjust for minimum annual deliverieschanges in railroad costs.

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Nuclear Fuel
Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro each owns 47% of Wolf Creek, which is Evergy's only nuclear generating unit. Wolf Creek purchases uranium and has it processed for use as fuel in its reactor. This process involves conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride, enrichment of uranium hexafluoride and fabrication of nuclear fuel assemblies. The owners of Wolf Creek have on hand or assesses a chargeunder contract all of the uranium, uranium enrichment and conversion services needed to operate Wolf Creek through 2027. The owners also have under contract all of the extent the minimum deliveries are not achieved. BNSF transports coal for these energy centers under a contract that expires in December 2020.uranium fabrication required to operate Wolf Creek through September 2025.

Natural Gas

We useEvergy purchases natural gas as a primary fuel at our Gordon Evans, Murray Gill, Hutchinson, Spring Creek and Emporia Energy Centers and at the State Line facility. We can alsofor use natural gas as a supplemental fuel in the coal-firedits generating units at Lawrence and Tecumseh Energy Centers. Natural gas accounted for approximately 7% of the total MMBtu of fuel we consumed and approximately 15% of our total fuel expense in 2017.primarily through spot market purchases. From time to time, weEvergy also may enter into contracts, including the use of derivatives, in an effort to manage the cost of natural gas. For additional information about our exposure to commodity price risks, see “ItemItem 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We maintain aEvergy Kansas Central maintains natural gas transportation arrangement for Hutchinson Energy Centerarrangements with Kansas Gas Service.Service and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. The agreementKansas Gas Service arrangement has historically expired on April 30 of each year and is renegotiated for an additional one-year term. We meet a portion of our natural gas transportation requirements for Gordon Evans, Murray Gill, Lawrence, Tecumseh and Emporia Energy Centers through firm natural gas transportation capacity agreements withThe Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline (SSCGP). We meet allarrangement expires based on the generating unit being served with expiration dates from 2022 to 2030.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
Evergy Kansas Central, a Kansas corporation incorporated in 1924 and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that engages in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. Evergy Kansas Central serves approximately 716,200 customers located in central and eastern Kansas. Customers include approximately 624,400 residences, 87,300 commercial firms, and 4,500 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy Kansas Central's retail revenues averaged approximately 76% of its total operating revenues over the last three years. Wholesale firm power, bulk power sales, transmission and miscellaneous electric revenues accounted for the remainder of Evergy Kansas Central's revenues. Evergy Kansas Central is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter.
Evergy Metro, Inc.
Evergy Metro, a Missouri corporation incorporated in 1922 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that engages in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. Evergy Metro serves approximately 558,200 customers located in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Customers include approximately 493,300 residences, 62,900 commercial firms, and 2,000 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy Metro's retail revenues averaged approximately 92% of its total operating revenues over the last three years. Wholesale firm power, bulk power sales and miscellaneous electric revenues accounted for the remainder of Evergy Metro's revenues. Evergy Metro is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter. Missouri and Kansas jurisdictional retail revenues for Evergy Metro averaged approximately 56% and 44%, respectively, of total retail revenues over the last three years.
Employees
At December 31, 2019, the Evergy Companies had 4,617 employees, including 2,520 represented by five local unions of the natural gas transportation requirements for the State Line facility throughInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Evergy also has a firm transportation agreement with SSCGP. The firm transportation agreement that serves Gordon Evans and Murray Gill Energy Centers expires in April 2020, and the agreement for Lawrence and Tecumseh Energy Centers expires in April 2030. The agreement for the State Line facility extends through October 2022, while the agreement for Emporia Energy Center is in place until December 2028, and is renewable for five-year terms thereafter. We meet all of the natural gas transportation requirements for Spring Creek Energy Center through an interruptible month-to-month transportation agreement with ONEOK Gas Transportation, LLC.

Diesel

We use diesel to start some of our coal generating stations, as a primary fuel in the Hutchinson No. 4 combustion turbine and in our diesel generators. We purchase No. 2 diesel in the spot market. We maintain quantities in inventory that we believe will allow us to facilitate economic dispatch of power and satisfy emergency requirements. We do not use significant amounts of diesel in our operations.

Nuclear Generation

General

Wolf Creek is a 1,174 MW nuclear power plant located near Burlington, Kansas. KGE owns a 47% interest94% indirect ownership share in Wolf Creek, or 552 MW. Wolf Creek’s operating license, issuedwhich, at December 31, 2019, had 858 employees, including 477 represented by the NRC, is effective until 2045. Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation, an operating company owned by eacha local union of the plant’s owners in proportion to their ownership shareIBEW and a local union of the United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA). Evergy Kansas Central has labor agreements with IBEW Locals 304 and 1523, representing power plant operates the plant. The plant’s owners pay operating costs proportionate to their respective ownership share.

Fuel Supply

and transmission and distribution workers (expires June 30, 2021). Evergy Metro has labor agreements with IBEW Local 1613, representing clerical employees (expires March 31, 2021), with IBEW Local 1464, representing transmission and distribution workers (expires January 31, 2021), and with IBEW Local 412, representing power plant workers (expires February 28, 2021). Wolf Creek has on handlabor agreements with IBEW Local 304 (expires September 20, 2021) and UGSOA Local 252 (expires July 31, 2020).

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Information About Evergy's Executive Officers
Set forth below is information relating to the executive officers of Evergy, Inc. Each executive officer holds the same position with each of Evergy Kansas Central, Inc., Evergy Metro, Inc., Evergy Kansas South, Inc. and Evergy Missouri West, Inc. as he or under contract allshe does with Evergy, Inc. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the uranium and conversion services needed to operate through March 2027. The owners also have under contract allboard of directors. There are no family relationships among any of the uranium enrichment and all of the fabrication services required to operate Wolf Creek through March 2027 and September 2025, respectively. All such agreements have been entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Operations and Regulation

Plant performance, including extendedexecutive officers, nor any arrangements or unscheduled shutdowns of Wolf Creek, could cause us to purchase replacement power, rely more heavily on our other generating units and/or reduce amounts of power available for us to sell in the wholesale market. Plant performance also affects the degree of regulatory oversight and related costs.


Wolf Creek normally operates on an 18-month planned refueling and maintenance outage schedule. As authorized by our regulators, incremental maintenance costs of planned refueling and maintenance outages are deferred and amortized ratably over the periodunderstandings between planned refueling and maintenance outages. In the fall of 2016, Wolf Creek underwent a planned refueling and maintenance outage. Our share of the outage costs was approximately $24.2 million. In early 2018, Wolf Creek will undergo a planned maintenance outage. We expect our share of the outage to be approximately $21.8 million.
The NRC evaluates, monitors and rates various inspection findings and performance indicators for Wolf Creek based on safety significance. Although not expected, the NRC could impose an unscheduled plant shutdown due to security or safety concerns. Those concerns need not be related to Wolf Creek specifically, but could be due to concerns about nuclear power generally or circumstances at other nuclear plants in which we have no ownership.

See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies,” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” for additional information regarding our nuclear operations.
Wind Energy

Wind is our primary source of renewable energy. As of December 31, 2017, we owned approximately 430 MW of designed installed wind capability and had under contract the purchase of wind energy produced from approximately 1,225 MW of designed installed wind capability. In March 2017, we placed Western Plains Wind Farm into service, a wind generating facility with a designed installed capability of 281 MW.
Purchased Power

In addition to generating electricity, we also purchase power.  Factors that cause us to purchase power include contractual arrangements, planned and unscheduled outages at our generating plants, favorable wholesale energy prices compared to our costs of production, weather conditionsany executive officer and other factors. In 2017, purchased power comprised approximately 32% of our total fuel and purchased power expense. Our weighted average cost of purchased power per Megawatt hour (MWh) was $23.01 in 2017, $24.82 in 2016 and $27.28 in 2015.

Transmission

Regional Transmission Organization

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requires owners of regulated transmission assets to allow third parties non-discriminatory access to their transmission systems. We are a member of the SPP RTO and transferred the functional control of our transmission system, including the approval of transmission service, to the SPP. The SPP coordinates the operation of our transmission system within an interconnected transmission system that covers all or portions of 14 states. The SPP collects revenues for the use of each transmission owner’s transmission system. Transmission customers transmit power purchased and generated for sale or bought for resale in the wholesale market throughout the entire SPP system. Transmission capacity is sold on a first come/first served non-discriminatory basis. All transmission customers are charged prices applicable to the transmission system in the zone where energy is delivered, including transmission customers that may sell power inside our certificated service territory. The SPP then distributes as revenue to transmission owners the amounts it collects from transmission users less an amount it retains to cover administrative expenses.

Southwest Power Pool Integrated Marketplace

We participate in the SPP Integrated Marketplace (IM), which is similar to organized power markets currently operating in other RTOs. The IM impacts how we commit and sell the output from our generation facilities and buy power to meet the needs of our customers. The SPP has the authority to start and stop generating units participating in the market and selects the lowest cost resource mix to meet the needs of the various SPP customers while ensuring reliable operations of the transmission system.

Transmission Investments

We own a 50% interest in Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC (Prairie Wind), which is a joint venture between us and Electric Transmission America, LLC, which itself is a joint venture between affiliates of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. In 2014, Prairie Wind completed construction on, and energized, a 108-mile 345 kV double-circuit transmission line that is now being used to provide transmission service in the SPP.


We continue to evaluate and participate in transmission planning activities in accordance with FERC Order No. 1000, which revised FERC’s process for planning enhancements and expansions of the electric transmission grid and the corresponding process for allocating costs thereof, in areas we believe it makes sense to do so. We believe we have opportunities to develop transmission infrastructure, including projectspersons pursuant to which we,he or she was appointed as an executive officer.
NameAgeCurrent Position(s)Year First Assumed an Officer Position
Terry Bassham (a)
59President and Chief Executive Officer2005
Kevin E. Bryant (b)
44Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer2006
Gregory A. Greenwood (c)
54Executive Vice President, Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer2003
Anthony D. Somma (d)
56Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer2006
Jerl L. Banning (e)
58Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer2010
Charles A. Caisley (f)
46Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs and Chief Customer Officer2011
Heather A. Humphrey (g)
49Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary2010
Charles L. King (h)
55Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer2013
Steven P. Busser (i)
51Vice President - Risk Management and Controller2014
(a)Mr. Bassham was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Bassham served as Chairman of the Board of Great Plains Energy (2013-2018) and had served as Chief Executive Officer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West since 2012. He has served as President of each company since 2011. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011-2012) and as Executive Vice President - Utility Operations of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2010-2011). He was Executive Vice President - Finance and Strategic Development and Chief Financial Officer of Great Plains Energy (2005-2010) and of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2009-2010).
(b)Mr. Bryant was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Bryant previously served as Senior Vice President - Finance and Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2015-2018). He previously served as Vice President - Strategic Planning of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2014). He served as Vice President - Investor Relations and Strategic Planning and Treasurer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2013). He served as Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011-2013). He was Vice President - Strategy and Risk Management of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011) and Vice President - Energy Solutions of Evergy Metro (2006-2011) and Evergy Missouri West (2008-2011).
(c)Mr. Greenwood was appointed Executive Vice President, Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Greenwood previously served in the following officer roles for Evergy Kansas Central: Senior Vice President, Strategy (2011-2018); Vice President, Major Construction Projects (2006-2011); and Treasurer (2003-2006). Mr. Greenwood also served in the following roles for Evergy Kansas Central: Executive/Senior Director, Corporate Finance (1999-2003); Director, Financial Strategy and Acting Director, Internal Audit (1999-2000); and Director, Financial Strategy (1998-1999). Mr. Greenwood joined Evergy Kansas Central in 1993.
(d)Mr. Somma was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Somma previously served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (2011-2018) for Evergy Kansas Central, after having been appointed as Treasurer in 2006 and Vice President in 2009. He also served as Executive Director, Generation (2004-2006), Executive Director, Finance (1998-1999) and Director, Corporate Strategy (1996-1998) of Evergy Kansas Central, after having joined the company in 1994. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Somma served in various leadership roles with a former affiliate of Evergy Kansas Central, including Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.

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(e)Mr. Banning was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Banning previously served in the following officer roles for Evergy Kansas Central: Senior Vice President, Operations Support and Administration (2015-2018); Vice President, Human Resources and IT (2014); and Vice President, Human Resources (2010- 2013). Mr. Banning also served as Executive Director of Human Resources for Evergy Kansas Central (2008-2010).
(f)Mr. Caisley was appointed Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs and Chief Customer Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Caisley served as Vice President - Marketing and Public Affairs of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011-2018). He was Senior Director of Public Affairs (2008-2011) and Director of Governmental Affairs of Evergy Metro (2007-2008).
(g)Ms. Humphrey was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Ms. Humphrey previously served as Senior Vice President - Corporate Services and General Counsel of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2016-2018). She previously served as General Counsel (2010-2016) and Senior Vice President - Human Resources of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2012-2016). She served as Vice President - Human Resources of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2010-2012). She was Senior Director of Human Resources and Interim General Counsel of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2010) and Managing Attorney of Evergy Metro (2007-2010).
(h)Mr. King was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Evergy, Inc. in February 2020. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (2019) and Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (2018-2019) of Evergy, Inc. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Information Technology (2013-2018), as Senior Director of Information Technology Applications and Delivery (2013) and Director of Information Technology Applications (2011-2013) of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. Mr. King also served in various roles, including leadership roles, with Dish Network, CenturyLink, Sprint and Accenture.
(i)Mr. Busser was appointed Vice President - Risk Management and Controller of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Busser was appointed Vice President - Risk Management and Controller of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West in 2016. He previously served as Vice President - Business Planning and Controller of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2014-2016). He served as Vice President - Treasurer of El Paso Electric Company (2011-2014). Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer (2006-2011) and Vice President - Regulatory Affairs and Treasurer (2004-2006) of El Paso Electric Company.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Utility Regulatory Risks:
Prices are established by regulators and may not be sufficient to result in a recovery of costs or provide for a return on investment.
The prices that the incumbent,FERC, KCC and MPSC authorize the utility subsidiaries of Evergy to charge significantly influence the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
In general, utilities are allowed to recover in customer rates costs that were prudently incurred to provide utility service, plus a reasonable return on invested capital.  There can be no assurance, however, that regulators will determine costs to have been prudently incurred. Further, the amounts approved by the regulators may not be sufficient to allow for a recovery of costs or provide for an adequate return on and of capital investments. Also, amounts that were approved by regulators may be appealed, modified, limited or eliminated by subsequent regulatory or legislative actions. A failure to recover costs or earn a reasonable return on invested capital could have a rightmaterial adverse effect on the results of first refusaloperations, financial condition and those projects thatcash flows of Evergy and its utility subsidiaries.
The Evergy Companies are subjectalso exposed to cost-recovery shortfalls due to the Order No. 1000 competitive processes. However, we currently have no investments associated with Order No. 1000 in our forecasted capital expenditure table, and the merger will change the manner and extent to which we continue to participateinherent "regulatory lag" in the Order No. 1000rate-setting process.
Regulation This is because utility rates are generally based on historical information and, Our Prices

Kansas law gives the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) general regulatory authority over our retail prices, extensions and abandonments of service and facilities, the classification of accounts, the issuance of some securities and various other matters. We are also subject to the jurisdiction of FERC, which has authority over wholesale electricity sales, including prices, the transmission of electric power and the issuance of some securities. We are subject to the jurisdiction of the NRCexcept for nuclear plant operations and safety. Regulatory authorities have established various methods permitting adjustments to our pricescertain situations where regulators allow for the recovery of costs. For portions of our cost of service, regulators allow us to adjust our prices periodicallyexpenses through the applicationuse of a formula that tracks changescosts, are not subject to adjustment between rate cases. In connection with the merger, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro agreed

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to a five-year base rate moratorium in ourKansas beginning in December 2018. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2019, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West elected into plant-in service accounting (PISA), which, by law, requires each company to keep base rates constant for three years following Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's last general rate case and limits the extent to which prices can increase thereafter. These and other factors may result in under-recovery of costs which reducesor failure to earn the time between making expendituresauthorized return on investment, or both.
Failure to timely recover the full investment costs of capital projects, the impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, other utility costs and expenses due to regulatory disallowances, regulatory lag or other factors could lead to lowered credit ratings, reduced access to capital markets, increased financing costs, lower flexibility due to constrained financial resources and increased collateral security requirements or reductions or delays in planned capital expenditures.  In response to competitive, economic, political, legislative, public perception and regulatory pressures, Evergy's utility subsidiaries may be subject to rate moratoriums, rate refunds, limits on rate increases, lower allowed returns on investments and reflecting them inor rate reductions, including phase-in plans designed to spread the prices we charge customers. However,impact of rate increases over an extended period for the remaining portionsbenefit of our costcustomers. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
Legislative and regulatory requirements may increase costs and result in compliance penalties.
FERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and SPP have implemented and enforce an extensive set of transmission system reliability, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection standards that apply to public utilities.  The MPSC and KCC have the authority to implement utility operational standards and requirements, such as vegetation management standards, facilities inspection requirements and quality of service we must filestandards.  In addition, Evergy is also subject to health, safety and other requirements enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor and other federal and state agencies.  As discussed more fully under "Operational Risks," the NRC extensively regulates nuclear power plants, including Wolf Creek. The costs of complying with existing, new or modified regulations, standards and other requirements could have a general rate review, which lengthensmaterial adverse effect on the periodresults of time between when we makeoperations, financial position and recover expenditures and a return on our investments. See Note 4cash flows of the NotesEvergy Companies.  Furthermore, regulatory changes could result in operational changes that increase costs or adversely impact the Evergy Companies' prospects. In addition, failure to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Mattersmeet quality of service, reliability, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, operational or other standards and Regulation,” for information regarding ourrequirements could expose the Evergy Companies to penalties, additional compliance costs or adverse rate proceedings with the KCCconsequences, any of which could have a material adverse impact on their results of operations, financial position and FERC.

cash flows.
Environmental MattersRisks:

Costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to GHG emissions, are significant and may adversely impact operations and financial results.
WeThe Evergy Companies are subject to variousextensive and evolving federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements relating to air and water quality, waste management and hazardous substance disposal, protected natural resources (such as wetlands, endangered species and other protected wildlife) and health and safety.  For example, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West combust large amounts of fossil fuels in the production of electricity, which results in significant emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHGs. Federal legislation regulates the emission of GHGs and numerous states and regions have adopted programs to stabilize or reduce GHG emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA), water under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and waste management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), among other laws and regulations. See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Compliance with these laws, regulations and requirements requires significant capital and operating resources, and the failure to comply could result in substantial fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions.  In addition, there is a risk of lawsuits alleging violations of environmental laws, regulations or requirements, claiming creation of a public nuisance or other matters, and seeking injunctions or monetary damages or other relief.

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Environmental permits are subject to periodic renewal, which may result in more stringent permit conditions and limits.  New facilities, or modifications of existing facilities, may require new environmental permits or amendments to existing permits.  Delays in the environmental permitting process, public opposition and challenges, denials of permit applications, limits or conditions imposed in permits and the associated uncertainty may materially adversely affect the cost and timing of projects, and thus materially adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies. In addition, compliance with environmental laws, regulations and requirements could alter the way assets are managed, which in turn could result in retiring assets earlier than expected, recording asset retirement obligations (AROs) or having a regulator disallow recovery of costs that had been prudently incurred in connection with those assets.
Costs of compliance with environmental laws, regulations and requirements, or fines, penalties or negative lawsuit outcomes, if not recovered in rates from customers, could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.  
Financial Risks:
Financial market disruptions or declines in the Evergy Companies' credit ratings may increase financing costs and limit access to the credit markets, which may adversely affect liquidity and financial results.
The Evergy Companies rely on funds from operations and access to the capital and credit markets to fund capital expenditures and for working capital and liquidity. Disruption in capital or credit markets, increases in interest rates, deterioration in the financial condition of the financial institutions on which the Evergy Companies rely, credit rating downgrades, a decrease in the market price of Evergy's common stock or a decrease or disappearance in the demand for debt securities issued by the Evergy Companies or subsidiaries could have material adverse effects on the Evergy Companies.  These effects could include, among others: reduced access to capital and increased cost of borrowed funds and collateral requirements; dilution resulting from equity issuances at reduced prices; increased nuclear decommissioning trust and pension and other post-retirement benefit plan funding requirements; reduced ability to pay dividends; rate case disallowance of costs of capital; reductions in or delays of capital expenditures; and limitations in the ability of Evergy to provide credit support for its subsidiaries.  Further, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have outstanding tax-exempt bonds that may be put back to the respective issuer at the option of the holders, which could adversely impact liquidity. In addition, market disruption and volatility could have an adverse impact on Evergy's lenders, suppliers and other counterparties or customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations.
Evergy is a holding company and relies on the earnings of its subsidiaries to meet its financial obligations.
Evergy is a holding company with no significant operations of its own.  The primary source of funds for payment of dividends to its shareholders and its other financial obligations is dividends paid to it by its direct subsidiaries, particularly Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West.  Evergy's subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no obligation to provide Evergy with funds. The ability of Evergy's subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions, and accordingly, Evergy's ability to pay dividends on its common stock and meet its financial obligations, principally depends on the earnings and cash flows, capital requirements and general financial position of its subsidiaries, as well as regulatory factors, financial covenants, general business conditions and other matters.
In addition, the Evergy Companies are subject to certain corporate and regulatory restrictions and financial covenants that could affect their ability to pay dividends.  Under the Federal Power Act, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West generally can pay dividends only out of retained earnings. In connection with approval of the merger in Missouri, each of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West agreed to not pay dividends to Evergy if its credit rating falls below BBB- for S&P Global Ratings or Baa3 for Moody's Investor Services. In connection with approval of the merger in Kansas, each of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro agreed to not pay dividends to Evergy if (i) the payment would result in an increase in the utility's debt level (excluding short-term debt and debt due within one year) above 60 percent of its total capitalization, absent approval from the KCC or (ii) if its credit rating falls below BBB- for S&P Global Ratings or Baa3 for Moody's Investor Services. As described elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the Evergy Companies are also required to maintain a

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consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.65 to 1.00, which could restrict the amount of dividends the Evergy Companies are permitted to pay. Evergy cannot guarantee dividends will be paid in the future or that, if paid, dividends will satisfy announced targets or investor expectations or be paid with the same frequency as in the past.
In addition, from time to time Evergy may guarantee debt obligations of its subsidiaries. Under the financing agreements to which Evergy is a party, a guarantee of debt may be considered indebtedness for purposes of complying with financial covenants that dictate the extent to which Evergy can borrow money, and any guarantee payments could adversely affect Evergy's liquidity and ability to service its own debt obligations.
Increasing costs associated with defined benefit retirement and postretirement plans, health care plans and other employee benefits could adversely affect Evergy's financial position and liquidity.
Evergy maintains defined benefit retirement and other post-retirement employee benefit plans for certain current and former employees. The costs of these plans depend on a number of factors, including the rates of return on plan assets, the level and nature of the provided benefits, discount rates, the interest rates used to measure required minimum funding levels, changes in benefit design, changes in laws or regulations and the amount of any required or voluntary contributions to the plans.  The Evergy Companies have substantial unfunded liabilities under these plans.  Also, if the rate of retirements exceeds planned levels, these plans experience adverse market returns on investments or interest rates fall, required or voluntary contributions to the plans could be material.  In addition, changes in accounting rules and assumptions related to future costs, returns on investments, interest rates and other actuarial assumptions, including projected retirements, could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
The costs of providing health care benefits to employees and retirees have increased in recent years and may continue to rise in the future. Future legislative changes related to health care could also cause significant changes to benefit programs and costs. The increasing costs associated with health care plans could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
The use of derivative contracts could result in financial losses and impair liquidity.
The Evergy Companies use derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forwards, to manage commodity and financial risks.  Losses could be recognized as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, if a counterparty fails to perform or if the underlying transactions, which the derivative instruments are intended to hedge, fail to materialize.  The valuation of these financial instruments can involve management's judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.
Tax legislation and an inability to utilize tax credits could adversely impact financial results and liquidity.
Tax laws and regulations affecting our operations are overlapping, complex, subjectcan adversely affect, among other things, financial results, liquidity, credit ratings and the valuation of assets, such as deferred income tax assets. Over the last several years, income tax obligations have been reduced due to changes, have become more stringent over time and are expensive to implement. Such laws and regulations relate primarily to air quality, water quality, the use of waterbonus depreciation provisions that allow for an acceleration of deductions for tax purposes and IRS guidance on tax deductions for repairs. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) eliminates bonus depreciation for regulated utilities on new capital investments. The Evergy Companies regularly assess their ability to utilize tax benefits, including those in the form of net operating loss, tax credit and other tax carryforwards, that are recorded as deferred income tax assets on its balance sheets to determine whether a valuation allowance is necessary. A reduction in, or disallowance of, these tax benefits could have an adverse impact on the financial results and liquidity of the Evergy Companies. Additionally, changes in corporate tax rates or policy changes, such as those resulting from the TCJA, as well as any inability to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize all tax benefits before they expire, could have an adverse impact on the financial results and liquidity of the Evergy Companies.

In addition, the Evergy Companies construct and operate renewable energy facilities that generate tax credits that reduce federal income tax obligations. The amount of tax credits is dependent on several factors, including the amount of electricity produced and the handling, disposalapplicable tax credit rate. A variety of operating and clean-upeconomic parameters, including transmission constraints, adverse weather conditions and breakdown or failure of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes, including coal combustion residuals (CCRs). These laws and regulations oftentimes require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals from governmental agencies for new, existing or modified facilities. If we fail to comply with such laws, regulations and permits, or fail to obtain and maintain necessary permits, weequipment, could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators, and such fines or

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significantly reduce these tax credits, which could have an adverse impact on the costfinancial results of sanctionsthe Evergy Companies.
The anticipated benefits of the merger may not be recoverable in our prices. Werealized.
The Evergy Companies have incurred, and will continueexpect to incur capitaladditional, significant costs associated with combining the operations of Great Plains Energy and other expenditures to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and Notes 4 and 14Evergy Kansas Central. Additional unanticipated costs may also be incurred in the integration of the Notesbusinesses of Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central. The Evergy Companies expect the merger to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Mattersproduce various benefits, including, among other things, operating efficiencies and Regulation - KCC Proceedings - Environmental Costs” and “Commitments and Contingencies - Environmental Matters,” respectively, for more information regarding environmental trends, risks and laws and regulations.


Safety and Health Regulation

The safety and health of our employeescost savings. However, achieving the anticipated benefits is vital to our business. We are subject to a number of federaluncertainties, including:

the ability to efficiently and effectively combine operations of the merged companies;
general market and economic conditions;
general competitive factors in the marketplace; and
higher than expected costs required to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger.
No assurance can be given that these benefits will be achieved or achieved in a timely manner. Integration costs could have a material adverse impact on the results of the Evergy Companies, and a failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies. In addition, the Evergy Companies may encounter difficulties in integrating the operations of the companies, including inconsistencies in standards, systems and controls, and management's focus and resources may be diverted from ordinary business activities and opportunities in order to focus on integration efforts. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Evergy Companies.
The price of Evergy common stock may experience volatility.
The price of Evergy common stock may be volatile. Some of the factors that could affect the price of Evergy common stock are Evergy's earnings; estimates or statements by the investment community; the ability of the Evergy Companies to implement their strategic plan or to realize the expected synergies and other benefits from the merger; the ability of Evergy to deploy capital; actions by regulators; and speculation in the press or investment community about the Evergy Companies' strategy, earnings per share or growth prospects, financial condition or results of operations. Individuals or entities, such as activist shareholders and special interest groups, may also seek to influence the Evergy Companies' strategic plan or take other actions that could disrupt the Evergy Companies' business, financial results or operations and could adversely impact Evergy's stock price. General market conditions and U.S. economic factors and political events unrelated to the performance of the Evergy may also affect Evergy's stock price. For these reasons, shareholders should not rely on historical trends in the price of Great Plains Energy or Evergy Kansas Central common stock to predict the price of Evergy's common stock or its financial results.
Evergy has recorded goodwill that could become impaired and adversely affect financial results.
As required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Evergy recorded a significant amount of goodwill on its balance sheet in connection with completion of the merger. Evergy assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances occur that would indicate a potential for impairment. If goodwill is deemed to be impaired, Evergy may be required to incur non-cash charges that could materially adversely affect its results of operations.
Customer and Weather-Related Risks:
Evergy's results of operations, financial position and cash flows can be materially affected by changes in electricity consumption.
Change in customer behaviors in response to energy efficiency programs, changing conditions and preferences or changes in the adoption of technologies could affect the consumption of energy by customers. Federal and state lawsprograms exist to influence the way customers use energy and regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Weregulators have measures in placemandates to promote energy efficiency. Conservation programs and customers' level of participation in the safetyprograms could impact the financial results of the Evergy Companies in adverse ways.

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Technological advances, energy efficiency and other energy conservation measures have reduced and will continue to reduce customer electricity consumption. The Evergy Companies generate electricity at central station power plants to achieve economies of scale and produce electricity at a competitive cost. Self-generation and distributed generation technologies, including microturbines, wind turbines, fuel cells and solar cells, as well as those related to the storage of energy produced by these systems, have become economically competitive with the manner and price at which the Evergy Companies sell electricity. There is also a perception that generating or storing electricity through these technologies is more environmentally friendly than generating electricity with fossil fuels. Increased adoption of these technologies could reduce electricity demand and the pool of customers from whom fixed costs are recovered, resulting in under recovery of the fixed costs of the Evergy Companies. Increased self-generation and the related use of net energy metering, which allows self-generating customers to receive bill credits for surplus power, could put upward price pressure on remaining customers. If the Evergy Companies are unable to adjust to reduced electricity demand and increased self-generation and net energy metering, their financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Changes in customer electricity consumption due to sustained financial market disruptions, downturns or sluggishness in the economy or other factors may also adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
Weather is a major driver of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies and the Evergy Companies are subject to risks associated with climate change.
Weather conditions directly influence the demand for and price of electricity. The Evergy Companies are significantly impacted by seasonality, and, due to energy demand created by air conditioning load, highest revenues are typically recorded in the third quarter. Unusually mild winter or summer weather can adversely affect sales.  In addition, severe weather and events, including tornados, snow, fire, rain, flooding and ice storms, can be destructive and cause outages and property damage that can result in increased expenses, lower revenues and additional capital restoration costs.  Storm reserves established by the Evergy Companies may be insufficient and rates may not be adjusted in a timely manner, or at all, to recover these costs. Additionally, because many of the Evergy Companies' generating stations utilize water for cooling, low water and flow levels can increase maintenance costs at these stations, result in limited power production and require modifications to plant operations.  High water conditions can also impair planned deliveries of fuel to generating stations. Climate change may produce more frequent or severe weather events, such as storms, droughts or floods and could also impact the economic health of ourEvergy's service territories. An increase in the frequency or severity of extreme weather events or a deterioration in the economic health of Evergy's service territories could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
In addition, policy, legal and regulatory efforts to influence climate change, such as efforts to reduce GHG emissions, impose a tax on emissions and create incentives for low-carbon generation and energy efficiency, could result in reduced sales and require significant costs to respond to such efforts. These efforts could also result in the early retirement of generation facilities, which could result in stranded costs if regulators disallow recovery of investments that were prudent when originally made. The Evergy Companies are targeting to achieve an 80% reduction of carbon emissions by 2050 from 2005 levels. The trajectory and timing of the goal could be impacted by various factors, including policy, legal or regulatory actions, a lack of technological advancements or other reasons. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies and the market prices of Evergy's common stock.
Operational Risks:
Operational risks may adversely affect the Evergy Companies.
The operation of electric generation, transmission, distribution and information systems involves many risks, including breakdown or failure of equipment; aging infrastructure; operator error or contractor or subcontractor failure; problems that delay or increase the cost of returning facilities to service after outages; limitations that may be imposed by equipment conditions or environmental, safety or other regulatory requirements; fuel supply or fuel transportation reductions or interruptions; labor disputes; difficulties with the implementation or operation of

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information systems; transmission scheduling constraints; and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, droughts, explosions, terrorism, severe weather, pandemics or other similar occurrences. Many of the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and distribution resources are aged, which increases the risk of unplanned outages, reduced generation output and higher maintenance expense.  Any equipment or system outage or constraint can, among other things, reduce sales, increase costs and affect the ability to meet regulatory service metrics, customer expectations and regulatory reliability and security requirements.
The Evergy Companies have general liability and property insurance to cover a portion of their facilities, but such policies do not cover transmission or distribution systems, are subject to certain limits and deductibles and do not include business interruption coverage.  Insurance coverage may not be available in the future at reasonable costs or on commercially reasonable terms, and the insurance proceeds received for any loss of, or any damage to, any facilities may not be sufficient to restore the loss or damage.
These and other operating events may reduce revenues or increase costs, or both, and may materially affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.
Physical and cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacks and other disruptions to facilities or information technology infrastructure could interfere with operations, expose the Evergy Companies or their customers or employees to a risk of loss, expose the Evergy Companies to legal or regulatory liability and to monitor our compliance with such lawscause reputational and regulations.other harm.
Information Technology

WeThe Evergy Companies rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, supply chain functions and the invoicing and collection of payments from our customers. The Evergy Companies also use information technology networks and systems to record, process and summarize financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with financial reporting, legal and tax requirements. These networks and systems are in some cases owned or managed by third-party service providers. Cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacksIn the ordinary course of business, the Evergy Companies collect, store and other disruptionstransmit sensitive data including operating information, proprietary business information and personal information belonging to ourcustomers and employees.
The Evergy Companies' information technology networks and infrastructure, includingas well as the networks and infrastructure ownedbelonging to third-party service providers are vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attacks or breaches by third-parties we utilize,hackers or other unauthorized third parties; error or malfeasance by one or more employees or service providers; software or hardware upgrades; additions or replacements; malicious software code; telecommunication failures; natural disasters or other catastrophic events. The occurrence of any of these events could, interfere with our operations, couldamong other things, impact the reliability or safety of the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and distribution systems; result in the erasure of data or render the Evergy Companies' equipment, or the equipment of third-party service providers, unusable; impact the Evergy Companies' ability to conduct business in the ordinary course; reduce sales; expose us or ourthe Evergy Companies and their customers, or employees and vendors to a risk of loss or misuse of information; and could expose us toresult in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties, damage the Evergy Companies' reputation or cause us reputational damageotherwise harm their business. The Evergy Companies can provide no assurance that they will be able to identify and remediate all security or other harmsystem vulnerabilities or that unauthorized access or error will be identified and remediated.
The Evergy Companies are subject to our business. We have taken measures to secure our networklaws and rules issued by multiple government agencies concerning safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of their security, customer and business information. For example, NERC has issued comprehensive regulations and standards surrounding the security of bulk power systems but such measures may not be sufficient, especially dueand is continually in the process of developing updated and new requirements with which the utility industry must comply. The NRC also has issued regulations and standards related to the increasing sophisticationprotection of cyberattacks. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for additional information.


SEASONALITY

Our electricity salescritical digital assets at nuclear power plants. Compliance with NERC and revenues are seasonal, with the third quarter typically accounting for the greatest of each. Our electricity sales are impactedNRC rules and standards, and rules and standards promulgated by weather conditions, the economy of our service territory and other factors affecting customers’ demand for electricity.


EMPLOYEES

As of February 14, 2018, we had 2,205 employees, 1,117 of which were covered by a contract with Locals 304 and 1523 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers that extends through June 30, 2018.

ACCESS TO COMPANY INFORMATION

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K are available free of charge either on our Internet website at www.westarenergy.com or through requests addressed to our investor relations department. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained on our Internet website is not part of this document.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
NameAgePresent Office
Other Offices or Positions
Held During the Past Five Years
Mark A. Ruelle56
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (since August 2011)
Bruce A. Akin53
Senior Vice President, Power Delivery (since January 2015)
Westar Energy, Inc.
Vice President, Power Delivery (February 2012 to December 2014)
Jerl L. Banning57
Senior Vice President, Operations Support and Administration
(since January 2015)
Westar Energy, Inc.
Vice President, Human Resources and IT (January 2014 to December 2014)
Vice President, Human Resources (February 2010 to December 2013)
John T. Bridson48
Senior Vice President, Generation and Marketing (since January 2015)
Westar Energy, Inc.
Vice President, Generation (February 2011 to December 2014)

Gregory A. Greenwood52
Senior Vice President, Strategy
       (since August 2011)
Anthony D. Somma54
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since August 2011)
Larry D. Irick61
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (since February 2003)
Kevin L. Kongs55
Vice President, Controller
      (since November 2013)
Westar Energy, Inc.
Assistant Controller (October 2006 to November 2013)

Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers, nor any arrangements or understandings between any executive officer and other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as an executive officer.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We operate in market and regulatory environments that involve significant risks, many of which are beyond our control. In addition to other information in this Form 10-K, including “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in other documents we file with the SECagencies from time to time or future legislation, will increase the following factors may affect our resultsEvergy Companies' compliance costs and their exposure to the potential risk of operations, our cash flowsviolations of these rules, standards or future legislation, which includes potential financial penalties. Furthermore, the non-compliance of other utilities with applicable regulations or the

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occurrence of a serious security event at other utilities could result in increased regulation or oversight, both of which could increase the Evergy Companies' costs and the value of our equity and debt securities. These factors may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. The factors listed below are not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of all such risks, and the statements below must be read together with factors discussed elsewhere in this document and in our other filings with the SEC.

Risks Relating to our Business

Weather conditions, including mild and severe weather, may adversely impact our consolidatedtheir financial results.

Weather conditions directly influenceAdditionally, the demand for electricity. Our customers use electricity for heating in winter months and cooling in summer months. Because of air conditioning demand, typically we produce our highest revenues in the third quarter. Milder temperatures reduce demand for electricity and have a corresponding impact on our revenues. Unusually mild weather in the future could adversely affect our consolidated financial results.

In addition, severe weather conditions can produce storms that can inflict extensive damage to our equipment and facilities, which can require us to incur additional operating and maintenance expense and additional capital expenditures. Our prices may not always be adjusted timely or adequately to reflect these higher costs. Additionally, because many of our power plants use water for cooling, persistent or severe drought conditions could result in limited power production. High water conditions can also impair planned deliveries of fuel to our plants.

Our prices are subject to regulatory review and may not prove adequate to recover our costs and provide a fair return.

We must obtain from state and federal regulators the authority to establish terms and prices for our services. The KCC and, for most of our wholesale customers, FERC, use a cost-of-service approach that takes into account operating expenses, fixed obligations and recovery of and return on capital investments. Using this approach, the KCC and FERC set prices at levels calculated to recover such costs and a permitted return on investment. Except for wholesale transactions for which the price is not so regulated, and except to the extent the KCC and FERC permit us to modify our prices through the application of a formula that tracks changes in certain of our costs, our prices generally remain fixed until changed following a rate review. Further, the adjustments may be modified, limited or eliminated by regulatory or legislative actions. We may apply to change our prices or intervening parties may request that our prices be reviewed for possible adjustment.

Rate proceedings through which our prices and terms of service are determined typically involve numerous parties including electricity consumers, consumer advocates and governmental entities, some of whom take positions that are adverse to us. In addition, regulators’ decisions may be appealed to the courts by us or other parties to the proceedings. These factors may lead to uncertainty and delays in obtaining or implementing changes to our prices or terms of service. There can be no assurance that our regulators will find all of our costs to have been prudently incurred. A finding that costs have been imprudently incurred can lead to disallowance of recovery for those costs. Further, the prices approved by the applicable regulatory body may not be sufficient for us to recover our costs and to provide for an adequate return on and of capital investments.

WeEvergy Companies cannot predict the outcome ofimpact that any rate reviewfuture information technology or malicious attack may have on the actions of our regulators.energy industry in general. The outcome of rate proceedings, or delayselectric utility industry, both within the United States and internationally, has experienced physical and cybersecurity attacks on energy infrastructure such as power plants, substations and related assets in implementing price changes to reflect changesthe past, and there will likely be more attacks in our costs, could have a material effect on our consolidated financial results.


Our costs of compliance with environmental lawsthe future. The Evergy Companies' facilities and regulations, including those relating to GHG emissions, are significant, and the future costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations could adversely impact our operations and consolidated financial results.

We are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, the use of water, the handling, disposal and clean-up of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes, natural resources and health and safety. Compliance with these legal requirements, which change frequently and have tended to become more restrictive, requires us to commit significant capital and operating resources toward permitting, emission fees, environmental monitoring, installation and operation of air and water quality control equipment and purchases of air emission allowances and/or offsets. These laws and regulations oftentimes require a lengthy and complex process for obtaining licenses, permits and approvals from governmental agencies for new, existing or modified facilities. If we fail to comply with such laws, regulations and permits, or fail to obtain and maintain necessary permits, wesystems could be fineddirect targets or otherwise sanctioned by regulators,indirect casualties of such attacks. The effects of such attacks could include disruption to the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and such finesdistribution systems or to the electrical grid in general, reduced sales and could increase the cost of sanctions may not be recoverableinsurance coverage or result in our prices.

Costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations or fines or penalties resulting from non-compliance, if not recovereda decline in our prices, could adversely impact our operations and/or consolidated financial results, especially if emission and/or discharge limits are tightened, more extensive permitting requirements are imposed, additional substances become regulated or the number and types of assets we operate increases. We cannot estimate our compliance costs or any possible fines or penalties with certainty, or the degree to which such costs might be recovered in our prices, due to our inability to predict the requirements and timing of implementation of environmental rules or regulations. See “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Executive Summary - Current Trends and Uncertainties - Environmental Regulation” and Notes 4 and 14U.S. economy. Any of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Matters and Regulation - KCC Proceedings - Environmental Costs” and “Commitments and Contingencies - Environmental Matters,” respectively, for additional information. In addition, compliance with environmental laws and regulations could alter the manner in which we had planned to manage our assets, which in turn could require us to retire assets earlier than expected or record asset retirement obligations (AROs).

In addition, we combust large amounts of fossil fuels as we produce electricity. This results in significant emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHGs through the operation of our power plants. Federal legislation regulates the emission of GHGs and numerous states and regions have adopted programs to stabilize or reduce GHG emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates GHGs under the Clean Air Act. In October 2015, the EPA published a rule limiting CO2 emissions for new, modified and reconstructed coal and natural gas fueled electric generating units, along with a rule regulating emissions from existing power plants. In 2017, the EPA announced that it is reviewing the rules regarding new, modified, and reconstructed coal and natural gas electric generating units, and has proposed to effectively repeal the rule relating to existing power plants. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies - Environmental Matters” for additional information. We believe rules that regulate or limit our emissions could have a material impact on our operations and consolidated financial results.

Further, in the course of operating our coal generation plants, we produce CCRs, including fly ash, gypsum and bottom ash, which we must handle, recycle, process or dispose of. We historically have recycled some of our ash production, principally by selling to the aggregate industry. The EPA published a rule to regulate CCRs in April 2015, which will require additional CCR handling, processing and storage equipment and potential closure of certain ash disposal areas. We have recorded, and may need to record additional AROs, in connection with the rule. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies - Environmental Matters” for additional information. The impact of this rule on our operations and consolidated financial results could be material.

We could be subject to penalties as a result of mandatory reliability standards, which could adversely affect our consolidated financial results.

As a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, owners and operators of the bulk power transmission system, including Westar Energy and KGE, are subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and enforced by FERC. If we were found to be out of compliance with the mandatory reliability standards, we could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties, which we might not be able to recover in the prices we charge our customers. Thisforegoing could have a material adverse effectimpact on our consolidatedthe Evergy Companies' operations or financial results.


Adverse economic conditions could adversely impact our operationsThe cost and consolidated financial results.

Our operations are impacted by economic conditions. Adverse economic conditions, including a prolonged recession, no or low economic growth orschedule of capital market disruptions, may:

reduce demand for our service;
increase delinquencies or non-payment by customers;
adversely impact the financial condition of suppliers, whichprojects may in turn limit our access to inventory, including coalmaterially change and natural gas, or capital equipment or increase our costs; and
increase deductibles and premiums and result in more restrictive policy terms under insurance policies regarding risks we typically insure against, or make insurance claims more difficult to collect.

A number of our commercial and industrial customers have geographically dispersed facilities, and localized factors, including economic conditions, governmental or other incentives and other factors that influence customer operating or capital expenses, may cause these customers to curtail or eliminate operations at facilities in our service territory and move them to other facilities with competitive advantages. In addition, unexpectedly strong economic conditions can result in increased costs and shortages. Any of the aforementioned events, and others weexpected performance may not be ableachieved.
The Evergy Companies' business is capital intensive and includes significant construction projects.  The risks of any capital project include: actual costs may exceed estimated costs; regulators may disallow, limit or delay the recovery of all or part of the cost of, or a return on, a capital project; risks associated with the capital and credit markets to identify,fund projects; delays in receiving, or failure to receive, necessary permits, approvals and other regulatory authorizations; unforeseen engineering problems or changes in project design or scope; the failure of suppliers and contractors to perform as required under their contracts; inadequate availability or increased cost of labor or materials, including commodities such as steel, copper and aluminum that may be subject to uncertain or increased tariffs; inclement weather; new or changed laws, regulations and requirements, including environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and requirements; and other events beyond the Evergy Companies' control may occur that may materially affect the schedule, cost and performance of these projects.
These and other risks could have an adverse impactcause the Evergy Companies to defer or limit capital expenditures, materially increase the costs of capital projects, delay the in-service dates of projects, adversely affect the performance of the projects and require the purchase of electricity on our consolidatedthe wholesale market, at potentially more expensive prices, until the projects are completed.  These risks may significantly affect the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial results.position and cash flows.

WeThe Evergy Companies are exposed to various risks associated with the ownership and operation of Wolf Creek, any ofa nuclear generating unit, which could adversely impact our consolidatedthe Evergy Companies' business and financial results.

Through KGE’s ownership interest inEvergy indirectly owns 94% of Wolf Creek, we are subject towith Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro each owning 47% of the risks of nuclear generation, which include:

the risks associated with storing, handling and disposing of radioactive materials and the current lack of a long-term off-site disposal solution for radioactive materials;
limitations on the amounts and types of insurance commercially available to cover losses that might arise in connection with nuclear operations;
uncertainties with respect to procurement of nuclear fuel and related services;
uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial aspects of decommissioning Wolf Creek at the end of its life; and
costs of measures associated with public safety.

plant.  The NRC has broad authority under federal law to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation of nuclear generation facilities.facilities, including Wolf Creek.  In the event of non-compliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines, or shut down a unit,the facilities, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved. Revised safety requirements enacted by the NRC could necessitate substantial capital expenditures at Wolf Creek.

An incident at Wolf Creek could have a material impact on our consolidated financial results. Furthermore,Additionally, the non-compliance of other nuclear facilitiesfacility operators with applicable regulations or the occurrence of a serious nuclear incident at other facilities anywhere in the world could result in increased regulation of the industry or a retrospective premium assessment under our nuclear insurance coverage, both of whichindustry. Such events could increase Wolf Creek’sCreek's costs and impact our consolidatedthe financial results. Such events could alsoresults of the Evergy Companies or result in a shutdown of Wolf Creek.

An extended outage of Wolf Creek, whether resulting from NRC action, an incident at the plant or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies in the event replacement power and other costs are not recovered through rates or insurance.  If a long-term outage occurred, the state regulatory commissions could reduce rates by excluding the Wolf Creek investment from rate base.  Wolf Creek was constructed prior to 1986 and the age of Wolf Creek increases the risk of unplanned outages and results in higher maintenance costs.
On an annual basis, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro are required to contribute money to tax-qualified trusts that were established to pay for decommissioning costs at the end of the unit's life. The amount of contributions varies depending on estimates of decommissioning expenses and projected return on trust assets. If the actual return on trust assets is below the projected level or actual decommissioning costs are higher than estimated, Evergy

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Kansas South and Evergy Metro could be responsible for the balance of funds required and may not be allowed to recover the balance through rates.
The Evergy Companies are also exposed to other risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear generating unit, including, but not limited to, (i) potential liability associated with the potential harmful effects on the environment and human health resulting from the operation of a nuclear generating unit, (ii) the storage, handling, disposal and potential release (by accident, through third-party actions or otherwise) of radioactive materials and (iii) uncertainties with respect to contingencies and assessments if insurance coverage is inadequate.  Under the structure for insurance among owners of nuclear generating units, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro are also liable for potential retrospective premium assessments (subject to a cap) per incident at any commercial reactor in the country and losses in excess of insurance coverage.
In addition, Wolf Creek is reliant on a sole supplier for fuel and related services, which is currentlyservices. The supplier has in the past been the subject of Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, and an extended outage of Wolf Creek could occur if the supplier is not able to perform under its contracts with Wolf Creek. Switching to another supplier could take an extended amount of time and would require NRC approval. An extended outage at Wolf Creek could affect the amount of our Wolf Creek investment included in our prices,customer rates and could have a material impact on our consolidatedthe Evergy Companies' financial results.


Significant decisions about capital investments are based on forecasts of long-term demand for energy incorporating assumptions about multiple, uncertain factors. Our actual experience may differ significantly from our assumptions, which may adversely impact our consolidated financial results.

We attempt to forecast demand to determine the timing and adequacy of our energy and energy delivery resources. Long-term forecasts involve risks because they rely on assumptions we make concerning uncertain factors including weather, technological change, environmental and other regulatory requirements, economic conditions, social pressures and the responsiveness of customers’ electricity demand to conservation measures and prices. Both actual future demand and our ability to satisfy such demand depend on these and other factors and may vary materially from our forecasts. If our experience varies from our forecasts, or if our regulators disagree with the prudence of certain of our decisions, we could be required to increase our AROs or record impairment charges, and our consolidated financial results may be adversely impacted.

Our planned capital investments subject us to risks.

Our business requires significant capital expenditures. In addition to risks discussed above associated with recovering capital investments through our prices, and risks associated with our reliance on the capital markets and short-term credit to fund those investments, our capital expenditure program poses risks, including, but not necessarily limited to:

shortages, disruption in the delivery and inconsistent quality of equipment, materials and labor;
contractor or supplier non-performance;
delays in or failure to receive necessary permits, approvals and other regulatory authorizations;
impacts of new and existing laws and regulations, including environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements;
adverse weather;
unforeseen engineering problems or changes in project design or scope;
environmental and geological conditions; and
unanticipated cost increases with respect to labor or materials, including basic commodities needed for our infrastructure such as steel, copper and aluminum.

These and other factors, or any combination of them, could cause us to defer or limit our capital expenditure program and could adversely impact our consolidated financial results.    

Our ability to fund our capital expenditures and meet our working capital and liquidity needs may be limited by conditions in the credit and capital markets, by our credit ratings or the market price of Westar Energy’s common stock. Further, capital market conditions can cause fluctuations in the values of assets set aside for employee benefit obligations and the Wolf Creek nuclear decommissioning trust (NDT) and may increase our funding requirements related to these obligations.

To fund our capital expenditures and for working capital and liquidity, we rely on internally generated cash, access to capital markets, and short-term credit. Disruption in capital markets, deterioration in the financial conditionThe structure of the financial institutions on which we rely, any credit rating downgrade or any decrease in theregional power market price of Westar Energy’s common stock may make capital more difficult and costly for us to obtain, may restrict liquidity available to us, may require us to defer or limit capital investments or impact operations or may reduce the value of our financial assets. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will reduce our internally generated cash, which might adversely impact the manner in which our credit rating is evaluated. Thesethe Evergy Companies operate could adversely impact our business and consolidated financial results, including our ability to pay dividends and to make investments or undertake programs necessary to meet regulatory mandates and customer demand.

Further, we have significant future financial obligations with respect to employee benefit obligations and the Wolf Creek NDT. The value of the assets needed to meet those obligations are subject to market fluctuations and will yield uncertain returns, which may fall below our expectations for meeting our obligations. Additionally, inflation and changes in interest rates impact the value of future liabilities. In general, when interest rates decline, the value of future liabilities increase. While the KCC allows us to implement a regulatory accounting mechanism to track certain of our employee benefit plan expenses, this mechanism does not allow us to make automatic price adjustments. Only in future rate proceedings may we be allowed to adjust our prices to reflect changes in our funding requirements. Further, the tracking mechanism for these benefit plan expenses is part of our overall rate structure, and as such, it is subject to KCC review and may be modified, limited or eliminated in the future. If these assets are not managed successfully, our consolidated financial results and cash flows could be adversely impacted.


Physical and cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacks and other disruptions to our facilities or our information technology infrastructure could interfere with our operations, expose us or our customers or employees to a risk of loss and expose us to liability or regulatory penalties or cause reputational damage and other harm to our business.
We rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, supply chain functions, and the invoicing and collection of payments from our customers. We also use information technology networks and systems to record, process and summarize financial information andan adverse effect on their results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are members of the SPP regional transmission organization, and each has transferred operational authority (but not ownership) of their transmission facilities to the SPP. The SPP's Integrated Marketplace determines which generating units among market participants should run, within the operating constraints of a unit, at any given time for internal reporting purposes and to comply with financial reporting, legal and tax requirements. These networks and systems are in some cases owned or managed by third-party service providers.maximum cost-effectiveness. In the ordinary courseevent that Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's or Evergy Missouri West's generating units are not among the lowest cost generating units operating within the market, each could experience decreased levels of business, we collect, storewholesale electricity sales.
A market for Transmission Congestion Rights (TCR) is also included as part of the Integrated Marketplace. TCRs are financial instruments used to hedge transmission congestion charges. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and transmit sensitive data including operating information, proprietary business information belonging to us and third parties and personal information belonging to our customers and employees.

Our information technology networks and infrastructure, as well asEvergy Missouri West acquire TCRs for the networks and infrastructure belonging to third-party service providers that we utilize, may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attacks or breaches by hackers or other unauthorized third parties; error or malfeasance by one or morepurpose of our or our service providers’ employees; software or hardware upgrades; additions or replacements; malicious software code; telecommunication failures; natural disasters or other catastrophic events. The occurrence of any of these events could, among other things, impact the reliability or safety of our generation,hedging against transmission and distribution systems; result in the erasure of data or render our equipment unusable; impact our ability to conduct business in the ordinary course; expose us and our customers, employees and vendors tocongestion charges. There is a risk that the entities could incorrectly model the amount of loss or misuse of information; and result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties against us, damage our reputation or otherwise harm our business. We can provide no assurance that we will identify and remedy all security or system vulnerabilitiesTCRs needed, or that unauthorized access or error willthe TCRs acquired could be identified and remedied.ineffective in hedging against transmission congestion charges, either of which could lead to increased purchased power costs.

We are subject to laws andThe rules issued by multiple government agencies concerning safeguarding and maintaininggoverning the confidentiality of our security, customer and business information. For example, NERC has issued comprehensive regulations and standards surroundingvarious regional power markets, including the security of bulk power systems, and is continually in the process of developing updated and additional requirements with which the utility industry must comply. The NRC also has issued regulations and standards related to the protection of critical digital assets at nuclear power plants. Compliance with NERC and NRC rules and standards, and rules and standards promulgated by other regulatory agenciesSPP, may change from time to time will increase our complianceand such changes could impact the costs and our exposure to the potential risk of violations of these rules and standards, which includes potential financial penalties. Furthermore, the non-compliance of other utilities with applicable regulations or the occurrence of a serious security event at other utilities could result in increased regulation or oversight, both of which could increase our costs and impact our consolidated financial results.

Additionally, we cannot predict the impact that any future information technology or terrorist attack may have on the energy industry in general. The electric utility industry, both within the United States and internationally, has experienced physical and cybersecurity attacks on energy infrastructure such as power plants, substations, and related assets in the past, and there may be more attacks in the future. Our facilities could be direct targets or indirect casualties of such attacks. The effects of such attacks could include disruption to our generation, transmission and distribution systems or to the electrical grid in general, and could increase the cost of insurance coverage or result in a decline in the U.S. economy. Anyrevenues of the foregoing could adversely impact our operations or financial results.Evergy Companies.

Equipment failures and other events beyond our control may cause extended or unplanned plant outages, which may adversely impact our consolidated financial results.

Litigation Risks:
The generation, distribution and transmissionoutcome of electricity require the use of expensive and complicated equipment, much of which is aged, and all of which requires significant ongoing maintenance. Our power plants and equipment are subject to extended outages because of equipment failure, weather, transmission system disruption, operator error, contractor or subcontractor failure and other factors. In such events, we must either produce replacement power from our other plants, which maylegal proceedings cannot be less efficient or more expensive to operate, purchase power from others at unpredictable and potentially higher costs in order to meet our sales obligations, or suffer outages. Such events could also limit our ability to make sales to customers. Therefore, the occurrence of extended or unplanned outages could adversely affect our consolidated financial results.


Recent comprehensive tax legislation could adversely affect our consolidated financial results and liquidity. In addition, we may not be able to fully utilize net operating loss, tax credit or other tax carryforwards, or realize expected production tax credits related to our wind farms, all of which could adversely impact our consolidated financial results and liquidity.

Major tax legislation, known as the TCJA, was signed into law in December 2017. The TCJA significantly reforms the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC), and is generally effective January 1, 2018. The TCJA contains significant changes to federal corporate income taxation, including, in general and among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limiting the deduction for net operating losses, eliminating net operating loss carrybacks and eliminating our use of bonus depreciation on new capital investments. Due to the complexity of the TCJA, including any possible future legislation that amends the TCJA, the limited guidance from regulatory agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, FERC and the KCC, and contemporaneous state dockets, including one in Kansas dedicated to the impact of the TCJA, the overall impact of the TCJA on us is uncertain, and our business, as well as the business of the combined companies following closing of the merger, could be adversely affected by the TCJA or related regulatory proceedings and actions.

The TCJA will reduce our revenues and internally generated cash flows due to the reduced collection of taxes in customer prices. Due to the reasons noted above, this reduction could be more than we anticipate and could adversely affect our consolidated financial results and liquidity. In addition, the reduction in the corporate tax rate may result in a reduction of deferred income tax assets and liabilities currently recorded, and may result in one or more charges to our results of operations to the extent that the assets and liabilities are not attributable to our rate regulated business. Further, there may be other materialpredicted.  An adverse effects resulting from the legislation that we have not yet identified.

Over the last several years, our income tax obligations have been reduced due to the continued use of bonus depreciation provisions that allow for an acceleration of deductions for tax purposes and IRS guidance on tax deductions for repairs. Although the TCJA expands bonus depreciation in general, it eliminates bonus depreciation for regulated utilities on new capital investments. We assess our future ability to utilize tax benefits, including those in the form of net operating loss, tax credit and other tax carryforwards, that are recorded as deferred income tax assets on our balance sheets to determine whether a valuation allowance is necessary. A reduction in, or disallowance of these tax benefits resulting from a legislative change or adverse determination by a taxing jurisdiction could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial results and liquidity. Additionally, changes in corporate tax rates or policy changes, such as those resulting from the TCJA, as well as any inability to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize all of our tax benefits before they expire, could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial results and liquidity.

In addition, we operate wind farms that generate production tax credits for us to use to reduce our federal income tax obligations. The amount of production tax credits we earn is dependent on the level of electricity output generated by our wind farms and the applicable tax credit rate. A variety of operating and economic parameters, including transmission constraints, adverse weather conditions and breakdown or failure of equipment, could significantly reduce the production tax credits generated by our wind farms, which could have an adverse impact on our consolidated financial results.

Our regulated business model may be threatened by technological advancements that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Significant technological advancements have taken and will continue to take place in the electric industry, including advancements related to self-generation and distributed energy technologies such as fuel cells, micro turbines, wind turbines and solar cells, as well as related to the storage of energy produced by these systems. Adoption of these technologies may increase because of advancements or government subsidies reducing the cost of generating or storing electricity through these technologies to a level that is competitive with our current methods of generating electricity. There is also a perception that generating or storing electricity through these technologies is more environmentally friendly than generating electricity with fossil fuels. Increased adoption of these technologies could reduce electricity demand and the pool of customers from whom fixed costs are recovered, resulting in under recovery of our fixed costs. Increased self-generation and the related use of net energy metering, which allows self-generating customers to receive bill credits for surplus power, could put upward price pressure on our remaining customers. If we were unable to adjust our prices to reflect reduced electricity demand and increased self-generation and net energy metering, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.


Risks Relating to the Pending Merger

We cannot provide any assurance that the merger will be completed. Failure to complete the merger could negatively affect the trading price of our common stock and our future business and financial results.

The closing of the merger is subject to various conditions, including, among others, (i) receipt of all required regulatory approvals from, among others, the FERC, NRC, KCC, and Public Service Commission of the State of Missouri (MPSC) (provided that such approvals do not result in a material adverse effect on Great Plains Energy or Westar Energy and their respective subsidiaries, after giving effect to the merger, measured on the size and scale of Westar Energy and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole); (ii) effectiveness of the registration statement for the shares of the new holding company common stock to be issued to Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy shareholders in the merger and approval of the listing of such shares on the New York Stock Exchange; (iii) the absence of any material adverse effect with respect to Westar Energy, Great Plains Energy and their respective subsidiaries; (iv) the absence of laws or judgments, whether preliminary, temporary or permanent, which may prevent, make illegal or prohibit the completion of the merger; (v) subject to certain materiality exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy, respectively, and compliance by Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy with their respective obligations under the amended and restated merger agreement; (vi) the receipt of tax opinions by us and Great Plains Energy that the merger will be treated as a non-taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (vii) there being no shares of Great Plains Energy preference stock outstanding; and (viii) Great Plains Energy having not less than $1.25 billion in cash or cash equivalents on its balance sheet.

Although we and Great Plains Energy have agreed in the merger agreement to use our reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, and assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary to cause the conditions to the closing of the merger to be satisfied or to effect the closing of the merger as promptly as reasonably practicable, the conditions to the merger may not be satisfied and the merger agreement could be terminated. In addition, satisfying the conditions to the merger may take longer than, and could cost more than, we and Great Plains Energy expect. The occurrence of any of these events individually or in combination could negatively affect the trading price of our common stock and our future business and financial results and subject us to the following:

negative reactions from the financial markets, including declines in the price of our common stock due to the fact that the current price may reflect a market assumption that the merger will be completed;
performance shortfalls and missed opportunities as a result of the diversion of our management’s attention by the merger; and
potential payments by us to Great Plains Energy for damages, or if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, a termination fee of $190.0 million.

The merger is subject to the receipt of consent or approval from governmental entities that could delay the completion of the merger or impose conditions thatfinding could have a material adverse effect on the combined company.

Completion of the merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the receipt of consents, orders, approvals or clearances, as required, from, among others, the FERC, NRC, KCC and MPSC (provided that such approvals do not result in a material adverse effect on Great Plains Energy or Westar Energy and their respective subsidiaries, after giving effect to the merger, measured on the size and scale of Westar Energy and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole).

On April 19, 2017, the KCC rejected the original proposed acquisition of Westar Energy by Great Plains Energy, and we are unable to predict how the KCC will evaluate the new proposed merger. A substantial delay in obtaining satisfactory approvals or the imposition of unfavorable terms or conditions in connection with such approvals could adversely affect the business, financial condition orEvergy Companies' results of operations, of us or Great Plains Energy or may resultfinancial position and cash flows.
The Evergy Companies are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings in the terminationordinary course of the merger agreement. Failure to receive satisfactory approvals may also make any alternative future strategic transaction more challenging, which could in turn negatively impact the price of our common stock.

For additional information on the status of various approvals in connection with the pending merger, see Notes 3 and 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Pending Merger” and “Commitments and Contingencies,” respectively.

The anticipated benefits of combining the companies may not be realized.

We entered into the amended and restated merger agreement with the expectation that the merger would result in various benefits, including, among other things, synergies, cost savings and operating efficiencies. However, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of the merger, including the synergies, may not materialize or may take longer than expected to materialize. In addition, the TCJA significantly reforms the IRC and may impact the timing and extent of benefits previously

expected from the merger. In addition, we may not be able to integrate our operations with Great Plains Energy’s existing operations without encountering difficulties, including inconsistencies in standards, systems and controls, and without diverting management’s focus and resources from ordinary business activities and opportunities. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the combined company.

We will incur significant transaction and transition costs in connection with the merger.

We and Great Plains Energy expect to incur significant transaction and transition costs in connection with the consummation of the merger and the subsequent integration of the companies (in addition to the costs we and Great Plains Energy have already incurred on the prior proposed acquisition of us). Prior to consummation of the merger, we may also incur additional costs to maintain employee morale and to retain key employees. Great Plains Energy will also incur significant fees and expenses in connection with unwinding financing arrangements that were implemented to finance the prior proposed acquisition of us. These expenses could reduce or eliminate the savings that we expect to achieve from the merger, and accordingly, any net benefits may not be achieved in the near term or at all. These transaction and transition expenses may result in significant charges taken against earnings by us prior to the completion of the merger and by the combined company following the completion of the merger.

We will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending, which could adversely affect our business.

Uncertainty about the impact of the merger, including on employees and customers, may have an adverse effect on us and Great Plains Energy and, consequently, on the combined company. These uncertainties may impair our and Great Plains Energy’s ability to attract, retain and motivate personnel, and could cause customers, suppliers and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships with us and/or Great Plains Energy. If employees depart, our business or the combined company’s business could be harmed. In addition, the merger agreement restricts us, without the consent of Great Plains Energy, and Great Plains Energy, without our consent, from taking specified actions until the merger is completed or the amended and restated merger agreement terminates. These restrictions may prevent us or Great Plains Energy from pursuing otherwise attractive business opportunities and making other changes to ourtheir respective businesses.

Pending litigation against us and Great Plains Energy may adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition or results of operations following the merger.

Following the announcement of the original merger agreement, a putative derivative lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas against the members of our board of directors, Great Plains Energy and a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy, alleging breaches of various fiduciary duties by members of our board of directors in connection with the original proposed transaction and alleging that Great Plains Energy and a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The putative derivative petition was refiled in October 2017. Also following the announcement of the original merger agreement, two putative class action lawsuits (which were consolidated and superseded by a consolidated complaint) were filed in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas against Westar Energy, the members of our board of directors and Great Plains Energy, alleging breaches of various fiduciary duties by the members of our board of directors in connection with the proposed merger and alleging that we and Great Plains Energy aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. In September 2017, the lead plaintiffs moved to amend the class action petition with allegations similar to those made regarding the original merger agreement but focusing on the revised merger. Also in September 2017, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas challenging the merger and alleged disclosure violations under sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). In October 2017, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. This federal class action complaint challenges the merger and alleges violations of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act.

On November 16, 2017, the parties in each of the actions independently agreed to withdraw requests for injunctive relief and otherwise agreed in principle to dismissing the actions with prejudice and to providing releases. In the future, the parties will prepare and present to the court for approval Stipulations of Settlement that will, if accepted by the court, settle the actions in their entirety.  The outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain.these matters cannot be determined, nor, in many cases, can the liability that could potentially result from each case be reasonably estimated.  The defense or settlementliability that the Evergy Companies may incur with respect to any of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved atthese cases may be in excess of amounts currently accrued and insured against with respect to such matters and could adversely impact the timefinancial results for the merger closes may adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition or results of operation. See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Legal Proceedings,” for additional information.Evergy Companies.




ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.



22






ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
       Unit Capability (MW) By Owner (a)
NameLocationUnit No.Year InstalledPrincipal SourceWestar EnergyKGETotal Company GenerationRenewable Purchased PowerTotal Generation and Renewable Purchased Power
Renewable Generation:          
 Cedar BluffNess & Trego Counties, KS (a)2015Wind199199
 Central PlainsWichita County, KS (a)2009Wind999999
 Flat RidgeBarber County, KS (a)2009Wind505050100
 Hutchinson Community SolarHutchinson, KS  2017Solar11
 IronwoodFord County, KS (a)2012Wind168168
 Kay WindKay County, OK (a)2015Wind200200
 Kingman IIKingman County, KS (a)2016Wind103103
 Meridian WayCloud County, KS (a)2008Wind9696
 NinnescahPratt County, KS (a)2016Wind208208
 Post RockEllsworth & Lincoln Counties, KS (a)2012Wind201201
 Rolling MeadowsShawnee County, KS  2010Landfill Gas66
 Western PlainsFord County, KS (a)2017Wind281281281
Nuclear:          
 Wolf Creek Generating Station (47%):Burlington, KS1(b)1985Uranium552552552
Coal:          
 Jeffrey Energy Center (92%):St. Marys, KS         
 Steam Turbines 1(b)1978Coal524146670670
   2(b)1980Coal526146672672
   3(b)1983Coal516143659659
 La Cygne Station (50%):La Cygne, KS        
 Steam Turbines 1(b)1973Coal368368368
   2(c)1977Coal331331331
 Lawrence Energy Center:Lawrence, KS        
 Steam Turbines 4 1960Coal111111111
   5 1971Coal373373373
 Tecumseh Energy Center:Tecumseh, KS        
 Steam Turbines 7 1957Coal666666
 (a) Capability (except for wind generating facilities) represents accredited net generating capacity approved by the SPP. Capability for our wind generating facilities represents the installed design capacity. Due to the intermittent nature of wind generation, these facilities are associated with a total of 230 MW of accredited generating capacity.
 (b) Westar Energy jointly owns State Line (40%) while KGE jointly owns La Cygne unit 1 (50%) and Wolf Creek (47%). We jointly own or lease 92% of JEC. Unit capacity amounts reflect our ownership and leased percentages only.
 (c) In 1987, KGE entered into a sale-leaseback transaction involving its 50% interest in the La Cygne unit 2. We consolidate the leasing entity as a VIE as discussed in Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Variable Interest Entities.”

Generation Resources
       Unit Capability (MW) By Owner (a)
NameLocationUnit No.Year InstalledPrincipal SourceWestar EnergyKGETotal Company GenerationRenewable Purchased PowerTotal Generation and Renewable Purchased Power
Gas and Diesel:         
 Emporia Energy Center:Emporia, KS        
 Combustion Turbines 1 2008Gas454545
   2 2008Gas444444
   3 2008Gas434343
   4 2008Gas444444
   5 2008Gas158158158
   6 2009Gas155155155
   7 2009Gas157157157
 Gordon Evans Energy Center:Colwich, KS        
 Steam Turbines 1 1961Gas154154154
   2 1967Gas376376376
 Combustion Turbines 1 2000Gas737373
   2 2000Gas727272
   3 2001Gas149149149
 Hutchinson Energy Center:Hutchinson, KS        
 Combustion Turbines 1 1974Gas545454
   2 1974Gas565656
   3 1974Gas555555
   4 1975Diesel707070
 Murray Gill Energy Center:Wichita, KS        
 Steam Turbines 3 1956Gas104104104
   4 1959Gas929292
 Spring Creek Energy Center:Edmond, OK        
 Combustion Turbines 1 2001Gas696969
   2 2001Gas696969
   3 2001Gas676767
   4 2001Gas686868
 State Line (40%):Joplin, MO        
 Combined Cycle 2-1(b)2001Gas626262
   2-2(b)2001Gas636363
   2-3(b)2001Gas717171
Total     4,1902,4126,6021,2327,834
 (a) Capability (except for wind generating facilities) represents accredited net generating capacity approved by the SPP. Capability for our wind generating facilities represents the installed design capacity. Due to the intermittent nature of wind generation, these facilities are associated with a total of 230 MW of accredited generating capacity.
 (b) Westar Energy jointly owns State Line (40%) while KGE jointly owns La Cygne unit 1 (50%) and Wolf Creek (47%). We jointly own or lease 92% of JEC. Unit capacity amounts reflect our ownership and leased percentages only.
      
Unit Capability (MW) By Owner(a)
StationUnit No.LocationYear CompletedFuelEvergy Kansas CentralEvergy MetroEvergy Missouri WestTotal Company GenerationRenewable Purchased PowerTotal Generation and Renewable Purchased Power
Renewable Generation:            
Central Plains  Kansas2009Wind99


99

 99
Flat Ridge  Kansas2009Wind50


50
50
(e)100
Western Plains  Kansas2017Wind281


281

 281
Meridian Way  Kansas2008Wind



96
(e)96
Ironwood  Kansas2012Wind



168
(e)168
Post Rock  Kansas2012Wind



201
(e)201
Cedar Bluff  Kansas2015Wind



199
(e)199
Kay Wind  Oklahoma2015Wind



200
(e)200
Ninnescah  Kansas2016Wind



208
(e)208
Kingman 1  Kansas2016Wind



103
(e)103
Kingman 2  Kansas2016Wind



103
(e)103
Rolling Meadows  Kansas2010Landfill Gas



6
(e)6
Hutch Solar  Kansas2017Solar



1
(e)1
Cimarron II  Kansas2012Wind



131
(f)131
Spearville 1  Kansas2006Wind
101

101

 101
Spearville 2  Kansas2010Wind
48

48

 48
Spearville 3  Kansas2012Wind



101
(f)101
Gray County  Kansas2001Wind



110
(g)110
Ensign  Kansas2012Wind



99
(g)99
Waverly  Kansas2016Wind



200
(f)200
Slate Creek  Kansas2015Wind



150
(f)150
Rock Creek  Missouri2017Wind



300
(h)300
Osborn  Missouri2016Wind



201
(h)201
Pratt  Kansas2018Wind



243
(h)243
Greenwood Solar  Missouri2016Solar

3
3

 3
Prairie Queen  Kansas2019Wind



200
(h)200
CNPPID (NE) - Hydro  Nebraska1941Hydro



60
(f)60
St Joseph Landfill  Missouri2012Landfill Gas

2
2

 2
Total Renewable Generation:    430
149
5
584
3,130

3,714
Nuclear:            
Wolf Creek1(b)Kansas1985Uranium552
552

1,104

 1,104
Total Nuclear:     552
552

1,104


1,104



23

We own



      
Unit Capability (MW) By Owner(a)
StationUnit No.LocationYear CompletedFuelEvergy Kansas CentralEvergy MetroEvergy Missouri WestTotal Company GenerationRenewable Purchased PowerTotal Generation and Renewable Purchased Power
Coal:            
Jeffrey Energy Center  Kansas         
Steam Turbines1-3(b) 1978, 1980 &1983Coal2,011

175
2,186

 2,186
Lawrence Energy Center  Kansas         
Steam Turbines4 & 5  1960, 1971Coal486


486

 486
La Cygne  Kansas         
Steam Turbines1 & 2(b)(c) 1973, 1977Coal699
699

1,398

 1,398
Iatan  Missouri         
Steam Turbines1 & 2(b) 1980, 2010Coal
981
288
1,269

 1,269
Hawthorn  Missouri         
Steam Turbines5(d) 1969Coal
564

564

 564
Total Coal:     3,196
2,244
463
5,903


5,903
Gas and Oil:            
Emporia Energy Center  Kansas         
Combustion Turbines1 - 7  2008 - 2009Natural Gas645


645

 645
Gordon Evans Energy Center  Kansas         
Combustion Turbines1 - 3  2000 - 2001Natural Gas289


289

 289
Hutchinson Energy Center  Kansas         
Combustion Turbines1 - 3  1974Natural Gas165


165

 165
 4  1975Oil58


58

 58
Spring Creek Energy Center  Oklahoma         
Combustion Turbines1 - 4  2001Natural Gas272


272

 272
State Line  Missouri         
Combined Cycle2-1, 2-2 & 2-3(b) 2001Natural Gas196


196

 196
Hawthorn  Missouri         
Combined Cycle6/9  2000Natural Gas
225

225

 225
Combustion Turbines7 & 8  2000Natural Gas
153

153

 153
West Gardner  Kansas         
Combustion Turbines1 - 4  2003Natural Gas
313

313

 313
Osawatomie  Kansas         
Combustion Turbines1  2003Natural Gas
76

76

 76

24





      
Unit Capability (MW) By Owner(a)
StationUnit No.LocationYear CompletedFuelEvergy Kansas CentralEvergy MetroEvergy Missouri WestTotal Company GenerationRenewable Purchased PowerTotal Generation and Renewable Purchased Power
Gas and Oil (continued):            
Ralph Green  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines3  1981Natural Gas

69
69

 69
Nevada  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines1  1974Oil

19
19

 19
Lake Road  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines1 - 3  1951, 1958 & 1962Natural Gas

42
42

 42
 5 - 7  1974, 1989 & 1990Oil

104
104

 104
Steam Turbines4  1967Natural Gas

97
97

 97
Northeast  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines11 - 18  1972 - 1977Oil
416

416

 416
Black Start Unit19  1985Oil
2

2

 2
South Harper  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines1 - 3  2005Natural Gas

313
313

 313
Greenwood Energy Center  Missouri         
Combustion Turbines1 - 4  1975 - 1979Natural Gas

237
237

 237
Crossroads Energy Center  Mississippi         
Combustion Turbines1 - 4  2002Natural Gas

297
297

 297
Total Gas and Oil     1,625
1,185
1,178
3,988


3,988
Total     5,803
4,130
1,646
11,579
3,130
 14,709
(a) Capability (except for wind generating facilities) represents estimated 2020 net generating capacity. Capability for wind generating facilities represents the nameplate capacity. Due to the intermittent nature of wind generation, these facilities are associated with a total of 1,404 MW of accredited generating capacity pursuant to SPP reliability standards.
(b) Share of a jointly owned unit.
(c) In 1987, Evergy Kansas South entered into a sale-leaseback transaction involving its 50% interest in the La Cygne Unit 2. Evergy and haveEvergy Kansas Central consolidate the leasing entity as a variable interest entity (VIE). See Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.
(d) Although the plant was completed in 1969, a new boiler, air quality control equipment and an uprated turbine were placed in service at the Hawthorn Generating Station in 2001.
(e) Evergy Kansas Central renewable purchased power agreement.
(f) Evergy Metro renewable purchased power agreement.
(g) Evergy Missouri West renewable purchased power agreement.
(h) Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West renewable purchased power agreement.
Transmission and Distribution Resources
Evergy's electric transmission system interconnects with systems of other utilities for reliability and to permit wholesale transactions with other electricity suppliers. Evergy has approximately 6,40010,100 circuit miles of

25





transmission lines, approximately 24,20039,700 circuit miles of overhead distribution lines and approximately 5,10012,700 circuit miles of underground distribution lines.lines in Missouri and Kansas. Evergy has all material franchise rights necessary to sell electricity within its retail service territory. Evergy's transmission and distribution systems are routinely monitored for adequacy to meet customer needs. Management believes the current systems are adequate to serve customers.
General
Evergy's generating plants are located on property owned (or co-owned) by the Evergy Companies, except for certain facilities that are located on easements or are contractually controlled. Evergy's service centers, electric substations and a portion of its transmission and distribution systems are located on property owned or leased by Evergy. Evergy's transmission and distribution systems are for the most part located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property owned by others. Evergy believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or properties in the form of permits, grants, easements, licenses or franchise rights; however, it has not necessarily undertaken efforts to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest. Evergy's headquarters are located in leased office space.
Substantially all of our utility propertiesthe fixed property and franchises of the Evergy Companies, which consist principally of electric generating stations, electric transmission and distribution lines and systems, and buildings (subject to exceptions, reservations and releases), are encumbered by first priority mortgagessubject to mortgage indentures pursuant to which bonds have been issued and are outstanding.


See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Other Proceedings
Information on legalThe Evergy Companies are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings is set forth in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.  For information regarding material lawsuits and proceedings, see Notes 4, 145 and 16 of15 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Matters and Regulation,” “Commitments and Contingencies” and “Legal Proceedings,” respectively, which areconsolidated financial statements.  Such information is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.applicable.



26
PART II






PART II
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’SREGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

EVERGY, INC.
STOCK TRADING

Westar Energy’sEvergy's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the ticker symbol WR. As of"EVRG." At February 14, 2018, Westar Energy had 14,95524, 2020, Evergy's common stock was held by 22,695 shareholders of record. For information regarding quarterly common stock price ranges for 2017 and 2016, see Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Quarterly Results (Unaudited).”

Performance Graph
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares the performance of Westar Energy’sEvergy's common stock during the period that began on December 31, 2012June 5, 2018 (the first day that Evergy's common stock traded), and ended on December 31, 2017,2019, to the performance of the Standard & Poor’sPoor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Standard & Poor’sPoor's Electric Utility Index (S&P 500 Electric Utilities). The graph assumes a $100 investment in Westar Energy’sEvergy's common stock and in each of the indices at the beginning of the period and a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period.

chart-61c7d1b94ba7ff7e37b.jpg




27





Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information regarding purchases by Evergy of its equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
 Dec 2012Dec 2013Dec 2014Dec 2015Dec 2016Dec 2017
Westar Energy, Inc.$100$117$156$167$229$221
S&P© 500$100$132$150$153$171$208
S&P© Electric Utilities$100$113$146$139$162$181
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Month 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased(a)
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(a)
October 1 - 31 
 
16,099,628
November 1 - 30 628,929
(b)628,929
15,470,699
December 1 - 31 635,720
(b)635,720
14,834,979
Total 1,264,649
 1,264,649
14,834,979

DIVIDENDS

Holders(a) In July 2018, the Evergy Board authorized the repurchase of Westar Energy’sup to 60 million shares of Evergy's common stock are entitledwith no expiration date. See Note 18 to dividends when and as declared by Westar Energy’s board of directors.

Quarterly dividendsthe consolidated financial statements for additional information on Evergy's common stock have historically been paid on or about the first business day of January, April, July and October to shareholders of record as of or about the ninth dayrepurchase program.
(b) In November 2019, a portion of the preceding month. Westar Energy’s boardSeptember 2019 accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement was settled, which resulted in the delivery of directors reviews the628,929 additional shares of Evergy common stock dividend policy from time to time. Amongat no additional cost. The remainder of the factorsSeptember 2019 ASR agreement was settled in December 2019, which resulted in the boarddelivery of directors considers in determining Westar Energy’s dividend policy are earnings, cash flows, capitalization ratios, regulation, competition and financial loan covenants.635,720 additional shares of Evergy common stock at no additional cost. In 2017, Westar Energy’s board of directors declared four quarterly dividends of $0.40total, 7,815,204 shares were delivered under the September 2019 ASR agreement at an average price paid per share reflecting an annualof $64.03.
Dividend Restrictions
For information regarding dividend of $1.60 per share, comparedrestrictions, see Note 18 to four quarterly dividends of $0.38 per share in 2016, reflecting an annual dividend of $1.52 per share. On February 21, 2018, Westar Energy’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share payable to shareholders on April 2, 2018. The indicated annual dividend rate is $1.60 per share.

The merger agreement includes certain restrictions and limitations on our ability to declare dividend payments. The merger agreement, without prior approval of Great Plains Energy, limits our quarterly dividends declared to $0.40 per share.





the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
 (In Thousands)
Income Statement Data:         
Total revenues$2,571,003
 $2,562,087
 $2,459,164
 $2,601,703
 $2,370,654
Net income336,552
 361,200
 301,796
 322,325
 300,863
Net income attributable to Westar Energy, Inc.323,920
 346,577
 291,929
 313,259
 292,520
Year Ended December 31 2019 
2018(b)
 
2017(b)
 
2016(b)
 
2015(b)
Evergy (dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Operating revenues $5,148
 $4,276
 $2,571
 $2,562
 $2,459
Net income $686
 $546
 $337
 $361
 $302
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. $670
 $536
 $324
 $347
 $292
Basic earnings per common share $2.80
 $2.50
 $2.27
 $2.43
 $2.11
Diluted earnings per common share $2.79
 $2.50
 $2.27
 $2.43
 $2.09
Total assets at year end $25,976
 $25,598
 $11,624
 $11,487
 $10,706
Total long-term obligations at year end (a)
 $9,200
 $7,472
 $3,846
 $3,699
 $3,379
Cash dividends per common share $1.93
 $1.735
 $1.60
 $1.52
 $1.44

(a) Includes long-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, finance leases, operating leases, long-term debt of VIEs and current maturities of long-term debt of VIEs. Obligations related to operating leases are only included beginning in 2019 due to Evergy's adoption of Topic 842, Leases. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
(b) On June 4, 2018, Evergy completed the mergers contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement. The results of Great Plains Energy's direct subsidiaries have been included in Evergy's results from the date of the closing of the merger and thereafter. Evergy amounts for 2017, 2016 and 2015 reflect the results of operation and financial position of Evergy Kansas Central as the accounting acquirer in the merger transaction.

28




 As of December 31,
 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
 (In Thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:         
Total assets$11,624,368
 $11,487,074
 $10,705,666
 $10,288,906
 $9,530,903
Long-term obligations (a)3,846,191
 3,699,328
 3,379,219
 3,433,320
 3,466,984
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Common Stock Data:         
Basic earnings per share available for common stock$2.27
 $2.43
 $2.11
 $2.40
 $2.29
Diluted earnings per share available for common stock2.27
 2.43
 2.09
 2.35
 2.27
Dividends declared per share1.60
 1.52
 1.44
 1.40
 1.36
Book value per share27.50
 26.84
 25.87
 25.02
 23.88
          
Average equivalent common shares outstanding (in thousands) (b) (c)142,464
 142,068
 137,958
 130,015
 127,463
 _______________
(a)Includes long-term debt, net, current maturities of long-term debt, capital leases, long-term debt of VIEs, net and current maturities of long-term debt of VIEs. See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Variable Interest Entities,” for additional information regarding VIEs.
(b)In 2015, Westar Energy issued and sold approximately 9.7 million shares of common stock realizing proceeds of $258.0 million.
(c)In 2014, Westar Energy issued and sold approximately 3.4 million shares of common stock realizing proceeds of $87.7 million.




ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain matters discussed in Management’sThe following combined Management's Discussion and Analysis are “forward-looking statements.” of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in this combined annual report on Form 10-K. None of the registrants make any representation as to information related solely to Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro other than itself.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Actfollowing MD&A generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 1995 has established that these statements qualify2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 can be found in MD&A in Part II, Item 7, of the Evergy Companies' combined annual report on Form 10-K for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend” and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above for additional information.


the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
EVERGY, INC.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Evergy is a public utility holding company incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Evergy operates primarily through the following wholly-owned direct subsidiaries listed below. In September 2019, these wholly-owned direct subsidiaries were rebranded and renamed under the Evergy brand name.
Description of Business

We are the largestEvergy Kansas Central, formerly known as Westar Energy, Inc., is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Kansas. We produce, transmitEvergy Kansas Central has one active wholly-owned subsidiary with significant operations, Evergy Kansas South, formerly known as Kansas Gas and sellElectric Company.
Evergy Metro, formerly known as Kansas City Power & Light Company, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity at retailto customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Evergy Missouri West, formerly known as KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Missouri.
Evergy Transmission Company, formerly known as GPE Transmission Holding Company, LLC, owns 13.5% of Transource with the remaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of AEP. Transource is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects. Evergy Transmission Company accounts for its investment in Transource under the equity method.
Evergy Kansas Central also owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind, which is a joint venture between Evergy Kansas Central and subsidiaries of AEP and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. Prairie Wind owns a 108-mile, 345 kV double-circuit transmission line that provides transmission service in the SPP. Evergy Kansas Central accounts for its investment in Prairie Wind under the equity method.
Since the rebranding in September 2019, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have been conducting business in their respective service territories using the name Evergy. Collectively, the Evergy Companies have approximately 14,700 MWs of owned generating capacity and renewable purchased power agreements and engage in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 708,0001.6 million customers in the states of Kansas underand Missouri. The Evergy Companies assess financial performance and allocate resources on a consolidated basis (i.e., operate in one segment).

29





Strategy
Evergy expects to continue operating its integrated utilities within the regulationcurrently existing regulatory frameworks. Evergy's objectives are to deliver value to shareholders through earnings and dividend growth; serve customers and communities with cost-effective, reliable and clean energy; and maintain a rewarding and challenging work environment for employees. Significant elements of Evergy's strategy to achieve these objectives include:
the realization of a total of approximately $595 million of potential net savings over the first five years of operation of the KCC. We also supply electric energy at wholesalecombined company, which formed in June 2018, resulting from synergies that are expected to municipalities and electric cooperatives in Kansas under the regulation of FERC. We have contracts for the sale or purchase of wholesale electricity with other utilities.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The TCJA, which was signed into law in December 2017, significantly reforms the IRC and is generally effective January 1, 2018.  The TCJA contains significant changes to federal corporate income taxation, including, in general and among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limiting the deduction for net operating losses, eliminating net operating loss carrybacks and eliminating our use of bonus depreciation on new capital investments.

We were required to remeasure deferred income tax assets and liabilities at the lower 21% corporate tax ratebe created as a result of the date merger;
anticipated rate base investment of approximately $7.6 billion from 2020 through 2024; and
the TCJA was signedreduction of carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 from 2005 levels through the continued growth of Evergy's renewable energy portfolio and the retirement of older and less efficient fossil fuel plants. See "Transforming Evergy's Generation Fleet" in Part I, Item 1, Business, for additional information.
In March 2020, the Evergy Board announced the creation of a Strategic Review & Operations Committee that will explore ways to enhance long-term shareholder value (taking into law. As a result, we decreased net deferred income tax liabilities by approximately $1.0 billion and made corresponding adjustments to regulatory assetsaccount applicable legal and regulatory liabilities. Nearly allrequirements and any other relevant considerations), including through a potential strategic combination or an enhanced long-term standalone operating plan and strategy. The committee is expected to complete its review and make a recommendation to Evergy's Board in the first half of 2020.
See "Cautionary Statements Regarding Certain Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In July 2018, the benefitEvergy Board authorized the repurchase of up to 60 million shares of Evergy's common stock. Evergy has utilized various methods to effectuate the lower corporate tax rate will lower prices for our customers over a period generally corresponding toshare repurchase program since its authorization, including the liferepurchase of our plant assets. In addition, in 2017 we decreased non-regulated net deferred income tax assets by approximately $12.2 millionshares through ASR agreements and correspondingly recorded an increase in income tax expense, which increased our effective tax rate by 2.5%.

Changes to income tax expense that are included in our prices occur through either rate review, by updating prices through formulas for transmission and wholesale prices or other regulatory action. We expect that future price changes for providing retail and wholesale electricity and transmission service will retroactively apply the lower 2018 income tax expense. Due to the nature of the regulatory process, and the inherent delay in our ability to adjust our prices, we may collect revenue in 2017 that is reflective of the higher corporate tax rate in effect prior to the passage of the TCJA. Therefore, we will reflect the expectation of retroactive application of lower prices in 2018 revenues and, correspondingly, we will accrue a regulatory liability representing our obligation to return these amounts to customers once the new prices are approved or otherwise take effect. We estimate that the lower prices will result in approximately $85.0 million less per year in revenues and a corresponding decrease in income tax expense. Further, we expect approximately $85.0 million less in cash receipts from customers due to less income tax included in our prices, which may require us to raise additional debt.

Proposed Merger with Great Plains Energy

On May 29, 2016, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy that provided for the acquisition of Westar Energy by Great Plains Energy. On April 19, 2017, the KCC rejected the prior transaction.

On July 9, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy that provides for a merger of equals between the two companies. Upon closing, each issued and outstanding share of our common stock will be converted into one shareopen market transactions. For 2019, Evergy had total repurchases of common stock of $1,628.7 million and had repurchased 28.8 million shares under the repurchase program. Since the start of the repurchase program in August 2018, Evergy has made total repurchases of common stock of $2,671.0 million and has repurchased 45.2 million shares under the repurchase program. Evergy does not anticipate making additional repurchases of common stock under its share repurchase program while the Strategic Review & Operations Committee of the Evergy Board conducts its review of ways to enhance long-term shareholder value, which is expected to conclude in the first half of 2020.
See Note18 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding Evergy's common stock repurchase program.
Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central Merger
Evergy was incorporated in 2017 as Monarch Energy, a new holding companywholly-owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy. Prior to the closing of the merger transactions, Monarch Energy changed its name to Evergy and did not conduct any business activities other than those required for its formation and matters contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement. On June 4, 2018, in accordance with the Amended Merger Agreement, Great Plains Energy merged into Evergy, with Evergy surviving the merger and King Energy merged into Evergy Kansas Central, with Evergy Kansas Central surviving the merger. These merger transactions resulted in Evergy becoming the parent entity of Evergy Kansas Central and the direct subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy, including Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. As a final name still to be determined. Uponresult of the closing of the merger transactions, each issued and outstanding share of Great Plains Energy common stock will bewas converted into 0.5981 shares of Evergy common stock, resulting in the issuance of 128.9 million shares. Additionally, each outstanding share of Evergy Kansas Central common stock was converted into 1 share of Evergy common stock.
Evergy Kansas Central was determined to be the new holding company. Following completion ofaccounting acquirer in the merger our shareholders are expected to own approximately 52.5%and thus, the predecessor of the new holding company and Great Plains Energy’s shareholders are expected to own approximately 47.5% of the new holding company. Our shareholders and Great Plains Energy’s shareholders approved their respective merger-related proposals on November 21, 2017. We currently expect to close the transaction in the first half of 2018. For more information, see Notes 3, 14 and 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Pending Merger,” “Commitments and Contingencies” and “Legal Proceedings,” respectively, and Item “1A. Risk Factors.”

In July 2017, we announced that we intend to retire unit 7 at Tecumseh Energy Center, units 3 and 4 at Murray Gill Energy Center, and units 1 and 2 at Gordon Evans Energy Center in 2018, subject to the completion of the merger. The decision was based in part on lower demand for energy from the plants. The depreciable lives of the assets have been, and continue to be, based upon us operating as a stand-alone entity. Retiring these units or any other assets identified as part of integration planning could result in the retirement of assets prior to the end of their estimated useful lives or recording a loss on obsolete inventory.

Earnings Per Share

Following is a summary of our net income and basic earnings per share (EPS)Evergy. Evergy had separate operations for the yearsperiod beginning with the quarter ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2018, and 2016.
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 Change
  (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Net income attributable to Westar Energy, Inc. $323,920
 $346,577
 $(22,657)
Earnings per common share, basic 2.27
 2.43
 (0.16)
Net income attributedreferences to Westar Energy, Inc. and basic EPSamounts for periods after the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, decreased due primarily to lower retail sales attributable to milder weather and recording less in corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) benefits. Partially offsetting these decreases were lower income tax expense due to lower income before income taxes.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

The principal business, economic and other factors that affect our operations and financial performance include:

weather conditions;
the economy;
customer conservation efforts;
the performance, operation and maintenance of our electric generating facilities and network;
conditions in the fuel, wholesale electricity and energy markets;
rate and other regulations and costs of addressing public policy initiatives including environmental laws and regulations;
the availability of and our access to liquidity and capital resources; and
capital market conditions.


Strategy

We expect to continue operating as a vertically integrated, regulated electric utility. Significant elements of our strategy include maintaining a flexible, clean and diverse energy supply portfolio. In doing so, we continue to expand renewable generation, build and upgrade our energy infrastructure and develop systems and programs with regard to how our customers use energy and interact with us. In addition, we entered into an amended and restated agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy that provides for a merger of equals between the two companies. The closing of the merger is subjectrelate to customary closing conditions, including receiptEvergy. The results of regulatory approvals. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and Note 3Great Plains

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Energy's direct subsidiaries have been included in Evergy's results of operations from June 4, 2018, the date of the Notesclosing of the merger, and thereafter.
See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Pending Merger,”the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the merger.
Regulatory Proceedings
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding regulatory proceedings.
Earnings Overview
The following table summarizes Evergy's net income and diluted earnings per share (EPS).
 2019 2018 Change
 (millions, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.$669.9
 $535.8
 $134.1
Earnings per common share, diluted2.79
 2.50
 0.29
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. increased in 2019 compared to 2018, primarily due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's earnings in the first five months of 2019, merger-related costs and reductions of revenue for customer bill credits incurred in June 2018 following the consummation of the merger, lower operating and maintenance expenses at fossil-fuel generating units and lower administrative and general expenses, partially offset by lower retail sales driven by unfavorable weather and higher depreciation expense.
Diluted EPS increased in 2019 compared to 2018, primarily due to the increase in net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. discussed above, partially offset by a higher number of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding in 2019, which diluted EPS by $0.34 for 2019.
For additional information.information regarding the change in net income, refer to the Evergy Results of Operations section within this MD&A.

Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP)
Current TrendsEvergy's adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and Uncertaintiesadjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for 2019 were$694.0 million or $2.89 per share, respectively. For 2018,Evergy's adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) were$680.9 million or $2.54 per share, respectively. In addition to net income attributable to Evergy, Inc., diluted EPS, pro forma net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and pro forma diluted EPS as prepared in accordance with GAAP, Evergy's management uses adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) to evaluate earnings and EPS without the costs and/or benefits resulting from rebranding, voluntary severance and significant items related to the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger.

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are intended to enhance an investor's overall understanding of results. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy Board. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies' presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.
Environmental Regulation

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We are subject



The following table provides a reconciliation between net income attributable to various federal, stateEvergy, Inc., diluted EPS, pro forma net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and localpro forma diluted EPS as determined in accordance with GAAP and adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP).
 Earnings (Loss) Earnings (Loss) per Diluted ShareEarnings (Loss) Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
 20192018
 (millions, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.$669.9
 $2.79
$535.8
 $2.50
Pro forma adjustments(a):
      
Great Plains Energy earnings prior to merger
 
94.4
 0.35
Great Plains Energy shares prior to mergern/a
 
n/a
 (0.50)
Non-recurring merger costs and other
 
84.1
 0.32
Pro forma net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.$669.9
 $2.79
$714.3
 $2.67
Non-GAAP reconciling items:      
Rebranding costs, pre-tax(b)
12.1
 0.05

 
Voluntary severance costs, pre-tax(c)
19.8
 0.08
23.5
 0.09
Composite tax rate change(d)

 
(52.6) (0.20)
Deferral of merger transition costs, pre-tax(e)

 
(28.5) (0.11)
Inventory write-off at retiring generating units, pre-tax(f)

 
31.0
 0.12
Income tax benefit(g)
(7.8) (0.03)(6.8) (0.03)
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$694.0
 $2.89
$680.9
 $2.54
(a)
Reflects pro forma adjustments made in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X and ASC 805 - Business Combinations. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Evergy Companies' combined 2018 annual report on Form 10-K for further information regarding these adjustments.
(b)
Reflects external costs incurred to rebrand the legacy Westar Energy and KCP&L utility brands to Evergy and are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(c)
Reflects severance costs incurred associated with certain voluntary severance programs at the Evergy Companies and are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(d)
Reflects the revaluation of Evergy Kansas Central's deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the Evergy composite tax rate as a result of the merger in June 2018 and are included in income tax expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(e)
Reflects the portion of the $47.8 million deferral of merger transition costs to a regulatory asset in June 2018 that related to costs incurred prior to 2018. The remaining merger transition costs included within the $47.8 million deferral were both incurred and deferred in 2018 and did not impact earnings. This item is included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(f)
Reflects obsolete inventory write-offs for Evergy Kansas Central's Unit 7 at Tecumseh Energy Center, Units 3 and 4 at Murray Gill Energy Center, Units 1 and 2 at Gordon Evans Energy Center, Evergy Metro's Montrose Station and Evergy Missouri West's Sibley Station and are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(g)
Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a 26.1% statutory rate, with the exception of certain non-deductible items.
Wolf Creek Refueling Outage
Wolf Creek's most recent refueling outage began in September 2019 and the unit returned to service in November 2019. Wolf Creek's next refueling outage is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding environmental lawsmatters.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding related party transactions.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and regulations. Environmental lawsassumptions that affect reported amounts and regulations affecting our operations are overlapping, complex, subjectrelated disclosures. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have become more stringent over time and are expensive to implement. There are a variety of final and proposed laws and regulations thatbeen used could have a material adverse effectimpact on our operations and consolidated financial results. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies—Environmental Matters,” for a discussion of environmental costs, laws, regulations and other contingencies.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) represents the allowed cost of capital used to finance utility construction activity. We compute AFUDC by applying a composite rate to qualified construction work in progress (CWIP). We credit other income (for equity funds) and interest expense (for borrowed funds) for the amount of AFUDC capitalized as construction cost on the accompanying consolidated statements of income as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 (In Thousands)
Borrowed funds$5,605
 $9,964
 $3,505
Equity funds1,996
 11,630
 2,075
Total$7,601
 $21,594
 $5,580
Average AFUDC Rates2.3% 4.2% 2.7%

We expect AFUDC for both borrowed funds and equity funds to fluctuate based on the timing and manner in which we finance our capital expenditures.

Interest Expense

We expect a slight increase in our interest expense over the next several years as a result of our need to raise a modest amount of debt in order to fund our capital expenditure program. In addition, the passage of the TCJA will reduce cash flows we receive from our customers due to lower income taxes included in our prices. The reduction in cash flows may require us to raise additional debt resulting in higher interest expense. We believe increased interest expense will be reflected in the prices we are permitted to charge customers, as cost of capital will be a component of future rate proceedings and is also recognized in some of the other rate adjustments we are permitted to make. In addition, short-term interest rates are low by historical standards. We cannot predict to what extent these conditions will continue. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Long-Term Debt” and “Item 1A Risk Factors” for additional information regarding the issuance of long-term debt.


Customer Growth and Usage

Retail customer additions have been growing approximately 0.5% the past few years. With the numerous energy efficiency policy initiatives promulgated through federal, state and local governments, as well as industry initiatives, environmental regulations and the need to strengthen and modernize the grid, which will increase our prices, we believe customers will continue to adopt more energy efficiency and conservation measures, which will slow or possibly suppress the growth of demand for electricity.

2018 Outlook

In 2018, we expect to maintain our current business strategy and regulatory approach. Assuming normal weather, we expect 2018 retail electricity sales growth will be 0.5% or less.
In addition, we anticipate increased operating and maintenance and selling, general and administrative expenses. We also expect SPP transmission expense and property tax expense to continue to increase at a much higher rate than inflation. However, we believe this will have a minimal impact to our consolidated financial results since SPP transmission expense and property tax expense are offset with higher revenues pursuant to our regulatory mechanisms. We also anticipate incremental merger-related expenses. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Pending Merger,” for additional information. To help fund our capital spending as provided under “—Future Cash Requirements” below, in 2018 we may issue long-term debt, and utilize short-term borrowings by issuing commercial paper until permanent financing is in place.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition andEvergy's results of operations are based on our consolidatedand financial statements, which have been prepared in conformityposition. Management has identified the following accounting policies as critical to the understanding of Evergy's results of operations and financial position. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Note 2the Audit Committee of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” contains a summary of ourEvergy Board.
Pensions
Evergy incurs significant accounting policies, many of which require the use of estimatescosts in providing non-contributory defined pension benefits. The costs are measured using actuarial valuations that are dependent upon numerous factors derived from actual plan experience and assumptions by management. The policies highlighted below have an impact on our reported results that may be material due to the levels of judgment and subjectivity necessary to account for uncertain matters or their susceptibility to change.

Regulatory Accounting

We apply accounting standards that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation. Accordingly, we have recorded regulatory assets and liabilities when required by a regulatory order or based on regulatory precedent. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery in our prices. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenue or refunds to customers.

The deferral of costs as regulatory assets is appropriate only when the future recovery of such costs is probable. In assessing probability, we consider such factors as specific regulatory orders, regulatory precedent and the current regulatory environment. If we deem it no longer probable that we would recover such costs, we would record a charge against income in the amount of the related regulatory assets.

As of December 31, 2017, we had recorded regulatory assets currently subject to recovery in future prices of approximately $784.9 million and regulatory liabilities of $1.1 billion, as discussed in greater detail in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Matters and Regulation.”

plan experience.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Actuarial Assumptions

We and Wolf Creek calculate our pension benefit and post-retirement medical benefit obligations and related costs using actuarial concepts within the guidance provided by GAAP.


In accounting for our retirement plans and post-retirement benefits, we make assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The reported costs of our pension plans are impacted by estimates regardingactual employee demographics (including age, life expectancies, compensation levels and employment periods), earnings on plan assets, the level of contributions made to the plan, and plan amendments. In addition, pension costs are also affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used to determine ourin determining the projected benefit obligation and pension costs and employee demographics including age, life expectancy and compensation levels and employment periods. Changes in these assumptions result primarily in changes to regulatory assets, regulatory liabilities or the amount of related pension and post-retirement benefit liabilities reflected on our consolidated balance sheets. Such changes may also require cash contributions.

The following table shows the impact of a 0.5% change in our pension plan discount rate, salary scale and rate of return on plan assets.
Actuarial Assumption 
Change in
Assumption
 
Change
in Projected
Benefit
Obligation (a)
 
Annual
Change in
Projected
Pension
Costs (a)
    (Dollars In Thousands)
Discount rate 0.5% decrease $106,897
 $8,970
  0.5% increase (95,006) (8,086)
       
Compensation 0.5% decrease (21,448) (3,904)
  0.5% increase 21,568
 4,217
       
Rate of return on plan assets 0.5% decrease 
 4,212
  0.5% increase 
 (4,212)
_______________
(a)Increases or decreases due to changes in actuarial assumptions result primarily in changes to regulatory assets and liabilities.

costs.
The following table shows the impact of a 0.5% change in the discount rate andassumed rate of return on plan assets was developed based on the weighted-average of long-term returns forecast for the expected portfolio mix of investments held by the plan. The assumed discount rate was selected based on the prevailing market rate of fixed income debt instruments with maturities matching the expected timing of the benefit obligation. These assumptions, updated annually at the measurement date, are based on management's best estimates and judgment; however, material changes may occur if these assumptions differ from actual events. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net costs.
The following table reflects the sensitivities associated with a 1%0.5% increase or a 0.5% decrease in key actuarial assumptions for Evergy's qualified pension plans. Each sensitivity reflects the impact of the change based on a change in the annual medical trend on our post-retirement benefit plans.that assumption only.
Actuarial Assumption 
Change in
Assumption
 
Change in
Projected
Benefit
Obligation (a)
 
Annual
Change in
Projected
Post-retirement
Costs (a)
  Impact on
  Projected2020
Change inBenefitPension
Actuarial assumptionAssumptionObligationExpense
 (Dollars In Thousands)  (millions)
Discount rate 0.5% decrease $8,170
 $306
0.5%increase $(197.7) $(20.2) 
 0.5% increase (7,649) (311)
    
Rate of return on plan assets 0.5% decrease 
 576
0.5%increase 
 (8.2) 
 0.5% increase 
 (576)
    
Annual medical trend 1.0% decrease 142
 21
 1.0% increase (133) (19)
Rate of compensation0.5%increase 48.9
 9.7
 
Discount rate0.5%decrease 223.4
 22.5
 
Rate of return on plan assets0.5%decrease 
 8.2
 
Rate of compensation0.5%decrease (45.7) (9.0) 
_______________
(a)Increases or decreases due to changes in actuarial assumptions result primarily in changes to regulatory assets and liabilities.

Pension expense for Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West is recorded in accordance with rate orders from the KCC and MPSC. The orders allow the difference between pension costs under GAAP and pension costs for ratemaking to be recorded as a regulatory asset or liability with future ratemaking recovery or refunds, as appropriate.

In 2019, Evergy's pension expense was $131.3 million under GAAP and $168.7 million for ratemaking. The impact on 2020 pension expense in the table above reflects the impact on GAAP pension costs. Under the Evergy Companies' rate agreements, any increase or decrease in GAAP pension expense is deferred to a regulatory asset or

33





liability for future ratemaking treatment. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the accounting for pensions.
Market conditions and interest rates significantly affect the future assets and liabilities of the plan. It is difficult to predict future pension costs, changes in pension liability and cash funding requirements due to the inherent uncertainty of market conditions.
Revenue Recognition

We recordEvergy recognizes revenue aton the time we deliversale of electricity to customers. We determinecustomers over time as the amounts deliveredservice is provided in the amount it has the right to individual customers through systematic monthly readings of customer meters. Atinvoice. Revenues recorded include electric services provided but not yet billed by Evergy. Unbilled revenues are recorded for kWh usage in the period following the customers' billing cycle to the end of each month, wethe month. This estimate how much electricity we have delivered sinceis based on net system kWh usage less actual billed kWhs. Evergy's estimated unbilled kWhs are allocated and priced by regulatory jurisdiction across the prior meter reading and record the corresponding unbilled revenue.

Ourrate classes based on actual billing rates. Evergy's unbilled revenue estimate is affected by factors including fluctuations in energy demand, weather, line losses and changes in the composition of customer classes. We recorded estimatedSee Note 4 for the balance of unbilled revenue of $76.7 millionreceivables for Evergy as of December 31, 20172019 and $74.42018.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Evergy has recorded assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets resulting from the effects of the ratemaking process, which would not otherwise be recorded under GAAP. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that are probable of recovery from future revenues. Regulatory liabilities represent future reductions in revenues or refunds to customers.
Management regularly assesses whether regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of future recovery or refund by considering factors such as decisions by the MPSC, KCC or FERC in Evergy's rate case filings; decisions in other regulatory proceedings, including decisions related to other companies that establish precedent on matters applicable to Evergy; and changes in laws and regulations. If recovery or refund of regulatory assets or liabilities is not approved by regulators or is no longer deemed probable, these regulatory assets or liabilities are recognized in the current period results of operations. Evergy's continued ability to meet the criteria for recording regulatory assets and liabilities may be affected in the future by restructuring and deregulation in the electric industry or changes in accounting rules. In the event that the criteria no longer applied to all or a portion of Evergy's operations, the related regulatory assets and liabilities would be written off unless an appropriate regulatory recovery mechanism were provided. Additionally, these factors could result in an impairment on utility plant assets. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Impairments of Assets and Goodwill
Long-lived assets are required to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable as prescribed under GAAP.
Accounting rules require goodwill to be tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs indicating the possibility that an impairment exists. The goodwill impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill, to identify potential impairment. In the event that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value. Evergy's consolidated operations are considered one reporting unit for assessment of impairment, as management assesses financial performance and allocates resources on a consolidated basis. The annual impairment test for the $2,336.6 million of goodwill from the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger was conducted on May 1, 2019. The fair value of the reporting unit substantially exceeded the carrying amount, including goodwill. As a result, there was no impairment of goodwill.
The determination of fair value for the reporting unit consisted of two valuation techniques: an income approach consisting of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach consisting of a determination of reporting unit invested capital using a market multiple derived from the historical earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and market prices of the stock of peer companies. The results of the two techniques

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were evaluated and weighted to determine a point within the range that management considered representative of fair value for the reporting unit, which involves a significant amount of management judgment.
The discounted cash flow analysis is most significantly impacted by two assumptions: estimated future cash flows and the discount rate applied to those cash flows. Management determines the appropriate discount rate to be based on the reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The WACC takes into account both the return on equity authorized by the KCC and MPSC and after-tax cost of debt. Estimated future cash flows are based on Evergy's internal business plan, which assumes the occurrence of certain events in the future, such as the outcome of December 31, 2016.future rate filings, future approved rates of return on equity, anticipated returns of and earnings on future capital investments, continued recovery of cost of service and the renewal of certain contracts. Management also makes assumptions regarding the run rate of operations, maintenance and general and administrative costs based on the expected outcome of the aforementioned events. Should the actual outcome of some or all of these assumptions differ significantly from the current assumptions, revisions to current cash flow assumptions could cause the fair value of the Evergy reporting unit under the income approach to be significantly different in future periods and could result in a future impairment charge to goodwill.

The market approach analysis is most significantly impacted by management's selection of relevant peer companies as well as the determination of an appropriate control premium to be added to the calculated invested capital of the reporting unit, as control premiums associated with a controlling interest are not reflected in the quoted market price of a single share of stock. Management determines an appropriate control premium by using an average of control premiums for recent acquisitions in the industry. Changes in results of peer companies, selection of different peer companies and future acquisitions with significantly different control premiums could result in a significantly different fair value of the Evergy reporting unit.
Income Taxes

We useIncome taxes are accounted for using the asset and asset/liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, we recognize deferred incomeapproach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities forare determined based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amountsreporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred investment tax credits are amortized ratably over the life of the related property. Deferred tax assets are also recorded for net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards. Evergy is required to estimate the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred tax basis of existingliabilities and assets and liabilities. We recognizefor future tax benefitsconsequences of events reflected in Evergy's consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Actual results could differ from these estimates for a variety of reasons including changes in income tax laws, enacted tax rates and results of audits by taxing authorities. This process also requires management to make assessments regarding the extenttiming and probability of the ultimate tax impact from which actual results may differ. Evergy records valuation allowances on deferred tax assets if it is determined that realization of such benefitsit is more likely than not. Withnot that the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December 2017, we were required to remeasure deferred income tax assets and liabilities at the lower 21% corporate tax rate and defer the amount of excess deferred taxes previously collected from our customers to a regulatory liability, the majority of whichasset will not be amortized to income over a period generally correspondingrealized. See Note 20 to the life of our plant assets. We amortize deferred investment tax credits over the lives of the related properties as required by tax laws and regulatory practices. We recognize production tax credits in the year that electricity is generated to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not.

We record deferred income tax assets to the extent capital losses, net operating losses or tax credits will be carried forward to future periods. However, when we believe based on available evidence that we do not, or will not, have sufficient future capital gains or taxable income in the appropriate taxing jurisdiction to realize the entire benefit during the applicable carryforward period, we record a valuation allowance against the deferred income tax asset.

The application of income tax law is complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and often ambiguous. Accordingly, we must make judgments regarding income tax exposure. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As a result, changes in our judgments can materially affect amounts we recognize in our consolidated financial statements. We believe the accounting associated with the passage of the TCJA is complete and we have therefore not recorded any provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Taxes,”statements for additional detail on our accounting for income taxes.information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We haveEvergy has recognized legal obligations associated with the disposal of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of such assets. Concurrent with the recognition of the liability, the estimated cost of the ARO is capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the asset. We estimate our AROs based on the fair value of the AROs we incurred at the time the related long-lived assets were either acquired, placed in service or when regulations establishing the obligation became effective.effective is also recorded to property, plant and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. The recording of AROs for regulated operations has no income statement impact due to the deferral of the adjustments through the establishment of a regulatory asset or an offset to a regulatory liability.

WeEvergy initially recorded AROs at fair value for the estimated cost to decommission Wolf Creek (our 47%(94% indirect share), retire our wind generating facilities, dispose of asbestos insulating material at ourits power plants, remediate ash disposal ponds and close ash landfills, and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated oil.among other items. ARO refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. In determining ourEvergy's AROs, we make assumptions are made regarding probable future disposal costs.costs and the timing of their occurrence. A change in these assumptions could have a significant impact on theEvergy's AROs reflected on ourits consolidated balance sheets.

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As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016, we have2018, Evergy had recorded AROs of $405.1$674.1 million and $324.0$687.1 million,, respectively. For additional information on our legal AROs, seeSee Note 15 of7 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Asset Retirement Obligations.”


Contingencies and Litigation

We and our subsidiaries are involved in various legal, environmental and regulatory proceedings, and we have estimated the probable cost for the resolution of these proceedings. These estimates are based on an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible that our future consolidated financial statements for more information regarding Evergy's AROs.
EVERGY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Evergy's results could be materiallyof operations and financial position are affected by changes in our assumptions. See Notes 4, 14a variety of factors including rate regulation, fuel costs, weather, customer behavior and 16demand, the economy and competitive forces.
Substantially all of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Matters and Regulations,” “Commitments and Contingencies” and “Legal Proceedings,” respectively, for additional information.



OPERATING RESULTS

We evaluate operating results based on EPS. We have various classifications ofEvergy's revenues defined as follows:

Retail: Sales of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Classification of customers as residential, commercial or industrial requires judgment and our classifications may be different from other companies. Assignment of tariffs is not dependent on classification. Other retail sales of electricity include lighting for public streets and highways, net of revenueare subject to refund.state or federal regulation. This regulation has a significant impact on the price the Evergy Companies charge for electric service. Evergy's results of operations and financial position are affected by its ability to align overall spending, both operating and capital, within the frameworks established by its regulators.

Wholesale: Sales of electricity to electric cooperatives, municipalities, other electric utilities and RTOs, the prices for which are either based on cost or prevailing market prices as prescribed by FERC authority. Revenues from these sales are either included in the retail energy cost adjustment or used in the determinations of base rates at the time of our next general rate review.

Transmission: Reflects transmission revenues, including those based on tariffs with the SPP.

Other: Miscellaneous electric revenues including ancillary service revenues and rent from electric property leased to others. This category also includes transactions unrelated to the production of our generating assets and fees we earn for services that we provide for third parties.

Electric utilityWholesale revenues are impacted by, things suchamong other factors, demand, cost and availability of fuel and purchased power, price volatility, available generation capacity, transmission availability and weather.
The Evergy Companies primarily use coal and uranium for the generation of electricity for their customers and also purchase power through purchase power agreements or on the open market. The prices for fuel used in generation or the market price of purchased power can fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors including supply, demand, weather and the broader economic environment. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have fuel recovery mechanisms in their Kansas and Missouri jurisdictions, as applicable, that allow them to defer and subsequently recover or refund, through customer rates, substantially all of the variance in net energy costs from the amount set in base rates without a general rate regulation, fuel costs, technology, customer behavior, the economy and competitive forces. Changing weather alsocase proceeding.
Weather significantly affects the amount of electricity ourthat Evergy's customers use as electricity sales are seasonal. As a summer peaking utility,utilities, the third quarter typically accounts for ourthe greatest electricity sales.sales by the Evergy Companies. Hot summer temperatures and cold winter temperatures prompt more demand, especially among residential and commercial customers, and to a lesser extent, industrial customers. Mild weather reduces customer demand. Our wholesale
Energy efficiency investments by customers and the Evergy Companies also can affect the demand for electric service. Through the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA), Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West offer energy efficiency and demand side management programs to their Missouri retail customers and recover program costs, throughput disincentive, and as applicable, certain earnings opportunities in retail rates through a rider mechanism.
The Evergy Companies' taxes other than income taxes, of which property taxes are a significant component, can fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, including changes in taxable values and property tax rates. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro's Kansas jurisdiction have property tax surcharges that allow them to defer and subsequently recover or refund, through customer rates, substantially all of the variance in property tax costs from the amounts set in base rates without a general rate case proceeding.

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The following table summarizes Evergy's comparative results of operations.
 2019 Change 2018 Change 2017
 (millions)
Operating revenues$5,147.8
 $871.9
 $4,275.9
 $1,704.9
 $2,571.0
Fuel and purchased power1,265.0
 186.3
 1,078.7
 537.2
 541.5
SPP network transmission costs251.3
 (8.6) 259.9
 12.0
 247.9
Operating and maintenance1,218.5
 102.7
 1,115.8
 552.3
 563.5
Depreciation and amortization861.7
 242.9
 618.8
 247.1
 371.7
Taxes other than income tax365.5
 96.4
 269.1
 101.5
 167.6
Income from operations1,185.8
 252.2
 933.6

254.8

678.8
Other expense, net(39.0) 15.4
 (54.4) (27.6) (26.8)
Interest expense374.0
 94.4
 279.6
 108.6
 171.0
Income tax expense97.0
 38.0
 59.0
 (92.2) 151.2
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes9.8
 4.4
 5.4
 (1.3) 6.7
Net income685.6
 139.6
 546.0

209.5

336.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests15.7
 5.5
 10.2
 (2.4) 12.6
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.$669.9
 $134.1
 $535.8

$211.9

$323.9

Evergy Utility Gross Margin and MWh Sales
Utility gross margin is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Utility gross margin, as used by the Evergy Companies, is defined as operating revenues are impacted by, among other factors, demand, cost and availability ofless fuel and purchased power price volatility, available generation capacity,costs and amounts billed by the SPP for network transmission availability and weather.



2017 Compared to 2016

Below we discuss our operating resultscosts. Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the results for the year ended December 31, 2016. Significant changes in results of operations shown in the table immediately below are further explained in the descriptions that follow.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
REVENUES:       
Residential$821,222
 $838,998
 $(17,776) (2.1)
Commercial729,743
 741,066
 (11,323) (1.5)
Industrial423,620
 413,298
 10,322
 2.5
Other retail(28,551) (15,013) (13,538) (90.2)
Total Retail Revenues1,946,034
 1,978,349
 (32,315) (1.6)
Wholesale312,942
 304,871
 8,071
 2.6
Transmission279,446
 253,713
 25,733
 10.1
Other32,581
 25,154
 7,427
 29.5
Total Revenues2,571,003
 2,562,087
 8,916
 0.3
OPERATING EXPENSES:       
Fuel and purchased power541,535
 509,496
 32,039
 6.3
SPP network transmission costs247,882
 232,763
 15,119
 6.5
Operating and maintenance333,923
 346,313
 (12,390) (3.6)
Depreciation and amortization371,747
 338,519
 33,228
 9.8
Selling, general and administrative249,567
 261,451
 (11,884) (4.5)
Taxes other than income tax167,630
 191,662
 (24,032) (12.5)
Total Operating Expenses1,912,284
 1,880,204
 32,080
 1.7
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS658,719
 681,883
 (23,164) (3.4)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):       
Investment earnings10,693
 9,013
 1,680
 18.6
Other income8,351
 34,582
 (26,231) (75.9)
Other expense(19,055) (18,012) (1,043) (5.8)
Total Other (Expense) Income(11) 25,583
 (25,594) (100.0)
Interest expense171,001
 161,726
 9,275
 5.7
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES487,707
 545,740
 (58,033) (10.6)
Income tax expense151,155
 184,540
 (33,385) (18.1)
NET INCOME336,552
 361,200
 (24,648) (6.8)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests12,632
 14,623
 (1,991) (13.6)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$323,920
 $346,577
 $(22,657) (6.5)
BASIC EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$2.27
 $2.43
 $(0.16) (6.6)
DILUTED EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$2.27
 $2.43
 $(0.16) (6.6)




Gross Margin

Fuelfuel and purchased power costs, fluctuate with electricityoffset by wholesale sales and unit costs. As permitted by regulators, we adjust our retail pricesmargin, are subject to reflect changes in the costs of fuel and purchased power. Fuel and purchased power costs for wholesale customers are recovered at prevailing market prices or based on a predetermined formula with a pricerecovery through cost adjustment approved by FERC.mechanisms.  As a result, changes in fuel and purchased power costs are offset in operating revenues with minimal impact on net income. In addition, SPP network transmission costs fluctuate primarily due primarily to investments by us and otherSPP members of the SPP for upgrades to the transmission grid within the SPP RTO.  As with fuel and purchased power costs, changes in SPP network transmission costs are mostly reflected in the prices we chargecharged to customers with minimal impact on net income. ForSee Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the manner in which Evergy reflects SPP revenues and expenses.
Management believes that utility gross margin provides a meaningful basis for evaluating the Evergy Companies' operations across periods compared with operating revenues because utility gross margin excludes the revenue effect of fluctuations in these reasons, we believeexpenses.  Utility gross margin is usefulused internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for understandingmanagement and analyzing changes in our operating performance from one period to the next. We calculateEvergy Board.  The Evergy Companies' definition of utility gross margin may differ from similar terms used by other companies.

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The following tables summarize Evergy's utility gross margin and MWhs sold.
Utility Gross Margin2019 Change 2018 Change 2017
Retail revenues(millions)
Residential$1,908.1
 $329.3
 $1,578.8
 $777.5
 $801.3
Commercial1,781.6
 425.2
 1,356.4
 644.7
 711.7
Industrial621.6
 93.8
 527.8
 114.9
 412.9
Other retail revenues47.1
 16.5
 30.6
 7.8
 22.8
Total electric retail4,358.4
 864.8
 3,493.6
 1,544.9
 1,948.7
Wholesale revenues327.5
 (76.9) 404.4
 73.2
 331.2
Transmission revenues309.2
 1.1
 308.1
 23.3
 284.8
Other revenues152.7
 82.9
 69.8
 63.5
 6.3
Operating revenues5,147.8
 871.9
 4,275.9
 1,704.9
 2,571.0
Fuel and purchased power(1,265.0) (186.3) (1,078.7) (537.2) (541.5)
SPP network transmission costs(251.3) 8.6
 (259.9) (12.0) (247.9)
Utility gross margin (a)
$3,631.5
 $694.2
 $2,937.3
 $1,155.7
 $1,781.6
(a) Utilitygross margin is a non-GAAP measure, as total revenues, including transmission revenues, less the sumfinancial measure.  See explanation of fuel and purchased power costs and amounts billed by the SPP for network transmission costs. Accordingly,utility gross margin reflects transmission revenues and costs on a net basis. The following table summarizes our gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.above.
 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands)
Revenues$2,571,003
 $2,562,087
 $8,916
 0.3
Less: Fuel and purchased power expense541,535
 509,496
 32,039
 6.3
SPP network transmission costs247,882
 232,763
 15,119
 6.5
Gross Margin$1,781,586
 $1,819,828
 $(38,242) (2.1)
MWh Sales2019 Change 2018 Change 2017
Retail MWh Sales(thousands)
Residential15,492
 3,014
 12,478
 6,315
 6,163
Commercial18,295
 4,166
 14,129
 6,761
 7,368
Industrial8,570
 1,144
 7,426
 1,737
 5,689
Other retail revenues139
 29
 110
 37
 73
Total electric retail42,496
 8,353
 34,143
 14,850
 19,293
Wholesale revenues14,398
 587
 13,811
 3,465
 10,346
Operating revenues56,894
 8,940
 47,954
 18,315
 29,639

Evergy's utility gross margin increased $694.2 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
The following table reflects changesa $674.4 million increase due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's utility gross margin in electricity salesthe first five months of 2019;
a $59.7 million increase in revenue due to one-time bill credits recorded by Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West in June 2018 as a result of conditions in the KCC and MPSC merger orders; and
a $41.6 million increase from new Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West retail rates effective in 2018, net of a $124.2 million provision for rate refund recorded in 2018 for the years ended December 31, 2017change in the corporate income tax rate caused by the TCJA; partially offset by
a $53.0 million decrease primarily due to lower Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and 2016. No electricityEvergy Missouri West retail sales are shown fordriven by cooler summer weather. For 2019 compared to 2018, cooling degree days decreased 16%;
a $12.9 million decrease related to Evergy Kansas Central's transmission or other as they are not directlydelivery charge (TDC) rider;
a $10.2 million decrease in revenue related to the granting of an Accounting Authority Order (AAO) by the MPSC in October 2019 requiring Evergy Missouri West to record a regulatory liability for the estimated amount of electricity we sell.revenues it has collected from customers for certain costs related to Sibley Station since its retirement in November 2018; and
a $5.4 million decrease for recovery of programs costs for energy efficiency programs under MEEIA, which have a direct offset in operating and maintenance expense.

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 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
                             (Thousands of MWh)  
ELECTRICITY SALES:       
Residential6,163
 6,434
 (271) (4.2)
Commercial7,368
 7,544
 (176) (2.3)
Industrial5,689
 5,499
 190
 3.5
Other retail73
 77
 (4) (5.2)
Total Retail19,293
 19,554
 (261) (1.3)
Wholesale10,346
 8,299
 2,047
 24.7
Total29,639
 27,853
 1,786
 6.4

Gross margin decreased due primarily to lower retail sales. The lower retail sales were attributable primarily to more mild weather, which particularly impacts residential and commercial customers. There were approximately 13% fewer cooling degree days compared to 2016. Partially offsetting the impact of less favorable weather in 2017 was improved sales to industrial customers due partially to a few of our larger, lower margin chemical and oil customers who experienced improved global demand for their products as well as improved sales to the construction segment.


Income from operations, which is calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our consolidated statements of income, is the most directly comparable measure to our presentation of gross margin. Our presentation of gross margin should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income from operations. Additionally, our presentation of gross margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The following table reconciles income from operations with gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands)
Income from operations$658,719
 $681,883
 $(23,164) (3.4)
Plus: Operating and maintenance expense333,923
 346,313
 (12,390) (3.6)
Depreciation and amortization expense371,747
 338,519
 33,228
 9.8
Selling, general and administrative expense249,567
 261,451
 (11,884) (4.5)
Taxes other than income tax167,630
 191,662
 (24,032) (12.5)
Gross Margin$1,781,586
 $1,819,828
 $(38,242) (2.1)


Operating Expenses and Other Income and Expense Items
 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Operating and maintenance expense$333,923
 $346,313
 $(12,390) (3.6)


Operating and Maintenance
Evergy's operating and maintenance expense decreasedincreased $102.7 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $279.9 million increase in operating and maintenance expense due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's operating and maintenance expenses in the first five months of 2019;
$12.1 million of rebranding costs incurred in 2019 to rebrand the legacy Westar Energy and KCP&L utility brands to Evergy; and
$11.8 million of Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West voluntary severance expenses incurred in 2019; partially offset by
$75.8 million of merger-related costs incurred in 2018, consisting of:
$51.0 million of merger consulting fees and fees for other outside services incurred, primarily consisting of merger success fees;
$47.9 million of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro voluntary severance and change in control payments as well as the recording of unrecognized equity compensation costs and the incremental fair value associated with the vesting of outstanding Evergy Kansas Central equity compensation awards in accordance with the Amended Merger Agreement; and
$24.7 million of unconditional charitable contributions and community support recorded by Evergy in accordance with conditions in the KCC and MPSC merger orders; partially offset by
a $47.8 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense due to the deferral of merger transition costs to a regulatory asset in June 2018 for future recovery by Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West in accordance with the KCC and MPSC merger orders;
a $62.1 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units primarily due to:
a $15.0 million decrease due to the retirement of Evergy Kansas Central's Unit 7 at Tecumseh Energy Center, Units 3 and 4 at Murray Gill Energy Center, Units 1 and 2 at Gordan Evans Energy Center and Evergy Metro's Montrose Station and Evergy Missouri West's Sibley Station in the fourth quarter of 2018;
$31.0 million of Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West obsolete inventory write-offs at retiring fossil-fuel units in 2018;
$5.2 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2018 by Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West related to their Local 1523 and Local 412 union voluntary exit programs; and
a $3.7 million decrease due to an extended maintenance outage at Evergy Metro's Iatan No. 2 in 2018; partially offset by
an $8.4 million increase due to the write-off of a regulatory asset for costs incurred during the Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC) lease extension, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements;

a $35.6 million decrease in various administrative and general operating and maintenance expenses primarily driven by a $15.3 million decrease in labor and employee benefits expense primarily due to lower employee headcount and Evergy Kansas Central pension and post-retirement costs in 2019 and $10.6 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2018 by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro related to a Wolf Creek voluntary exit program;
lowera $9.5 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at nuclear generating units related to Wolf Creek;
a $9.3 million decrease in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expense primarily due to a higher level of Evergy Kansas Central vegetation management activity in 2018; and

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a $5.4 million decrease in program costs for energy efficiency programs under MEEIA, which have a direct offset in revenue.
Depreciation and Amortization
Evergy's depreciation and amortization increased $242.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
a $173.4 million increase due to the inclusion of $8.6Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's depreciation expense in the first five months of 2019;
a $43.0 million increase primarily due to a change in part to higher grid resiliency costsdepreciation rates as a result of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's rate cases effective in 2016 and receiving credit for assisting other utilities with mutual aid during an active hurricane season, which offset our operating and maintenance costs;2018; and
a $5.8 million decrease in nuclear operating and maintenance costs due primarily to receiving a legal settlement for Wolf Creek; and
lower operating and maintenance costs at our coal fired plants of $4.9 million, due primarily to a planned outage at JEC in 2016; however;
partially offsetting these decreases was an $8.8$26.5 million increase in operating and maintenance costsprimarily due to the start of operation of our Western Plains Wind Farm in March 2017.

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Depreciation and amortization expense$371,747
 $338,519
 $33,228
 9.8

Depreciationcapital additions at Evergy Kansas Central and amortization expense increased due primarily to the start of Western Plains Wind Farm in March 2017.

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Selling, general and administrative expense$249,567
 $261,451
 $(11,884) (4.5)

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased due primarily to:

our having recorded $7.1 million less for employee compensation that is at-risk to employees and payable only upon meeting pre-established operating and financial objectives; and
a decrease in the allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1.4 million; and
a decrease of $1.2 million in meter reading expenses due primarily to implementing the use of smart meters.

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Taxes other than income tax$167,630
 $191,662
 $(24,032) (12.5)
Evergy Metro.
Taxes Other Than Income Tax
Evergy's taxes other than income tax increased $96.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $75.7 million increase due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West amounts in the first five months of 2019; and
a $22.9 million increase primarily due to increased Evergy Kansas Central property taxes.
Other Expense, Net
Evergy's other expense, net decreased due$15.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily to driven by:
a $24.2$12.4 million decrease in property tax expense. This decrease was due to recording higher Evergy Kansas Central corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) benefits in 2019;
a $6.3 million decrease due to lower Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro pension non-service costs in amortization2019; and
a $4.2 million decrease due to higher net unrealized gains in Evergy Kansas Central's rabbi trust in 2019; partially offset by
a $9.5 million increase due to the inclusion of the regulatory asset comprised of actual costs incurred for property taxesEvergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West amounts in the prior yearfirst five months of 2019.
Interest Expense
Evergy's interest expense increased $94.4 million in excess2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $77.2 million increase due to the inclusion of amounts collected in our pricesEvergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's interest expense and Evergy's interest expense associated with the assumption of legacy Great Plains Energy debt in the prior year. This decrease is mostly offset in retail revenues.first five months of 2019;

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Other income$8,351
 $34,582
 $(26,231) (75.9)

Other income decreaseda $14.5 million increase due to our having recorded $19.5Evergy's issuance of $1.6 billion of senior notes in September 2019; and
a $7.7 million lessincrease primarily due to Evergy's borrowings under its $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement in COLI benefits and 2019; partially offset by
a $10.1 million net decrease due to the repayment of Evergy Metro's $400.0 million of 7.15% Mortgage Bonds at maturity in equity AFUDCApril 2019, which decreased interest expense by $19.8 million, partially offset by a $9.7 million increase due to Evergy Metro's issuance of $9.6 million. Partially offsetting these decreases was an$400.0 million of 4.125% Mortgage Bonds in March 2019.
Income Tax Expense
Evergy's income tax expense increased $38.0 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $52.6 million increase of $3.5 million related to the deconsolidationrevaluation of Evergy Kansas Central's deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the trust holding our 8% interest in JEC.

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Interest expense$171,001
 $161,726
 $9,275
 5.7

Interest expense increased due primarily to an increase in interest expense on long-term debt of $4.9 millionEvergy composite tax rate as a result of the issuancemerger in 2018; and
an $18.9 million increase due to higher Evergy Kansas Central pre-tax income; partially offset by

40





a $4.4$39.0 million decrease in debt AFUDC.


 Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Income tax expense$151,155
 $184,540
 $(33,385) (18.1)

Income tax expense decreased due primarily to:

an increase of $24.0 million in production tax credits, largely from placing the Western Plains Wind Farm in service; and
a reduction in income tax expense of $22.9 million from lower income before income taxes; however,
partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of approximately $12.2 million in income tax due to expensingflow-through items primarily driven by higher amortization of excess net deferred income tax assets associated with the TCJA.








2016 Compared to 2015

Below we discuss our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the results for the year ended December 31, 2015. Significant changes in results of operations shown in the table immediately below are further explained in the descriptions that follow.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
REVENUES:       
Residential$838,998
 $768,618
 $70,380
 9.2
Commercial741,066
 712,400
 28,666
 4.0
Industrial413,298
 400,687
 12,611
 3.1
Other retail(15,013) (17,155) 2,142
 12.5
Total Retail Revenues1,978,349
 1,864,550
 113,799
 6.1
Wholesale304,871
 318,371
 (13,500) (4.2)
Transmission253,713
 241,835
 11,878
 4.9
Other25,154
 34,408
 (9,254) (26.9)
Total Revenues2,562,087
 2,459,164
 102,923
 4.2
OPERATING EXPENSES:       
Fuel and purchased power509,496
 561,065
 (51,569) (9.2)
SPP network transmission costs232,763
 229,043
 3,720
 1.6
Operating and maintenance346,313
 330,289
 16,024
 4.9
Depreciation and amortization338,519
 310,591
 27,928
 9.0
Selling, general and administrative261,451
 250,278
 11,173
 4.5
Taxes other than income tax191,662
 156,901
 34,761
 22.2
Total Operating Expenses1,880,204
 1,838,167
 42,037
 2.3
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS681,883
 620,997
 60,886
 9.8
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):       
Investment earnings9,013
 7,799
 1,214
 15.6
Other income34,582
 19,438
 15,144
 77.9
Other expense(18,012) (17,636) (376) (2.1)
Total Other Income25,583
 9,601
 15,982
 166.5
Interest expense161,726
 176,802
 (15,076) (8.5)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES545,740
 453,796
 91,944
 20.3
Income tax expense184,540
 152,000
 32,540
 21.4
NET INCOME361,200
 301,796
 59,404
 19.7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests14,623
 9,867
 4,756
 48.2
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY. INC.$346,577
 $291,929
 $54,648
 18.7
BASIC EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$2.43
 $2.11
 $0.32
 15.2
DILUTED EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$2.43
 $2.09
 $0.34
 16.3

Rate Review Agreement

In September 2015, the KCC issued an order in our state general rate review allowing us to adjust our prices to include, among other things, additional investment in La Cygne environmental upgrades and investment to extend the life of Wolf Creek. The new prices were effective late October 2015 and are expected to increase our annual retail revenues by approximately $78.3 million.


Gross Margin

The following table summarizes our gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands)
Revenues$2,562,087
 $2,459,164
 $102,923
 4.2
Less: Fuel and purchased power expense509,496
 561,065
 (51,569) (9.2)
SPP network transmission costs232,763
 229,043
 3,720
 1.6
Gross Margin$1,819,828
 $1,669,056
 $150,772
 9.0

The following table reflects changes in electricity sales for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. No electricity sales are shown for transmission or other as they are not directly related to the amount of electricity we sell.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
                             (Thousands of MWh)  
ELECTRICITY SALES:       
Residential6,434
 6,364
 70
 1.1
Commercial7,544
 7,500
 44
 0.6
Industrial5,499
 5,502
 (3) (0.1)
Other retail77
 84
 (7) (8.3)
Total Retail19,554
 19,450
 104
 0.5
Wholesale8,299
 8,492
 (193) (2.3)
Total27,853
 27,942
 (89) (0.3)

Gross margin increased due primarily to higher retail prices, which increased approximately 6%. Gross margin also increased slightly due to weather that was modestly favorable relative to 2015. During 2016, there were approximately 10% more cooling degree days compared to 2015.

Income from operations, which is calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our consolidated statements of income, is the most directly comparable measure to our presentation of gross margin. Our presentation of gross margin should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income from operations. Additionally, our presentation of gross margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The following table reconciles income from operations with gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars In Thousands)
Income from operations$681,883
 $620,997
 $60,886
 9.8
Plus: Operating and maintenance expense346,313
 330,289
 16,024
 4.9
Depreciation and amortization expense338,519
 310,591
 27,928
 9.0
Selling, general and administrative expense261,451
 250,278
 11,173
 4.5
Taxes other than income tax191,662
 156,901
 34,761
 22.2
Gross margin$1,819,828
 $1,669,056
 $150,772
 9.0


Operating Expenses and Other Income and Expense Items
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Operating and maintenance expense$346,313
 $330,289
 $16,024
 4.9

Operating and maintenance expense increased due principally to:

higher operating and maintenance costs at our coal fired plants of $14.1 million, due primarily to scheduled outages;
higher transmission and distribution operating and maintenance costs of $4.3 million due partially to improving long-term reliability; and
higher decommissioning costs of $3.0 million for Wolf Creek, which is offset in retail revenues; however,
partially offsetting these increases was a $9.8 million decrease in operating and maintenance costs related to our having retired three generating units in late 2015.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Depreciation and amortization expense$338,519
 $310,591
 $27,928
 9.0

Depreciation and amortization expense increased due primarily to air quality control additions at La Cygne.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Selling, general and administrative expense$261,451
 $250,278
 $11,173
 4.5

Selling, general and administrative expense increased due primarily to:

incurring $10.2 million of merger-related expenses in 2016;
an increase in the allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3.5 million; and
an increase of $2.7 million in outside services related principally to technology services; however,
partially offsetting these increases was lower employee benefit costs of $7.6 million due primarily to reduced post-retirement medical costs.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Taxes other than income tax$191,662
 $156,901
 $34,761
 22.2

Taxes other than income tax increased due primarily to a $36.1 million increase in property tax expense, which is mostly offset in retail revenues.


 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Other income$34,582
 $19,438
 $15,144
 77.9

Other income increased due primarily to an increase in equity AFUDC of $9.6 million and our having recorded $7.2 million more in COLI benefits.

 Year Ended December 31,
  
2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Interest expense$161,726
 $176,802
 $(15,076) (8.5)

Interest expense decreased due primarily to a $6.5 million increase in debt AFUDC, a $5.7 million decrease in interest on long-term debt of VIEs due to refinancing long-term debt of the La Cygne VIE and a $4.8 million decrease in interest expense on long-term debt due to refinancing long-term debt at lower rates.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Income tax expense$184,540
 $152,000
 $32,540
 21.4

Income tax expense increased due principally to higher income before income taxes.

Financial ConditionEVERGY SIGNIFICANT BALANCE SHEET CHANGES

A number of factors affected amounts recorded on our balance sheet as of (December 31, 2017,2019 compared to December 31, 2016.2018)

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Property, plant and equipment, net$9,553,755
 $9,248,359
 $305,396
 3.3

Property, plantEvergy's cash and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, increasedcash equivalents decreased $137.1 million primarily due primarily to the constructionrepurchase of Western Plains Wind Farm and plant additions for capital improvements to improve long-term reliability.

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Property, plant and equipment of variable interest entities, net$176,279
 $257,904
 $(81,625) (31.6)

Property, plant and equipment of variable interest entities, net of accumulated depreciation, decreased $72.9 million related primarilycommon stock in connection with Evergy's share repurchase program. See Note 18 to the deconsolidation of the trust holding our 8% interest in JEC.

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Regulatory assets$784,899
 $879,862
 $(94,963) (10.8)
Regulatory liabilities1,105,576
 239,453
 866,123
 361.7
Net regulatory (liabilities) assets$(320,677) $640,409
 $(961,086) (150.1)

Total regulatory assets decreased due primarily to the following items:

a $124.0 million decrease in amounts due from customers for future income taxes due primarily to changes in deferred income taxes caused by TCJA;
a $13.3 million decrease in amounts deferred for Wolf Creek refueling and maintenance outages; and
a $11.7 million decrease in amounts to be collected from our customers for the deferred cost of fuel and purchased power; however,
partially offsetting these decreases was spending $30.8 million more than collected for the cost to remove retired plant assets;
a $23.0 million increase in our unrecovered investment in analog meters; and
a $12.8 million increase in deferred employee benefit costs.

Total regulatory liabilities increased due primarily to the following items:

a $845.2 million increase in amounts due to customers for future income taxes due primarily to changes in deferred income taxes caused by TCJA;
a $37.0 million increase in the fair value of the NDT; and
a $11.2 million increase in amounts recognized in setting our prices in excess of actual pension and post-retirement expense; however,
partially offsetting these increases was $15.5 million for accretion and depreciation related to the Wolf Creek ARO; and
our spending $5.7 million more than collected for the cost to remove retired plant assets.

See Note 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Taxes,”consolidated financial statements for additional information on Evergy's share repurchase program.
Evergy's income tax receivable increased by $17.5 million primarily due to the TCJA.$37.9 million reclassification of Evergy's 2019 alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits from deferred income taxes, partially offset by the receipt of $18.6 million in 2019 related to Evergy's 2018 AMT tax credit.
Evergy's regulatory assets - current decreased by $72.2 million primarily due to fuel recovery mechanism recoveries exceeding under-collections at Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West by $30.7 million and $24.3 million in 2019, respectively.
Evergy's other assets increased by $115.0 million primarily due to $104.5 million of operating lease right-of-use assets, as of December 31, 2019, that were recorded as a result of Topic 842, Leases in 2019. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the new lease standard.
 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Short-term debt$275,700
 $366,700
 $(91,000) (24.8)

Short-termEvergy's current maturities of long-term debt decreased by $454.3 million primarily due to the repayment of Evergy Metro's $400.0 million of 7.15% Mortgage Bonds at maturity in April 2019.
Evergy's notes payable and commercial paper decreased $176.7 million primarily due to Westar Energy issuing $300.0a $162.5 million in principal amount of FMBs,decrease at Evergy Kansas Central due to the proceeds for which were used to repay a portionrepayment of commercial paper with funds from operations and a $56.6 million decrease at Evergy Missouri West primarily due to the repayment of commercial paper with the proceeds from its issuance of $100.0 million of 3.74% Senior Notes in March 2019, partially offset by a $20.0 million increase at Evergy, Inc. due to cash borrowings under its master credit facility.
Evergy's accounts payable increased $77.3 million primarily due to the timing of cash payments.
Evergy's regulatory liabilities - current decreased $46.9 million primarily due to a $70.9 million refund to customers of tax reform benefits at Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and retiring $125.0Evergy Missouri West in 2019, partially offset by a $30.2 million increase in principal amount of FMBs. See Note 10 of the NotesEvergy Kansas Central's regulatory liability for its fuel recovery mechanism due to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Long-Term Debt," for additional information.recoveries exceeding under-collections.
Evergy's other liabilities - current increased $48.9 million primarily due to a $23.7 million increase in funds received from customers for the construction of transmission assets at Evergy Kansas Central and $15.6 million of operating lease liabilities, as of December 31, 2019, that were recorded as a result of the adoption of Topic 842, Leases in 2019. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the new lease standard.

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Current maturities of long-term debt$
 $125,000
 $(125,000) (100.0)
Long-term debt, net3,687,555
 3,388,670
 298,885
 8.8
Total long-term debt$3,687,555
 $3,513,670
 $173,885
 4.9

TotalEvergy's long-term debt increased by $2,110.4 million primarily due to the issuance of Evergy's $1.6 billion of senior notes in September 2019 and Evergy Metro's issuance of $400.0 million of 4.125% Mortgage Bonds in March 2019.
Evergy's other liabilities - long-term increased $104.0 million primarily due to $82.4 million of operating lease liabilities, as of December 31, 2019, that were recorded as a result of the adoption of Topic 842, Leases in 2019. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the new lease standard.
Evergy's common stock decreased $1,614.8 million primarily due to Westar Energy issuing $300.0the repurchase of common stock for a total cost of approximately $1,628.7 million in principal amount of FMBs and retiring $125.0 million in principal amounts of FMBs. See Note 10 of the Notes2019 pursuant to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Long-Term Debt," for additional information.


 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities$28,534
 $26,842
 $1,692
 6.3
Long-term debt of variable interest entities81,433
 111,209
 (29,776) (26.8)
Total long-term debt of variable interest entities$109,967
 $138,051
 $(28,084) (20.3)

Total long-term debt of variable interest entities decreased due primarily to the VIE that holds the La Cygne leasehold interests having made principal payments totaling $26.8 million.Evergy's share repurchase program. See Note 18 ofto the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Variable Interest Entities,"consolidated financial statements for additional information.information on Evergy's share repurchase program.


41




 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Deferred income tax liabilities$815,743
 $1,752,776
 $(937,033) (53.5)


Deferred income tax liabilities decreased primarily due to adjusting deferred taxes to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate of 21% as prescribed in the TCJA.

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Accrued employee benefits$541,364
 $512,412
 $28,952
 5.7

Accrued employee benefits increased due primarily to higher pension and post-retirement benefit obligations as a result of a decrease in the discount rates used to calculate our and Wolf Creek’s pension benefit obligations.

 As of December 31,
  
2017 2016 Change % Change
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Asset retirement obligations$379,989
 $323,951
 $56,038
 17.3

AROs increased due primarily to revisions for asbestos and nuclear decommissioning of $28.8 million and $19.4 million, respectively, and a new obligation estimated at $13.5 million related to Western Plains Wind Farm. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies,” and Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Asset Retirement Obligations,” for additional information.



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Evergy relies primarily upon cash from operations, short-term borrowings, debt and equity issuances and its existing cash and cash equivalents to fund its capital requirements. Evergy's capital requirements primarily consist of capital expenditures, payment of contractual obligations and other commitments, the payment of dividends to shareholders and the repurchase of common shares.
OverviewCapital Sources

Cash Flows from Operations
Available sourcesEvergy's cash flows from operations are driven by the regulated sale of fundselectricity. These cash flows are relatively stable but the timing and level of these cash flows can vary based on weather and economic conditions, future regulatory proceedings, the timing of cash payments made for costs recoverable under regulatory mechanisms and the time such costs are recovered, and unanticipated expenses such as unplanned plant outages and storms.
Short-Term Borrowings
As of December 31, 2019, Evergy had $1.9 billion of available borrowing capacity from its master credit facility. The available borrowing capacity under the master credit facility consisted of $429.3 million for Evergy, Inc., $736.6 million for Evergy Kansas Central, $400.7 million for Evergy Metro and $354.5 million for Evergy Missouri West. Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's borrowing capacity under the master credit facility also supports their issuance of commercial paper. See Note 12 to operate our business include internally generatedthe consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the credit facility. Along with cash flows from operations and receivable sales facilities, Evergy generally uses borrowings under its master credit facility and the issuance of commercial paper to meet its day-to-day cash flow requirements. Evergy also had short-term borrowings under Westar Energy’s commercial paper programa term loan credit agreement that was repaid in September 2019 and revolvingis discussed further below.
In March 2019, Evergy entered into a $1.0 billion, 6-month term loan credit facilities and accessagreement with a group of banks to capital markets. We expectprovide short-term financing for its common stock repurchase program. The agreement allowed for two term loans during the 6-month term of the agreement, in an aggregate principal amount not to meet our day-to-day cash requirements including, among other items, fuel and purchased power, dividends, interest payments, income taxes, payroll and pension contributions, using primarily internally generated cash and short-term borrowings. To meetexceed the cash requirementscredit limit of the agreement. At closing, Evergy borrowed $500.0 million under the agreement, allowing for our capital investments, we expectone additional term loan borrowing in a principal amount up to use internally generated cash, short-term$500.0 million, which was subsequently utilized in June 2019. In September 2019, Evergy repaid its $1.0 billion of borrowings andunder the term loan credit agreement with proceeds from theits issuance of debt$1.6 billion of senior notes in September 2019.
Long-Term Debt and equity securities in the capital markets. When such balances are of sufficient size and it makes economic senseEquity Issuances
From time to do so, we also use proceeds from the issuance oftime, Evergy issues long-term debt and equity securities to repay short-term borrowings, which are principally related to investments in capital equipmentdebt, refinance maturing long-term debt and the redemption of bonds and for working capital and general corporate purposes. In 2018, we expect to continue our capital spending program and plan to contribute to our pension trust. We continue to believe that we will have the ability to pay dividends. Although the agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy contains customary restrictions on our ability to raise capital and pay dividends, we do not believe these restrictions will materially adversely impact our liquidity or ability to pay dividends in 2018. Uncertainties affecting our ability to meet cash requirements include, among others, factors affecting revenues described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “—Operating Results” above, economic conditions, regulatory actions, compliance with environmental regulations and conditions in the capital markets. For additional information on our future cash requirements, see “—Future Cash Requirements” below.

Impact of TCJA

The passage of the TCJA in December 2017 will reduce our internally generated cash flows and may adversely impact the manner in which our credit rating is evaluated. Specifically, we expect a degradation in our funds from operations to debt ratio of approximately 100 to 200 basis points.

Capital Structure

finance growth. As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016, our2018, Evergy’s capital structure, excluding short-term debt, was as follows:
As of December 31,December 31
2017 20162019 2018
Common equity51% 51%49% 57%
Noncontrolling interests<0% <1%<0% <0%
Long-term debt, including VIEs49% 49%51% 43%

Short-Term Borrowings

Westar Energy maintains a commercial paper program pursuant to which it may issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any one time of $1.0 billion. This program is supported byUnder stipulations with the MPSC and cannot exceed the capacity under Westar Energy’s revolving credit facilities. Maturities of commercial paper issuances may not exceed365days from the date of issuanceKCC, Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and proceeds from such issuances will be used to temporarily fund capital expenditures, to redeem debt on an interim basis, for working capital and/or for other general corporate purposes. As of February 14, 2018, Westar Energy had $285.3 million of commercial paper issued and outstanding.

Westar Energy has two revolving credit facilities in the amounts of $730.0 million and $270.0 million. The $730.0 million facility will expire in September 2019, $20.7 million of which expired in September 2017. In December 2017, Westar Energy extended the term of the $270.0 million facility by one year to terminate in February 2019. As long as there is no default under the facility, the $730.0 million facility may be extended an additional year and the aggregate amount of borrowings under the $730.0 million and $270.0 million facilities may be increased to $1.0 billion and $400.0 million, respectively, subject to lender participation. All borrowings under the facilitiesEvergy Metro are secured by KGE first mortgage bonds. Total combined borrowings under the revolving credit facilities and the commercial paper program may not exceed $1.0 billion at any given time. As of February 14, 2018, no amounts were borrowed and $11.6 million of letters of credit had been issued under the $730.0 million facility. No amounts were borrowed and no letters of credit were issued under the $270.0 million facility as of the same date.


A default by Westar Energy or KGE under other indebtedness totaling more than $25.0 million would be a default under both revolving credit facilities. Westar Energy is required to maintain a consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capitalization ratiocommon equity at not less than 35%, 40% and 40%, respectively, of 65% or less at all times. At December 31, 2017, our ratio was 51%. See Note 9total capitalization. The master credit facility and certain debt instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Short-Term Debt,” for additional information regarding our short-term borrowings.

Long-Term Debt Financing

Evergy Companies also contain restrictions that require the maintenance of certain capitalization and leverage ratios. As of December 31, 2017, we had $121.9 million2019, the Evergy Companies were in compliance with these covenants.
Significant Debt Issuances
See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding significant debt issuances.

42

Table of variable rate, tax-exempt bonds outstanding. WhileContents




Credit Ratings
The ratings of the interest rates for these bonds have been low, we continue to monitorEvergy Companies' debt securities by the credit marketsrating agencies impact the Evergy Companies' liquidity, including the cost of borrowings under their master credit facility and evaluate our optionsin the capital markets. The Evergy Companies view maintenance of strong credit ratings as vital to their access to and cost of debt financing and, to that end, maintain an active and ongoing dialogue with the agencies with respect to results of operations, financial position and future prospects. While a decrease in these bonds.credit ratings would not cause any acceleration of the Evergy Companies' debt, it could increase interest charges under the master credit facility. A decrease in credit ratings could also have, among other things, an adverse impact, which could be material, on the Evergy Companies' access to capital, the cost of funds, the ability to recover actual interest costs in state regulatory proceedings, the type and amounts of collateral required under supply agreements and Evergy's ability to provide credit support for its subsidiaries.

As of February 20, 2020, the major credit rating agencies rated the Evergy Companies' securities as detailed in the following table.
Moody'sS&P Global
Investors Service(a)
Ratings(a)
Evergy
OutlookStableStable
Corporate Credit Rating--A-
Senior Unsecured DebtBaa2BBB+
Evergy Kansas Central
OutlookStableStable
Corporate Credit RatingBaa1A-
Senior Secured DebtA2A
Commercial PaperP-2A-2
Evergy Kansas South
OutlookStableStable
Corporate Credit RatingBaa1A-
Senior Secured DebtA2A
Short-Term RatingP-2A-2
Evergy Metro
OutlookStableStable
Corporate Credit RatingBaa1A
Senior Secured DebtA2A+
Senior Unsecured DebtBaa1A
Commercial PaperP-2A-1
Evergy Missouri West
OutlookStableStable
Corporate Credit RatingBaa2A-
Senior Unsecured DebtBaa2A-
Commercial PaperP-2A-2
(a)A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency.

43

Table of Contents




Shelf Registration Statements and Regulatory Authorizations
Evergy
In March 2017, Westar Energy issued $300.0 millionNovember 2018, Evergy filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of securities with the SEC, which expires in principal amountNovember 2021.

Evergy Kansas Central
In November 2018, Evergy Kansas Central filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of FMBs bearing a stated interest at 3.10% maturing April 2027.unlimited amounts of unsecured debt securities and First Mortgage Bonds (FMBs) with the SEC, which expires in November 2021.

Evergy Metro
In January 2017, Westar Energy retired $125.0 millionNovember 2018, Evergy Metro filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of unsecured notes and mortgage bonds with the SEC, which expires in principal amount of FMBs bearing a stated interest at 5.15% maturing January 2017.

November 2021.
The Westar Energyfollowing table summarizes the regulatory short-term and KGElong-term debt financing authorizations for Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and the remaining amount available under these authorizations as of December 31, 2019.
Type of AuthorizationCommissionExpiration DateAuthorization AmountAvailable Under Authorization
Evergy Kansas Central & Evergy Kansas South  (in millions)
Short-Term DebtFERCDecember 2020$1,250.0$1,000.8
Evergy Metro   
Short-Term DebtFERCDecember 2020$1,250.0$1,050.7
Evergy Missouri West    
Short-Term DebtFERCDecember 2020$750.0$656.7
Long-Term DebtFERCDecember 2020$100.0$—
In addition to the above regulatory authorizations, the Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro mortgages each contain provisions restricting the amount of FMBs or mortgage bonds, as applicable, that can be issued by each entity. WeEvergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro must comply with suchthese restrictions prior to the issuance of additional FMBs, general mortgage bonds or other secured indebtedness.

Under the Westar EnergyEvergy Kansas Central mortgage, the issuance of bondsFMBs is subject to limitations based on the amount of bondable property additions. In addition, so long as any bonds issued prior to January 1, 1997, remain outstanding, the mortgage prohibits additional FMBs from being issued, except in connection with certain refundings, unless Westar Energy’sEvergy Kansas Central’s unconsolidated net earnings available for interest, depreciation and property retirement (which, as defined, does not include earnings or losses attributable to the ownership of securities of subsidiaries), for a period of 12 consecutive months within 15 months preceding the issuance, are not less than the greater of twice the annual interest charges on or 10% of the principal amount of all FMBs outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $929.72019, $305.4 million principal amount of additional FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage, except in connection with certain refundings.

Under the KGEEvergy Kansas South mortgage, the amount of FMBs authorized is limited to a maximum of $3.5 billion and the issuance of bondsFMBs is subject to limitations based on the amount of bondable property additions. In addition, the mortgage prohibits additional FMBs from being issued, except in connection with certain refundings, unless KGE’sEvergy Kansas South's net earnings before income taxes and before provision for retirement and depreciation of property for a period of 12 consecutive months within 15 months preceding the issuance are not less than either two and one-half times the annual interest

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charges on or 10% of the principal amount of all KGEEvergy Kansas South FMBs outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. As of December 31, 2017,2019, approximately $1.5 billion$2,828.6 million principal amount of additional KGEEvergy Kansas South FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage, except in connection with certain refundings.


SomeUnder the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of our debt instruments contain restrictions that require us to maintain leverage ratios as defined in the credit agreements. We calculate these ratios in accordance with the agreements and they are used to determine compliance with our various debt covenants. We were in compliance with these covenantsTrust dated as of December 31, 2017.

Impact1, 1986, as supplemented (Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture), additional Evergy Metro mortgage bonds may be issued on the basis of Credit Ratings on Debt Financing

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) are independent credit-rating agencies that rate our debt securities. These ratings indicate each agency’s assessment75% of our ability to pay interest and principal when due on our securities.

In general, more favorable credit ratings increase borrowing opportunities and reduce the cost of borrowing. Under Westar Energy’s revolving credit facilities and commercial paper program, our cost of borrowings is determined in part by credit ratings. However, Westar Energy’s ability to borrow under the credit facilities and commercial paper program are not conditioned on maintaining a particular credit rating. We may enter into new credit agreements that contain credit rating conditions, which could affect our liquidity and/property additions or our borrowing costs.


Factors that impact our credit ratings include a combination of objective and subjective criteria. Objective criteria include typical financial ratios, such as funds from operations to total debt and operating cash flow to debt, among others, future capital expenditures and our access to liquidity including committed lines of credit. Subjective criteria include such items as the quality and credibility of management, the political and regulatory environment we operate in and an assessment of our governance and risk management practices.

As of February 14, 2018, our ratings with the agencies are as shown in the table below.
Westar
Energy
First
Mortgage
Bond
Rating
KGE
First
Mortgage
Bond
Rating
Westar Energy Commercial Paper
Rating
Outlook
Moody’sA2A2P-2Stable
S&P (a)AAA-2Positive
_______________
(a)In July 2017, following the public announcement of the amended and restated agreement and plan of merger with Great Plains Energy, S&P revised its outlook for Westar Energy and KGE to positive from negative, pending the outcome of the merger.

Common Stock    

Westar Energy’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide for 275.0 million authorized shares of common stock.retired bonds. As of December 31, 2017, Westar Energy had 142.12019, approximately $4,923.3 million sharesprincipal amount of additional Evergy Metro mortgage bonds could be issued and outstanding.    under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage.

Summary of Cash Flows
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
  (In Thousands)
Cash flows from (used in):      
Operating activities $912,438
 $822,420
 $715,850
Investing activities (780,434) (1,012,760) (649,704)
Financing activities (131,638) 190,175
 (67,471)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $366
 $(165) $(1,325)


Cash Flows from Operating Activitiesand Cash Equivalents

At December 31, 2019, Evergy had approximately $23.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand.
Cash flows from operating activities increased $90.0 million in 2017 compared to 2016 due principally to our having received $43.9 million more for wholesale power salesand transmission services, paid $26.3 million less for coal and natural gas, received a $13.0 million refund for income taxes in 2017, compared to having paid $13.0 million in 2016, and received $13.6 million more from retail customers. Partially offsetting these increases was our having received $20.2 million less in COLI death proceeds, paid $16.4 million more for purchase power and transmission services and paid $12.0 million more for interest.
Cash flows from operating activities increased $106.6 million in 2016 compared to 2015 due principally to our having paid $92.8 million less for coal and natural gas and $27.0 million less for interest, while having received $91.2 million more from retail customers. Partially offsetting these increases was our having received $32.7 million less for wholesale power salesand transmission services, while having paid $20.2 million more for purchase power and transmission services and $13.5 million more in income tax payments.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities decreased $232.3 million in 2017 compared to 2016 due primarily to our having invested $322.3 million less in additions to property, plant and equipment primarily related to the construction of Western Plains Wind Farm partially offset by our having received $91.3 million less from our investment in COLI.

Cash flows used in investing activities increased $363.1 million in 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to our having invested $386.7 million more in additions to property, plant and equipment primarily related to the construction of Western Plains Wind Farm. Partially offsetting this increase was our having received $25.9 million more from our investment in COLI.

Cash Flows from (used in) Financing Activities

Cash flows from financing activities decreased $321.8 million in 2017 compared to 2016. The decrease was due principally to our having issued $207.5 million less in commercial paper, issued $162.0 million less in long-term debt of VIEs, issued $100.1 million less in long-term debt, redeemed $75.0 million more in long-term debt and paid $18.8 million more in dividends. Partially offsetting these decreases was our having redeemed $163.5 million less in long-term debt of VIEs and repaid $88.3 million less for borrowings against the cash surrender value of COLI.

Cash flows from financing activities increased $257.6 million in 2016 compared to 2015. The increase was due principally to our having redeemed $585.9 million less in long-term debt, issued $162.0 million more in long-term debt of VIEs and issued $123.5 million more in commercial paper. Partially offsetting these increases was our having issued $255.6 million less in common stock, redeemed $162.4 million more in long-term debt of VIEs, issued $147.6 million less in long-term debt, repaid $24.7 million more for borrowings against the cash surrender value of COLI and paid $18.2 million more in dividends.
Future CashCapital Requirements

Capital Expenditures
Our businessEvergy requires significant capital investments. Through 2020, we expectinvestments and expects to need cash primarily for utility construction programs designed to improve and expand facilities related to providing electric service, which include, but are not limited to, expenditures to develop new transmission lines and other improvements to our power plants, transmission and distribution lines and equipment. We expect to meet these cash needs with internally generated cash, short-term borrowingsEvergy's capital expenditures were $1,210.1 million, $1,069.7 million and the issuance of securities$764.6 million in the capital markets.2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Capital expenditures projected for 2017the next five years, excluding allowance for fund used during construction (AFUDC) and anticipated capital expenditures, including costs of removal, for 2018 through 2020are showndetailed in the following table. This capital expenditure plan is subject to continual review and change.
 Actual Projected
 2017 2018 2019 2020
 (In Thousands)
Generation:       
Replacements and other$151,886
 $186,500
 $166,800
 $162,000
Environmental22,279
 22,400
 5,100
 7,400
Wind development39,289
 5,900
 9,300
 6,000
Nuclear fuel41,649
 21,400
 26,300
 44,700
Transmission240,396
 245,300
 254,900
 247,200
Distribution208,478
 195,500
 190,100
 186,400
Other60,668
 83,000
 104,500
 96,300
Total capital expenditures$764,645
 $760,000
 $757,000
 $750,000
  2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 
 (millions)
Generating facilities $487
 $555
 $563
 $455
 $263
 
Transmission and distribution facilities 893
 914
 886
 867
 1,006
 
General facilities 238
 117
 122
 92
 94
 
Total capital expenditures $1,618
 $1,586
 $1,571
 $1,414
 $1,363
 

We prepare these estimates for planning purposes and revise them from time to time. Actual expenditures will differ, perhaps materially, from our estimates due to changes following the closing of the proposed merger with Great Plains Energy, changing regulatory requirements, changing costs, delays or advances in engineering, construction or permitting, changes in the availability and cost of capital and other factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” We and our generating plant co-owners periodically evaluate these estimates and this may result in material changes in actual costs.


We will also need significant amounts of cash in the future to meet our long-term debt obligations. The principal amounts of our long-term debt maturities as of December 31, 2017, are as follows.
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Year Long-term debt 
Long-term
debt of VIEs
  (In Thousands)
2018 $
 $28,534
2019 300,000
 30,337
2020 250,000
 32,254
2021 
 18,842
2022 
 
Thereafter 3,176,940
 
Total maturities $3,726,940
 $109,967


Pension Obligation

The amount we contribute to our pension plan for future periods is not yet known, however, in general we expect to fund our pension plan each year at least to a level equal to current year pension expense. We must also meet minimum funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended by the Pension Protection Act. We may contribute additional amounts from time to time as deemed appropriate.

We contributed $24.3 million to our pension trust in 2017Contractual Obligations and $20.2 million in 2016. We expect to contribute approximately $32.4 million in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, we also funded $12.0 million and $14.8 million, respectively, of Wolf Creek’s pension plan contributions. In 2018, we plan to contribute $8.9 million to fund Wolf Creek’s pension plan contributions. See Notes 12 and 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Employee Benefit Plans” and “Wolf Creek Employee Benefit Plans,” for additional discussion of Westar Energy and Wolf Creek benefit plans, respectively.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have off-balance sheet arrangements in the form of operating leases and letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business. We did not have any additional off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2017.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

Other Commitments
In the course of ourits business activities, wethe Evergy Companies enter into a variety of contracts and commercial commitments. Some of these result in direct obligations reflected on ourEvergy's consolidated balance sheets while others are commitments, some firm and some based on uncertainties, not reflected in ourEvergy's underlying consolidated financial statements.


Contractual Cash Obligations

The information in the following table summarizes the projected futureis provided to summarize Evergy's cash payments for our contractual obligations existing as of December 31, 2017.and commercial commitments.
 Total 2018 2019 - 2020 2021 - 2022 Thereafter
 (In Thousands)
Long-term debt (a)$3,726,940
 $
 $550,000
 $
 $3,176,940
Long-term debt of VIEs (a)109,967
 28,534
 62,591
 18,842
 
Interest on long-term debt (b)2,690,450
 159,357
 288,564
 253,014
 1,989,515
Interest on long-term debt of VIEs4,948
 2,295
 2,427
 226
 
Long-term debt, including interest6,532,305
 190,186
 903,582
 272,082
 5,166,455
Pension and post-retirement benefit expected contributions (c)41,900
 41,900
 
 
 
Capital leases (d)76,104
 6,433
 11,069
 8,791
 49,811
Operating leases (e)58,659
 18,132
 22,674
 11,953
 5,900
Fossil fuel (f)582,249
 172,043
 353,600
 18,180
 38,426
Nuclear fuel (g)199,813
 4,207
 72,503
 42,427
 80,676
Unconditional purchase obligations283,345
 257,544
 22,629
 3,172
 
Total contractual obligations (h)$7,774,375
 $690,445
 $1,386,057
 $356,605
 $5,341,268
_______________
Payment due by period2020 2021 2022 2023 2024After 2024Total
Long-term debt(millions)
Principal$251.1
 $432.0
 $387.5
 $439.5
 $800.0
 $6,642.9
 $8,953.0
Interest350.8
 327.2
 304.1
 288.9
 279.7
 3,930.7
 5,481.4
Long-term debt of VIEs             
Principal32.3
 18.8
 
 
 
 
 51.1
Interest0.8
 0.2
 
 
 
 
 1.0
Lease commitments             
Operating leases20.5
 17.0
 14.1
 11.0
 9.2
 44.7
 116.5
Finance leases8.1
 7.4
 6.7
 5.8
 4.7
 46.2
 78.9
Pension and other post-retirement plans (a)
131.9
 131.9
 131.9
 131.9
 131.9
 (a)
 659.5
Purchase commitments             
Fuel486.9
 137.0
 83.2
 84.7
 17.1
 94.1
 903.0
Power47.3
 47.4
 47.6
 47.8
 41.7
 325.2
 557.0
Other147.7
 42.3
 30.0
 25.1
 19.4
 117.7
 382.2
Total contractual commitments (a)
$1,477.4
 $1,161.2
 $1,005.1
 $1,034.7
 $1,303.7
 $11,201.5
 $17,183.6
(a)
See Note 10Evergy expects to make contributions to the pension and other post-retirement plans beyond 2024 but the amounts are not yet determined.
Long-term debt includes current maturities. Long-term debt principal excludes $80.7 million of unamortized net discounts and debt issuance costs and a $125.5 million fair value adjustment recorded in connection with purchase accounting for the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger. Variable rate interest obligations are based on rates as of December 31, 2019.
Operating lease commitments include leases for office buildings, computer equipment, operating facilities, vehicles and rail cars to serve jointly-owned generating units where Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro is the managing partner and is reimbursed by other joint-owners for its proportionate share of the cost. Finance lease commitments include obligations for both principal and interest.
Evergy expects to contribute $131.9 million to the pension and other post-retirement plans in 2020, of which the majority is expected to be paid by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. Additional contributions to the plans are expected beyond 2024 in amounts at least sufficient to meet the greater of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) or regulatory funding requirements; however, these amounts have not yet been determined. Amounts for years after 2020 are estimates based on information available in determining the amount for 2020. Actual amounts for years after 2020 could be significantly different than the estimated amounts in the table above.
Fuel commitments consist of commitments for nuclear fuel, coal and coal transportation costs. Power commitments consist of certain commitments for renewable energy under power purchase agreements. Other represents individual commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business.
Evergy has other insignificant long-term liabilities recorded on its consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019, which do not have a definitive cash payout date and are not included in the table above.

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Common Stock Dividends
The amount and timing of dividends payable on Evergy's common stock are within the sole discretion of the Evergy Board. The amount and timing of dividends declared by the Evergy Board will be dependent on considerations such as Evergy's earnings, financial position, cash flows, capitalization ratios, regulation, reinvestment opportunities and debt covenants. Evergy targets a long-term dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70% of earnings. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for information on the common stock dividend declared by the Evergy Board in February 2020.
The Evergy Companies also have certain restrictions stemming from statutory requirements, corporate organizational documents, covenants and other conditions that could affect dividend levels. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of restrictions on dividend payments.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In July 2018, the Evergy Board authorized the repurchase of up to 60 million shares of Evergy's common stock. For 2019, Evergy had total repurchases of common stock of $1,628.7 million and had repurchased 28.8 million shares under the repurchase program. Since the start of the repurchase program in August 2018, Evergy has made total repurchases of common stock of $2,671.0 million and has repurchased 45.2 million shares under the repurchase program. Evergy does not anticipate making additional repurchases of common stock under its share repurchase program while the Strategic Review & Operations Committee of the Evergy Board conducts its review of ways to enhance long-term shareholder value, which is expected to conclude in the first half of 2020.

See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding Evergy's common stock repurchase program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the ordinary course of business, Evergy and certain of its subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include, for example, guarantees and letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to a subsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiary's intended business purposes. In connection with the closing of the merger, Evergy assumed the guarantees previously provided to Evergy Missouri West by Great Plains Energy. The majority of these agreements guarantee Evergy's own future performance, so a liability for the fair value of the obligation is not recorded.
At December 31, 2019, Evergy has provided $110.2 million of credit support for Evergy Missouri West as follows:
Evergy direct guarantees to Evergy Missouri West counterparties totaling $17.0 million, which expire in 2020, and
Evergy's guarantee of Evergy Missouri West long-term debt totaling $93.2 million, which includes debt with maturity dates ranging from 2020 to 2023.
Evergy has also guaranteed Evergy Missouri West's short-term debt, including its commercial paper program. At December 31, 2019, Evergy Missouri West had $93.4 million of commercial paper outstanding. None of the guaranteed obligations are subject to default or prepayment if Evergy Missouri West's credit ratings were downgraded.
The Evergy Companies also have off-balance sheet arrangements in the form of letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business.

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Cash Flows
The following table presents Evergy's cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.
 201920182017
 (millions)
Cash flows from operating activities$1,749.0
$1,497.8
$912.7
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities(1,080.3)197.4
(780.8)
Cash flows used in financing activities(805.8)(1,538.4)(131.6)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Evergy's $251.2 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily driven by a $252.3 million increase due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's cash flows from operating activities in the first five months of 2019 and $35.6 million of merger success fees paid by Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central upon the completion of the merger in June 2018.
Cash Flows from (used in) Investing Activities
Evergy's cash flows used in investing activities increased $1,277.7 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
$1,154.2 million of cash acquired from Great Plains Energy in June 2018;
a $243.6 million increase in additions to property, plant and equipment due to the inclusion of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West activity in the first five months of 2019; and
$140.6 million in proceeds from the settlement of deal contingent interest rate swaps in June 2018; partially offset by
an increase of $154.9 million in proceeds from COLI investments, primarily from Evergy Kansas Central due to a higher number of policy settlements in 2019.
Cash Flows used in Financing Activities
Evergy's cash flows used in financing activities decreased $732.6 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $2,081.8 million increase in proceeds from long-term debt, net, as further described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements; partially offset by
a $586.4 million increase of repurchased common stock under the common stock repurchase program, as further described in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements;
a $305.3 million increase in retirement of long-term debt, as further described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements;
a $211.0 million decrease in collateralized short-term debt, net borrowings primarily due to the establishment of Evergy Kansas Central’s receivable sale facility in the fourth quarter of 2018;
a $123.6 million increase in the repayment of borrowings from the cash surrender value of COLI, primarily from Evergy Kansas Central due to a higher number of policy settlements in 2019; and
a $69.8 million payment for the settlement of Evergy's interest rate swap that was designated as a cash flow hedge of its issuance of $800.0 million of 2.90% Senior Notes in September 2019.

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EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The below results of operations and related discussion for Evergy Kansas Central is presented in a reduced disclosure format in accordance with General Instruction (I)(2)(a) to Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes Evergy Kansas Central's comparative results of operations.
 2019 Change 2018
 (millions)
Operating revenues$2,507.4
 $(107.5) $2,614.9
Fuel and purchased power493.0
 (106.2) 599.2
SPP network transmission costs251.3
 (8.6) 259.9
Operating and maintenance530.5
 (110.2) 640.7
Depreciation and amortization443.8
 52.9
 390.9
Taxes other than income tax192.3
 18.6
 173.7
Income from operations596.5
 46.0
 550.5
Other expense, net(12.9) 20.6
 (33.5)
Interest expense177.0
 0.2
 176.8
Income tax expense (benefit)52.1
 56.4
 (4.3)
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes4.6
 
 4.6
Net income359.1
 10.0
 349.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests15.7
 5.5
 10.2
Net income attributable to Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.$343.4
 $4.5
 $338.9
Evergy Kansas Central Utility Gross Margin and MWh Sales
The following table summarizes Evergy Kansas Central's utility gross margin and MWhs sold.
 Revenues and ExpensesMWhs Sold
 2019 Change 2018 2019 Change 2018
Retail revenues(millions)(thousands)
Residential$793.9
 $(52.5) $846.4
 6,460
 (276) 6,736
Commercial709.1
 6.3
 702.8
 7,399
 (97) 7,496
Industrial401.3
 4.9
 396.4
 5,622
 (20) 5,642
Other retail revenues21.0
 1.0
 20.0
 45
 (13) 58
Total electric retail1,925.3
 (40.3) 1,965.6
 19,526
 (406) 19,932
Wholesale revenues239.9
 (106.2) 346.1
 7,540
 (2,629) 10,169
Transmission revenues273.3
 (15.6) 288.9
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Other revenues68.9
 54.6
 14.3
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Operating revenues2,507.4
 (107.5) 2,614.9
 27,066
 (3,035) 30,101
Fuel and purchased power(493.0) 106.2
 (599.2)      
SPP network transmission costs(251.3) 8.6
 (259.9)      
Utility gross margin (a)
$1,763.1
 $7.3
 $1,755.8
      
(a)Utility gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure.  See explanation of utility gross margin under Evergy's Results of Operations.
Evergy Kansas Central's utility gross margin increased $7.3 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
a $27.9 million increase from new retail rates effective in September 2018, net of a $69.8 million provision for rate refund recorded in 2018 for the change in the corporate income tax rate caused by the TCJA; and

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a $23.1 million increase in revenue due to one-time bill credits recorded in June 2018 as a result of conditions in the KCC merger order; partially offset by
a $30.9 million decrease primarily due to lower retail sales driven by cooler summer weather. For 2019 compared to 2018, cooling degree days decreased 15%; and
a $12.8 million decrease related to Evergy Kansas Central's TDC rider.
Evergy Kansas Central Operating and Maintenance
Evergy Kansas Central's operating and maintenance expense decreased $110.2 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
$51.9 million of merger-related costs incurred in 2018, consisting of:
$44.2 million of voluntary severance and change in control payments as well as the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Long-Term Debt,” for individual maturities.recording of unrecognized equity compensation costs and the incremental fair value associated with the vesting of outstanding equity compensation awards in accordance with the Amended Merger Agreement; and
(b)We calculate interest on our variable rate debt based on the effective interest rates as$21.5 million of December 31, 2017.merger consulting fees and fees for other outside services incurred, primarily consisting of merger success fees; partially offset by
(c)Our contribution amountsa $13.8 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense due to the net reallocation of incurred merger transition costs between Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and the subsequent deferral of these transition costs to a regulatory asset in June 2018 for future periods are not yet known. See Notes 12 and 13recovery by Evergy Kansas Central in accordance with the KCC merger order;
a $22.9 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units primarily due to:
$12.3 million of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Employee Benefit Plans” and “Wolf Creek Employee Benefit Plans,” for additional information regarding pension and post-retirement benefits.obsolete inventory write-offs at retiring fossil-fuel units in 2018;
(d)Includes principala $7.3 million decrease due to the retirement of Evergy Kansas Central's Unit 7 at Tecumseh Energy Center, Units 3 and interest on capital leases.4 at Murray Gill Energy Center and Units 1 and 2 at Gordan Evans Energy Center in the fourth quarter of 2018; and
(e)Includes leases for operating facilities, operating equipment, office space, office equipment, vehicles and rail cars as well as other miscellaneous commitments.$0.7 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in 2018 related to the Local 1523 union voluntary exit program; partially offset by
(f)Coal and natural gas commodity and transportation contracts.an $8.4 million increase due to the write-off of a regulatory asset for costs incurred during the JEC lease extension, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements;
a $19.2 million decrease in various administrative and general operating and maintenance expenses primarily driven by a $10.0 million decrease in labor and employee benefits expense primarily due to lower employee headcount and pension and post-retirement costs in 2019 and $5.3 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2018 related to a Wolf Creek voluntary exit program;
a $9.6 million decrease in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expense primarily due to a higher level of vegetation management activity in 2018; and
a $6.3 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at nuclear generating units related to Wolf Creek; partially offset by
$9.3 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in 2019.
Evergy Kansas Central Depreciation and Amortization
Evergy Kansas Central's depreciation and amortization expense increased $52.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
a $32.4 million increase primarily due to a change in depreciation rates as a result of Evergy Kansas Central's rate case effective in September 2018; and
a $20.5 million increase primarily due to capital additions.

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Evergy Kansas Central Taxes Other Than Income Tax
Evergy Kansas Central's taxes other than income tax increased$18.6 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by an $18.3 million increase in property taxes.
Evergy Kansas Central Other Expense, Net
Evergy Kansas Central's other expense, net decreased $20.6 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $12.4 million decrease due to recording higher COLI benefits in 2019;
a $4.2 million decrease due to higher net unrealized gains in Evergy Kansas Central's rabbi trust in 2019; and
a $3.4 million decrease due to lower pension non-service costs in 2019.
Evergy Kansas Central Income Tax Expense
Evergy Kansas Central's income tax expense increased $56.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
a $52.6 million increase related to the revaluation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the Evergy composite tax rate as a result of the merger in June 2018; and
an $18.9 million increase due to higher pre-tax income; partially offset by
a $5.3 million decrease due to flow-through items primarily driven by higher amortization of excess deferred income taxes.

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EVERGY METRO, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The below results of operations and related discussion for Evergy Metro is presented in a reduced disclosure format in accordance with General Instruction (I)(2)(a) to Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes Evergy Metro's comparative results of operations.
 2019 Change 2018
 (millions)
Operating revenues$1,806.5
 $(16.6) $1,823.1
Fuel and purchased power482.1
 (38.5) 520.6
Operating and maintenance451.9
 (42.3) 494.2
Depreciation and amortization318.4
 37.1
 281.3
Taxes other than income tax127.6
 10.4
 117.2
Income from operations426.5
 16.7
 409.8
Other expense, net(15.8) 10.1
 (25.9)
Interest expense119.8
 (13.9) 133.7
Income tax expense35.7
 (51.6) 87.3
Net income$255.2
 $92.3
 $162.9
Evergy Metro Utility Gross Margin and MWh Sales
The following table summarizes Evergy Metro's utility gross margin and MWhs sold.
 Revenues and Expenses MWhs Sold
 2019 Change 2018 2019 Change 2018
Retail revenues(millions) (thousands)
Residential$712.4
 (23.2) $735.6
 5,425
 (261) 5,686
Commercial786.1
 (8.7) 794.8
 7,623
 (159) 7,782
Industrial136.9
 (1.9) 138.8
 1,713
 (41) 1,754
Other retail revenues16.3
 5.9
 10.4
 75
 (1) 76
Total electric retail1,651.7
 (27.9) 1,679.6
 14,836
 (462) 15,298
Wholesale revenues70.9
 17.4
 53.5
 6,098
 1,081
 5,017
Transmission revenues17.5
 3.0
 14.5
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Other revenues66.4
 (9.1) 75.5
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Operating revenues1,806.5
 (16.6) 1,823.1
 20,934
 619
 20,315
Fuel and purchased power(482.1) 38.5
 (520.6)      
Utility gross margin (a)
$1,324.4
 $21.9
 $1,302.5
 

   

(a) Utility gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure.  See explanation of utility gross margin under Evergy's Results of Operations.
Evergy Metro's utility gross margin increased $21.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018 driven by:
a $40.4 million increase from new retail rates effective in December 2018, net of a $72.4 million provision for rate refund recorded for 2018 for the change in the corporate income tax rate caused by the TCJA; and
a $22.4 million increase in revenue due to one-time bill credits recorded in June 2018 as a result of conditions in the KCC and MPSC merger orders; partially offset by
a $30.9 million decrease primarily due to lower retail sales driven by cooler summer weather. For 2019 compared to 2018, cooling degree days decreased 18%; and
a $10.0 million decrease for recovery of programs costs for energy efficiency programs under MEEIA, which have a direct offset in operating and maintenance expense.

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Evergy Metro Operating and Maintenance
Evergy Metro's operating and maintenance expense decreased$42.3 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $26.4 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units primarily driven by:
a $10.9 million decrease due to the retirement of Montrose Station in 2018, which includes $7.3 million of obsolete inventory write-offs in 2018;
(g)Uranium concentrates, conversion, enrichmenta $3.7 million decrease due to an extended maintenance outage at Iatan No. 2 in 2018; and fabrication.
(h)
We have $1.8$3.2 million of unrecognized income tax benefits that are not includedvoluntary severance expenses incurred in this table because we cannot reasonably estimate the timingthird quarter of 2018 related to the cash payments to taxing authorities assuming those unrecognized income tax benefits are settled at the amounts accrued as of December 31, 2017.
Local 412 union voluntary exit program;

a $23.8 million decrease in various administrative and general operating and maintenance expenses, which includes $5.3 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2018 related to a Wolf Creek voluntary exit program and a $3.5 million decrease in injuries and damages expense primarily due to an increase in estimated workers compensation losses recorded in 2018;

a $10.0 million decrease in program costs for energy efficiency programs under MEEIA, which have a direct offset in revenue;
a $6.8 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at nuclear generating units related to Wolf Creek; and
$2.1 million of merger-related costs incurred in 2018; partially offset by
a $23.2 million increase in operating and maintenance expense due to the net reallocation of incurred merger transition costs between Evergy Metro, Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West and the subsequent deferral of these transition costs to a regulatory asset in June 2018 for future recovery by Evergy Metro in accordance with the KCC and MPSC merger orders;
a $7.1 million increase in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expense primarily due to costs incurred from storms that occurred in January 2019; and
$6.8 million of voluntary severance expenses incurred in 2019.
Evergy Metro Depreciation and Amortization
Evergy Metro's depreciation and amortization increased $37.1 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $19.3 million increase primarily due to capital additions; and
a $17.8 million increase due to a change in depreciation rates effective in December 2018 as a result of Evergy Metro's 2018 Kansas rate case.
Evergy Metro Taxes Other Than Income Tax
Evergy Metro's taxes other than income tax increased $10.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by a $7.9 million increase in property taxes.

Evergy Metro Interest Expense
Evergy Metro's interest expense decreased $13.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by a $12.8 million net decrease due to the repayment of $400.0 million of 7.15% Mortgage Bonds at maturity in April 2019, which decreased interest expense by $25.4 million, partially offset by a $12.6 million increase due to the issuance of $400.0 million of 4.125% Mortgage Bonds in March 2019.

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Evergy Metro Income Tax Expense
Evergy Metro's income tax expense decreased $51.6 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily driven by:
a $51.0 million decrease related to the revaluation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the Evergy composite tax rate as a result of the merger in June 2018; and
a $21.4 million decrease due to flow-through items primarily driven by higher amortization of excess deferred income taxes; partially offset by
a $15.5 million increase related to the revaluation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as a result of the enactment of Missouri state income tax reform in June 2018; and
a $10.8 million increase due to higher pre-tax income.
OTHER INFORMATION

Changes in Prices

See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Rate Matters and Regulation,” for information on our prices.

Wolf Creek Outage

Wolf Creek normally operates on an 18-month planned refueling and maintenance outage schedule. As authorized by our regulators, incremental maintenance costs of planned refueling and maintenance outages are deferred and amortized ratably over the period between planned refueling and maintenance outages. In the fall of 2016, Wolf Creek underwent a planned refueling and maintenance outage. Our share of the outage costs was approximately $24.2 million. In early 2018, Wolf Creek is scheduled to undergo a planned maintenance outage. We expect our share of the outage to be approximately $21.8 million.



Stock-Based Compensation

We use two types of restricted share units (RSUs) for our stock-based compensation awards; those with service requirements and those with performance measures. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Employee Benefit Plans,” for additional information. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU awards with only service requirements was $4.7 million as of December 31, 2017, and, absent the merger, we expect to recognize these costs over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.7 years. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU awards with performance measures was $3.6 million as of December 31, 2017, and, absent the merger, we expect to recognize these costs over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years. Upon consummation of the merger, all unrecognized compensation costs for outstanding RSU awards will be expensed on our income statement.


ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the ordinary course of business, Evergy faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include business, legal, operational and credit risks and are not represented in the following analysis. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7, MD&A for further discussion of risk factors.
Our fuel procurement and energy marketing activities involve primaryThe Evergy Companies are exposed to market risk exposures, includingrisks associated with commodity price risk, credit risk and supply, interest rate risk.rates and equity prices. Commodity price risk is the potential adverse price impact related to the purchase or sale of electricity and energy-related products. Credit risk is the potential adverse financial impact resulting from non-performance by a counterparty of its contractual obligations. Interest rate risk is the potential adverse financial impact related to changes in interest rates. In addition, ourEvergy's investments in trusts to fund nuclear plant decommissioning and to fund non-qualified retirement benefits give rise to security price risk. Many
Management has established risk management policies and strategies to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of the securities in these trustsmarkets may have on Evergy's operating results. During the ordinary course of business, the Evergy Companies' hedging strategies are exposedreviewed to price fluctuationsdetermine the hedging approach deemed appropriate based upon the circumstances of each situation. Though management believes its risk management practices are effective, it is not possible to identify and eliminate all risk. Evergy could experience losses, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position, due to many factors, including unexpectedly large or rapid movements or disruptions in the capital markets.energy markets, regulatory-driven market rule changes and/or bankruptcy or non-performance of customers or counterparties, and/or failure of underlying transactions that have been hedged to materialize.

Hedging Strategies
From time to time, Evergy utilizes derivative instruments to execute risk management and hedging strategies. Derivative instruments, such as futures, forward contracts, swaps or options, derive their value from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. These derivative instruments include negotiated contracts, which are referred to as over-the-counter derivatives, and instruments listed and traded on an exchange.
Commodity Price Risk

WeThe Evergy Companies engage in both financialthe wholesale and physical trading with the goalretail sale of managing our commodity price risk, enhancing system reliabilityelectricity and increasing profits. We procure and trade electricity, coal, natural gas and other energy-related products by utilizing energy commodity contracts and a variety of financial instruments, including futures contracts, options and swaps.

We use various types of fuel, including coal, natural gas, uranium and diesel to operate our plants and also purchase power to meet customer demand. Our prices and consolidated financial results are exposed to market risks from commodityassociated with the price changes forof electricity and other energy-related products as well as from interest rates. Volatility in these markets impacts our costs of purchased power, costs of fuel for our generating plants and our participation in energy markets. We strive to manage our customers’ and our exposureproducts. Exposure to these market risks through regulatory, operating and financing activities and, when we deem appropriate, we economically hedgeis affected by a portionnumber of these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments for non-trading purposes.

Factors that affect our commodity price exposure arefactors including the quantity and availability of fuel used for generation the availability of our power plants and the quantity of electricity customers consume. Customers' electricity usage could also vary from year to year based on the weather or other factors. Quantities of fossil fuel we useused for generation vary from year to generate electricity fluctuate from period to periodyear based on the availability, price and deliverability of a given fuel type as well as planned and unscheduledunplanned outages at our generating plantsfacilities that use fossil fuels. Our commodity priceEvergy's exposure to fluctuations in these factors is also affectedlimited by our nuclear plant refuelingthe cost-based regulation of its regulated operations in Kansas and maintenance scheduleMissouri as these operations are typically allowed to recover substantially all of these costs through cost-recovery mechanisms, primarily through fuel recovery mechanisms. While there may be a delay in timing between when these costs are incurred and the amount of electricity generatedwhen they are recovered through rates, changes from our wind farms. Our customers’ electricity usage also varies basedyear to year generally do not have a material impact on weather, the economy and other factors.operating results.

We trade various types of fuel primarily to reduce exposure related to the volatility of commodity prices. A significant portion of our coal requirements is purchased under long-term contracts to hedge much of the fuel exposure for customers. If we were unable to generate an adequate supply of electricity for our customers, we would purchase power in the wholesale market to the extent it is available, subject to possible transmission constraints, and/or implement curtailment or interruption procedures as permitted in our tariffs and terms and conditions of service.


One way we manage and measure the commodity price risk of our trading portfolio is by using a variance/covariance value-at-risk (VaR) model. In addition to VaR, we employ additional risk control processes such as stress testing, daily loss limits, credit limits and position limits. We expect to use similar control processes in the future. The use of VaR requires assumptions, including the selection of a confidence level and a measure of volatility associated with potential losses and the estimated holding period. We express VaR as a potential dollar loss based on a 95% confidence level using a one-day holding period and a 20-day historical observation period. It is possible that actual results may differ significantly from assumptions. Accordingly, VaR may not accurately reflect our levels of exposure. The energy trading portfolio VaR amounts for 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
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 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
High$273
 $644
Low
 123
Average54
 292


Interest Rate Risk

We have entered into numerous fixed and variable rate debt obligations. For details, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Long-Term Debt.” We manage ourEvergy manages interest rate risk related to these debt obligationsand short- and long-term liquidity by limiting ourits exposure to variable interest rate debt to a percentage of total debt, diversifying maturity dates and, from time to time, entering into treasury yield hedge transactions. We may also use other financial derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps. We computehedging transactions. At December 31, 2019, 3% of Evergy's long-term debt was variable rate debt. Evergy also has short-term borrowings and presentcurrent maturities of fixed rate debt that are exposed to interest rate risk. Evergy computes and presents information aboutregarding the sensitivity to changes in interest rates for variable rate debt and current maturities of fixed rate debt by assuming a 100 basis point100-basis-point change in the current interest rates applicable to such debt over the remaining time the debt is outstanding.

WeEvergy had approximately $426.2$1,113.7 million of variable rate debt, including notes payable, commercial paper and current maturities of fixed rate debt as of December 31, 2017.2019. A 100 basis point100-basis-point change in interest rates applicable to this debt would impact income before income taxes on an annualized basis by approximately $4.2$9.9 million. As of December 31, 2017, we had $121.9 million of variable rate bonds insured by bond insurers. Interest rates payable under these bonds are normally set through periodic auctions. However, conditions
Credit Risk
Evergy is exposed to counterparty credit risk largely in the form of accounts receivable from its retail and wholesale electric customers and through executory contracts with market risk exposure. The credit markets overrisk associated with accounts receivable from retail and wholesale customers is largely mitigated by Evergy's large number of individual customers spread across diverse customer classes and the past few years caused a dramatic reductionability to recover bad debt expense in the demand for auction bonds, which ledcustomer rates. The Evergy Companies maintain credit policies and employ credit risk control mechanisms, such as letters of credit, when necessary to failed auctions. The contractual provisions of these securities set forth an indexing formula method by which interest will be paid in the event of an auction failure. Depending on the level of these reference indices, our interest costs may be higher or lower than what they would have been had the securities been auctioned successfully. Additionally, should insurers of those bonds experience a decrease inminimize their overall credit ratings, such event could increase our borrowing costs. Furthermore, a decline in interest rates generally can serve to increase our pensionrisk and post-retirement benefit obligations.monitor exposure.

Security PriceInvestment Risk

We maintain the NDT,Evergy maintains trust funds, as required by the NRC, and Kansas statute, to fund certain costsits 94% share of decommissioning the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant decommissioning. As of December 31, 2017, investments in the NDT were allocated 51% to equity securities, 29% to debt securities, 6% to combination debt/equity/other securities, 9% to alternative investments, 5% to real estate securities and less than 1% to cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of the NDT investments was $237.1 million and $200.1 million, respectively. Changes in interest rates and/or other market changes resulting in a 10% decrease in the value of the securities would have resulted in a $23.7 million decrease in the value of the NDT as of December 31, 2017.

We also maintain a trustmaintains trusts to fund pension benefits as well as certain non-qualified retirement benefits. As of December 31, 2017, investments2019, these funds were primarily invested in the trust were compriseda diversified mix of 80%equity and debt securities 20% combination debt/equity/other securities, and less than 1% cash equivalents. Thereflected at fair value of the investments in this trust was $34.3 million as of December 31, 2017, and $34.5 million as of December 31, 2016. Changes in interest rates and/or other market changes resulting in a 10% decrease in the value of the securities would have resulted in a $3.4 million decrease in the value of the trust as of December 31, 2017.
By maintaining diversified portfolios of securities, we seek to optimize the returns to fund the aforementioned obligations within acceptable risk tolerances, including interest rate risk. However, many of theon Evergy's balance sheet. The equity securities in the portfoliostrusts are exposed to price fluctuations in the capital markets. Ifequity markets and the value of debt securities are exposed to changes in interest rates and other market factors.
As nuclear decommissioning costs are currently recovered in customer rates, Evergy defers both realized and unrealized gains and losses for these securities as an offset to its regulatory asset for decommissioning Wolf Creek and as such, fluctuations in the value of these securities diminishes,do not impact earnings. A significant decline in the costvalue of pension or non-qualified retirement assets could require Evergy to increase funding of its pension plans in future periods, which could adversely affect cash flows in those periods. In addition, a decline in the obligations rises. We actively monitorfair value of these plan assets, in the portfolios by benchmarking the performanceabsence of the investments against relevant indices and by maintaining and periodically reviewing the asset allocations in relation to established policy targets. Our exposure to security price risk relatedadditional cash contributions to the NDT isplans by Evergy, could increase the amount of pension cost required to be recorded in part mitigated because we are currently allowed to recover decommissioning costs in the prices we charge our customers.future periods by Evergy.



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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


TABLE OF CONTENTSPAGE
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Financial Statements:
Westar Energy,Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Evergy, Inc.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
Evergy Metro, Inc.
Note 1:
Note 2:
Note 3:
Note 4:
Note 5:
Note 6:
Note 7:
Note 8:
Note 9:
Note 10:
Note 11:
Note 12:
Note 13:
Note 14:
Note 15:
Financial Schedules:Note 16:
Note 17:
Note 18:
Note 19:
Note 20:
Note 21:
Note 22:


SCHEDULES OMITTED

56
The following schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or the information is included in our consolidated financial statements and schedules presented:

I, III, IV and V.


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING


We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and includes those policies and procedures that:


Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on the company’s internal control over financial reporting.



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Westar Energy,Evergy, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Westar Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, of the Company and our report dated February 21, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
February 21, 2018



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Westar Energy, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Westar Energy,Evergy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, and the related notes and the schedulefinancial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 21, 2018,March 2, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Rate Matters and Regulation - Impact of Rate Regulation on the Financial Statements - Refer to Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company is subject to rate regulation by the Kansas Corporation Commission and by the Missouri Public Service Commission (collectively the "Commissions"), which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric distribution companies in Kansas and Missouri, respectively. Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the

57





economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, such as property, plant, and equipment, including asset retirements and abandonments; regulatory assets and liabilities; operating revenues; operating and maintenance expense; and depreciation expense.
The Company's rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Rates are determined and approved in regulatory proceedings based on an analysis of the Company's costs to provide utility service and a return on, and recovery of, the Company's investment in the utility business. Regulatory decisions can have an impact on the recovery of costs, the rate of return earned on investment, and the timing and amount of assets to be recovered by rates. The Commissions' regulation of rates is premised on the full recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. Decisions to be made by the Commissions in the future will impact the accounting for regulated operations, including decisions about the amount of allowable costs and return on invested capital included in rates and any refunds that may be required. While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the Commissions will not approve (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service or (2) full recovery of all amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment.
When the Company retires a regulated plant, the Company must assess the probability of recovery of the regulated plant, which is dependent upon amounts that may be recovered through regulated rates, including any return. Pending receipt of regulatory approval for the retirement and/or recovery of the affected plants, accounting for early retirements of regulated plants involves judgment related to the nature of the early retirement and the likelihood that the Company will recover its remaining investment in these retired generating plants with return. Auditing the judgments related to the nature and likelihood of the retirement and the probability of recovering the generating plant investment with a return involves especially subjective and complex judgment.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of (1) recovery in future rates of incurred costs, (2) probability of potential charges related to the abandonment of regulated plants, and (3) a refund to customers. Given that management's accounting judgments are based on assumptions about the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions, auditing these judgments required specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions included the following, among others:
We tested the effectiveness of management's controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as property, plant, and equipment and deferred as regulatory assets and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities.
We tested the effectiveness of management's controls over the initial recognition of amounts as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets or liabilities; and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates, including Company management's determination of the likelihood of recovery of the full investment of certain regulated plants and probability of refunding amounts previously collected from customers related to certain regulated plants.
We evaluated the Company's disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.
We evaluated external information and compared it to management's recorded regulatory asset and liability balances for completeness. Such external information included relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Company and other public utilities in Kansas and Missouri, regulatory statutes, interpretations, procedural memorandums, filings made by intervenors, and other publicly available

58





information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedence of the Commissions' treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances.
For regulatory matters in process, including those that could impact the early retirement of regulated plants, we inspected the Company's filings with the Commissions and the filings with the Commissions by intervenors that may impact the Company's future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management's assertions.
We evaluated the reasonableness of management's judgments for potential indicators of abandonment by performing the following:
We inquired of management about property, plant, and equipment that may be abandoned.
We inspected the capital projects budget and construction-in-process listings and inquired of management to identify projects that are designed to replace assets that may be retired prior to the end of the useful life.
We inspected minutes of the board of directors and regulatory orders and other filings with the Commissions to identify any evidence that may contradict management's assertion regarding probability of an abandonment.
We compared actual spend for projects that have been capitalized to property, plant, and equipment to budget. We evaluated regulatory filings for any evidence that intervenors are challenging full recovery of the cost of any capital projects. For significant projects that were over budget or if full recovery of project costs is being challenged by intervenors, we evaluated management's assessment of the probability of a disallowance. We tested selected costs included in the capitalized project costs for completeness and accuracy.
We evaluated management's analysis, and letters from internal and external legal counsel, as appropriate, regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management's assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.
We evaluated management's conclusions for the probable recovery of the retired regulated plant investment with a return with the assistance of professionals in our firm having expertise in the application of accounting guidance for early retirements of regulated plants. We evaluated management's conclusions regarding the accounting for the abandonment of certain regulated plants and the impact of recent rate orders on the accounting.
/s/ DeloitteDELOITTE & ToucheTOUCHE LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
February 21, 2018March 2, 2020 


We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.




WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars

59





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholder and the Board of Directors of Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, changes in Thousands, Except Par Values)equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri  
March 2, 2020  

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.














60





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholder and the Board of Directors of Evergy Metro, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Evergy Metro, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri  
March 2, 2020  

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.




61





 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$3,432
 $3,066
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,716 and $6,667, respectively290,652
 288,579
Fuel inventory and supplies293,562
 300,125
Taxes receivable
 13,000
Prepaid expenses16,425
 16,528
Regulatory assets99,544
 117,383
Other23,435
 29,701
Total Current Assets727,050
 768,382
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET9,553,755
 9,248,359
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, NET176,279
 257,904
OTHER ASSETS:   
Regulatory assets685,355
 762,479
Nuclear decommissioning trust237,102
 200,122
Other244,827
 249,828
Total Other Assets1,167,284
 1,212,429
TOTAL ASSETS$11,624,368
 $11,487,074
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Current maturities of long-term debt$
 $125,000
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities28,534
 26,842
Short-term debt275,700
 366,700
Accounts payable204,186
 220,522
Accrued dividends53,830
 52,885
Accrued taxes87,727
 85,729
Accrued interest72,693
 72,519
Regulatory liabilities11,602
 15,760
Other89,445
 81,236
Total Current Liabilities823,717
 1,047,193
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:   
Long-term debt, net3,687,555
 3,388,670
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net81,433
 111,209
Deferred income taxes815,743
 1,752,776
Unamortized investment tax credits257,093
 210,654
Regulatory liabilities1,093,974
 223,693
Accrued employee benefits541,364
 512,412
Asset retirement obligations379,989
 323,951
Other83,063
 83,326
Total Long-Term Liabilities6,940,214
 6,606,691
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Notes 14 and 16)

 

EQUITY:   
Westar Energy, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity:   
Common stock, par value $5 per share; authorized 275,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 142,094,275 shares and 141,791,153 shares, respective to each date710,471
 708,956
Paid-in capital2,024,396
 2,018,317
Retained earnings1,173,255
 1,078,602
Total Westar Energy, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity3,908,122
 3,805,875
Noncontrolling Interests(47,685) 27,315
Total Equity3,860,437
 3,833,190
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$11,624,368
 $11,487,074
EVERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
     
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
 (millions, except per share amounts)
OPERATING REVENUES $5,147.8
 $4,275.9
 $2,571.0
OPERATING EXPENSES:      
Fuel and purchased power 1,265.0
 1,078.7
 541.5
SPP network transmission costs 251.3
 259.9
 247.9
Operating and maintenance 1,218.5
 1,115.8
 563.5
Depreciation and amortization 861.7
 618.8
 371.7
Taxes other than income tax 365.5
 269.1
 167.6
Total Operating Expenses 3,962.0
 3,342.3
 1,892.2
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 1,185.8
 933.6
 678.8
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):      
Investment earnings 11.0
 8.8
 4.0
Other income 26.9
 15.5
 8.3
Other expense (76.9) (78.7) (39.1)
Total Other Expense, Net (39.0) (54.4) (26.8)
Interest expense 374.0
 279.6
 171.0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 772.8
 599.6
 481.0
Income tax expense 97.0
 59.0
 151.2
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes 9.8
 5.4
 6.7
NET INCOME 685.6
 546.0
 336.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 15.7
 10.2
 12.6
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVERGY, INC. $669.9
 $535.8
 $323.9
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVERGY (see Note 1)      
Basic earnings per common share $2.80
 $2.50
 $2.27
Diluted earnings per common share $2.79
 $2.50
 $2.27
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING      
Basic 239.5
 213.9
 142.5
Diluted 239.9
 214.1
 142.6
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      
NET INCOME $685.6
 $546.0
 $336.5
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      
Derivative hedging activity      
Loss on derivative hedging instruments (64.4) (5.4) 
Income tax benefit 16.5
 1.4
 
Net loss on derivative hedging instruments (47.9) (4.0) 
Reclassification to expenses, net of tax 1.5
 
 
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax (46.4) (4.0) 
Defined benefit pension plans      
Net gain (loss) arising during period (0.8) 1.4
 
Income tax expense (benefit) 0.2
 (0.4) 
Net gain (loss) arising during period, net of tax (0.6) 1.0
 
Change in unrecognized pension expense, net of tax (0.6) 1.0
 
Total other comprehensive loss (47.0) (3.0) 
Comprehensive income 638.6
 543.0
 336.5
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 15.7
 10.2
 12.6
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVERGY, INC. $622.9
 $532.8
 $323.9


The accompanying notesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
62

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
REVENUES$2,571,003
 $2,562,087
 $2,459,164
OPERATING EXPENSES:     
Fuel and purchased power541,535
 509,496
 561,065
SPP network transmission costs247,882
 232,763
 229,043
Operating and maintenance333,923
 346,313
 330,289
Depreciation and amortization371,747
 338,519
 310,591
Selling, general and administrative249,567
 261,451
 250,278
Taxes other than income tax167,630
 191,662
 156,901
Total Operating Expenses1,912,284

1,880,204

1,838,167
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS658,719
 681,883
 620,997
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):     
Investment earnings10,693
 9,013
 7,799
Other income8,351
 34,582
 19,438
Other expense(19,055) (18,012) (17,636)
Total Other (Expense) Income(11)
25,583

9,601
Interest expense171,001
 161,726
 176,802
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES487,707
 545,740
 453,796
Income tax expense151,155
 184,540
 152,000
NET INCOME336,552
 361,200
 301,796
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests12,632
 14,623
 9,867
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY, INC.$323,920
 $346,577
 $291,929
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTABLE TO WESTAR ENERGY (see Note 2):     
Basic earnings per common share$2.27
 $2.43
 $2.11
Diluted earnings per common share$2.27
 $2.43
 $2.09
AVERAGE EQUIVALENT COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING142,463,831
 142,067,558
 137,957,515
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE$1.60
 $1.52
 $1.44
EVERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    
 December 31
 2019 2018
ASSETS(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents $23.2
   $160.3
 
Receivables, net 228.5
   193.7
 
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral 339.0
   365.0
 
Fuel inventory and supplies 481.6
   511.0
 
Income taxes receivable 85.5
   68.0
 
Regulatory assets 231.7
   303.9
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 78.2
   79.1
 
Total Current Assets 1,467.7
   1,681.0
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 19,184.4
   18,782.5
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, NET 162.0
   169.2
 
OTHER ASSETS:  
    
 
Regulatory assets 1,740.5
   1,757.9
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 573.2
   472.1
 
Goodwill 2,336.6
   2,338.9
 
Other 511.5
   396.5
 
Total Other Assets 5,161.8
   4,965.4
 
TOTAL ASSETS $25,975.9
   $25,598.1
 


The accompanying notesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



63

WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)

 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net income$336,552
 $361,200
 $301,796
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization371,747
 338,519
 310,591
Amortization of nuclear fuel32,167
 26,714
 26,974
Amortization of deferred regulatory gain from sale leaseback(5,495) (5,495) (5,495)
Gain on lease modification(3,500) 
 
Amortization of corporate-owned life insurance20,601
 18,042
 19,850
Non-cash compensation8,985
 9,353
 8,345
Net deferred income taxes and credits149,568
 185,229
 151,332
Allowance for equity funds used during construction(1,996) (11,630) (2,075)
Payments for asset retirement obligations(16,026) (5,372) (1,553)
Changes in working capital items:     
Accounts receivable(2,073) (30,294) 9,042
Fuel inventory and supplies7,182
 1,790
 (53,263)
Prepaid expenses and other64,744
 (7,431) (23,145)
Accounts payable10,023
 (8,149) 6,636
Accrued taxes9,155
 (5,942) 13,073
Other current liabilities(118,018) (86,359) (80,396)
Changes in other assets29,295
 18,872
 3,752
Changes in other liabilities19,527
 23,373
 30,386
Cash Flows from Operating Activities912,438
 822,420
 715,850
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
Additions to property, plant and equipment(764,645) (1,086,970) (700,228)
Purchase of securities - trusts(41,033) (46,581) (37,557)
Sale of securities - trusts41,245
 47,026
 37,930
Investment in corporate-owned life insurance(13,875) (14,648) (14,845)
Proceeds from investment in corporate-owned life insurance1,420
 92,677
 66,794
Investment in affiliated company
 (655) (575)
Other investing activities(3,546) (3,609) (1,223)
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities(780,434) (1,012,760) (649,704)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:     
Short-term debt, net(91,328) 116,162
 (7,300)
Proceeds from long-term debt296,215
 396,290
 543,881
Proceeds from long-term debt of variable interest entities
 162,048
 
Retirements of long-term debt(125,000) (50,000) (635,891)
Retirements of long-term debt of variable interest entities(26,840) (190,357) (27,933)
Repayment of capital leases(3,530) (3,104) (2,591)
Borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance55,094
 57,850
 59,431
Repayment of borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance(1,008) (89,284) (64,593)
Issuance of common stock659
 2,439
 257,998
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests(5,760) (2,550) (1,076)
Cash dividends paid(223,117) (204,340) (186,120)
Other financing activities(7,023) (4,979) (3,277)
Cash Flows (used in) from Financing Activities(131,638) 190,175
 (67,471)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS366
 (165) (1,325)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:     
Beginning of period3,066
 3,231
 4,556
End of period$3,432
 $3,066
 $3,231
EVERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
  
 December 31
 2019 2018
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:       
Current maturities of long-term debt $251.1
   $705.4
 
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities 32.3
   30.3
 
Notes payable and commercial paper 561.9
   738.6
 
Collateralized note payable 339.0
   365.0
 
Accounts payable 528.8
   451.5
 
Accrued taxes 145.1
   133.6
 
Accrued interest 122.3
   110.9
 
Regulatory liabilities 63.3
   110.2
 
Asset retirement obligations 71.3
   49.8
 
Other 220.8
   171.9
 
Total Current Liabilities 2,335.9
   2,867.2
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:  
    
 
Long-term debt, net 8,746.7
   6,636.3
 
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net 18.8
   51.1
 
Deferred income taxes 1,744.4
   1,599.2
 
Unamortized investment tax credits 375.4
   373.2
 
Regulatory liabilities 2,248.3
   2,218.8
 
Pension and post-retirement liability 1,017.6
   987.6
 
Asset retirement obligations 602.8
   637.3
 
Other 340.7
   236.7
 
Total Long-Term Liabilities 15,094.7
   12,740.2
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) 


   


 
EQUITY:       
Evergy, Inc. Shareholders' Equity:       
Common stock - 600,000,000 shares authorized, without par value
226,641,443 and 255,326,252 shares issued, stated value
 7,070.4
   8,685.2
 
Retained earnings 1,551.5
   1,346.0
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (50.0)   (3.0) 
Total Evergy, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 8,571.9
   10,028.2
 
Noncontrolling Interests (26.6)   (37.5) 
Total Equity 8,545.3
   9,990.7
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $25,975.9
   $25,598.1
 

The accompanying notesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
64

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



 Westar Energy, Inc. Shareholders    
  Common stock shares 
Common
stock
 
Paid-in
capital
 
Retained
earnings
 
Non-controlling
interests
 
Total
equity
Balance as of December 31, 2014 131,687,454
 $658,437
 $1,781,120
 $855,299
 $6,451
 $3,301,307
Net income 
 
 
 291,929
 9,867
 301,796
Issuance of stock 9,249,986
 46,250
 211,748
 
 
 257,998
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends 415,986
 2,080
 8,373
 
 
 10,453
Tax withholding related to stock compensation 
 
 (3,277) 
 
 (3,277)
Dividends declared on common stock
($1.44 per share)
 
 
 
 (201,398) 
 (201,398)
Stock compensation expense 
 
 8,250
 
 
 8,250
Tax benefit on stock compensation 
 
 1,307
 
 
 1,307
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests 
 
 
 
 (1,076) (1,076)
Other 
 
 (3,397) 
 
 (3,397)
Balance as of December 31, 2015 141,353,426
 706,767
 2,004,124
 945,830
 15,242
 3,671,963
Net income 
 
 
 346,577
 14,623
 361,200
Issuance of stock 48,101
 241
 2,198
 
 
 2,439
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends 389,626
 1,948
 7,737
 
 
 9,685
Tax withholding related to stock compensation 
 
 (4,979) 
 
 (4,979)
Dividends declared on common stock
($1.52 per share)
 
 
 
 (217,131) 
 (217,131)
Stock compensation expense 
 
 9,237
 
 
 9,237
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests 
 
 
 
 (2,550) (2,550)
Cumulative effect of accounting change - stock compensation 
 
 
 3,326
 
 3,326
Balance as of December 31, 2016
141,791,153

708,956

2,018,317

1,078,602

27,315

3,833,190
Net income 
 
 
 323,920
 12,632
 336,552
Issuance of stock 12,131
 61
 598
 
 
 659
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends 290,991
 1,454
 3,635
 
 
 5,089
Tax withholding related to stock compensation 
 
 (7,023) 
 
 (7,023)
Dividends declared on common stock
($1.60 per share)
 
 
 
 (229,267) 
 (229,267)
Stock compensation expense 
 
 8,869
 
 
 8,869
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interests 
 
 
 
 (81,872) (81,872)
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests 
 
 
 
 (5,760) (5,760)
Balance as of December 31, 2017 142,094,275
 $710,471
 $2,024,396
 $1,173,255
 $(47,685) $3,860,437
EVERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
      
Year Ended December 312019 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:(millions)
Net income$685.6
 $546.0
 $336.5
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash from operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization861.7
 618.8
 371.7
Amortization of nuclear fuel51.4
 43.6
 32.2
Amortization of deferred refueling outage25.5
 21.2
 16.1
Amortization of corporate-owned life insurance19.8
 22.6
 20.6
Non-cash compensation16.3
 29.9
 8.8
Net deferred income taxes and credits121.5
 124.2
 149.6
Allowance for equity funds used during construction(2.2) (3.1) (2.0)
Payments for asset retirement obligations(17.8) (22.4) (16.0)
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes(9.8) (5.4) (6.7)
Income from corporate-owned life insurance(29.6) (2.3) (2.8)
Other(3.2) (5.2) (8.7)
Changes in working capital items:     
Accounts receivable(23.1) 265.1
 (2.1)
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral26.0
 (185.0) 
Fuel inventory and supplies29.9
 54.7
 7.2
Prepaid expenses and other current assets43.4
 (128.1) 55.8
Accounts payable16.9
 56.7
 10.0
Accrued taxes(8.2) (76.4) 9.2
Other current liabilities(59.4) 92.0
 (118.0)
Changes in other assets79.8
 66.8
 32.0
Changes in other liabilities(75.5) (15.9) 19.3
Cash Flows from Operating Activities1,749.0
 1,497.8
 912.7
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Additions to property, plant and equipment(1,210.1) (1,069.7) (764.6)
Cash acquired from the merger with Great Plains Energy
 1,154.2
 
Purchase of securities - trusts(55.8) (117.5) (41.0)
Sale of securities - trusts47.3
 117.7
 41.2
Investment in corporate-owned life insurance(18.3) (17.1) (17.0)
Proceeds from investment in corporate-owned life insurance161.7
 6.8
 4.2
Proceeds from settlement of interest rate swap
 140.6
 
Other investing activities(5.1) (17.6) (3.6)
Cash Flows from (used in) Investing Activities(1,080.3) 197.4
 (780.8)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Short term debt, net(176.7) (104.0) (91.3)
Proceeds from term loan facility1,000.0
 
 
Repayment of term loan facility(1,000.0) 
 
Collateralized short-term borrowings, net(26.0) 185.0
 
Proceeds from long-term debt2,372.7
 290.9
 296.2
Retirements of long-term debt(701.1) (395.8) (125.0)
Retirements of long-term debt of variable interest entities(30.3) (28.5) (26.8)
Payment for settlement of interest rate swap accounted for as a cash flow hedge(69.8) 
 
Borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance59.4
 56.5
 55.1
Repayment of borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance(127.5) (3.9) (1.0)
Cash dividends paid(462.5) (475.0) (223.1)
Repurchase of common stock under repurchase plan(1,628.7) (1,042.3) 
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests(8.6) 
 (5.8)
Other financing activities(6.7) (21.3) (9.9)
Cash Flows used in Financing Activities(805.8) (1,538.4) (131.6)
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH(137.1) 156.8
 0.3
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:     
Beginning of period160.3
 3.5
 3.2
End of period$23.2
 $160.3
 $3.5


The accompanying notesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
65
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS


We


EVERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
       
 Evergy, Inc. Shareholders  
 Common stock sharesCommon stockRetained earningsAOCINon-controlling interestsTotal equity
 (millions, except share amounts)
Balance as of December 31, 2016141,791,153
$2,727.3
$1,078.6
$
$27.3
$3,833.2
Net income

323.9

12.6
336.5
Issuance of stock12,131
0.6



0.6
Issuance of stock compensation and reinvested dividends, net of tax withholding290,991
(1.9)


(1.9)
Dividends declared on common stock ($1.60 per share)

(229.2)

(229.2)
Stock compensation expense
8.8



8.8
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interests



(81.9)(81.9)
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests



(5.7)(5.7)
Balance as of December 31, 2017142,094,275
2,734.8
1,173.3

(47.7)3,860.4
Net income

535.8

10.2
546.0
Issuance of stock to Great Plains Energy shareholders128,947,518
6,979.9



6,979.9
Issuance of restricted common stock122,505





Issuance of stock compensation and reinvested dividends,
net of tax withholding
533,273
(16.7)


(16.7)
Dividends declared on common stock ($1.735 per share)

(362.1)

(362.1)
Dividend equivalents declared

(1.0)

(1.0)
Stock compensation expense
29.9



29.9
Repurchase of common stock(16,371,319)(1,042.3)


(1,042.3)
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax


(4.0)
(4.0)
Change in unrecognized pension expense, net of tax


1.0

1.0
Other
(0.4)


(0.4)
Balance as of December 31, 2018255,326,252
8,685.2
1,346.0
(3.0)(37.5)9,990.7
Net income

669.9

15.7
685.6
Issuance of stock compensation and reinvested dividends,
net of tax withholding
111,849
(2.4)


(2.4)
Dividends declared on common stock ($1.93 per share)

(462.5)

(462.5)
Dividend equivalents declared

(1.9)

(1.9)
Stock compensation expense
16.3



16.3
Repurchase of common stock under repurchase plan(28,796,658)(1,628.7)


(1,628.7)
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests



3.8
3.8
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests



(8.6)(8.6)
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax


(46.4)
(46.4)
Change in unrecognized pension expense, net of tax


(0.6)
(0.6)
Balance as of December 31, 2019226,641,443
$7,070.4
$1,551.5
$(50.0)$(26.6)$8,545.3
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

66





EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
       
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
  (millions)
OPERATING REVENUES $2,507.4
 $2,614.9
 $2,571.0
OPERATING EXPENSES:      
Fuel and purchased power 493.0
 599.2
 541.5
SPP network transmission costs 251.3
 259.9
 247.9
Operating and maintenance 530.5
 640.7
 563.5
Depreciation and amortization 443.8
 390.9
 371.7
Taxes other than income tax 192.3
 173.7
 167.6
Total Operating Expenses 1,910.9
 2,064.4
 1,892.2
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 596.5
 550.5
 678.8
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):      
Investment earnings (loss) 4.1
 (0.6) 4.0
Other income 23.1
 13.9
 8.3
Other expense (40.1) (46.8) (39.1)
Total Other Expense, Net (12.9) (33.5) (26.8)
Interest expense 177.0
 176.8
 171.0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 406.6
 340.2
 481.0
Income tax expense (benefit) 52.1
 (4.3) 151.2
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes 4.6
 4.6
 6.7
NET INCOME 359.1
 349.1
 336.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 15.7
 10.2
 12.6
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC. $343.4
 $338.9
 $323.9
The disclosures regarding Evergy Kansas Central included in the largest electric utilityaccompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

67





EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    
 December 31
 2019 2018
ASSETS(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents $5.2
   $44.5
 
Receivables, net 140.4
   84.3
 
Related party receivables 9.9
   2.6
 
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral 171.0
   185.0
 
Fuel inventory and supplies 266.4
   276.8
 
Income taxes receivable 30.4
   42.7
 
Regulatory assets 93.3
   97.1
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 34.3
   35.0
 
Total Current Assets 750.9
   768.0
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 9,864.9
   9,718.3
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, NET 162.0
   169.2
 
OTHER ASSETS:  
    
 
Regulatory assets 730.4
   700.4
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 272.5
   227.5
 
Other 266.0
   233.4
 
Total Other Assets 1,268.9
   1,161.3
 
TOTAL ASSETS $12,046.7
   $11,816.8
 
The disclosures regarding Evergy Kansas Central included in Kansas. Unless the context otherwise indicates,accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

68





EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
  
 December 31
 2019 2018
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:       
Current maturities of long-term debt $250.0
   $300.0
 
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities 32.3
   30.3
 
Notes payable and commercial paper 249.2
   411.7
 
Collateralized note payable 171.0
   185.0
 
Accounts payable 200.5
   154.4
 
Related party payables 14.8
   14.9
 
Accrued taxes 98.7
   88.6
 
Accrued interest 74.2
   74.4
 
Regulatory liabilities 42.3
   19.5
 
Asset retirement obligations 23.3
   17.1
 
Other 130.2
   83.0
 
Total Current Liabilities 1,286.5
   1,378.9
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:  
    
 
Long-term debt, net 3,436.1
   3,389.8
 
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net 18.8
   51.1
 
Deferred income taxes 817.7
   815.4
 
Unamortized investment tax credits 253.2
   249.7
 
Regulatory liabilities 1,132.5
   1,101.8
 
Pension and post-retirement liability 495.5
   474.7
 
Asset retirement obligations 249.6
   264.0
 
Other 151.8
   130.7
 
Total Long-Term Liabilities 6,555.2
   6,477.2
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) 


   


 
EQUITY:  
     
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. Shareholder's Equity:  
    
 
Common stock - 1,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 1 share issued 2,737.6
   2,737.6
 
Retained earnings 1,494.0
   1,260.6
 
Total Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. Shareholder's Equity 4,231.6
   3,998.2
 
Noncontrolling Interests (26.6)   (37.5) 
Total Equity 4,205.0
   3,960.7
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $12,046.7
   $11,816.8
 
The disclosures regarding Evergy Kansas Central included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


69





EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Year Ended December 312019 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:(millions)
Net income$359.1
 $349.1
 $336.5
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash from operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization443.8
 390.9
 371.7
Amortization of nuclear fuel25.6
 26.0
 32.2
Amortization of deferred refueling outage12.8
 13.7
 16.1
Amortization of corporate-owned life insurance19.8
 22.6
 20.6
Non-cash compensation
 19.9
 8.8
Net deferred income taxes and credits11.6
 (2.2) 149.6
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 (2.9) (2.0)
Payments for asset retirement obligations(14.8) (12.0) (16.0)
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of income taxes(4.6) (4.6) (6.7)
Income from corporate-owned life insurance(29.0) (2.3) (2.8)
Other(5.5) (5.4) (8.7)
Changes in working capital items:     
Accounts receivable(65.9) 207.9
 (2.1)
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral14.0
 (185.0) 
Fuel inventory and supplies10.9
 17.3
 7.2
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(11.7) (134.2) 55.8
Accounts payable6.9
 (17.6) 10.0
Accrued taxes20.2
 (24.1) 9.2
Other current liabilities12.1
 88.3
 (118.0)
Changes in other assets47.0
 42.7
 32.0
Changes in other liabilities(29.5) (36.2) 19.3
Cash Flows from Operating Activities822.8
 751.9
 912.7
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Additions to property, plant and equipment(596.1) (713.3) (764.6)
Purchase of securities - trusts(21.8) (99.4) (41.0)
Sale of securities - trusts21.6
 104.2
 41.2
Investment in corporate-owned life insurance(17.6) (17.1) (17.0)
Proceeds from investment in corporate-owned life insurance158.9
 6.8
 4.2
Other investing activities(3.2) (8.6) (3.6)
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities(458.2) (727.4) (780.8)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Short term debt, net(162.5) 133.7
 (91.3)
Collateralized short-term debt, net(14.0) 185.0
 
Proceeds from long-term debt294.7
 121.9
 296.2
Retirements of long-term debt(300.0) (121.9) (125.0)
Retirements of long-term debt of variable interest entities(30.3) (28.5) (26.8)
Borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance56.5
 56.5
 55.1
Repayment of borrowings against cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance(125.4) (3.9) (1.0)
Cash dividends paid(110.0) (305.1) (223.1)
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests(8.6) 
 (5.8)
Other financing activities(4.3) (21.2) (9.9)
Cash Flows from (used in) Financing Activities(403.9) 16.5
 (131.6)
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH(39.3) 41.0
 0.3
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:     
Beginning of period44.5
 3.5
 3.2
End of period$5.2
 $44.5
 $3.5
The disclosures regarding Evergy Kansas Central included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

70





EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
      
 Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. Shareholder  
 Common stock sharesCommon stockRetained earningsNon-controlling interestsTotal equity
 (millions, except share amounts)
Balance as of December 31, 2016141,791,153
$2,727.3
$1,078.6
$27.3
$3,833.2
Net income

323.9
12.6
336.5
Issuance of stock12,131
0.6


0.6
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends, net of tax withholding290,991
(1.9)

(1.9)
Dividends declared on common stock

(229.2)
(229.2)
Stock compensation expense
8.8


8.8
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest


(81.9)(81.9)
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests


(5.7)(5.7)
Balance as of December 31, 2017142,094,275
2,734.8
1,173.3
(47.7)3,860.4
Net income
338.9
10.2
349.1
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends, net of tax withholding516,990(17.2)

(17.2)
Stock cancelled pursuant to Amended Merger Agreement(142,611,264)



Dividends declared on common stock
(251.6)
(251.6)
Stock compensation expense19.9


19.9
Other0.1


0.1
Balance as of December 31, 20181
2,737.6
1,260.6
(37.5)3,960.7
Net income

343.4
15.7
359.1
Dividends declared on common stock

(110.0)
(110.0)
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests


3.8
3.8
Distributions to shareholders of noncontrolling interests


(8.6)(8.6)
Balance as of December 31, 20191
$2,737.6
$1,494.0
$(26.6)$4,205.0
The disclosures regarding Evergy Kansas Central included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


71





EVERGY METRO, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
     
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
  (millions)
OPERATING REVENUES $1,806.5
 $1,823.1
 $1,890.7
OPERATING EXPENSES:  
  
  
Fuel and purchased power 482.1
 520.6
 480.7
Operating and maintenance 451.9
 494.2
 474.8
Depreciation and amortization 318.4
 281.3
 266.3
Taxes other than income tax 127.6
 117.2
 182.5
Total Operating Expenses 1,380.0
 1,413.3
 1,404.3
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 426.5
 409.8
 486.4
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):      
Investment earnings 2.4
 2.8
 2.0
Other income 3.2
 2.2
 9.2
Other expense (21.4) (30.9) (50.8)
Total Other Expense, Net (15.8) (25.9) (39.6)
Interest expense 119.8
 133.7
 138.8
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 290.9
 250.2
 308.0
Income tax expense 35.7
 87.3
 128.2
NET INCOME $255.2
 $162.9
 $179.8
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
  
  
NET INCOME $255.2
 $162.9
 $179.8
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
  
  
Derivative hedging activity  
  
  
Reclassification to expenses, net of tax: 0.7
 3.7
 4.6
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax 0.7
 3.7
 4.6
Total other comprehensive income 0.7
 3.7
 4.6
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $255.9
 $166.6
 $184.4
The disclosures regarding Evergy Metro included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

72





EVERGY METRO, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    
 December 31
 2019 2018
ASSETS(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents $2.0
   $2.6
 
Receivables, net 48.1
   62.7
 
Related party receivables 93.9
   101.8
 
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral 118.0
   130.0
 
Fuel inventory and supplies 163.0
   177.6
 
Income taxes receivable 8.7
   
 
Regulatory assets 95.4
   130.9
 
Prepaid expenses 22.8
   20.1
 
Other assets 15.0
   16.8
 
Total Current Assets 566.9
   642.5
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 6,839.0
   6,688.1
 
OTHER ASSETS:  
    
 
Regulatory assets 464.4
   495.2
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 300.7
   244.6
 
Other 134.1
   50.1
 
Total Other Assets 899.2
   789.9
 
TOTAL ASSETS $8,305.1
   $8,120.5
 
The disclosures regarding Evergy Metro included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

73





EVERGY METRO, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
  
 December 31
 2019 2018
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:       
Current maturities of long-term debt $
   $400.0
 
Notes payable and commercial paper 199.3
   176.9
 
Collateralized note payable 118.0
   130.0
 
Accounts payable 233.6
   211.1
 
Related party payables 4.6
   
 
Accrued taxes 38.8
   39.7
 
Accrued interest 26.7
   28.9
 
Regulatory liabilities 11.4
   52.8
 
Asset retirement obligations 36.1
   29.2
 
Accrued compensation benefits 45.1
   52.5
 
Other 34.0
   17.2
 
Total Current Liabilities 747.6
   1,138.3
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:  
    
 
Long-term debt, net 2,525.0
   2,130.1
 
Deferred income taxes 642.8
   631.8
 
Unamortized investment tax credits 119.6
   120.7
 
Regulatory liabilities 792.2
   794.3
 
Pension and post-retirement liability 499.7
   491.9
 
Asset retirement obligations 217.5
   231.8
 
Other 180.0
   81.8
 
Total Long-Term Liabilities 4,976.8
   4,482.4
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) 


   


 
EQUITY:  
    
 
Common stock - 1,000 shares authorized, without par value, 1 share issued, stated value 1,563.1
   1,563.1
 
Retained earnings 1,012.8
   932.6
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 4.8
   4.1
 
Total Equity 2,580.7
   2,499.8
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $8,305.1
   $8,120.5
 
The disclosures regarding Evergy Metro included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

74





EVERGY METRO, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
      
Year Ended December 312019 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:(millions)
Net income$255.2
 $162.9
 $179.8
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash from operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization318.4
 281.3
 266.3
Amortization of nuclear fuel25.9
 26.2
 32.1
Amortization of deferred refueling outage12.8
 13.5
 18.3
Net deferred income taxes and credits(30.6) 48.6
 82.5
Allowance for equity funds used during construction(2.2) (1.4) (6.0)
Payments for asset retirement obligations(2.5) (13.1) (25.5)
Other0.3
 3.9
 7.5
Changes in working capital items:    

Accounts receivable37.0
 36.5
 13.8
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral12.0
 
 (20.0)
Fuel inventory and supplies14.6
 19.4
 (5.2)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets28.0
 7.2
 8.4
Accounts payable9.1
 (34.6) 11.7
Accrued taxes(9.6) 16.1
 9.1
Other current liabilities(53.2) 10.4
 (0.1)
Changes in other assets33.7
 42.9
 31.7
Changes in other liabilities(34.7) 37.9
 6.5
Cash Flows from Operating Activities614.2
 657.7
 610.9
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Additions to property, plant and equipment(445.0) (430.7) (468.6)
Purchase of securities - trusts(34.0) (35.1) (33.6)
Sale of securities - trusts25.7
 27.1
 30.3
Other investing activities9.0
 4.8
 0.9
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities(444.3) (433.9) (471.0)
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
  
  
Short term debt, net22.4
 8.0
 34.6
Collateralized short-term debt, net(12.0) 
 20.0
Proceeds from long-term debt393.2
 465.6
 296.2
Retirements of long-term debt(400.0) (519.9) (281.0)
Cash dividends paid(175.0) (180.0) (212.0)
Other financing activities0.9
 2.9
 
Cash Flows used in Financing Activities(170.5) (223.4) (142.2)
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH(0.6) 0.4
 (2.3)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:     
Beginning of period2.6
 2.2
 4.5
End of period$2.0
 $2.6
 $2.2
The disclosures regarding Evergy Metro included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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EVERGY METRO, INC
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
  
  Common stock shares Common Stock Retained earnings AOCI - Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges Total Equity
  (millions, except share amounts)
Balance as of December 31, 20161
$1,563.1
$982.6
$(4.2)$2,541.5
Net income

179.8

179.8
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-09

(0.7)
(0.7)
Dividends declared on common stock

(212.0)
(212.0)
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax


4.6
4.6
Balance as of December 31, 20171
1,563.1
949.7
0.4
2,513.2
Net income

162.9

162.9
Dividends declared on common stock

(180.0)
(180.0)
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax


3.7
3.7
Balance as of December 31, 20181
1,563.1
932.6
4.1
2,499.8
Net income

255.2

255.2
Dividends declared on common stock

(175.0)
(175.0)
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax


0.7
0.7
Balance as of December 31, 20191
$1,563.1
$1,012.8
$4.8
$2,580.7
The disclosures regarding Evergy Metro included in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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EVERGY, INC.
EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
EVERGY METRO, INC.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The notes to consolidated financial statements that follow are a combined presentation for Evergy, Inc., Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc., all references inregistrants under this Annual Report on Form 10-Kfiling.  The terms "Evergy," "Evergy Kansas Central," "Evergy Metro" and "Evergy Companies" are used throughout this report.  "Evergy" refers to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words are to Westar Energy,Evergy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The term “Westar Energy”subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.  "Evergy Kansas Central" refers to Westar Energy,Evergy Kansas Central, Inc., a Kansas corporation incorporated in 1924, alone and not together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

We provide electric generation, transmissionsubsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Metro" refers to Evergy Metro, Inc. and distribution servicesits consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Companies" refers to approximately 708,000 customers in Kansas. Westar Energy provides these services in centralEvergy, Evergy Kansas Central and northeastern Kansas, includingEvergy Metro, collectively, which are individual registrants within the cities of Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina and Hutchinson. Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KGE), Westar Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, provides these services in south-central and southeastern Kansas, including the city of Wichita. Both Westar Energy and KGE conduct business using the name Westar Energy. Our corporate headquarters is located at 818 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612.


Evergy consolidated group.  
2.1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization
Evergy is a public utility holding company incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Evergy operates primarily through the following wholly-owned direct subsidiaries listed below. In September 2019, these wholly-owned direct subsidiaries were rebranded and renamed under the Evergy brand name.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central), formerly known as Westar Energy, Inc., is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Kansas. Evergy Kansas Central has 1 active wholly-owned subsidiary with significant operations, Evergy Kansas South, Inc. (Evergy Kansas South), formerly known as Kansas Gas and Electric Company.
Evergy Metro, Inc. (Evergy Metro), formerly known as Kansas City Power & Light Company, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Evergy Missouri West, Inc. (Evergy Missouri West), formerly known as KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Missouri.
Evergy Transmission Company, LLC (Evergy Transmission Company), formerly known as GPE Transmission Holding Company, LLC, owns 13.5% of Transource Energy, LLC (Transource) with the remaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP). Transource is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects. Evergy Transmission Company accounts for its investment in Transource under the equity method.
Evergy Kansas Central also owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC (Prairie Wind), which is a joint venture between Evergy Kansas Central and subsidiaries of AEP and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. Prairie Wind owns a 108-mile, 345 kV double-circuit transmission line that provides transmission service in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP). Evergy Kansas Central accounts for its investment in Prairie Wind under the equity method.

Since the rebranding in September 2019, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have been conducting business in their respective service territories using the name Evergy. Collectively, the Evergy Companies have approximately 14,700 MWs of owned generating capacity and renewable purchased power agreements and engage in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers in the states of Kansas and Missouri.
Evergy was incorporated in 2017 as Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. (Monarch Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy). Prior to the closing of the merger transactions, Monarch Energy changed its name to Evergy and did not conduct any business activities other than those required for its

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formation and matters contemplated by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 9, 2017, by and among Great Plains Energy, Evergy Kansas Central, Monarch Energy and King Energy, Inc. (King Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monarch Energy (Amended Merger Agreement). On June 4, 2018, in accordance with the Amended Merger Agreement, Great Plains Energy merged into Evergy, with Evergy surviving the merger and King Energy merged into Evergy Kansas Central, with Evergy Kansas Central surviving the merger. These merger transactions resulted in Evergy becoming the parent entity of Evergy Kansas Central and the direct subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy, including Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the merger.
Principles of Consolidation

We prepare ourEvergy Kansas Central was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the merger and thus, the predecessor of Evergy. Therefore, Evergy's consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)reflect the results of operations of Evergy Kansas Central for 2017. Evergy had separate operations for the United Statesperiod beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and references to amounts for periods after the closing of America. Ourthe merger relate to Evergy. The results of Great Plains Energy's direct subsidiaries have been included in Evergy's results of operations from the date of the closing of the merger and thereafter.
Evergy Metro elected not to apply "push-down accounting" related to the merger, whereby the adjustments of assets and liabilities to fair value and the resulting goodwill would be recorded on the financial statements of the acquired subsidiary. These adjustments for Evergy Metro, as well as those related to the acquired assets and liabilities of Great Plains Energy and its other direct subsidiaries, are only reflected on Evergy's consolidated financial statements.
Each of Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's consolidated financial statements include all operating divisions, majority ownedincludes the accounts of their subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) of which we maintain a controlling interest orthey are the primary beneficiary reported as a single reportable segment.beneficiary. Undivided interests in jointly-owned generation facilities are included on a proportionate basis.  Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminatedeliminated. The Evergy Companies assess financial performance and allocate resources on a consolidated basis (i.e., operate in consolidation.

one segment).
Use of Management’s Estimates

When we prepare our consolidatedThe process of preparing financial statements we are required to makein conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain types of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses,expenses. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and related disclosureevents as of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of our consolidatedthe financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to depreciation, unbilled revenue, valuation of investments, forecasted fuel costs included in our retail energy cost adjustment billed to customers, income taxes, pension and post-retirement benefits, our asset retirement obligations (AROs) including the decommissioning of Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek), environmental issues, VIEs, contingencies and litigation. Actualstatements. Accordingly, upon settlement, actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Regulatory Accounting

We apply accounting standards that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation. Accordingly, we have recorded regulatory assets and liabilities when required by a regulatory order or based on regulatory precedent. See Note 4, “Rate Matters and Regulation,” for additional information regarding our regulatory assets and liabilities.

estimated amounts.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider investments that areCash equivalents consist of highly liquid and haveinvestments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.at acquisition.



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Fuel Inventory and Supplies

We stateThe Evergy Companies record fuel inventory and supplies at average cost. Following areThe following table separately states the balances for fuel inventory and supplies stated separately.supplies.
 December 31
 2019 2018
Evergy(millions)
Fuel inventory$146.4
 $168.9
Supplies335.2
 342.1
Fuel inventory and supplies$481.6
 $511.0
Evergy Kansas Central   
Fuel inventory$80.2
 $87.8
Supplies186.2
 189.0
Fuel inventory and supplies$266.4
 $276.8
Evergy Metro   
Fuel inventory$46.1
 $57.8
Supplies116.9
 119.8
Fuel inventory and supplies$163.0
 $177.6
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Fuel inventory$94,039
 $107,086
Supplies199,523
 193,039
 Fuel inventory and supplies$293,562
 $300,125


Property, Plant and Equipment

WeThe Evergy Companies record the value of property, plant and equipment, including that of VIEs, at cost. For plant, cost includes contracted services, direct labor and materials, indirect charges for engineering and supervision and an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). AFUDC represents the allowed cost of capital used to finance utility construction activity. We compute AFUDC equity funds are included as a non-cash item in other income and AFUDC borrowed funds are a reduction of interest expense. AFUDC is computed by applying a composite rate to qualified construction work in progress. We credit other income (forThe rates used to compute gross AFUDC are compounded semi-annually.
The amounts of the Evergy Companies' AFUDC for borrowed and equity funds) and interest expense (for borrowed funds) forfunds are detailed in the amount of AFUDC capitalized as construction cost on the accompanying consolidated statements of income as follows:

following table.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 (Dollars In Thousands)
Borrowed funds$5,605
 $9,964
 $3,505
Equity funds1,996
 11,630
 2,075
Total$7,601
 $21,594
 $5,580
Average AFUDC Rates2.3% 4.2% 2.7%
 2019 2018 2017
Evergy(millions)
AFUDC borrowed funds$14.5
 $10.4
 $5.6
AFUDC equity funds2.2
 3.1
 2.0
Total$16.7
 $13.5
 $7.6
Evergy Kansas Central     
AFUDC borrowed funds$7.5
 $6.6
 $5.6
AFUDC equity funds
 2.9
 2.0
Total$7.5
 $9.5
 $7.6
Evergy Metro(a)
     
AFUDC borrowed funds$4.3
 $4.9
 $6.1
AFUDC equity funds2.2
 1.4
 6.0
Total$6.5
 $6.3
 $12.1

(a) Evergy Metro amounts are included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
We charge maintenance costs and replacementsThe average rates used in the calculation of minor itemsAFUDC are detailed in the following table.
 2019 2018 2017
Evergy Kansas Central3.0% 3.3% 2.3%
Evergy Metro4.6% 3.9% 4.9%
Evergy Missouri West3.7% 2.9% 1.9%


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When property units are retired or otherwise disposed, the original cost, net of salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation. Repair of property and replacement of items not considered to expensebe units of property are expensed as incurred, except for maintenance costs incurred for our planned refueling and maintenance outages at Wolf Creek.Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek). As authorized by regulators, we deferthe incremental maintenance cost incurred for such outages is deferred and amortizeamortized to expense ratably over the period between planned outages incremental maintenance costs incurred for such outages. When a unit
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization of utility plant other than nuclear fuel is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of depreciable property is retired, we charge to accumulated depreciation the original cost less salvage value.

Depreciation

We depreciate utility plant using a straight-line method. Thebased on rates approved by state regulatory authorities. Annual depreciation rates are based on an average annual composite basis using group rates that approximated 2.5% in 2017, 2.4% in 2016 and 2.5% in 2015approximately 3%.

Depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment are as follows.
  Years
Fossil fuel generating facilities 6to78
Nuclear fuel generating facility 55to71
Wind generating facilities 19to20
Transmission facilities 15to67
Distribution facilities 22to68
Other 5to30



See Note 8 for more details. Nuclear Fuel

We record as property, plant and equipment our share of the cost of nuclear fuel used in the process of refinement, conversion, enrichment and fabrication. We reflect this at original cost and amortize such amountsis amortized to fuel expense based on the quantity of heat consumedproduced during the generation of electricity as measured in millionselectricity.
The depreciable lives of British thermal units. The accumulated amortization of nuclear fuelEvergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's property, plant and equipment are detailed in the reactor was $72.2following table.
  Evergy  Evergy Kansas Central  Evergy Metro 
  (years) 
Generating facilities 8to87��  8to87   20to60 
Transmission facilities 15to94   36to94   15to70 
Distribution facilities 8to73   19to73   8to55 
Other 5to84   7to84   5to50 

Plant to be Retired, Net
When the Evergy Companies retire utility plant, the original cost, net of salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation. However, when it becomes probable an asset will be retired significantly in advance of its original expected useful life and in the near term, the cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation is recognized as a separate asset and a probable abandonment. If the asset is still in service, the net amount is classified as plant to be retired, net on the consolidated balance sheets. If the asset is no longer in service, the net amount is classified as a regulatory asset on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Evergy Companies must also assess the probability of full recovery of the remaining net book value of the abandonment. The net book value that may be retained as an asset on the balance sheet for the abandonment is dependent upon amounts that may be recovered through regulated rates, including any return. An impairment charge, if any, would equal the difference between the remaining net book value of the asset and the present value of the future revenues expected from the asset.
Evergy Missouri West has determined that its November 2018 retirement of Sibley No. 3 Unit meets the criteria to be considered an abandonment. As of December 31, 2019, Evergy has classified the remaining Sibley No. 3 Unit net book value of $130.5 million as retired generation facilities within regulatory assets on its consolidated balance sheet. This regulatory asset is reduced by approximately $9 million of annual amortization expense which is an amount equal to the annual depreciation expense for the asset reflected in retail rates.
In October 2019, the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) granted the request of certain intervenors for an Accounting Authority Order (AAO) that requires Evergy Missouri West to record a regulatory liability for all revenues collected from customers for return on investment, non-fuel operations and maintenance costs, taxes including accumulated deferred income taxes and all other costs associated with Sibley Station following the station's retirement in November 2018 for consideration in Evergy Missouri West's next rate case, which is expected to be completed no later than 2022. See Note 5 for additional information regarding the AAO.
Evergy Missouri West expects that the MPSC's decision in its next rate case regarding the AAO could impact the valuation of its regulatory asset for retired generation facilities but as of December 31, 2017,2019, has concluded that no impairment is required based on the relevant facts and $40.0 millioncircumstances.

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Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Costs
Nuclear plant decommissioning cost estimates are based on either the immediate dismantlement method or the deferred dismantling method as determined by the State Corporation Commission of December 31, 2016. Thethe State of Kansas (KCC) and MPSC and include the costs of decontamination, dismantlement and site restoration. Based on these cost estimates, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro each contribute to a tax-qualified trust fund to be used to decommission Wolf Creek. Related liabilities for decommissioning are included on Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's consolidated balance sheets in asset retirement obligations (AROs).
As a result of the authorized regulatory treatment and related regulatory accounting, differences between the decommissioning trust fund asset and the related ARO are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. See Note 7 for discussion of AROs including those associated with nuclear fuel charged to fuelplant decommissioning costs.
Regulatory Accounting
Accounting standards are applied that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation. Accordingly, regulatory assets and purchased power expense was $32.2 million in 2017, $26.8 million in 2016 and $27.3 million in 2015.liabilities have been recorded when required by a regulatory order or based on regulatory precedent. See Note 5 for additional information concerning regulatory matters.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

We recorded on our consolidated balance sheets in other long-term assets the following amountsAmounts related to corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) policies.are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in other long-terms assets and are detailed in the following table for Evergy. Substantially all of Evergy's COLI-related balances relate to Evergy Kansas Central's COLI activity.
  December 31
  2019 2018
Evergy (millions)
Cash surrender value of policies $1,370.0
 $1,441.7
Borrowings against policies (1,237.1) (1,306.9)
Corporate-owned life insurance, net $132.9
 $134.8

 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Cash surrender value of policies$1,320,695
 $1,267,349
Borrowings against policies(1,189,212) (1,137,360)
Corporate-owned life insurance, net$131,483
 $129,989

We record as income increasesIncreases in cash surrender value and death benefits. Webenefits are recorded in other income in the Evergy Companies' consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Interest expense incurred on policy loans is offset against the policy income the interest expense that we incur on policy loans.income. Income from death benefits is highly variable from period to period.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the following financial instruments for which it was practicable to estimate that value.
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund - The Evergy Companies' nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices of the investments held by the fund and/or valuation models.
Pension plans - For financial reporting purposes, the market value of plan assets is the fair value.
Revenue Recognition

We recordThe Evergy Companies recognize revenue aton the time we deliversale of electricity to customers. We determinecustomers over time as the amounts deliveredservice is provided in the amount they have the right to individual customers through systematic monthly readings of customer meters. Atinvoice. Revenues recorded include electric services provided but not yet billed by the Evergy Companies. Unbilled revenues are recorded for kWh usage in the period following the customers' billing cycle to the end of each month, wethe month. This estimate how much electricity we have delivered sinceis based on net system kWh usage less actual billed kWhs. The Evergy Companies' estimated unbilled kWhs are allocated and priced by regulatory jurisdiction across the prior meter reading and record the corresponding unbilled revenue.

Ourrate classes based on actual billing rates. The Evergy Companies' unbilled revenue estimate is affected by factors including fluctuations in energy demand, weather, line losses and changes in the composition of customer classes. We recorded estimatedSee Note 4 for the balance of unbilled revenuereceivables for each of $76.7 millionEvergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro as of December 31, 2017,2019 and $74.4 million as2018.

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The Evergy Companies also collect sales taxes and franchise fees from customers concurrent with revenue-producing activities that are levied by state and local governments. These items are excluded from revenue, and thus are not reflected on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro.
See Note 3 for additional details regarding revenue recognition from sales of electricity by the Evergy Companies.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

WeThe Evergy Companies determine ourtheir allowance for doubtful accounts based on the age of ourtheir receivables. We charge receivablesReceivables are charged off when they are deemed uncollectible, which is based on a number of factors including specific facts surrounding an account and management’smanagement's judgment.

Property Gains and Losses
Net gains and losses from the sale of assets and businesses and from asset impairments are recorded in operating expenses.
Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows from an asset to be held and used is less than the carrying value of the asset, an asset impairment must be recognized in the financial statements. The amount of impairment recognized is the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value.
Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs indicating the possibility that an impairment exists. The annual test must be performed at the same time each year. The goodwill impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill, to identify potential impairment. In the event that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value. See Note 6 for additional details on goodwill.
Income Taxes

We useIncome taxes are accounted for using the asset and asset/liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, we recognize deferred incomeapproach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities forare determined based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amountsreporting and the tax basisbases of existing assets and liabilities. We recognize futureliabilities, applying enacted statutory tax benefitsrates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the extent that realizationopinion of such benefitsmanagement, it is more likely than not. With the passagenot that some portion of the Tax Cutsdeferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Evergy Companies recognize tax benefits based on a "more-likely-than-not" recognition threshold. In addition, the Evergy Companies recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and Jobs Act (TCJA)penalties in December 2017, we were required to remeasure deferredoperating expenses.
Evergy files a consolidated federal income tax assetsreturn as well as unitary and liabilities atcombined income tax returns in several state jurisdictions with Kansas and Missouri being the lower 21% corporatemost significant. Income taxes for consolidated or combined subsidiaries are allocated to the subsidiaries based on separate company computations of income or loss. Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's income tax rate and defer the amount of excess deferredprovisions include taxes previously collected from our customers toallocated based on their separate company's income or loss.
The Evergy Companies have established a net regulatory liability for future refunds to be made to customers for the majorityover-collection of which will be amortized to income over a period generally corresponding totaxes in rates. Tax credits are recognized in the life of our plant assets. We amortize deferredyear generated except for certain Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West investment tax credits that have been deferred and amortized over the remaining service lives of the related properties as required by tax laws and regulatory practices. We recognize production tax credits in the year that electricity is generated to the extent that realizationproperties.

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We record deferred income tax assets to the extent capital losses, net operating losses or tax credits will be carried forward to future periods. However, when we believe based on available evidence that we do not, or will not, have sufficient future capital gains or taxable income in the appropriate taxing jurisdiction to realize the entire benefit during the applicable carryforward period, we record a valuation allowance against the deferred income tax asset.




Other Income (Expense), Net
The applicationtable below shows the detail of income tax law is complex. Lawsother expense for each of the Evergy Companies.
 2019 2018 2017
Evergy(millions)
Non-service cost component of net benefit cost$(55.6) $(47.8) $(20.0)
Other(21.3) (30.9) (19.1)
Other expense$(76.9) $(78.7) $(39.1)
Evergy Kansas Central     
Non-service cost component of net benefit cost$(20.1) $(23.5) $(20.0)
Other(20.0) (23.3) (19.1)
Other expense$(40.1) $(46.8) $(39.1)
Evergy Metro(a)
     
Non-service cost component of net benefit cost$(20.9) $(25.9) $(42.7)
Other(0.5) (5.0) (8.1)
Other expense$(21.4) $(30.9) $(50.8)
(a) Evergy Metro amounts are only included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and regulations in this area are voluminous and often ambiguous. Accordingly, we must make judgments regarding income tax exposure. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As a result, changes in our judgments can materially affect amounts we recognize in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 11, “Taxes,” for additional detail on our accounting for income taxes.

Sales Tax

We account for the collection and remittance of sales tax on a net basis. As a result, we do not reflect sales tax in our consolidated statements of income.

thereafter.
Earnings Per Share

We have participating securities in the form of unvested restricted share units (RSUs) with nonforfeitable rights to dividend equivalents that receive dividends on an equal basis with dividends declared on common shares. As a result, we apply the two-class method of computingTo compute basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS).

To compute basic EPS, we divide the earnings allocated, Evergy divides net income attributable to common stockEvergy, Inc. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS includes the effect of issuable common shares resulting from our forward sale agreements, if any,restricted share units (RSUs), performance shares and RSUs with forfeitable rights to dividend equivalents. We computerestricted stock. Evergy computes the dilutive effecteffects of potential issuances of common shares using the treasury stock method.
The following table reconciles ourEvergy's basic and diluted EPS from net income.EPS.
 2019 2018 2017
Income(millions, except per share amounts)
Net income$685.6
 $546.0
 $336.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests15.7
 10.2
 12.6
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.$669.9
 $535.8
 $323.9
Common Shares Outstanding   
  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic239.5
 213.9
 142.5
Add: effect of dilutive securities0.4
 0.2
 0.1
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding239.9
 214.1
 142.6
Basic EPS$2.80
 $2.50
 $2.27
Diluted EPS$2.79
 $2.50
 $2.27

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for 2019 were 785 RSUs. There were 0 anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for 2018 and 2017.

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 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Net income$336,552
 $361,200
 $301,796
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests12,632
 14,623
 9,867
Net income attributable to Westar Energy, Inc.323,920
 346,577
 291,929
Less: Net income allocated to RSUs584
 714
 646
Net income allocated to common stock$323,336
 $345,863
 $291,283
      
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding – basic142,463,831
 142,067,558
 137,957,515
Effect of dilutive securities:     
RSUs96,363
 407,123
 299,198
Forward sale agreements
 
 1,021,510
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding – diluted (a)142,560,194
 142,474,681
 139,278,223
      
Earnings per common share, basic$2.27
 $2.43
 $2.11
Earnings per common share, diluted$2.27
 $2.43
 $2.09
_______________
(a)
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we had no antidilutive securities.








Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016 2015
(In Thousands)
CASH PAID FOR (RECEIVED FROM):     
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
Evergy (millions)
Cash paid for (received from):      
Interest on financing activities, net of amount capitalized$153,905
 $139,029
 $161,484
 $329.5
 $255.9
 $153.9
Interest on financing activities of VIEs3,061
 5,846
 10,430
 1.6
 2.3
 3.1
Income taxes, net of refunds(12,736) 13,103
 (410) (5.2) (0.9) (12.7)
NON-CASH INVESTING TRANSACTIONS:     
Property, plant and equipment additions158,780
 151,474
 105,169
Non-cash investing transactions:      
Property, plant and equipment additions (reductions) 186.0
 (7.8) 158.8
Deconsolidation of property, plant and equipment of VIE(72,901) 
 
 
 
 (72.9)
NON-CASH FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:     
Non-cash financing transactions:      
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends5,089
 9,685
 10,453
 (0.3) 0.5
 5.1
Deconsolidation of VIE(83,096) 
 
 
 
 (83.1)
Assets acquired through capital leases4,842
 2,744
 3,130

New Accounting Guidance
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
Evergy Kansas Central (millions)
Cash paid for (received from):      
Interest on financing activities, net of amount capitalized $143.0
 $155.3
 $153.9
Interest on financing activities of VIEs 1.6
 2.3
 3.1
Income taxes, net of refunds 29.9
 37.5
 (12.7)
Non-cash investing transactions:      
Property, plant and equipment additions (reductions) 92.1
 (32.5) 158.8
Deconsolidation of property, plant and equipment of VIE 
 
 (72.9)
Non-cash financing transactions:      
Issuance of stock for compensation and reinvested dividends 
 
 5.1
Deconsolidation of VIE 
 
 (83.1)

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP for the United States of America. To address current issues in accounting, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued the following new accounting guidance that may affect our accounting and/or disclosure.
Year Ended December 31 2019 2018 2017
Evergy Metro(a)
 (millions)
Cash paid for (received from):      
Interest on financing activities, net of amount capitalized $118.4
 $129.4
 $128.0
Income taxes, net of refunds 77.0
 31.2
 38.8
Non-cash investing transactions:      
Property, plant and equipment additions 80.7
 19.2
 36.6

Compensation - Retirement Benefits

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2017-07, which requires employers to disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net periodic benefit costs and to disclose the(a) Evergy Metro amounts of net periodic benefit costs that are included in each income statement line item. The standard requires employers to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs and to report the other components of net periodic benefit costs (which include interest costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost or credits and actuarial gains and losses) separately and outside a subtotal of operating income. Of the components of net periodic benefit cost, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization as property, plant and equipment, which is applied prospectively. The other components of net periodic benefit costs that are no longer eligible for capitalization as property, plant and equipment will be recorded as a regulatory asset. The guidance changing the presentation in the statements of income is applied on a retrospective basis. We adopted the guidance as of January 1,consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, without a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. Among other clarifications, the guidance requires that cash proceeds received from the settlement of COLI policies be classified as cash inflows from investing activities and that cash payments for premiums on COLI policies may be classified as cash outflows for investing activities, operating activities or a combination of both. Retrospective application is required. We adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, which will result in a reclassification of cash proceeds from the settlement of COLI policies from cash inflows from operating activities to cash inflows from investing activities. In addition, cash payments for premiums on COLI policies will be reclassified from cash outflows used in operating activities to cash outflows used in investing activities.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, which requires that the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents be explained in the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires a retrospective transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, without a material impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows.


Stock-based Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 as part of its simplification initiative. The areas for simplification involve several aspects of the accounting for stock-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2016.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, if the tax deduction for a stock-based payment award exceeded the compensation cost recorded for financial reporting, the additional tax benefit was recognized in additional paid-in capital and referred to as an excess tax benefit. Tax deficiencies were recognized either as an offset to the accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or as reduction of income. The issuance of this ASU reflects the FASB’s decision that all prospective excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax benefits or expense, respectively. Prior to the adoption of the ASU, additional paid-in-capital was not recognized to the extent that an excess tax benefit had not be realized (e.g., due to a carryforward of a net operating loss). Under the ASU, all excess tax benefits previously unrecognized because the related tax deduction had not reduced taxes payable are recognized on a modified retrospective basis as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. Upon adoption, we recorded a $3.3 million cumulative effect adjustmentthe closing of the merger, and thereafter.
See Note 2 for the non-cash information related to retained earnings for excess tax benefits that had not previously been recognized as well as a $3.3 million increase in deferred tax assets.

Further,the merger transaction, including the fair value of Great Plains Energy's assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the issuance of this ASU reflects the FASB’s decision thatEvergy common stock.
Dividends Declared
In February 2020, Evergy's Board of Directors (Evergy Board) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.505 per share on Evergy's common stock.  The common dividend is payable March 20, 2020, to shareholders of record as of March 9, 2020.
In February 2020, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's Boards of Directors each declared cash flows relateddividends payable to excess tax benefits should be classified as cash flows from operating activitiesEvergy of $60.0 million, payable on the consolidated statementsMarch 19, 2020.

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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires an entity that is a lessee to recognizerecord a right-of-use assetsasset and a lease liabilities, initially measured at present value of theliability for lease payments on itsthe balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months.  Leases are towill be classified as either financingfinance or operating, leases, with that classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.  Accounting for leases by lessors isLessor accounting remains largely unchanged. The criteria usedIn January 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-01, Leases: Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to determine lease classification will remain substantiallyTopic 842, which permits entities to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under Topic 842 land easements that exist or expired before the same, but will be more subjectiveentity's adoption of Topic 842 and that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. In July 2018, the new guidance. TheFASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which updates narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU No. 2016-02. Also in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases: Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method that allows entities to initially apply Topic 842 at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without restating prior periods. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-20, Leases: Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, which is expected to reduce a lessor's implementation and ongoing costs associated with applying ASU No. 2016-02. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, Leases: Codification Improvements, which clarifies certain lessor accounting and interim reporting requirements. ASU No. 2016-02 and the subsequent amendments are effective for fiscal yearsinterim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The guidancepermitted, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach with an option to either adjust or not adjust comparative periods. 
The Evergy Companies adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019, without adjusting comparative periods for all leases existing atas of January 1, 2019, by electing the earliest period presented, or entered intooptional transition method permitted by the date of initial adoption, with certain practical expedients permitted. In 2016, we started evaluating our current leases to assess the initial impact on our consolidated financial results. We continue to evaluate the guidanceASU No. 2018-11. As a result, Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and believe application of the guidance will result inEvergy Metro recorded an increase to our assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, with minimal impact to our consolidated statement of income. We also continue to monitor unresolved industry issues, including renewablesapproximately $110 million, $40 million and power purchase agreements$80 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. Evergy Kansas Central and pole attachments, and will analyzeEvergy Metro have certain lease transactions between them for which the related impact.assets and liabilities are eliminated at consolidated Evergy. The standard permits an entityadoption of Topic 842 did not have a material impact on the Evergy Companies consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and there was no cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to electthe opening balance of retained earnings. The Evergy Companies also elected a practical expedient forto forgo reassessing existing or expired contracts to forgo reassessingas leases to determine whether each is in scope of the new standardTopic 842 and to forgo reassessing lease classification. We expect to elect this practical expedient upon implementation.classification for existing and expired leases.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The measurement of expected losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the guidance and have not yet determined the impact on our consolidated financial statements.


Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which addressesrequires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue from contracts withto which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Subsequent ASUs have been released providing modifications and clarifications toThe ASU replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it became effective. The Evergy Companies adopted ASU No. 2014-09. The objective2014-09 and its related amendments (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method for all contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented under ASC 606 while historical periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the legacy guidance in ASC 605 - Revenue Recognition. There was no cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in 2018 for the Evergy Companies as a result of the adoption of the new guidance is to establish principles to report useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue from contracts with customers. Under the new standard, an entity must identify the performance obligations in a contract, determine the transaction price and allocate the price to specific performance obligations to recognize the revenue when the obligation is completed. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017; accordingly, we adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective application or modified retrospective method. We elected to use the modified retrospective method, which requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to be recorded on the balance sheet as of the beginning of 2018, if applicable, as if the standard had always been in effect. Adoption of the standard will not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements and, as a result, we recorded no cumulative effect of initially applying the standard.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, which addresses the income tax accounting implications of the TCJA. The income tax effects of the TCJA in which the accounting is complete must be reflected in the financial statements. Additionally, provisional amounts in which reasonable estimates of the income tax effects of the TCJA can be determined should be included in the financial statements. Any specific income tax effect of the TCJA for which a reasonable estimate cannot be determined, would not be reported. Specific income tax effects of the TCJA that cannot be determined would continue to follow the provisions from the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the TCJA being enacted. We believe the accounting associated with the passage of the TCJA is complete and we have therefore not recorded any provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements.

guidance.
3. PENDING2. MERGER OF GREAT PLAINS ENERGY AND EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL

Description of Merger Transaction
On May 29, 2016, we entered into an agreement and planJune 4, 2018, Evergy completed the mergers contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement. As a result of merger withthe mergers, Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) that provided formerged into Evergy, with Evergy surviving the acquisitionmerger and King Energy merged into Evergy Kansas Central, with Evergy Kansas Central surviving the merger. Following the completion of us by Great Plains Energy. On April 19, 2017,these mergers, Evergy Kansas Central and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) rejected the prior transaction.
On July 9, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated agreement and plandirect subsidiaries of merger with Great Plains Energy, that provides forincluding Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Evergy.
The merger was structured as a merger of equals betweenin a tax-free exchange of shares that involved no premium paid or received with respect to either Great Plains Energy or Evergy Kansas Central. As a result of the two companies. Upon closing each issued and outstanding share of our common stock will be converted into one sharethe

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merger transaction, each issued and outstanding share of Great Plains Energy common stock will bewas converted into 0.5981 shares of Evergy common stock and each outstanding share of Evergy Kansas Central common stock was converted into 1 share of Evergy common stock.
As provided in the new holding company. Following completionAmended Merger Agreement, substantially all of the merger, our shareholders are expectedEvergy Kansas Central's outstanding equity compensation awards vested and were converted into a right to own approximately 52.5% of the new holding companyreceive Evergy common stock and Great Plains Energy’s shareholders are expected to own approximately 47.5% of the new holding company.
The merger agreement includes certain restrictions and limitations on our ability to declare dividend payments. The merger agreement, without prior approvalall of Great Plains Energy, limits our quarterly dividends declared to $0.40 per share.
The closing of the merger isEnergy's outstanding equity compensation awards were converted into equivalent Evergy awards subject to the same terms and conditions including receipt of all required regulatory approvals from, among others,at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), KCC, and Public Service Commission of the State of Missouri (MPSC) (provided that such approvals do not result in a material adverse effect on Great Plains Energy or us, after giving effect tomerger exchange ratio of 0.5981.
Merger Related Regulatory Matters
KCC
In May 2018, the merger, measured on the size and scale of Westar Energy and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole); effectiveness of the registration statement for the shares of the new holding company’s common stock to be issued to our shareholders andKCC approved Great Plains Energy’s shareholders upon consummation of the mergerEnergy's, Evergy Metro's and approval of the listing of such shares on the New York Stock Exchange; the receipt of tax opinions by us and Great Plains Energy that the merger will be treated as a non-taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes; there being no shares of Great Plains Energy preference stock outstanding; and Great Plains Energy having not less than $1.25 billion in cash or cash equivalents on its balance sheet. The closing of the merger is also subject to other standard conditions, such as accuracy of representations and warranties, compliance with covenants and the absence of a material adverse effect on either company.
The merger agreement, which contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants, may be terminated by either party if the merger has not occurred by July 10, 2018. The termination date may be extended six months in order to obtain regulatory approvals.

On August 25, 2017, we and Great Plains Energy filed a joint application with the KCC requesting approval of the merger. The KCC subsequently approved a procedural schedule that provides for a KCC order on the proposed merger by

June 5, 2018, although underEvergy Kansas law the KCC has until June 21, 2018 to issue the order. On August 31, 2017, we and Great Plains Energy applied for approval of the merger from the MPSC. On January 12, 2018, we, Great Plains Energy, the MPSC staff and certain intervenors entered into a stipulation and agreement to settle certain issues related to the joint application. The stipulation and agreement is subject to review and approval by the MPSC. On September 1, 2017, we and Great Plains Energy filed aCentral's joint application for approval of the merger, including a settlement agreement that had been reached between Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro, Evergy Kansas Central, KCC staff and certain other intervenors in the case. Through the joint application and settlement agreement, Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Kansas Central agreed to the conditions and obligations listed below, in addition to other organizational, financing, customer service and civic responsibility commitments.
Provide a total of $30.6 million of one-time bill credits to Kansas electric retail customers as soon as practicable following the close of the merger and the completion of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's current rate cases in Kansas. Of this total, $23.1 million of the credits relate to Evergy Kansas Central's customers and the remaining $7.5 million of credits relate to Evergy Metro's Kansas customers.
Provide a total of approximately $46 million in additional bill credits consisting of $11.5 million in annual bill credits to Kansas electric retail customers from 2019 through 2022. Of the annual amount, $8.7 million of the credits relate to Evergy Kansas Central's customers and the remaining $2.8 million of credits relate to Evergy Metro's Kansas customers.
Provide for the inclusion of a total of $30.0 million of merger-related savings in Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's current rate cases in Kansas. Of this total, $22.5 million of the savings are attributable to Evergy Kansas Central with FERC,the remaining $7.5 million of savings attributable to Evergy Metro's Kansas jurisdiction.
A five-year base rate moratorium for Evergy Kansas Central and we expectEvergy Metro in Kansas that commenced following the conclusion of Evergy Metro's Kansas rate case in December 2018. The moratorium is subject to receivecertain conditions and does not include Evergy Kansas Central's or Evergy Metro's fuel recovery mechanisms and certain other cost recovery mechanisms in Kansas.
Require both Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro to file rate cases in Kansas in a final order byfashion that would allow for updated electric utility rates to become effective upon the end of February 2018, unless FERC takes action that resultsthe five-year rate moratorium in December 2023.
Participate in an extensionEarnings Review and Sharing Plan for the years 2019 through 2022, which may result in Evergy Kansas Central and/or Evergy Metro being subject to refunding 50% of this date. On Septemberearned return on equity in excess of authorized return on equity to their Kansas customers.
Maintain charitable contributions and community involvement in the Kansas service territories of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro at levels equal to or greater than their respective 2015 levels for 5 2017, Wolf Creek filedyears following the closing of the merger.
Commit that Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's retail electric base rates will not increase as a request withresult of the NRCmerger.
Allow Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro to approve an indirect transferrecover a total of control$30.9 million of Wolf Creek’s operating license. Wemerger transition costs consisting of $23.2 million for Evergy Kansas Central and $7.7 million for Evergy Metro's Kansas jurisdiction. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have recorded these amounts as regulatory assets and they are being recovered over a ten-year period.

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MPSC
In May 2018, the MPSC approved Great Plains Energy's, Evergy Metro's, Evergy Missouri West's and Evergy Kansas Central's joint application for approval of the merger, including two stipulations and agreements between these companies, MPSC staff and certain other intervenors in the case. Through the joint application and stipulations and agreements, Great Plains Energy, each gained shareholder approvalEvergy Metro, Evergy Missouri West and Evergy Kansas Central agreed to the conditions and obligations listed below, in addition to other organizational, financing, customer service and civic responsibility commitments.
Provide a total of $29.1 million of one-time bill credits to Missouri electric retail customers within 120 days following the close of the proposed merger on November 21, 2017. Also, we and Great Plains Energy received early terminationmerger. Of this total, $14.9 million of the statutory waiting period undercredits relate to Evergy Metro's Missouri customers and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act on December 12, 2017.remaining $14.2 million of credits relate to Evergy Missouri West's customers.
Commit that Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's retail electric base rates will not increase as a result of the merger.
Maintain charitable contributions and community involvement in the Missouri service territories of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West at levels equal to or greater than their respective 2015 levels for 5 years following the closing of the merger.
Provide a total of $3.0 million of support over 10 years to community agencies to promote low-income weatherization efforts.
Support the recovery of a total of $16.9 million of merger transition costs in Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's 2018 rate cases, consisting of $9.7 million for Evergy Metro's Missouri jurisdiction and $7.2 million for Evergy Missouri West. Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West recorded these amounts as regulatory assets and they are being recovered over a ten-year period.
Accounting Charges and Deferrals Related to the Merger
The amendedfollowing pre-tax reductions of revenue, expenses and restated merger agreement provides that Great Plains Energy may be required to pay us a termination feedeferral were recognized following the consummation of $190.0 million if the agreement is terminated due to (i) failure to receive regulatory approval prior to July 10, 2018, subject to an extension of up to six months, (ii) a non-appealable regulatory order enjoining the merger or (iii) Great Plains Energy’s failure to close after all conditions precedent to closing have been satisfied. In addition, we may be required to pay Great Plains Energy a termination fee of $190.0 million if the agreement is terminated by us under certain circumstances, such as entering into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal. Similarly, Great Plains Energy may be required to pay us a termination fee of $190.0 million if the agreement is terminated by Great Plains Energy under certain circumstances, such as entering into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal.

In connection with the merger, we have incurred, and expect to incur additional, merger-related expenses. These expenses are included in our selling, general,the Evergy Companies' consolidated statements of income and administrative expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we incurred approximately $10.8 million and $10.2 millioncomprehensive income for 2018.
DescriptionIncome Statement Line ItemExpected Payment Period Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
    (millions)
One-time bill creditsOperating revenues2018 - 2019 $(59.7) $(23.1) $(22.4)
Annual bill creditsOperating revenues2019 - 2022 (10.5) (7.9) (2.6)
Total impact to operating revenues   $(70.2) $(31.0) $(25.0)
         
Charitable contributions and community supportOperating and maintenance2018 - 2027 $24.7
 $
 $
Voluntary severance and accelerated equity compensationOperating and maintenance2018 - 2019 47.9
 44.2
 2.6
Other transaction and transition costsOperating and maintenance2018 51.0
 21.5
 2.1
Reallocation and deferral of merger transition costsOperating and maintenancen/a (47.8) (13.8) (23.2)
Total impact to operating and maintenance expense   $75.8
 $51.9
 $(18.5)
Total   $(146.0) $(82.9) $(6.5)

Reductions of merger-related expenses. In the event that the merger is consummated, we expect total merger-related expenses will be approximately $45.0 million.

See also Note 16, “Legal Proceedings,” for more information on litigationrevenue related to customer bill credits and expenses related to charitable contributions and community support were incurred as a result of conditions in the merger.



4. RATE MATTERS AND REGULATION

Regulatory AssetsMPSC and Regulatory Liabilities

Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recoveryKCC merger orders and were recorded as liabilities in customer prices. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenue or refunds to customers through the price setting process. Regulatory assets and liabilities reflected on our consolidated balance sheets are as follows.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Regulatory Assets:   
Deferred employee benefit costs$393,890
 $381,129
Debt reacquisition costs109,169
 115,502
Depreciation60,598
 63,171
Asset retirement obligations42,676
 35,487
Analog meter unrecovered investment31,545
 8,500
Removal costs30,847
 
Treasury yield hedges24,814
 25,927
Retail energy cost adjustment20,741
 32,451
Ad valorem tax17,389
 17,637
Disallowed plant costs15,249
 15,453
La Cygne environmental costs13,295
 14,370
Energy efficiency program costs8,096
 7,097
Wolf Creek outage6,967
 20,316
Amounts due from customers for future income taxes, net
 124,020
Other regulatory assets9,623
 18,802
Total regulatory assets$784,899
 $879,862
    
Regulatory Liabilities:   
Income taxes, net$845,240
 $
Deferred regulatory gain from sale leaseback64,569
 70,065
Nuclear decommissioning55,531
 34,094
Pension and other post-retirement benefits costs48,356
 37,172
Jurisdictional allowance for funds used during construction31,707
 33,119
La Cygne leasehold dismantling costs29,552
 27,742
Kansas tax credits16,844
 13,142
Purchase power agreement8,823
 9,265
Removal costs
 5,663
Other regulatory liabilities4,954
 9,191
Total regulatory liabilities$1,105,576
 $239,453

Below we summarizeamounts presented above following the nature and period of recovery for eachconsummation of the regulatory assets listedmerger. Reductions of revenue for

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annual bill credits for Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's Kansas electric retail customers are recognized ratably in the table above.twelve-month period preceding their payment.

Deferred employee benefit costs: Includes $374.2 million for pensionVoluntary severance and post-retirement benefit obligations and $19.7 million for actual pension expense in excess of the amount of such expense recognized in setting our prices. The increase in regulatory assets for pension and post-retirement benefit obligations from 2016 to 2017 is attributable primarily to a decrease in the discount rates used to calculate our and Wolf Creek’s pension benefit obligations. During 2018, we will amortize to expense approximately $33.5 million of the benefit obligations and approximately $6.8 million of the excess pension expense. We are amortizing the excess pension expense over a five-year period. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Debt reacquisition costs: Includes costs incurred to reacquire and refinance debt. These costs are amortized over the term of the new debt. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Depreciation: Represents the difference between regulatory depreciation expense and depreciation expense we record for financial reporting purposes. We earn a return on this asset and amortize the difference over the life of the related plant.

Asset retirement obligations: Represents amounts associated with our AROs as discussed in Note 15, “Asset Retirement Obligations.” We recover these amounts over the life of the related plant. We do not earn a return on this asset.
Analog meter unrecovered investment: Represents the deferral of unrecovered investment of analog meters retired between October 2015 and the next general rate review. Once these amounts are included in base rates established in our next general rate review, we will amortize these amounts over a five-year period and will not earn a return on this asset.

Removal costs: Represents amounts spent, but not yet collected, to dispose of plant assets. This asset will decrease as removal costs are collected in our prices. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Treasury yield hedges: Represents the effective portion of treasury yield hedge transactions. This amount will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Retail energy cost adjustment: We are allowed to adjust our retail prices to reflect changes in the
cost of fuel and purchased power needed to serve our customers. This item represents the actual cost
of fuel consumed in producing electricity and the cost of purchased power in excess of the amounts we
have collected from customers. We expect to recover in our prices this shortfall over a one-year
period. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Ad valorem tax: Represents actual costs incurred for property taxes in excess of amounts collected in our prices. We expect to recover these amounts in our prices over a one-year period. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Disallowed plant costs: Originally there was a decision to disallow certainaccelerated equity compensation represent costs related to payments for voluntary severance and change in control plans, as well as the Wolf Creek plant. Subsequently, in 1987,recording of unrecognized equity compensation costs and the KCC revised its original conclusionincremental fair value associated with the vesting of outstanding Evergy Kansas Central equity compensation awards.
Other transaction and providedtransition costs include merger success fees and fees for recoveryother outside services incurred.
Reallocation and deferral of an indirect disallowance with no return on investment. This regulatory assetmerger transition costs represents the present valuenet reallocation of incurred merger transition costs between Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and the future expected revenues to be provided to recover these costs, net of the amounts amortized.

La Cygne environmental costs: Represents thesubsequent deferral of depreciation and amortization expense and associated carrying charges relatedthese transition costs to the La Cygne Generating Station (La Cygne) environmental project from the in-service date until late October 2015, the effective date of our state general rate review. This amount will be amortized over the life of the related asset. We earn a return on this asset.

Energy efficiency program costs: We accumulate and defer for future recovery costs related to our various energy efficiency programs. We will amortize such costs over a one-year period. We do not earn a return on this asset.

Wolf Creek outage: We defer the expenses associated with Wolf Creek’s scheduled refueling and maintenance outages and amortize these expenses during the period between planned outages. We do not earn a return on this asset.


Amounts due from customers for future income taxes, net: In accordance with various orders, we have reduced our prices to reflect the income tax benefits associated with certain income tax deductions, thereby passing on these benefits to customers at the time we received them. We believe it is probable that the net future increases in income taxes payable will be recovered from customers when these temporary income tax benefits reverse in future periods. We have recorded a regulatory asset, net of the regulatory liability, for these amounts. We also have recorded a regulatory liability for our obligation to customers for income taxes recovered in earlier periods when corporate income tax rates were higher than current income tax rates. This benefit will be returned to customers as these temporary differences reverse in future periods. We do not earn a return on this net asset.

Other regulatory assets: Includes various regulatory assets that individually are small in relation to the total regulatory asset balance. Other regulatory assets have various recovery periods. We do not earn a return on any of these assets.

Below we summarize the nature and period of amortization for each of the regulatory liabilities listed in the table above.

Income taxes, net: We have recorded a regulatory liability for our obligation to reduce the prices charged to customers for deferred income taxes recovered from customers in earlier periods when corporate income tax rates were higher than current income tax rates under TCJA. Most of this regulatory liability is related to depreciation and will be returned to customers over the life of the applicable property. Also, in accordance with various orders, we have reduced our prices to reflect the income tax benefits associated with certain accelerated income tax deductions, thereby passing on these benefits to customers at the time we received them. We believe it is probable that the net future increases in income taxes payable will be recovered from customers when these temporary income tax benefits reverse in future periods. We have recorded a regulatory asset for future recovery in accordance with the KCC and MPSC merger orders.
Purchase Price
Based on an evaluation of the provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations, Evergy Kansas Central was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the merger. Pursuant to the Amended Merger Agreement, Great Plains Energy's common stock shares were exchanged for Evergy common stock shares at the fixed exchange rate of 0.5981. The total consideration transferred in the merger is based on the closing stock price of Evergy Kansas Central on June 4, 2018, and is calculated as follows.
  (millions, except share amounts)
Great Plains Energy common stock shares outstanding as of June 4, 2018 215,800,074
Great Plains Energy restricted stock awards outstanding as of June 4, 2018 (204,825)
Great Plains Energy shares to be converted to Evergy shares 215,595,249
Exchange ratio 0.5981
Evergy common stock shares issued to Great Plains Energy shareholders 128,947,518
Closing price of Evergy Kansas Central common stock as of June 4, 2018 $54.00
Fair value of Evergy shares issued to Great Plains Energy shareholders $6,963.2
Fair value of Great Plains Energy's equity compensation awards 12.5
Total purchase price $6,975.7

Great Plains Energy's equity compensation awards, including performance shares and restricted stock, were replaced by equivalent Evergy equity compensation awards subject to substantially the same terms and conditions upon the closing of the merger. In accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC 805, a portion of the fair value of these awards is attributable to the purchase price as it represents consideration transferred in the merger.
Purchase Price Allocation
The fair value of Great Plains Energy's assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of June 4, 2018, was determined based on significant estimates and assumptions that are judgmental in nature. Third-party valuation specialists were engaged to assist in the valuation of these assets and liabilities.
The significant assets and liabilities recorded at fair values as of the merger date include long-term debt, asset retirement obligations, pension and post-retirement plans, accumulated deferred income tax liabilities and certain other long-term assets and liabilities.
The majority of Great Plains Energy's operations were subject to the rate-setting authority of the MPSC, the KCC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and were accounted for pursuant to GAAP, including the accounting guidance for regulated operations. The rate-setting and cost recovery provisions for Great Plains Energy's regulated operations provided revenue derived from costs including a return on investment of assets and liabilities included in rate base. Except for the significant assets and liabilities for which valuation adjustments

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were made as discussed above, the fair values of Great Plains Energy's tangible and intangible assets and liabilities subject to these rate-setting provisions approximated their carrying values and the assets and liabilities did not reflect any adjustments to these amounts which is offset against the regulatory liability.

Deferred regulatory gain from sale leaseback: Represents the gain KGE recorded on the 1987 sale and leaseback of its 50% interestother than for amounts not included in La Cygne unit 2. We amortize the gain over the lease term.

Nuclear decommissioning: We have a legal obligation to decommission Wolf Creek at the end of its useful life. This amount represents therate base. The difference between the fair value and pre-merger carrying amounts for Great Plains Energy's long-term debt, asset retirement obligations and pension and post-retirement plans that were related to regulated operations were recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets heldacquired and liabilities assumed were recognized as goodwill as of the merger date.
The final purchase price allocation to Great Plains Energy's assets and liabilities as of June 4, 2018, is detailed in the following table.
  (millions)
Current assets $2,151.7
Property, plant and equipment, net 9,179.7
Goodwill 2,336.6
Other long-term assets, excluding goodwill 1,235.9
Total assets $14,903.9
Current liabilities 1,673.9
Long-term liabilities, excluding long-term debt 2,895.7
Long-term debt, net 3,358.6
Total liabilities $7,928.2
Total purchase price $6,975.7

The purchase price allocation in the table above reflects refinements made to the preliminary fair values of long-term liabilities, excluding long-term debt included in the Evergy Companies' combined 2018 annual report on Form 10-K. These refinements include adjustments associated with deferred income taxes that resulted in a decommissioning trust anddecrease to goodwill of $2.3 million.
Impact of Merger
The impact of Great Plains Energy's subsidiaries on Evergy's revenues in the amount recordedconsolidated statement of comprehensive income for 2018 was an increase of $1,661.1 million. The impact of Great Plains Energy's subsidiaries on Evergy's net income attributable to Evergy in the accumulated accretion and depreciation expense associated with our ARO. See Notes 5, 6 and 15, “Financial Instruments and Trading Securities,” “Financial Investments” and “Asset Retirement Obligations,” respectively,consolidated statement of comprehensive income for information regarding our nuclear decommissioning trust (NDT) and our ARO.
2018 was an increase of $236.2 million.

Pension and other post-retirement benefits costs: Includes $12.6Evergy has incurred total merger-related costs, including reductions of revenue for customer bill credits, of $148.0 million for pension2018 and post-retirement benefit obligations and $35.7$11.9 million for pension2017.

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Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the consolidated results of operations of Evergy as if the merger transactions had taken place on January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma information was calculated after applying Evergy's accounting policies and post-retirement expense recognizedadjusting Great Plains Energy's results to reflect purchase accounting adjustments.
The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been achieved or the future consolidated results of operations of Evergy.
  2018 2017
 (millions, except per share amounts)
Operating revenues $5,334.6
 $5,279.2
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. 714.3
 468.9
Basic earnings per common share $2.67
 $1.73
Diluted earnings per common share $2.67
 $1.73

Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Great Plains Energy incurred non-recurring costs and a gain directly related to the merger that have been excluded in setting our pricesthe pro forma earnings presented above. On an after-tax basis, these non-recurring merger-related costs and gain incurred by Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Great Plains Energy included:
$74.7 million and $14.8 million in excess2018 and 2017, respectively, of actual pensioncertain after-tax merger-related transition and post-retirement expense. Duringtransaction costs;
$44.4 million in 2018 we will amortizeof after-tax reductions in operating revenues related to expense approximately $0.3one-time customer bill credits;
$278.0 million of after-tax financing charges in 2017 related to Great Plains Energy's previously contemplated acquisition of Evergy Kansas Central; and
$36.6 million and $7.3 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively, of after-tax mark-to-market gains on interest rate swaps for which cash settlement was contingent upon the benefit obligations and approximately $3.4 millionconsummation of the excess pensionmerger.
3. REVENUE
Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and post-retirement expense recognizedEvergy Metro's revenues disaggregated by customer class are summarized in setting our prices. We will amortize the excess pension and post-retirement expense over a five-year period.following tables.

Evergy2019 2018
Revenues(millions)
Residential$1,908.1
 $1,578.8
Commercial1,781.6
 1,356.4
Industrial621.6
 527.8
Other retail47.1
 30.6
Total electric retail$4,358.4
 $3,493.6
Wholesale327.5
 404.4
Transmission309.2
 308.1
Industrial steam and other24.5
 17.9
Total revenue from contracts with customers$5,019.6
 $4,224.0
Other128.2
 51.9
Operating revenues$5,147.8
 $4,275.9

Jurisdictional allowance for funds used during construction: This item represents AFUDC that is accrued subsequent to the time the associated construction charges90





Evergy Kansas Central2019 2018
Revenues(millions)
Residential$793.9
 $846.4
Commercial709.1
 702.8
Industrial401.3
 396.4
Other retail21.0
 20.0
Total electric retail$1,925.3
 $1,965.6
Wholesale239.9
 346.1
Transmission273.3
 288.9
Other5.8
 6.0
Total revenue from contracts with customers$2,444.3
 $2,606.6
Other63.1
 8.3
Operating revenues$2,507.4
 $2,614.9

Evergy Metro(a)
2019 2018
Revenues(millions)
Residential$712.4
 $735.6
Commercial786.1
 794.8
Industrial136.9
 138.8
Other retail16.3
 10.4
Total electric retail$1,651.7
 $1,679.6
Wholesale70.9
 53.5
Transmission17.5
 14.5
Other2.8
 4.4
Total revenue from contracts with customers$1,742.9
 $1,752.0
Other63.6
 71.1
Operating revenues$1,806.5
 $1,823.1
(a) Evergy Metro amounts are included in our prices and prior toconsolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the time the related assets are placed in service. The AFUDC is amortized to depreciation expense over the useful lifedate of the asset thatclosing of the merger, and thereafter.

Retail Revenues
The Evergy Companies' retail revenues are generated by the regulated sale of electricity to their residential, commercial and industrial customers within their franchised service territories. The Evergy Companies recognize revenue on the sale of electricity to their customers over time as the service is placedprovided in service.
the amount they have a right to invoice. Retail customers are billed on a monthly basis at the tariff rates approved by the KCC and MPSC based on customer kWh usage.

La Cygne leasehold dismantling costs: We are contractually obligated to dismantle a portion of La Cygne unit 2. This item represents amounts collectedRevenues recorded include electric services provided but not yet spentbilled by the Evergy Companies. Unbilled revenues are recorded for kWh usage in the period following the customers' billing cycle to dismantle this unitthe end of the month. This estimate is based on net system kWh usage less actual billed kWhs. The Evergy Companies' estimated unbilled kWhs are allocated and priced by regulatory jurisdiction across the rate classes based on actual billing rates.
The Evergy Companies also collect sales taxes and franchise fees from customers concurrent with revenue-producing activities that are levied by state and local governments. These items are excluded from revenue, and thus not reflected on the statements of income and comprehensive income, for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, Evergy Metro recorded sales taxes and franchise fees collected from its Missouri customers gross on Evergy Metro's statements of comprehensive income within operating revenues and taxes other than income taxes.

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Wholesale Revenues
The Evergy Companies' wholesale revenues are generated by the sale of wholesale power and capacity in circumstances when the power that the Evergy Companies generate is not required for customers in their service territory. These sales primarily occur within the SPP Integrated Marketplace. The Evergy Companies also purchase power from the SPP Integrated Marketplace and record sale and purchase activity on a net basis in wholesale revenue or fuel and purchased power expense. In addition, the Evergy Companies sell wholesale power and capacity through bilateral contracts to other counterparties, such as electric cooperatives, municipalities and other electric utilities.
For both wholesale sales to the SPP Integrated Marketplace and through bilateral contracts, the Evergy Companies recognize revenue on the sale of wholesale electricity to their customers over time as the service is provided in the amount they have a right to invoice.
Wholesale sales within the SPP Integrated Marketplace are billed weekly based on the fixed transaction price determined by the market at the time of the sale and the obligation will be dischargedMWh quantity purchased. Wholesale sales from bilateral contracts are billed monthly based on the contractually determined transaction price and the kWh quantity purchased.
Transmission Revenues
The Evergy Companies' transmission revenues are generated by the use of their transmission networks by the SPP. To enable optimal use of the diverse generating resources in the SPP region, the Evergy Companies, as we dismantlewell as other transmission owners, allow the unit.
SPP to access and operate their transmission networks. As new transmission lines are constructed, they are included in the transmission network available to the SPP. In exchange for providing access, the SPP pays the Evergy Companies consideration determined by formula rates approved by FERC, which include the cost to construct and maintain the transmission lines and a return on investment. The price for access to the Evergy Companies' transmission networks are updated annually based on projected costs. Projections are updated to actual costs and the difference is included in subsequent year's prices.

The Evergy Companies have different treatment for their legacy transmission facilities within the SPP, which results in different levels of transmission revenue being received from the SPP. Evergy Kansas Central's transmission revenues from SPP include amounts that Evergy Kansas Central pays to the SPP on behalf of its retail electric customers for the use of Evergy Kansas Central's legacy transmission facilities. These transmission revenues are mostly offset by SPP network transmission cost expense that Evergy Kansas Central pays on behalf of its retail customers. Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West do not pay the SPP for their retail customers’ use of the Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West legacy transmission facilities and correspondingly, their transmission revenues also do not reflect the associated transmission revenue from the SPP.
Kansas tax credits: This item represents Kansas tax creditsThe Evergy Companies recognize revenue on investments in utility plant. Amounts will be credited to customers subsequentthe sale of transmission service to their realizationcustomers over time as the remaining livesservice is provided in the amount they have a right to invoice. Transmission service to the SPP is billed monthly based on a fixed transaction price determined by FERC formula transmission rates along with other SPP-specific charges and the MW quantity purchased.
Industrial Steam and Other Revenues
Evergy's industrial steam and other revenues are primarily generated by the regulated sale of industrial steam to Evergy Missouri West's steam customers. Evergy recognizes revenue on the sale of industrial steam to its customers over time as the service is provided in the amount that it has the right to invoice. Steam customers are billed on a monthly basis at the tariff rate approved by the MPSC based on customer MMBtu usage.
Optional Exemption
Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations on certain bilateral wholesale contracts with an original expected duration of greater than one year for which they recognize revenue in the amount they have the right to invoice.

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4. RECEIVABLES
The Evergy Companies' receivables are detailed in the following table.
 December 31
  2019  2018 
Evergy (millions) 
Customer accounts receivable - billed $7.2
  $16.7
 
Customer accounts receivable - unbilled 104.0
  91.2
 
Other receivables 127.8
  95.0
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (10.5)  (9.2) 
Total $228.5
  $193.7
 
Evergy Kansas Central   
Customer accounts receivable - billed $
  $
 
Customer accounts receivable - unbilled 49.7
  16.6
 
Other receivables 94.5
  71.6
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (3.8)  (3.9) 
Total $140.4
  $84.3
 
Evergy Metro  
   
 
Customer accounts receivable - billed $3.1
  $7.8
 
Customer accounts receivable - unbilled 26.5
  42.9
 
Other receivables 23.1
  15.8
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (4.6)  (3.8) 
Total $48.1
  $62.7
 

Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's other receivables at December 31, 2019 and 2018, consisted primarily of receivables from partners in jointly-owned electric utility plants, wholesale sales receivables and certain receivables related to alternative revenue programs. As of December 31, 2019, other receivables for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro included receivables from contracts with customers of $42.0 million, $37.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, other receivables for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro included receivables from contracts with customers of $65.8 million, $55.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
The Evergy Companies recorded bad debt expense related to contracts with customers as summarized in the following table.
 2019 2018 2017
 (millions)
Evergy$27.3
 $20.2
 $10.3
Evergy Kansas Central7.3
 8.5
 10.3
Evergy Metro (a)
13.7
 13.1
 7.6
(a) Evergy Metro amounts are included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the utility plant giving rise toclosing of the tax credits.
merger, and thereafter.

Sale of Accounts Receivable

Purchase power agreement: This item represents the amount includedEvergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West sell an undivided percentage ownership interest in their retail electric rates from customers in excessaccounts receivable to independent outside investors. These sales of the costs incurred by us underundivided percentage ownership interests in accounts receivable to independent outside investors are accounted for as secured borrowings with accounts receivable pledged as collateral and a corresponding short-term collateralized note payable recognized on the purchase power agreement with Westar Generating. We amortizebalance sheets.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy's accounts receivable pledged as collateral and the amount over a three-year period.corresponding short-term collateralized note payable were $339.0 million and $365.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central's accounts receivable pledged as collateral and the corresponding short-term collateralized note payable were $171.0 million and $185.0 million, respectively.

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At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro's accounts receivable pledged as collateral and the corresponding short-term collateralized note payable were $118.0 million and $130.0 million, respectively.
Removal costs: Represents amounts collected, but not yet spent, to disposeEach receivable sale facility expires in September 2020. Evergy Kansas Central's facility allows for $185.0 million in aggregate outstanding principal amount of plant assets. This liability will be discharged as removal costs are incurred.
borrowings from mid-October through mid-June and then $200.0 million from mid-June through the expiration date of the facility. Evergy Metro's facility allows for $130.0 million in aggregate outstanding principal amount of borrowings at any time. Evergy Missouri West's facility allows for $50.0 million in aggregate outstanding principal amount of borrowings from mid-November through mid-June and then $65.0 million from mid-June through the expiration date of the facility.

Other regulatory liabilities: Includes various regulatory liabilities that individually are relatively small in relation to the total regulatory liability balance. Other regulatory liabilities will be credited over various periods.5. RATE MATTERS AND REGULATION

KCC Proceedings

General and Abbreviated Rate Reviews

Evergy Kansas Central 2019 Transmission Delivery Charge (TDC)
In February 2018, we filed an application with the KCC to update our prices to include, among other things, costs associated with the completion of Western Plains Wind Farm; expiration of wholesale contracts currently reflected in retail prices as offsets to retail cost of service; expiring production tax credits from initial wind investments; and an updated depreciation study. This application also includes savings due to the recently passed TCJA, savings achieved from refinancing debt, and savings from the proposed merger with Great Plains Energy. If approved we estimate the new prices will decrease our annual revenues by approximately $2.0 million in September 2018, followed by an increase in our annual revenues of $54.0 million in February 2019. We expect the KCC to issue an order on our request by September 2018.

In January 2018,March 2019, the KCC issued an order to investigate the effect of the TCJA on regulated utilities. The KCC stated the passage of the TCJA has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of service for utilities, and it may impact the regulatory assets and liabilities ofadjusting Evergy Kansas utilities. Therefore, beginning in January 2018, the KCC directed all regulated electric public utilities that are taxable at the corporate level, to accrue monthly, in a deferred revenue account, the portion of its revenue representing the difference between: (1) the cost of service as approved by the KCC in its most recent rate review; and (2) the cost of service that would have resulted had the provision for federal corporate income taxes been based upon the corporate tax rate approved in the TCJA. The KCC also gave notice to taxable utilities operating in Kansas that the portion of their regulated revenue stream that reflects higher corporate tax rates should be considered interim and subject to refund, with interest. When the KCC’s evaluation of the impact of the TCJA is complete, if it is determined that a retail price decrease is proper and would have been proper as of the effective date of the TCJA, these amounts will be returned to customers.

In June 2017, the KCC issued an order in our abbreviated rate review allowing us to adjust our prices to include capital costs related to La Cygne environmental upgrades, investment to extend the life of Wolf Creek, costs related to programs to improve grid resiliency and costs associated with investments in other environmental projects during 2015. The new prices were effective June 2017 and are expected to increase our annual retail revenues by approximately $16.4 million.

In September 2015, the KCC issued an order in our state general rate review allowing us to adjust our prices to include, among other things, additional investment in La Cygne environmental upgrades and investment to extend the life of Wolf Creek. The new prices were effective late October 2015 and are expected to increase our annual retail revenues by approximately $78.3 million.

Environmental Costs

In October 2015, in connection with the state general rate review, we agreed to no longer make annual filings with the KCC to adjust our prices to include costs associated with investments in air quality equipment made during the prior year. The existing balance of costs associated with these investments were rolled into our base prices. In the future, we will need to seek approval from the KCC for individual projects. In the most recent three years, the KCC issued orders related to such filings allowing us to increase our annual retail revenues by approximately $10.8 million effective in June 2015.


Transmission Costs

We make annual filings with the KCC to adjust our prices to include updated transmission costs as reflected in our transmission formula rate (TFR) discussed below. In the most recent three years, the KCC issued orders related to such filings allowing us to increase our annual retail revenues by approximately:

$12.7 million effective in April 2017;
$7.0 million effective in April 2016; and
$7.2 million effective in April 2015.

In June 2016, the KCC approved an order allowing us to adjust ourCentral's retail prices to include updated transmission costs as reflected in the TFR, alongFERC transmission formula rate (TFR). The new prices were effective in April 2019 and are expected to decrease Evergy Kansas Central's annual retail revenues by $7.7 million.
Evergy Metro 2019 TDC
In April 2019, the KCC issued an order adjusting Evergy Metro's retail prices to include updated transmission costs as reflected in the FERC TFR. The new prices were effective in May 2019 and are expected to decrease Evergy Metro's annual retail revenues by $8.3 million.
Evergy Kansas Central Fuel Recovery Mechanism Recovery of 8% of Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC)
As part of the non-unanimous stipulation and agreement approved by the KCC in September 2018 in Evergy Kansas Central's 2018 rate case, it was agreed that in the event that Evergy Kansas Central purchased the 8% ownership interest in JEC that it had historically leased from a trust it would be entitled to file a request with the reduced KCC to recover operating and maintenance and capital costs associated with the 8% ownership through its fuel recovery mechanism as these amounts were not reflected in Evergy Kansas Central's rates established as part of the 2018 rate case.
In the first quarter of 2019, Evergy Kansas Central entered into an agreement with the trust to extend its lease of the 8% interest in JEC from the previous expiration date of January 2019 to August 2019 and to then purchase the 8% ownership interest from the trust at the time the lease expired. Pursuant to the agreement, Evergy Kansas Central's purchase of the 8% ownership interest of JEC closed in August 2019.
In March 2019, Evergy Kansas Central filed an application with the KCC to request recovery through its fuel recovery mechanism of deferred lease expense and operating and maintenance expense incurred during the lease extension and future operating and maintenance expense subsequent to the purchase of the 8% ownership interest in JEC. In September 2019, the KCC issued an order finding that the lease extension and subsequent purchase of the 8% ownership interest by Evergy Kansas Central were not prudent and disallowed the recovery from retail customers of all associated capital and operating costs that were incurred during the lease extension and will be incurred in the future. The KCC order also provided that Evergy Kansas Central be allowed to retain any wholesale electricity sales associated with the 8% ownership interest of JEC.
As a result of the KCC order in September 2019, Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central recorded an $8.4 million pre-tax loss to operating and maintenance expense in their consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in 2019 associated with the write-off of a regulatory asset for the deferred lease expense and other operating expenses.
Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro Earnings Review and Sharing Plan (ERSP)
As part of their merger settlement agreement with the KCC, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro agreed to participate in an ERSP for the years 2019 through 2022. Under the ERSP, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's Kansas jurisdiction are required to refund to customers 50% of annual earnings in excess of their authorized

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return on equity (ROE) as described below.of 9.3% to the extent the excess earnings exceed the amount of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's annual merger bill credits for the year being measured.
As of December 31, 2019, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro estimate their 2019 annual earnings will not result in a significant refund obligation. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro expect to file their 2019 earnings calculations with the KCC in March 2020. The updated prices were retroactively effective April 2016. We began refunding our previously-recordedfinal refund obligation, if any, will be decided by the KCC and could vary from the current estimate.
MPSC Proceedings
Evergy Missouri West Other Proceedings
In December 2018, the Office of the Public Counsel (OPC) and the Midwest Energy Consumers Group (MECG) filed a petition with the MPSC requesting an AAO that would require Evergy Missouri West to record a regulatory liability for all revenues collected from customers for return on investment, non-fuel operations and maintenance costs, taxes including accumulated deferred income taxes, and all other costs associated with Sibley Station following the station’s retirement in 2016November 2018.
In October 2019, the MPSC granted OPC's and MECG's request for an AAO and required Evergy Missouri West to record to a regulatory liability the revenues discussed above for consideration in Evergy Missouri West's next rate case, which is expected to be completed no later than 2022. Depending on the MPSC's decision in this next rate case, Evergy Missouri West could be required to refund to customers all or a portion of amounts collected in revenue for Sibley Station since December 2018 or, alternatively, could be required to make no refunds.
As a result of the MPSC order, Evergy has recorded a regulatory liability of $10.2 million as of December 31, 2016, we had a remaining2019 for the estimated amount of revenues that Evergy Missouri West has collected from customers for Sibley Station since December 2018 that Evergy has determined is probable of refund. Evergy expects that it will continue to defer such amounts as collected from customers until new rates become effective in Evergy Missouri West's next rate case.
The accrual for this estimated amount does not include certain revenues collected related to Sibley Station that Evergy has determined to not be probable of refund obligationin the next rate case based on the relevant facts and circumstances. While Evergy has determined these additional revenues to not be probable of $1.3refund, the ultimate resolution of this matter in Evergy Missouri West's next rate case is uncertain and could result in an estimated loss of up to approximately $12 million which is included in currentexcess of the amount accrued per year until Evergy Missouri West's new rates become effective. Evergy's regulatory liabilities on our balance sheet. Asliability for probable refunds as of December 31, 2017, we have fully refunded2019 and estimated loss in excess of the amount accrued represent estimates that could change significantly based on ongoing developments including as a result of an appeal of the MPSC order, decisions in other regulatory proceedings that establish precedent applicable to this obligation.

Property Tax Surcharge

We make annual filings with the KCC to adjust our prices to include the cost incurred for property taxes. In October 2015,matter and positions of parties on this issue in connection with the state generala future Evergy Missouri West rate review, the existing balance of costs incurred for property taxes were rolled into our base prices. In the most recent four years, the KCC issued orders related to such filings allowing us to adjust our annual retail revenues by approximately:

$0.2 million decrease effective in January 2018;
$26.8 million decrease effective in January 2017;
$5.0 million increase effective in January 2016; and
$4.9 million increase effective in January 2015.

case.
FERC Proceedings

In October of each year, weEvergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro post an updated TFR that includes projected transmission capital expenditures and operating costs for the following year. This rate providesis the basismost material and significant component in the retail rate calculation for ourEvergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's annual request with the KCC to adjust our retail prices to include updated transmission costs as noted above. through the TDC.

Evergy Kansas Central TFR
In the most recent fourthree years, we posted ourthe updated TFR which was expected to adjust ourEvergy Kansas Central's annual transmission revenues by approximately:

$25.56.8 million increase effective in January 2018;
$29.6 million increase effective in January 2017;
$24.0 million increase effective in January 2016; and
$4.6 million decrease effective in January 2015.

In March 2016, the FERC approved a settlement reducing our base ROE used in determining our TFR. The settlement resulted in an ROE of 10.3%, which consists of a 9.8% base ROE plus a 0.5% incentive ROE for participation in a regional transmission organization (RTO). The updated prices were retroactively effective January 2016. This adjustment also reflected estimated recovery of increased transmission capital expenditures and operating costs. We began refunding our previously recorded refund obligation in 2016 and as of December 31, 2016, we had a remaining refund obligation of $1.2 million, which is included in current regulatory liabilities on our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2017, we have fully refunded this obligation.


5. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND TRADING SECURITIES

Values of Financial Instruments

GAAP establishes a hierarchical framework for disclosing the transparency of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. In addition, we measure certain investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value at net asset value (NAV), which are not included in the fair value hierarchy. Further explanation of these levels and NAV is summarized below.


Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The types of assets and liabilities included in level 1 are highly liquid and actively traded instruments with quoted prices, such as equities listed on public exchanges.

Level 2 - Pricing inputs are not quoted prices in active markets, but are either directly or indirectly observable. The types of assets and liabilities included in level 2 are typically liquid investments in funds that have a readily determinable fair value calculated using daily NAVs, other financial instruments that are comparable to actively traded securities or contracts, such as treasury securities with pricing interpolated from recent trades of similar securities, or other financial instruments priced with models using highly observable inputs.

Level 3 - Significant inputs to pricing have little or no transparency. The types of assets and liabilities included in level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation.

Net Asset Value - Investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured at NAV. These investments do not consider the observability of inputs, therefore, they are not included within the fair value hierarchy. We include in this category investments in private equity, real estate and alternative investment funds that do not have a readily determinable fair value. The underlying alternative investments include collateralized debt obligations, mezzanine debt and a variety of other investments.

We record cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings and variable-rate debt on our consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximates fair value. We measure the fair value of fixed-rate debt, a level 2 measurement, based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for instruments of the same remaining maturities and redemption provisions. The recorded amount of accounts receivable and other current financial instruments approximates fair value.

We measure fair value based on information available as of the measurement date. The following table provides the carrying values and measured fair values of our fixed-rate debt.
 As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016
 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
 (In Thousands)
Fixed-rate debt$3,605,000
 $3,888,620
 $3,430,000
 $3,597,441
Fixed-rate debt of VIEs109,967
 110,756
 137,962
 139,733


Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table provides the amounts and their corresponding level of hierarchy for our assets that are measured at fair value.

As of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $68,658
 $
 $5,142
 $73,800
International equity funds 
 47,908
 
 
 47,908
Core bond fund 
 33,250
 
 
 33,250
High-yield bond fund 
 18,089
 
 
 18,089
Emerging markets bond fund 
 17,345
 
 
 17,345
Combination debt/equity/other fund 
 14,125
 
 
 14,125
Alternative investments fund 
 
 
 21,669
 21,669
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 10,806
 10,806
Cash equivalents 110
 
 
 
 110
Total Nuclear Decommissioning Trust 110
 199,375
 
 37,617
 237,102
Trading Securities:          
Core bond fund 
 27,324
 
 
 27,324
Combination debt/equity/other fund 
 6,831
 
 
 6,831
Cash equivalents 156
 
 
 
 156
Total Trading Securities 156
 34,155
 
 
 34,311
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $266
 $233,530
 $
 $37,617
 $271,413
           
As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $56,312
 $
 $5,056
 $61,368
International equity funds 
 35,944
 
 
 35,944
Core bond fund 
 27,423
 
 
 27,423
High-yield bond fund 
 18,188
 
 
 18,188
Emerging markets bond fund 
 14,738
 
 
 14,738
Combination debt/equity/other fund 
 13,484
 
 
 13,484
Alternative investments fund 
 
 
 18,958
 18,958
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 9,946
 9,946
Cash equivalents 73
 
 
 
 73
Total Nuclear Decommissioning Trust 73
 166,089
 
 33,960
 200,122
Trading Securities:          
Domestic equity funds 
 18,364
 
 
 18,364
International equity fund 
 4,467
 
 
 4,467
Core bond fund 
 11,504
 
 
 11,504
Cash equivalents 156
 
 
 
 156
Total Trading Securities 156
 34,335
 
 
 34,491
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $229
 $200,424
 $
 $33,960
 $234,613




Some of our investments in the NDT are measured at NAV and do not have readily determinable fair values. These investments are either with investment companies or companies that follow accounting guidance consistent with investment companies. In certain situations, these investments may have redemption restrictions. The following table provides additional information on these investments.
 As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2017
 Fair Value 
Unfunded
Commitments
 Fair Value 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Redemption
Frequency
 
Length of
Settlement
 (In Thousands)    
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust:           
Domestic equity funds$5,142
 $2,808
 $5,056
 $3,529
 (a) (a)
Alternative investments fund (b)21,669
 
 18,958
 
 Quarterly 65 days
Real estate securities fund (b)10,806
 
 9,946
 
 Quarterly 65 days
Total$37,617
 $2,808
 $33,960
 $3,529
    
 _______________2020;
(a)This investment is
$11.2 million decrease effective in four long-term private equity funds that do not permit early withdrawal. Our investments in these funds cannot be distributed until the underlying investments have been liquidated, which may take years from the date of initial liquidation. Three funds have begun to make distributions. Our initial investment in the fourth fund occurred in the second quarter of 2016. This fund’s term is 15 years, subject to the general partner’s right to extend the term for up to three additional one-year periods.January 2019; and
(b)
There is a holdback on final redemptions. $2.3 million increase effective in January 2018.


Derivative Instruments
95


Price Risk

We use various typesTable of fuel, including coal, natural gas, uranium and diesel to operate our plants and also purchase power to meet customer demand. Our prices and consolidated financial results are exposed to market risks from commodity price changes for electricity and other energy-related products as well as from interest rates. Volatility in these markets impacts our costs of purchased power, costs of fuel for our generating plants and our participation in energy markets. We strive to manage our customers’ and our exposure to market risks through regulatory, operating and financing activities and, when we deem appropriate, we economically hedge a portion of these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments for non-trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We have entered into numerous fixed and variable rate debt obligations. For details, see Note 10, “Long-Term Debt.” We manage our interest rate risk related to these debt obligations by limiting our exposure to variable interest rate debt, diversifying maturity dates and entering into treasury yield hedge transactions. We may also use other financial derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps.


Contents
6. FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS


We report our investments in equity and debt securities at fair value and use the specific identification method to determine their realized gains and losses. We classify these investments as either trading securities or available-for-sale securities as described below.

Trading Securities

We hold equity and debt investments that we classify as trading securities in a trust used to fund certain retirement benefit obligations. These obligations totaled $27.4 million and $26.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For additional information on our benefit obligations, see Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans.”


As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we measured the fair value of trust assets at $34.3 million and $34.5 million, respectively. We include unrealized gains or losses on these securities in investment earnings on our consolidated statements of income. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded unrealized gains of $4.0 million, $2.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, on assets still held.

Available-for-Sale Securities

We hold investments in a trust for the purpose of funding the decommissioning of Wolf Creek. We have classified these investments as available-for-sale and have recorded all such investments at their fair market value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Using the specific identification method to determine cost, we realized no gain or loss on our available-for-sale securities in 2017. We realized a loss on our available-for-sale securities of $1.5 million and $0.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. We record net realized and unrealized gains and losses in regulatory liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. This reporting is consistent with the method we use to account for the decommissioning costs we recover in our prices. Gains or losses on assets in the trust fund are recorded as increases or decreases, respectively, to regulatory liabilities and could result in lower or higher funding requirements for decommissioning costs, which we believe would be reflected in the prices paid by our customers.

The following table presents the cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and allocation of investments in the NDT fund as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

    Gross Unrealized    
Security Type Cost Gain Loss Fair Value Allocation
  (Dollars In Thousands)  
As of December 31, 2017:          
Domestic equity funds $67,348
 $7,187
 $(735) $73,800
 31%
International equity funds 36,324
 11,584
 
 47,908
 20%
Core bond fund 33,381
 
 (131) 33,250
 14%
High-yield bond fund 17,989
 100
 
 18,089
 8%
Emerging markets bond fund 17,449
 
 (104) 17,345
 7%
Combination debt/equity/other fund 8,311
 5,814
 
 14,125
 6%
Alternative investments fund 15,000
 6,669
 
 21,669
 9%
Real estate securities fund 9,500
 1,306
 
 10,806
 5%
Cash equivalents 110
 
 
 110
 <1%
Total $205,412
 $32,660
 $(970) $237,102
 100%
           
As of December 31, 2016:          
Domestic equity funds $53,192
 $8,295
 $(119) $61,368
 31%
International equity funds 34,502
 2,075
 (633) 35,944
 18%
Core bond fund 27,952
 
 (529) 27,423
 14%
High-yield bond fund 18,358
 
 (170) 18,188
 9%
Emerging markets bond fund 16,397
 
 (1,659) 14,738
 7%
Combination debt/equity/other fund 9,171
 4,313
 
 13,484
 7%
Alternative investments fund 15,000
 3,958
 
 18,958
 9%
Real estate securities fund 9,500
 446
 
 9,946
 5%
Cash equivalents 73
 
 
 73
 <1%
Total $184,145
 $19,087
 $(3,110) $200,122
 100%


Evergy Metro TFR

The following table presentsIn the fair value andmost recent three years, the gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale securities held in the NDT fund aggregatedupdated TFR was expected to adjust Evergy Metro's annual transmission revenues by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total
 Fair Value 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 (In Thousands)
As of December 31, 2017:           
Domestic equity funds$1,784
 $(362) $1,871
 $(373) $3,655
 $(735)
Core bond fund
 
 33,250
 (131) 33,250
 (131)
Emerging markets bond fund17,345
 (104) 
 
 17,345
 (104)
Total$19,129
 $(466) $35,121
 $(504) $54,250
 $(970)
           
As of December 31, 2016:        
 
Domestic equity funds$1,788
 $(119) $
 $
 $1,788
 $(119)
International equity funds
 
 7,489
 (633) 7,489
 (633)
Core bond fund27,423
 (529) 
 
 27,423
 (529)
High-yield bond fund
 
 18,188
 (170) 18,188
 (170)
Emerging markets bond fund
 
 14,738
 (1,659) 14,738
 (1,659)
Total$29,211
 $(648) $40,415
 $(2,462) $69,626
 $(3,110)


7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of our property, plant and equipment balance.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Electric plant in service$12,954,247
 $11,986,046
Electric plant acquisition adjustment739,037
 802,318
Accumulated depreciation(4,651,748) (4,404,977)
 9,041,536
 8,383,387
Construction work in progress434,927
 773,095
Nuclear fuel, net71,426
 61,952
Plant to be retired, net (a)5,866
 29,925
Net property, plant and equipment$9,553,755
 $9,248,359
  _______________
(a) Represents the planned retirement of analog meters prior to the end of their remaining useful lives due to modernization of meter technology. See Note 4, “Rate Matters and Regulation,” for additional information.

The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment of VIEs.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Electric plant of VIEs$392,100
 $497,999
Accumulated depreciation of VIEs(215,821) (240,095)
Net property, plant and equipment of VIEs$176,279
 $257,904


We recorded depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $350.0 million in 2017, $316.7 million in 2016 and $287.9 million in 2015. Approximately $8.3 million, $9.5 million and $9.6 million of depreciation expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was attributable to property, plant and equipment of VIEs.


8. JOINT OWNERSHIP OF UTILITY PLANTS

Under joint ownership agreements with other utilities, we have undivided ownership interests in four electric generating stations. Energy generated and operating expenses are divided on the same basis as ownership with each owner reflecting its respective costs in its statements of income and each owner responsible for its own financing. Information relative to our ownership interests in these facilities as of December 31, 2017, is shown in the table below.
Plant 
In-Service
Dates
 Investment 
Accumulated
Depreciation
 
Construction
Work in Progress
 
Net
MW
 
Ownership
Percentage
    (Dollars in Thousands)    
La Cygne unit 1 (a) June 1973 $639,265
 $171,749
 $29,511
 368
 50
JEC unit 1 (a) July 1978 843,945
 207,358
 1,703
 670
 92
JEC unit 2 (a) May 1980 577,590
 206,041
 2,190
 672
 92
JEC unit 3 (a) May 1983 740,467
 337,941
 17,995
 659
 92
Wolf Creek (b) Sept. 1985 1,867,487
 819,772
 90,184
 552
 47
State Line (c) June 2001 112,679
 66,858
 454
 196
 40
Total   $4,781,433
 $1,809,719
 $142,037
 3,117
  
_______________ approximately:
(a)Jointly owned with Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL). Our 8% leasehold interest
$1.7 million decrease effective in Jeffrey Energy Center (JEC) is reflected in the net megawatts (MW) and ownership percentage provided above.
(b)Jointly owned with KCPL and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.January 2020;
(c)    Jointly owned with Empire District Electric Company.$2.8 million decrease effective in January 2019; and

We include$3.7 million increase effective in operating expenses on our consolidated statements of income our share of operating expenses of the above plants. Our share of fuel expense for the above plants is generally based on the amount of power we take from the respective plants. Our share of other transactions associated with the plants is included in the appropriate classification on our consolidated financial statements.

In addition, we consolidate a VIE that holds our 50% leasehold interest in La Cygne unit 2, which represents 331 MW of net capacity. The VIE’s investment in the 50% interest was $392.1 million and accumulated depreciation was $215.8 million as of December 31, 2017. We include these amounts in property, plant and equipment of VIEs, net on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” for additional information about VIEs.


January 2018.
9. SHORT-TERM DEBTRegulatory Assets and Liabilities

The Evergy Companies have recorded assets and liabilities on their consolidated balance sheets resulting from the effects of the ratemaking process, which would not otherwise be recorded if they were not regulated. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that are probable of recovery from future revenues. Regulatory liabilities represent future reductions in revenues or refunds to customers.
Management regularly assesses whether regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of future recovery or refund by considering factors such as decisions by the MPSC, KCC or FERC in Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's rate case filings; decisions in other regulatory proceedings, including decisions related to other companies that establish precedent on matters applicable to the Evergy Companies; and changes in laws and regulations. If recovery or refund of regulatory assets or liabilities is not approved by regulators or is no longer deemed probable, these regulatory assets or liabilities are recognized in the current period results of operations. The Evergy Companies continued ability to meet the criteria for recording regulatory assets and liabilities may be affected in the future by restructuring and deregulation in the electric industry or changes in accounting rules. In December 2017, Westar Energy extendedthe event that the criteria no longer applied to any or all of the Evergy Companies' operations, the related regulatory assets and liabilities would be written off unless an appropriate regulatory recovery mechanism were provided. Additionally, these factors could result in an impairment on utility plant assets.

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The Evergy Companies' regulatory assets and liabilities are detailed in the following tables.
  December 31
  2019 2018
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Regulatory Assets (millions)
Pension and post-retirement costs $795.9
 $359.9
 $330.7
 $808.2
 $343.7
 $361.5
Debt reacquisition costs 105.8
 97.3
 7.5
 113.5
 104.1
 8.2
Debt fair value adjustment 112.0
 
 
 134.5
 
 
Asset retirement obligations fair value
adjustment
 114.3
 
 
 111.4
 
 
Depreciation 55.3
 55.3
 
 58.0
 58.0
 
Cost of removal 129.3
 94.4
 34.9
 102.4
 65.7
 36.7
Asset retirement obligations 167.1
 52.8
 79.4
 171.9
 49.5
 91.6
Analog meter unrecovered investment 29.9
 29.9
 
 35.6
 35.6
 
Treasury yield hedges 22.6
 22.6
 
 23.7
 23.7
 
Iatan No. 1 and common facilities 7.1
 
 2.8
 7.4
 
 2.9
Iatan No. 2 construction accounting costs 26.1
 
 13.1
 26.8
 
 13.5
Kansas property tax surcharge 21.7
 18.7
 3.0
 33.1
 23.7
 9.4
Disallowed plant costs 14.8
 14.8
 
 15.0
 15.0
 
La Cygne environmental costs 13.7
 11.2
 2.5
 14.8
 12.2
 2.6
Deferred customer programs 18.0
 6.2
 8.3
 19.9
 7.0
 8.0
Fuel recovery mechanisms 34.7
 
 16.6
 91.2
 7.1
 41.7
Solar rebates 39.8
 
 9.0
 45.2
 
 13.9
Transmission delivery charge 
 
 
 0.8
 
 0.8
Wolf Creek outage 31.0
 15.5
 15.5
 21.8
 10.9
 10.9
Pension and other post-retirement benefit
non-service costs
 31.8
 7.4
 15.6
 13.6
 5.2
 4.8
Retired generation facilities 130.5
 
 
 159.9
 
 
Merger transition costs 42.3
 20.3
 15.6
 47.0
 22.6
 17.3
Other regulatory assets 28.5
 17.4
 5.3
 6.1
 13.5
 2.3
Total 1,972.2

823.7

559.8

2,061.8

797.5

626.1
Less: current portion (231.7) (93.3) (95.4) (303.9) (97.1) (130.9)
Total noncurrent regulatory assets $1,740.5

$730.4

$464.4

$1,757.9

$700.4

$495.2


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  December 31
  2019 2018
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Regulatory Liabilities (millions)
Taxes refundable through future rates $1,656.5
 $856.4
 $568.9
 $1,703.6
 $853.2
 $609.2
Deferred regulatory gain from sale
leaseback
 53.6
 53.6
 
 59.1
 59.1
 
Emission allowances 50.1
 
 50.1
 54.1
 
 54.1
Nuclear decommissioning 267.3
 116.5
 150.8
 188.2
 84.5
 103.7
Pension and post-retirement costs 59.3
 31.5
 20.3
 53.4
 28.3
 25.1
Jurisdictional allowance for funds used
during construction
 28.7
 28.7
 
 30.3
 30.3
 
La Cygne leasehold dismantling costs 29.6
 29.6
 
 29.5
 29.5
 
Cost of removal 49.1
 
 
 48.1
 
 
Kansas tax credits 17.0
 17.0
 
 16.5
 16.5
 
Purchase power agreement 7.4
 7.4
 
 8.8
 8.8
 
Merger customer credits 
 
 
 7.5
 
 7.5
Fuel recovery mechanisms 34.1
 30.2
 
 
 
 
Sibley AAO 10.2
 
 
 
 
 
Refund of tax reform benefits 
 
 
 70.9
 7.2
 36.3
Other regulatory liabilities 48.7
 3.9
 13.5
 59.0
 3.9
 11.2
Total 2,311.6
 1,174.8
 803.6
 2,329.0
 1,121.3
 847.1
Less: current portion (63.3) (42.3) (11.4) (110.2) (19.5) (52.8)
Total noncurrent regulatory liabilities $2,248.3
 $1,132.5
 $792.2
 $2,218.8
 $1,101.8
 $794.3

The following summarizes the nature and period of recovery for each of the regulatory assets listed in the table above.
Pension and post-retirement costs: Represents unrecognized gains and losses and prior service costs that will be recognized in future net periodic pension and post-retirement costs, pension settlements amortized over various periods and financial and regulatory accounting method differences that will be eliminated over the life of the pension plans. Of these amounts, $735.4 million, $359.9 million and $312.9 million for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro, respectively, are not included in rate base and are amortized over various periods. Additionally, $288.4 million, ($23.6) million and $131.1 million for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro, respectively, represent differences between pension and post-retirement costs under GAAP and pension and post-retirement costs for ratemaking that will be recovered or refunded in future rates and differences in accumulated unrecognized gains and losses and prior service costs between Evergy and Evergy Metro due to Evergy Metro electing not to apply "push-down accounting" related to the merger.
Debt reacquisition costs: Includes costs incurred to reacquire and refinance debt. These costs are amortized over the term of the $270.0new debt or the remaining lives of the old debt issuances if no new debt was issued and are not included in rate base.
Debt fair value adjustment: Represents purchase accounting adjustments recorded to state the carrying value of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West long-term debt at fair value in connection with the merger. Amount is amortized over the life of the related debt and is not included in rate base.
Asset retirement obligations fair value adjustment: Represents purchase accounting adjustments recorded to state the carrying value of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West AROs at fair value in connection with the merger. Amount is amortized over the life of the related plant and is not included in rate base.

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Depreciation: Represents the difference between regulatory depreciation expense and depreciation expense recorded for financial reporting purposes. These assets are included in rate base and the difference is amortized over the life of the related plant.
Cost of removal: Represents amounts spent, but not yet collected, to dispose of plant assets. This asset will decrease as removal costs are collected in rates and is included in rate base.
Asset retirement obligations: Represents amounts associated with AROs as discussed further in Note 7. These amounts are recovered over the life of the related plant and are not included in rate base.
Analog meter unrecovered investment: Represents the deferral of unrecovered investment of retired analog meters. Of this amount, $21.6 million revolving credit facility to terminateis not included in February 2019. So long as thererate base for Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central and is no default underbeing amortized over a five-year period.
Treasury yield hedges: Represents the facility, Westar Energy may increase the aggregateeffective portion of treasury yield hedge transactions. Amortization of this amount of borrowings under the facility to $400.0 million, subject to lender participation. All borrowings under the facility are secured by KGE first mortgage bonds. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Westar Energy had no borrowed amounts or letters of credit outstanding under this revolving credit facility.

In September 2015, Westar Energy extended the term of its $730.0 million revolving credit facility to terminate in September 2019, $20.7 million of which expired in September 2017. As long as there is no default under the facility, Westar Energy may extend the facility up to an additional year and may increase the aggregate amount of borrowings under the facility to $1.0 billion, both subject to lender participation. All borrowings under the facility are secured by KGE first mortgage bonds. As of December 31, 2017, no amounts had been borrowed and $11.8 million of letters of credit had been issued under this revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2016, no amounts had been borrowed and $12.3 million of letters of credit had been issued under this revolving credit facility.


Westar Energy maintains a commercial paper program pursuant to which it may issue commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any one time of $1.0 billion. This program is supported by and cannot exceed the capacity under Westar Energy’s revolving credit facilities. Maturities of commercial paper issuances may not exceed 365days from the date of issuance and proceeds from such issuances will be used to temporarily fund capital expenditures, to redeem debt on an interim basis, for working capital and/or for other general corporate purposes. Westar Energy had $275.7 million and $366.7 million of commercial paper issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In addition, total combined borrowings under Westar Energy’s commercial paper program and revolving credit facilities may not exceed $1.0 billion at any given time. The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, was 1.83% and 0.96%, respectively. Additional information regarding our short-term debt is as follows.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Weighted average short-term debt outstanding$306,245
 $284,700
Weighted daily average interest rates, excluding fees1.29% 0.78%

Our interest expense on short-term debt was $5.2 millionincluded in 2017, $3.6 million in 2016 and $3.0 million in 2015.



10. LONG-TERM DEBT

Outstanding Debt

The following table summarizes our long-term debt outstanding.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Westar Energy   
First mortgage bond series:   
5.15% due 2017$
 $125,000
5.10% due 2020250,000
 250,000
3.25% due 2025250,000
 250,000
2.55% due 2026350,000
 350,000
3.10% due 2027300,000
 
4.125% due 2042550,000
 550,000
4.10% due 2043430,000
 430,000
4.625% due 2043250,000
 250,000
4.25% due 2045300,000
 300,000
 2,680,000
 2,505,000
Pollution control bond series:   
Variable due 2032, 1.92% as of December 31, 2017; 1.14% as of December 31, 201645,000
 45,000
Variable due 2032, 1.94% as of December 31, 2017; 1.32% as of December 31, 201630,500
 30,500
 75,500
 75,500
    
KGE   
First mortgage bond series:   
6.70% due 2019300,000
 300,000
6.15% due 202350,000
 50,000
6.53% due 2037175,000
 175,000
6.64% due 2038100,000
 100,000
4.30% due 2044250,000
 250,000
 875,000
 875,000
Pollution control bond series:   
Variable due 2027, 2.00% as of December 31, 2017; 1.46% as of December 31, 201621,940
 21,940
2.50% due 203150,000
 50,000
Variable due 2032, 2.00% as of December 31, 2017; 1.46% as of December 31, 201614,500
 14,500
Variable due 2032, 2.00% as of December 31, 2017; 1.46% as of December 31, 201610,000
 10,000
 96,440
 96,440
    
Total long-term debt3,726,940
 3,551,940
Unamortized debt discount (a)(10,925) (10,358)
Unamortized debt issuance expense (a)(28,460) (27,912)
Long-term debt due within one year
 (125,000)
Long-term debt, net$3,687,555

$3,388,670
    
Variable Interest Entities   
5.92% due 2019 (b)$
 $1,157
2.398% due 2021 (b)109,967
 136,805
Total long-term debt of variable interest entities109,967
 137,962
Unamortized debt premium (a)
 89
Long-term debt of variable interest entities due within one year(28,534)
(26,842)
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net$81,433

$111,209
_______________
(a) We amortize debt discounts and issuance expense to interest expense over the term of the respective issues.related debt and is not included in rate base.
(b) Portions of our paymentsIatan No. 1 and common facilities: Represents depreciation and carrying costs related to this debt reduceIatan No. 1 and common facilities. These costs are included in rate base and amortized over various periods.
Iatan No. 2 construction accounting costs: Represents the principal balances each year until maturity.construction accounting costs related to Iatan No. 2. These costs are included in rate base and amortized through 2059.

Kansas property tax surcharge: Represents actual costs incurred for property taxes in excess of amounts collected in revenues. These costs are expected to be recovered over a one-year period and are not included in rate base.

Disallowed plant costs: The Westar Energy and KGE mortgages each contain provisions restricting the amount of first mortgage bonds (FMBs) that could be issued by each entity. We must comply with such restrictions priorKCC originally disallowed certain costs related to the issuanceWolf Creek plant. In 1987, the KCC revised its original conclusion and provided for recovery of additional first mortgage bonds or other secured indebtedness.


The amount of Westar Energy FMBs authorized by its Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated July 1, 1939, as supplemented, is subject to certain limitations as described below. The amount of KGE FMBs authorized byan indirect disallowance with no return on investment. This regulatory asset represents the KGE Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated April 1, 1940, as supplemented and amended, is limited to a maximum of $3.5 billion, unless amended further. FMBs are secured by utility assets. Amounts of additional bonds that may be issued are subject to property, earnings and certain restrictive provisions, except in connection with certain refundings, of each mortgage. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $929.7 million principal amount of additional FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in Westar Energy’s mortgage. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $1.5 billion principal amount of additional KGE FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in KGE’s mortgage.

As of December 31, 2017, we had $121.9 million of variable rate, tax-exempt bonds outstanding. While the interest rates for these bonds have been low, we continue to monitor the credit markets and evaluate our options with respect to these bonds.

In March 2017, Westar Energy issued $300.0 million in principal amount of FMBs bearing a stated interest at 3.10% maturing April 2027.

In January 2017, Westar Energy retired $125.0 million in principal amount of FMBs bearing a stated interest at 5.15% maturing January 2017.

In June 2016, Westar Energy issued $350.0 million in principal amount of FMBs bearing a stated interest at 2.55% and maturing July 2026. The bonds were issued as “Green Bonds,” and all proceeds from the bonds were used in renewable energy projects, primarily the constructionpresent value of the Western Plains Wind Farm.

Also in June 2016, KGE redeemed and reissued $50.0 million in principal amount pollution control bonds maturing June 2031. The stated ratefuture expected revenues to be provided to recover these costs, net of the bonds was reduced from 4.85% to 2.50%.amounts amortized.

In February 2016, KGE, as lesseeLa Cygne environmental costs: Represents the deferral of depreciation and amortization expense and associated carrying charges related to the La Cygne sale-leaseback, effected a redemption and reissuance of $162.1 million in outstanding bonds held byStation environmental project. This amount will be amortized over the trusteelife of the lease maturing March 2021. The stated interestrelated asset and is included in rate base.
Deferred customer programs: Represents costs related to various energy efficiency programs that have been accumulated and deferred for future recovery. Of these amounts, $10.2 million for Evergy and $8.3 million for Evergy Metro are not included in rate base and are amortized over various periods.
Fuel recovery mechanisms: Represents the actual cost of fuel consumed in producing electricity and the cost of purchased power in excess of the bonds was reducedamounts collected from 5.647%customers. This difference is expected to 2.398%. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” for additional information regarding our La Cygne sale-leaseback. be recovered over a one-year period and is not included in rate base.

Solar rebates: Represents costs associated with solar rebates provided to retail electric customers. These amounts are not included in rate base and are amortized over various periods.
WithTransmission delivery charge: Represents costs associated with the exceptiontransmission delivery charge. The amounts are not included in rate base and are amortized over a one-year period.
Wolf Creek outage: Represents deferred expenses associated with Wolf Creek's scheduled refueling and maintenance outages. These expenses are amortized during the period between planned outages and are not included in rate base.
Pension and other post-retirement benefit non-service costs: Represents the non-service component of Green Bonds, proceeds from issuances were used to repay short-term debt, which was used to purchase capital equipment, to redeem bondspension and for working capitalpost-retirement net benefit costs that are capitalized as authorized by regulators. The amounts are included in rate base and general corporate purposes.

Maturities

The principal amounts of our long-term debt maturities as of December 31, 2017, are as follows.
Year Long-term debt 
Long-term
debt of  VIEs
  (In Thousands)
2018 $
 $28,534
2019 300,000
 30,337
2020 250,000
 32,254
2021 
 18,842
2022 
 
Thereafter 3,176,940
 
Total maturities $3,726,940
 $109,967

Interest expense on long-term debt, net of debt AFUDC, was $151.7 million in 2017, $141.4 million in 2016 and $152.7 million in 2015. Interest expense on long-term debt of VIEs was $2.8 million in 2017, $4.2 million in 2016 and $9.8 million in 2015.



11. TAXES

Income tax expense is comprisedrecovered over the life of the following components.related asset.
Retired generation facilities: Represents amounts to be recovered for facilities that have been retired and are probable of recovery.
Merger transition costs: Represents recoverable transition costs related to the merger. The amounts are not included in rate base and are recovered from retail customers through 2028.

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 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 (In Thousands)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit):     
Current income taxes:     
Federal$126
 $(1,007) $327
State359
 318
 341
Deferred income taxes:     
Federal122,757
 155,230
 124,891
State30,675
 32,892
 29,484
Investment tax credit amortization(2,762) (2,893) (3,043)
Income tax expense$151,155
 $184,540
 $152,000


Other regulatory assets: Includes various regulatory assets that individually are small in relation to the total regulatory asset balance. These amounts have various recovery periods and are not included in rate base.
The tax effectfollowing summarizes the nature and period of amortization for each of the temporary differences and carryforwards that comprise our deferred tax assets and deferred taxregulatory liabilities are summarizedlisted in the following table.table above.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Deferred tax assets:   
Tax credit carryforward (a)$323,518
 $265,750
Income taxes refundable to customers, net230,348
 
Deferred employee benefit costs95,913
 137,337
Net operating loss carryforward (b)70,041
 86,693
Deferred state income taxes63,838
 73,294
Alternative minimum tax carryforward (c)52,187
 29,412
Deferred compensation21,600
 31,981
Deferred regulatory gain on sale-leaseback17,148
 30,868
Accrued liabilities13,193
 21,757
La Cygne dismantling costs7,840
 10,972
Disallowed costs5,800
 9,600
Other45,484
 47,200
Total deferred tax assets$946,910
 $744,864
    
Deferred tax liabilities:   
Plant-related$1,483,276
 $1,925,270
Deferred employee benefit costs95,913
 137,337
Acquisition premium76,574
 147,868
Deferred state income taxes46,940
 61,110
Debt reacquisition costs26,539
 41,753
Amounts due from customers for future income taxes, net
 124,020
Other33,411
 60,282
Total deferred tax liabilities$1,762,653
 $2,497,640
    
Net deferred income tax liabilities$815,743
 $1,752,776
_______________
(a)Based on filed tax returns and amounts expected to be reported in current year tax returns (December 31, 2017), we had available federal general business tax credits of $100.0 million and state investment tax credits of $223.5 million. The federal general business tax credits were primarily generated from production tax credits. These tax credits expire beginning in 2020 and ending in 2037. The state investment tax credits expire beginning in 2024 and ending in 2033.
(b)As of December 31, 2017, we had a federal net operating loss carryforward of $181.1 million, which is available to offset federal taxable income and a state net operating loss of $470.4 million, which is available to offset state taxable income. The federal net operating losses will expire beginning in 2032 and ending in 2036 andTaxes refundable through future rates: Represents the state net operating losses will expire beginning in 2020 and ending in 2027.
(c)As of December 31, 2017, we had available an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $52.2 million. This credit is refundable by tax year 2021, if not fully utilized.

The TCJA, which was signed into law in December 2017, significantly reforms the IRC and is generally effective January 1, 2018. The TCJA contains significant changes to federal corporate income taxation, including, in general and among other things, a federal corporate income tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, limiting the deduction for net operating losses, eliminating net operating loss carrybacks for losses after 2017 and eliminating our use of bonus depreciation on new capital investments. As a result, we decreased deferred income tax liabilities by approximately $1.0 billion and made corresponding adjustments to regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities. In addition, in 2017 we decreased non-regulated net deferred income tax assets by approximately $12.2 million and correspondingly recorded an increase in income tax expense, which increased our effective tax rate by 2.5%.

We have recorded a regulatory liability for our obligation to reduce the prices chargedreturn to customers for deferred income taxes recovered from customers in earlier periods when corporate income tax rates were higher than current income tax rates under the TCJA. Mostrates. A large portion of this regulatory liabilityamount is related to depreciation and will be returned to the customer through lower ratescustomers over the life of the applicable property. Also,
Deferred regulatory gain from sale leaseback: Represents the gain Evergy Kansas South recorded on the 1987 sale and leaseback of its 50% interest in accordanceLa Cygne Unit 2. The gain is amortized over the term of the lease.
Emission allowances: Represents deferred gains related to the sale of emission allowances to be returned to customers.
Nuclear decommissioning: Represents the difference between the fair value of the assets held in the nuclear decommissioning trust and the amount recorded for the accumulated accretion and depreciation expense associated with various orders, we have reduced ourthe asset retirement obligation related to Wolf Creek.
Pension and post-retirement costs: Includes pension and post-retirement benefit obligations and expense recognized in setting prices in excess of actual pension and post-retirement expense.
Jurisdictional allowance for funds used during construction: Represents AFUDC that is accrued subsequent to reflectthe time the associated construction charges are included in prices and prior to the time the related assets are placed in service. The AFUDC is amortized to depreciation expense over the useful life of the asset that is placed in service.
La Cygne leasehold dismantling costs: Represents amounts collected but not yet spent on the contractual obligation to dismantle a portion of La Cygne Unit 2. The obligation will be discharged as the unit is dismantled.
Cost of removal: Represents amount collected, but not yet spent, to dispose of plant assets. This liability will be discharged as removal costs are incurred.
Kansas tax credits: Represents Kansas tax credits on investment in utility plant. Amounts will be credited to customers subsequent to the realization of the credits over the remaining lives of the utility plant giving rise to the tax credits.
Purchase power agreement: Represents the amount included in retail electric rates from customers in excess of costs incurred under purchase power agreements. Amounts are amortized over a five-year period.
Merger customer credits: Represents one-time merger bill credits to Evergy Metro's Kansas electric retail customers that were provided in the first quarter of 2019.
Fuel recovery mechanisms: Represents the amount collected from customers in excess of the actual cost of fuel consumed in producing electricity and the cost of purchased power. This difference is expected to be refunded over a one-year period and is not included in rate base.
Sibley AAO: Represents the estimated amount of revenues that Evergy Missouri West has collected from customers for Sibley Station that Evergy has determined is probable of refund. These amounts were recorded in connection with an AAO granted by the MPSC in October 2019 and deferred amounts will be considered by the MPSC in Evergy Missouri West's next rate case.
Refund of tax reform benefits: Represents amounts collected from customers in 2018 related to federal income tax in excess of the income tax benefitsowed by the Evergy Companies as a result of the lower federal income tax rate enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and were refunded to customers in 2019.
Other regulatory liabilities: Includes various regulatory liabilities that individually are relatively small in relation to the total regulatory liability balance. These amounts will be credited over various periods.

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6. GOODWILL
Accounting rules require goodwill to be tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs indicating the possibility that an impairment exists. Evergy's impairment test for the $2,336.6 million of goodwill that was recorded as a result of the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger was conducted as of May 1, 2019. The goodwill impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill, to identify potential impairment. In the event that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value. Evergy's consolidated operations are considered 1 reporting unit for assessment of impairment, as management assesses financial performance and allocates resources on a consolidated basis. The determination of fair value of the reporting unit consisted of two valuation techniques: an income approach consisting of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach consisting of a determination of reporting unit invested capital using a market multiple derived from the historical earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and market prices of the stock of peer companies. The results of the two techniques were evaluated and weighted to determine a point within the range that management considered representative of fair value for the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount, including goodwill. As a result, there was no impairment of goodwill.
7. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
AROs associated with certain accelerated income tax deductions, thereby passing on these benefitstangible long-lived assets are legal obligations that exist under enacted laws, statutes and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel. These liabilities are recognized at estimated fair value as incurred with a corresponding amount capitalized as part of the cost of the related long-lived assets and depreciated over their useful lives. Accretion of the liabilities due to customers at the passage of time we received them. We believe it is probable that the net future increases in income taxes payable will be recovered from customers when these temporary income tax benefits reverse in future periods. We have recorded to a regulatory asset for these amounts, which is offset againstand/or liability. Changes in the regulatory liability. The income tax-related regulatory assetsestimated fair values of the liabilities are recognized when known.
Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and liabilities as well as unamortized investment tax credits are also temporary differences for which deferred income taxesEvergy Missouri West have been provided.
Our effective income tax rates are computed by dividing total federal and state income taxes by the sum of such taxes and net income. The difference between the effective income tax ratesAROs related to asbestos abatement and the federal statutory income tax rates are as follows.closure and post-closure care of ponds and landfills containing coal combustion residuals (CCRs).In addition, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have AROs related to decommissioning Wolf Creek and the retirement of wind generation facilities.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
Statutory federal income tax rate35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
Effect of:     
Production tax credits(6.9) (1.8) (2.1)
State income taxes4.1
 4.0
 4.3
COLI policies(3.1) (4.2) (4.4)
Federal income tax rate reduction (TCJA)2.5
 
 
Flow through depreciation for plant-related differences2.3
 3.1
 2.6
Non-controlling interest(0.9) (0.9) (0.8)
Share based payments(0.9) (0.5) (0.1)
Amortization of federal investment tax credits(0.6) (0.5) (0.7)
AFUDC equity(0.2) (0.8) (0.2)
Other(0.3) 0.4
 (0.1)
Effective income tax rate31.0 % 33.8 % 33.5 %

We file income tax returnsThe following table summarizes the change in the U.S. federal jurisdictionEvergy Companies' AROs.
  Evergy  Evergy Kansas Central  
Evergy Metro(a)
 
  2019  2018  2019  2018  2019  2018 
  (millions) 
Beginning balance $687.1
  $405.1
  $281.1
  $405.1
  $261.0
  $266.3
 
Liabilities assumed upon merger with Great Plains Energy 
  412.2
  
  
  
  
 
Liabilities incurred during the year 
  7.4
  
  7.4
  
  
 
Revision in timing and/or estimates (22.3)  (150.1)  (12.4)  (138.7)  (9.9)  (11.4) 
Settlements (17.8)  (22.4)  (14.8)  (12.0)  (2.5)  (13.1) 
Accretion 27.1
  34.9
  19.0
  19.3
  5.0
  19.2
 
Ending balance $674.1
  $687.1
  $272.9
  $281.1
  $253.6
  $261.0
 
Less: current portion (71.3)  (49.8)  (23.3)  (17.1)  (36.1)  (29.2) 
Total noncurrent asset retirement obligation $602.8
  $637.3
  $249.6
  $264.0
  $217.5
  $231.8
 

(a) Evergy Metro amounts are only included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
See Note 2 for more information regarding Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's ARO liabilities that Evergy assumed as well as various state jurisdictions. The income tax returns we file will likely be audited bya result of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. With few exceptions, the statutemerger.

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In 2018, Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central recorded a $127.0 million revision in estimate primarily related to U.S. federal or state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities remains open for tax year 2014 and forward.Evergy Kansas Central's ARO to decommission its 47% indirect ownership share of Wolf Creek.

8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The unrecognized income tax benefits decreased from $2.8 million at December 31, 2016, to $1.7 million at December 31, 2017. The net decrease for unrecognized income tax benefits was primarily attributable to tax positions expected to be taken with respect to potential deductions related to an environmental settlement agreement. We do not expect significant changes infollowing tables summarize the unrecognized income tax benefits in the next 12 months. A reconciliationproperty, plant and equipment of the beginningEvergy, Evergy Kansas Central and ending amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:Evergy Metro.
December 31, 2019 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
   (millions) 
Electric plant in service  $27,768.8
   $13,538.1
   $10,776.5
 
Electric plant acquisition adjustment  740.6
   740.6
   
 
Accumulated depreciation  (10,293.7)   (4,951.5)   (4,272.0) 
Plant in service  18,215.7
   9,327.2
   6,504.5
 
Construction work in progress  839.2
   472.8
   269.9
 
Nuclear fuel, net  128.5
   63.9
   64.6
 
Plant to be retired, net (a)
  1.0
   1.0
   
 
Net property, plant and equipment  $19,184.4
   $9,864.9
   $6,839.0
 
       
   
 
December 31, 2018 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
   (millions) 
Electric plant in service  $26,916.7
   $13,176.7
   $10,439.1
 
Electric plant acquisition adjustment  740.6
   740.6
   
 
Accumulated depreciation  (9,694.1)   (4,642.8)   (4,022.4) 
Plant in service  17,963.2
   9,274.5
   6,416.7
 
Construction work in progress  685.2
   376.7
   204.4
 
Nuclear fuel, net  133.1
   66.1
   67.0
 
Plant to be retired, net (a)
  1.0
   1.0
   
 
Net property, plant and equipment  $18,782.5
   $9,718.3
   $6,688.1
 

 2017 2016 2015
 (In Thousands)
Unrecognized income tax benefits as of January 1$2,766
 $2,901
 $3,188
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year165
 434
 410
Additions for tax positions of prior years20
 
 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(870) (1) (86)
Lapse of statute of limitations(361) (568) (611)
Unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31$1,720
 $2,766
 $2,901

The amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact our effective income tax rate, were $1.6 million, $2.7 million and $2.9 million (net of tax) as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


Interest related to income tax uncertainties is classified as interest expense and accrued interest liability.(a) As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016, we had $0.12018, represents the planned retirement of Evergy Kansas Central analog meters prior to the end of their remaining useful lives.
The following table summarizes the property, plant and equipment of VIEs for Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central.
   December 31 
  2019 2018
   (millions) 
Electric plant of VIEs  $392.1
   $392.1
 
Accumulated depreciation of VIEs  (230.1)   (222.9) 
Net property, plant and equipment of VIEs  $162.0
   $169.2
 


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Depreciation Expense
The Evergy Companies' depreciation expense is detailed in the following table.
  2019 2018 2017
 (millions)
Evergy (a)
 $786.3
 $567.9
 $350.0
Evergy Kansas Central (a)
 425.8
 371.3
 350.0
Evergy Metro (b)
 262.7
 235.3
 228.4

(a) Approximately $7.1 million, $7.1 million and no$8.3 million of depreciation expense in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, was attributable to property, plant and equipment of VIEs.
(b) Evergy Metro amounts accrued for interest on our liability related to unrecognized income tax benefits, respectively. We accrued no penalties at either December 31, 2017 or 2016.

Asare only included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of December 31, 2017the closing of the merger, and 2016, we had recorded $0.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for probable assessments of taxes other than income taxes.


thereafter.
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT9. JOINTLY-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITY PLANTS
Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's share of jointly-owned electric utility plants at December 31, 2019, are detailed in the following tables.
Evergy                            
  Wolf Creek Unit 
La Cygne Units (a)
 Iatan No. 1 Unit Iatan No. 2 Unit Iatan Common Jeffrey Energy Center State Line
  (millions, except MW amounts)
Evergy's share  94%   100%   88%   73%   79%   100%   40% 
                             
Utility plant in service  $3,827.8
   $2,202.4
   $718.9
   $1,379.7
   $484.3
   $2,428.6
   $114.6
 
Accumulated depreciation  1,835.3
   751.6
   269.2
   447.2
   116.4
   918.1
   75.9
 
Nuclear fuel, net  128.6
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Construction work in progress  141.4
   21.0
   54.4
   23.5
   9.4
   38.9
   2.8
 
2020 accredited capacity-MWs  1,104
   1,398
   616
   650
   NA
   2,186
   196
 
(a)
The VIE consolidated by Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central holds its 50% leasehold interest in La Cygne Unit 2. This 50% leasehold interest in La Cygne Unit 2 is reflected in the information provided above. See Note 19 for additional information.
Evergy Kansas Central                
  Wolf Creek Unit 
La Cygne Units (a)
  Jeffrey Energy Center
State
Line
  
(millions, except MW amounts)

Evergy Kansas Central's share  47%   50%   92%   40% 
                 
Utility plant in service  $1,884.5
   $1,048.0
   $2,223.4
   $114.6
 
Accumulated depreciation  862.2
   426.5
   832.5
   75.9
 
Nuclear fuel, net  63.9
   
   
   
 
Construction work in progress  67.3
   14.6
   34.9
   2.8
 
2020 accredited capacity-MWs  552
   699
   2,011
   196
 
(a)
The VIE consolidated by Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central holds its 50% leasehold interest in La Cygne Unit 2. This 50% leasehold interest in La Cygne Unit 2 is reflected in the information provided above. See Note 19 for additional information.

103





Evergy Metro                    
  Wolf Creek Unit La Cygne Units Iatan No. 1 Unit Iatan No. 2 Unit Iatan Common
  (millions, except MW amounts)
Evergy Metro's share  47%   50%   70%   55%   61% 
                     
Utility plant in service  $1,943.3
   $1,154.4
   $575.1
   $1,060.7
   $390.1
 
Accumulated depreciation  973.1
   325.1
   214.9
   393.0
   99.8
 
Nuclear fuel, net  64.7
   
   
   
   
 
Construction work in progress  74.1
   6.4
   25.9
   3.5
   1.3
 
2020 accredited capacity-MWs  552
   699
   490
   491
   NA
 

Each owner must fund its own portion of the plant's operating expenses and capital expenditures. The Evergy Companies' share of direct expenses are included in the appropriate operating expense classifications in Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's consolidated financial statements.
10. PENSION PLANS AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

PensionEvergy and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

Wecertain of its subsidiaries maintain, aand Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro participate in, qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension planplans covering substantially allthe majority of our employees. Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's employees as well as certain non-qualified plans covering certain active and retired officers. Evergy is also responsible for its indirect 94% ownership share of Wolf Creek's defined benefit plans, consisting of Evergy Kansas South's and Evergy Metro's respective 47% ownership shares.
For the majority of our employees, pension benefits are based onunder these plans reflect the employees' compensation, years of service and an employee’s compensation duringage at retirement. However, for the 60 highest paid consecutive months out of 120 before retirement. Non-unionplan covering Evergy Kansas Central's employees, the benefits for non-union employees hired after December 31, 2001,between 2002 and the second quarter of 2018 and union employees hired after December 31, 2011, are covered by the same defined benefit pension plan; however, their benefitsbeginning in 2012 are derived from a cash balance account formula. WeThe plan was closed to future non-union employees in 2018. For the plans covering Evergy Metro's employees, the benefits for union employees hired beginning in 2014 are derived from a cash balance account formula and the plans were closed to future non-union employees in 2014.
Evergy and its subsidiaries also maintain a non-qualified Executive Salary Continuation Plan for the benefit of certain retired executive officers. We have discontinued accruing any future benefits under this non-qualified plan.

The amount we contribute to our pension plan for future periods is not yet known, however, we expect to fund our pension plan each year at least to a level equal to current year pension expense. We must also meet minimum funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended by the Pension Protection Act. We may contribute additional amounts from time to time as deemed appropriate.

In addition to providing pension benefits, we provide certain post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits for substantially all retired employees. We accrueemployees of Evergy Kansas Central and recover in our prices the costs of post-retirement benefits during an employee’s years of service.

As a co-ownerEvergy Metro and their respective shares of Wolf Creek, KGE is indirectly responsible for 47% of the liabilities and expenses associated with the Wolf CreekCreek's post-retirement benefit plans.
The Evergy Companies record pension and post-retirement benefitexpense in accordance with rate orders from the KCC and MPSC that allow the difference between pension and post-retirement costs under GAAP and costs for ratemaking to be recognized as a regulatory asset or liability.  This difference between financial and regulatory accounting methods is due to timing and will be eliminated over the life of the plans. See Note 13, “Wolf Creek Employee Benefit Plans,” for information about Wolf Creek’s benefit plans.

For 2019, Evergy and Evergy Metro recorded pension settlement charges of $15.6 million and $23.0 million, respectively, as a result of accelerated pension distributions related to voluntary severance programs. Evergy and Evergy Metro deferred substantially all of the charges to a regulatory asset and expect to recover these amounts over future periods pursuant to regulatory agreements.



104





The following pension benefits tables summarizeprovide information relating to the funded status of ourall defined benefit pension and post-retirementplans on an aggregate basis as well as the components of net periodic benefit plans.
  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
As of December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016
  (In Thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:        
Benefit obligation, beginning of year $1,012,024
 $965,193
 $129,563
 $126,284
Service cost 20,874
 18,563
 1,084
 1,084
Interest cost 42,482
 43,723
 5,255
 5,571
Plan participants’ contributions 
 
 362
 395
Benefits paid (53,704) (63,540) (7,614) (7,697)
Actuarial losses 83,553
 51,482
 2,899
 3,926
Amendments 
 (3,397) 
 
Benefit obligation, end of year (a) $1,105,229
 $1,012,024
 $131,549
 $129,563
         
Change in Plan Assets:        
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $658,474
 $653,945
 $115,619
 $115,416
Actual return on plan assets 88,030
 45,181
 15,498
 7,274
Employer contributions 24,300
 20,200
 
 
Plan participants’ contributions 
 
 327
 356
Benefits paid (51,472) (60,852) (7,374) (7,427)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year $719,332
 $658,474
 $124,070
 $115,619
         
Funded status, end of year $(385,897) $(353,550) $(7,479) $(13,944)
         
Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheets Consist of:        
Current liability $(2,223) $(2,260) $(255) $(284)
Noncurrent liability (383,674) (351,290) (7,224) (13,660)
Net amount recognized $(385,897) $(353,550) $(7,479) $(13,944)
         
Amounts Recognized in Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) Consist of:        
Net actuarial loss (gain) $299,068
 $282,462
 $(12,549) $(7,603)
Prior service cost 3,231
 3,913
 2,219
 2,674
Net amount recognized $302,299
 $286,375
 $(10,330) $(4,929)
_______________
(a)As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, pension benefits include non-qualified benefit obligations of $27.4 million and $26.8 million, respectively, which are funded by a trust containing assets of $34.3 million and $34.5 million, respectively, classified as trading securities. The assets in the aforementioned trust are not included in the table above. See Notes 5 and 6, “Financial Instruments and Trading Securities” and “Financial Investments,” respectively, for additional information regarding these amounts.


  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
As of December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Pension Plans With a Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Projected benefit obligation $1,105,229
 $1,012,024
 $
 $
Fair value of plan assets 719,332
 658,474
 
 
         
Pension Plans With an Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Accumulated benefit obligation $989,688
 $905,661
 $
 $
Fair value of plan assets 719,332
 658,474
 
 
         
Post-retirement Plans With an Accumulated Post-retirement Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation $
 $
 $131,549
 $129,563
Fair value of plan assets 
 
 124,070
 115,619
         
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Obligation:        
Discount rate 3.73% 4.25% 3.68% 4.15%
Compensation rate increase 4.00% 4.00% 
 

We use a measurement date of December 31 for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The discount rate used to determine the current year pension obligation and the following year’s pension expense is based on a bond selection-settlement portfolio approach. This approach develops a discount rate by selecting a portfolio of high quality, non-callable corporate bonds that generate sufficient cash flow to provide for the projected benefit payments of the plan. After the bond portfolio is selected, a single interest rate is determined that equates the present value of the plan’s projected benefit payments discounted at this rate withcosts. For financial reporting purposes, the market value of plan assets is the bonds selected. The decreasefair value. Net periodic benefit costs reflect total plan benefit costs prior to the effects of capitalization and sharing with joint owners of power plants. Evergy Metro amounts are only included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the discount rates used asdate of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) (millions)
PBO at January 1, 2019 $2,553.4
 $1,258.9
 $1,272.4
 $249.3
 $133.6
 $115.7
Service cost 79.1
 29.0
 50.1
 2.5
 1.1
 1.4
Interest cost 108.0
 53.7
 53.3
 10.5
 5.6
 4.9
Contribution by participants 
 
 
 8.8
 1.9
 6.9
Actuarial loss 262.4
 120.3
 140.5
 20.9
 9.5
 11.4
Benefits paid (180.5) (136.9) (42.3) (27.7) (13.0) (14.7)
Settlements (96.6) 
 (96.6) 
 
 
Other (7.6) (1.6) (6.0) 
 
 
PBO at December 31, 2019 $2,718.2
 $1,323.4
 $1,371.4
 $264.3
 $138.7
 $125.6
Change in plan assets            
Fair value of plan assets at January 1, 2019 $1,603.4
 $804.6
 $798.8
 $223.3
 $109.7
 $113.6
Actual return on plan assets 284.0
 130.5
 153.5
 30.0
 20.0
 10.0
Contributions by employer and participants 125.2
 43.0
 82.2
 13.2
 3.5
 9.7
Benefits paid (175.6) (134.4) (41.2) (26.6) (12.7) (13.9)
Settlements (96.6) 
 (96.6) 
 
 
Other (7.6) (1.6) (6.0) 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2019 $1,732.8
 $842.1
 $890.7
 $239.9
 $120.5
 $119.4
Funded status at December 31, 2019 $(985.4) $(481.3) $(480.7) $(24.4) $(18.2) $(6.2)

  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets (millions)
Non-current asset $
 $
 $
 $15.0
 $
 $15.0
Current pension and other post-retirement liability (5.6) (3.0) (1.3) (1.9) (1.0) (0.9)
Noncurrent pension liability and other post-retirement liability (979.8) (478.3) (479.4) (37.5) (17.2) (20.3)
Net amount recognized before regulatory treatment (985.4) (481.3) (480.7) (24.4) (18.2) (6.2)
Accumulated OCI or regulatory asset/liability 454.1
 354.9
 192.3
 (4.4) (2.9) (13.0)
Net amount recognized at December 31, 2019 $(531.3) $(126.4) $(288.4) $(28.8) $(21.1) $(19.2)
Amounts in accumulated OCI or regulatory asset/liability not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:            
Actuarial (gain) loss $439.7
 $342.3
 $189.4
 $(5.7) $(4.2) $(4.9)
Prior service cost 14.4
 12.6
 2.9
 1.3
 1.3
 (8.1)
Net amount recognized at December 31, 2019 $454.1
 $354.9
 $192.3
 $(4.4) $(2.9) $(13.0)


105





  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Change in projected benefit obligation (PBO) (millions)
PBO at January 1, 2018 $1,367.0
 $1,367.0
 $1,331.7
 $138.6
 $138.6
 $133.2
Service cost 60.7
 32.2
 48.6
 2.3
 1.3
 2.0
Interest cost 82.5
 50.7
 49.9
 8.0
 5.0
 4.8
Contribution by participants 
 
 
 5.6
 1.8
 6.6
Plan amendments 13.4
 11.4
 2.0
 
 
 
Actuarial gain (98.8) (100.1) (89.6) (11.3) (2.6) (18.0)
Benefits paid (137.9) (97.9) (70.2) (17.3) (10.5) (12.9)
Obligations assumed upon merger with Great Plains
   Energy
 1,275.9
 
 
 123.4
 
 
Other (9.4) (4.4) 
 
 
 
PBO at December 31, 2018 $2,553.4
 $1,258.9
 $1,272.4
 $249.3
 $133.6
 $115.7
Change in plan assets            
Fair value of plan assets at January 1, 2018 $887.0
 $887.0
 $848.4
 $124.1
 $124.1
 $115.8
Actual return on plan assets (79.7) (30.9) (60.1) (7.5) (7.4) (1.2)
Contributions by employer and participants 114.5
 47.9
 80.3
 11.6
 3.2
 11.4
Benefits paid (134.0) (95.0) (69.8) (16.7) (10.2) (12.4)
Assets acquired upon merger with Great Plains
   Energy
 825.0
 
 
 111.8
 
 
Other (9.4) (4.4) 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2018 $1,603.4
 $804.6
 $798.8
 $223.3
 $109.7
 $113.6
Funded status at December 31, 2018 $(950.0) $(454.3) $(473.6) $(26.0) $(23.9) $(2.1)

  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets (millions)
Non-current asset $
 $
 $
 $17.5
 $
 $17.5
Current pension and other post-retirement liability (4.4) (2.6) (0.5) (1.7) (0.9) (0.8)
Noncurrent pension liability and other post-
   retirement liability
 (945.6) (451.7) (473.1) (41.8) (23.0) (18.8)
Net amount recognized before regulatory treatment (950.0) (454.3) (473.6) (26.0) (23.9) (2.1)
Accumulated OCI or regulatory asset/liability 419.9
 337.5
 230.1
 (6.0) 0.8
 (19.1)
Net amount recognized at December 31, 2018 $(530.1) $(116.8) $(243.5) $(32.0) $(23.1) $(21.2)
Amounts in accumulated OCI or regulatory asset/liability not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost:            
Actuarial (gain) loss $403.6
 $323.2
 $226.3
 $(7.8) $(1.0) $(11.0)
Prior service cost 16.3
 14.3
 3.8
 1.8
 1.8
 (8.1)
Net amount recognized at December 31, 2018 $419.9
 $337.5
 $230.1
 $(6.0) $0.8
 $(19.1)



106





As of December 31, 2017, increased the2019 and 2018, Evergy's pension and post-retirementbenefits include non-qualified benefit obligations by approximately $79.0of $49.4 million and $7.0$46.9 million, respectively, which are funded by trusts containing assets of $45.5 million and $43.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central's pension benefits include non-qualified benefit obligations of $26.0 million and $24.8 million, respectively, which are funded by trusts containing assets of $31.7 million and $30.6 million, respectively. The assets in the aforementioned trusts are not included in the table above. See Note 14 for more information on these amounts.

  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2019 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Components of net periodic benefit costs (millions)
Service cost $79.1
 $29.0
 $50.1
 $2.5
 $1.1
 $1.4
Interest cost 108.0
 53.7
 53.3
 10.5
 5.6
 4.9
Expected return on plan assets (106.3) (54.8) (48.9) (10.0) (6.7) (3.3)
Prior service cost 1.9
 1.7
 0.9
 0.5
 0.5
 
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss 33.0
 25.5
 49.8
 (1.2) (0.6) (1.4)
Settlement and special termination benefits 15.6
 
 23.0
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit costs before regulatory adjustment and intercompany allocations 131.3
 55.1
 128.2
 2.3
 (0.1) 1.6
Regulatory adjustment 37.4
 3.0
 (19.2) (3.4) (3.0) 0.4
Intercompany allocations n/a
 
 (34.4) n/a
 
 (0.4)
Net periodic benefit costs 168.7
 58.1
 74.6
 (1.1) (3.1) 1.6
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI or regulatory assets/liabilities  
Current year net (gain) loss 84.7
 44.6
 35.9
 0.9
 (3.8) 4.7
Amortization of gain (loss) (48.6) (25.5) (72.8) 1.2
 0.6
 1.4
Amortization of prior service cost (1.9) (1.7) (0.9) (0.5) (0.5) 
Total recognized in OCI or regulatory asset/liability 34.2
 17.4
 (37.8) 1.6
 (3.7) 6.1
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and OCI or regulatory asset/liability $202.9
 $75.5
 $36.8
 $0.5
 $(6.8) $7.7

We
  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Components of net periodic benefit costs (millions)
Service cost $60.7
 $32.2
 $48.6
 $2.3
 $1.3
 $2.0
Interest cost 82.5
 50.7
 49.9
 8.0
 5.0
 4.8
Expected return on plan assets (86.4) (55.9) (55.5) (8.8) (7.0) (2.8)
Prior service cost 0.7
 0.7
 0.7
 0.5
 0.5
 0.1
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss 32.6
 32.6
 45.1
 (0.6) (0.6) (0.2)
Net periodic benefit costs before regulatory adjustment and intercompany allocations 90.1
 60.3
 88.8
 1.4
 (0.8) 3.9
Regulatory adjustment 8.3
 8.8
 0.7
 (1.7) (2.0) (0.1)
Intercompany allocations n/a
 
 (21.6) n/a
 
 (1.1)
Net periodic benefit costs 98.4
 69.1
 67.9
 (0.3) (2.8) 2.7
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI or regulatory assets/liabilities            
Current year net (gain) loss 67.2
 (13.2) 25.9
 4.9
 11.7
 (14.0)
Amortization of gain (loss) (32.6) (32.6) (45.1) 0.6
 0.6
 0.2
Prior service cost 13.4
 11.4
 2.0
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost (0.7) (0.7) (0.7) (0.5) (0.5) (0.1)
Total recognized in OCI or regulatory asset/liability 47.3
 (35.1) (17.9) 5.0
 11.8
 (13.9)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and OCI or regulatory asset/liability $145.7
 $34.0
 $50.0
 $4.7
 $9.0
 $(11.2)


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  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Components of net periodic benefit costs (millions)
Service cost $28.7
 $28.7
 $44.2
 $1.2
 $1.2
 $2.1
Interest cost 52.4
 52.4
 52.6
 5.5
 5.5
 5.4
Expected return on plan assets (53.6) (53.6) (51.2) (6.9) (6.9) (2.5)
Prior service cost 0.7
 0.7
 0.7
 0.5
 0.5
 
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss 26.9
 26.9
 49.0
 (0.8) (0.8) (0.5)
Settlement and special termination benefits 0.4
 0.4
 16.3
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit costs before regulatory adjustment and intercompany allocations 55.5
 55.5
 111.6
 (0.5) (0.5) 4.5
Regulatory adjustment 14.5
 14.5
 (9.2) (1.9) (1.9) 1.3
Intercompany allocations n/a
 
 (37.1) n/a
 
 (1.5)
Net periodic benefit costs 70.0
 70.0
 65.3
 (2.4) (2.4) 4.3
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI or regulatory assets/liabilities            
Current year net (gain) loss 47.1
 47.1
 71.3
 (5.8) (5.8) 3.0
Amortization of gain (loss) (26.9) (26.9) (64.9) 0.8
 0.8
 0.5
Amortization of prior service cost (0.7) (0.7) (0.7) (0.5) (0.5) 
Total recognized in OCI or regulatory asset/liability 19.5
 19.5
 5.7
 (5.5) (5.5) 3.5
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and OCI or regulatory asset/liability $89.5
 $89.5
 $71.0
 $(7.9) $(7.9) $7.8

For financial reporting purposes, the estimated prior service cost and net actuarial (gain) loss for the defined benefit plans are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) or a regulatory asset into net periodic benefit cost. The Evergy Companies amortize prior service cost on a straight-line basis over the average future service of the active employees (plan participants) benefiting under the plan at the time of the amendment. Weplan. Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central amortize the net actuarial gain or(gain) loss on a straight-line basis over the average future service of active plan participants benefiting under the plan without application of an amortization corridor. Evergy Metro amortizes the net actuarial (gain) loss on a rolling five-year average basis. The KCC allows usestimated amounts to record a regulatory asset or liability to trackbe amortized in 2020 are detailed in the cumulative difference between current year pensionfollowing table.
  Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
  (millions)
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization $45.4
 $33.9
 $45.1
 $0.2
 $
 $(0.6)
Prior service cost amortization 1.8
 1.6
 0.8
 0.5
 0.5
 


108





Pension and post-retirement benefits expense and the amount of such expense recognized in setting our prices. We accumulate such regulatory asset or liability between general rate reviews and amortize the accumulated amount as part of resetting our base prices. Following is additional information regarding our pension andother post-retirement benefit plans.

  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Components of Net Periodic Cost (Benefit):            
Service cost $20,874
 $18,563
 $21,392
 $1,084
 $1,084
 $1,443
Interest cost 42,482
 43,723
 43,014
 5,255
 5,571
 5,691
Expected return on plan assets (43,039) (42,653) (40,236) (6,873) (6,835) (6,614)
Amortization of unrecognized:            
Prior service costs 682
 768
 520
 455
 455
 455
Actuarial loss (gain), net 21,956
 20,577
 32,131
 (780) (1,118) 379
Net periodic cost (benefit) before regulatory adjustment 42,955
 40,978
 56,821
 (859) (843) 1,354
Regulatory adjustment (a) 13,425
 14,528
 6,886
 (1,917) (1,922) 4,096
Net periodic cost (benefit) $56,380
 $55,506
 $63,707
 $(2,776) $(2,765) $5,450
             
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities:            
Current year actuarial loss (gain) $38,562
 $48,954
 $(43,459) $(5,726) $3,486
 $(9,576)
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain (21,956) (20,577) (32,379) 780
 1,118
 (379)
Current year prior service cost 
 (3,397) 5,730
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs (682) (768) (520) (455) (455) (455)
Other adjustments 
 
 352
 
 
 
Total recognized in regulatory assets and liabilities $15,924
 $24,212
 $(70,276) $(5,401) $4,149
 $(10,410)
             
Total recognized in net periodic cost and regulatory assets and liabilities $72,304
 $79,718
 $(6,569) $(8,177) $1,384
 $(4,960)
             
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Cost (Benefit):            
Discount rate 4.25% 4.60% 4.17% 4.15% 4.51% 4.10%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.50% 6.50% 6.50% 6.00% 6.00% 6.00%
Compensation rate increase 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%
_______________
(a)The regulatory adjustment represents the difference between current period pension or post-retirement benefit expense and the amount of such expense recognizedplans with the PBO, ABO or accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation (APBO) in excess of the fair value of plan assets at year-end are detailed in setting our prices.

We estimate that we will amortize the following amounts from regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities into net periodic cost in 2018.tables.
December 31, 2019 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
  (millions)
ABO for all defined benefit pension plans $2,390.5
 $1,196.8
 $1,170.2
Pension plans with the PBO in excess of plan assets      
Projected benefit obligation $2,718.2
 $1,323.4
 $1,371.4
Fair value of plan assets 1,732.8
 842.1
 890.7
Pension plans with the ABO in excess of plan assets      
Accumulated benefit obligation $2,390.5
 $1,196.8
 $1,170.2
Fair value of plan assets 1,732.8
 842.1
 890.7
Other post-retirement benefit plans with the APBO in excess of plan assets      
Accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation $264.3
 $138.7
 $125.6
Fair value of plan assets 239.9
 120.5
 119.4

 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 (In Thousands)
Actuarial loss (gain)$25,941
 $(539)
Prior service cost666
 455
Total$26,607
 $(84)
December 31, 2018 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
  (millions)
ABO for all defined benefit pension plans $2,257.9
 $1,139.1
 $1,096.7
Pension plans with the PBO in excess of plan assets      
Projected benefit obligation $2,553.4
 $1,258.9
 $1,272.4
Fair value of plan assets 1,603.4
 804.6
 798.8
Pension plans with the ABO in excess of plan assets      
Accumulated benefit obligation $2,257.9
 $1,139.1
 $1,096.7
Fair value of plan assets 1,603.4
 804.6
 798.8
Other post-retirement benefit plans with the APBO in excess of plan assets      
Accumulated other post-retirement benefit obligation $249.3
 $133.6
 $57.7
Fair value of plan assets 223.3
 109.7
 38.2


We base theThe expected long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the Evergy Companies' estimate of the long-term return on plan assets and is based on historical and projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the plans’plans' investment portfolios. We select assumedAssumed projected rates of return for each asset class were selected after analyzing long-term historical experience and future expectations of the volatilityreturns of the various asset classes. Based on the target asset allocationsallocation for each asset class, we develop anthe overall expected rate of return for the portfolios adjusted for historicalwas developed and expected experience of active portfolio management results compared to benchmark returns andadjusted for the effect of expensesprojected benefits paid from plan assets.assets and future plan contributions.



109

Plan Assets


We believe we manage

The following tables provide the weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net costs.
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2019 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Discount rate 3.62% 3.61% 3.64% 3.56% 3.54% 3.58%
Rate of compensation increase 3.74% 3.78% 3.71% 3.75% n/a 3.75%
             
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2018 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Discount rate 4.35% 4.35% 4.36% 4.33% 4.33% 4.33%
Rate of compensation increase 3.76% 4.03% 3.64% 3.50% n/a 3.50%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Discount rate 4.35% 4.35% 4.36% 4.33% 4.33% 4.33%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.61% 6.75% 6.47% 4.44% 6.00% 2.94%
Rate of compensation increase 3.76% 4.03% 3.64% 3.50% n/a 3.50%
             
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net costs for the year ended December 31, 2018 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Discount rate 3.73% 3.73% 3.72% 3.67% 3.73% 3.64%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.52% 6.67% 6.46% 6.00% 6.00% 2.80%
Rate of compensation increase 3.92% 4.00% 3.62% 3.50% n/a 3.50%

Evergy expects to contribute $128.1 million to the pension plans in 2020 to meet Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) funding requirements and regulatory orders, of which $45.5 million is expected to be paid by Evergy Kansas Central and $82.6 million is expected to be paid by Evergy Metro. The Evergy Companies' funding policy is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet the ERISA funding requirements and MPSC and KCC rate orders plus additional amounts as considered appropriate; therefore, actual contributions may differ from expected contributions. Also in 2020, Evergy expects to contribute $3.8 million to the post-retirement benefit plans, of which $0.8 million is expected to be paid by Evergy Kansas Central and $3.0 million is expected to be paid by Evergy Metro.

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The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid through 2029.
 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
 (millions)
2020$180.6
 $95.1
 $84.3
 $16.7
 $9.6
 $7.1
2021182.4
 95.6
 85.5
 16.7
 9.5
 7.2
2022181.1
 93.3
 86.5
 16.4
 9.3
 7.1
2023181.8
 91.5
 89.0
 16.3
 9.2
 7.1
2024185.0
 91.9
 91.7
 15.9
 8.8
 7.1
2025-2029918.2
 428.3
 482.3
 75.2
 40.3
 34.9

Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro each maintain separate trusts for both their qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plan assetsbenefits. These plans are managed in aaccordance with prudent manner with regard to preserving principal while providing reasonable returns. We have adopted a long-term investment horizon such thatinvestor guidelines contained in the chances and duration of investment losses are weighed against the long-term potential for appreciation of assets. Part of our strategy includes managing interest rate sensitivity of plan assets relative to the associated liabilities. ERISA requirements.
The primary objective of the Evergy Kansas Central pension plan is to provide a source of retirement income for its participants and beneficiaries, and the primary financial objective of the plan is to improve its funded status. The primary objective of the Evergy Kansas Central post-retirement benefit plan is growth in assets and the preservation of principal, while minimizing interim volatility, to meet anticipated claims of plan participants. We delegate
The primary objective of the managementEvergy Metro pension plans is to meet or exceed the target rate of ourreturn for the plan within a reasonable and prudent level of risk. The primary objective of the Evergy Metro post-retirement benefit plans is to preserve capital, maintain sufficient liquidity and earn a consistent rate of return.
The investment strategies of both the Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets to independent investment advisors who hire and dismiss investment managers based upon various factors. The investment advisors are instructed to diversify investments across asset classes, sectors and manager styles to minimizeplans support the risk of large losses, based uponabove objectives and risk tolerance specified by management, which include allowable and/or prohibited investment types. We measure and monitor investment risk on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews and annual liability measurements.

We have established certain prohibited investments for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans. Such prohibited investments include loans to the company or its officers and directors as well as investments in the company’s debt or equity securities, except as may occur indirectly through investments in diversified mutual funds. In addition, to reduce concentration of risk, the pension plan will not invest in any fund that holds more than 25% of its total assets to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry. This restriction does not apply to investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies.

Target allocations for our pension plan assets are approximately 39% to debt securities, 39% to equity securities, 12% to alternative investments such as real estate securities, hedge funds and private equity investments, and the remaining 10% to a fund, which provides tactical portfolio overlay by investing in futures related to debt, equity and foreign currency. Our investments in equity include investment funds with underlying investments in domestic and foreign large-, mid- and small-cap companies, derivatives related to such holdings, private equity investments including late-stage venture investments and other investments. Our investments in debt include core and high-yield bonds. Core bonds are comprised of investment funds with underlying investments in investment grade debt securities of corporate entities, obligations of U.S. and foreign governments and their agencies and other debt securities. High-yield bonds include investment funds with underlying investments in non-investment grade debt securities of corporate entities, obligations of foreign governments and their agencies, private debt securities and other debt securities. Real estate securities consist primarily of funds invested in core real estate throughout the U.S. while alternative funds invest in wide ranging investments including equity and debt securities of domestic and foreign corporations, debt securities issued by U.S. and foreign governments and their agencies, structured debt, warrants, exchange-traded funds, derivative instruments, private investment funds and other investments.

Target allocations for our post-retirement benefit plan assets are 65% to equity securities and 35% to debt securities. Our investments in equity securities include investment funds with underlying investments primarily in domestic and foreign large-, mid- and small-cap companies. Our investments in debt securities include a core bond fund with underlying investments in investment grade debt securities of domestic and foreign corporate entities, obligations of U.S. and foreign governments and their agencies, private placement securities and other investments.

Similar to other assets measured at fair value, GAAP establishes a hierarchal framework for disclosing the transparency of the inputs utilized in measuring pensionplans.The portfolios are invested, and post-retirement benefit plan assets at fair value. From timeperiodically rebalanced, to time,achieve the pension and post-retirement benefits trusts may buy and sell investments resulting in changes within the hierarchy. See Note 5, “Financial Instruments and Trading Securities,” for a description of the hierarchal framework.


targeted allocations detailed below.The following table provides the target asset allocations by asset class for the Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro pension and other post-retirement plan assets.
 Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
 Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Domestic equities29% 31% 33% 3%
International equities20% 21% 22% %
Bonds36% 35% 45% 85%
Mortgage & asset backed securities% % % 4%
Real estate investments4% 6% % %
Other investments11% 7% % 8%

Fair Value Measurements
Evergy classifies recurring and non-recurring fair value of our pension plan assets and the corresponding level of hierarchy as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

As of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Assets:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $188,850
 $
 $23,896
 $212,746
International equity fund 
 98,646
 
 
 98,646
Emerging market equity fund 
 26,804
 
 
 26,804
Domestic bond fund 
 100,687
 
 
 100,687
Core bond fund 
 98,874
 
 
 98,874
High-yield bond fund 
 31,692
 
 
 31,692
Emerging market bond fund 
 25,959
 
 
 25,959
Combination debt/equity/other fund 
 36,167
 
 
 36,167
Alternative investment fund 
 
 
 48,906
 48,906
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 34,421
 34,421
Cash equivalents 
 4,430
 
 
 4,430
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $612,109
 $
 $107,223
 $719,332
           
As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
Assets: (In Thousands)
Domestic equity funds $
 $168,407
 $
 $23,580
 $191,987
International equity fund 
 83,738
 
 
 83,738
Emerging market equity fund 
 21,055
 
 
 21,055
Domestic bond fund 
 101,200
 
 
 101,200
Core bond fund 
 86,109
 
 
 86,109
High-yield bond fund 
 30,729
 
 
 30,729
Emerging market bond fund 
 23,584
 
 
 23,584
Combination debt/equity/other fund 
 37,851
 
 
 37,851
Alternative investment fund 
 
 
 43,686
 43,686
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 32,390
 32,390
Cash equivalents 
 6,145
 
 
 6,145
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $558,818
 $
 $99,656
 $658,474




The following table provides the fair value of our post-retirement benefit plan assets and the corresponding level of hierarchy as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
As of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Assets:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $65,187
 $
 $
 $65,187
International equity fund 
 16,217
 
 
 16,217
Core bond fund 
 42,083
 
 
 42,083
Cash equivalents 
 583
 
 
 583
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $124,070
 $
 $
 $124,070
           
As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Assets:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $61,055
 $
 $
 $61,055
International equity fund 
 15,034
 
 
 15,034
Core bond fund 
 38,952
 
 
 38,952
Cash equivalents 
 578
 
 
 578
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $115,619
 $
 $
 $115,619

Cash Flows

The following table shows the expected cash flows for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans for future years.
  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
  To/(From) Trust 
(From)
Company Assets
 To/(From) Trust 
(From)
Company Assets
  (In Millions)
Expected contributions:        
2018 $32.4
   $
  
         
Expected benefit payments:        
2018 $(57.6) $(2.3) $(7.9) $(0.3)
2019 (60.1) (2.3) (8.0) (0.3)
2020 (62.8) (2.2) (8.0) (0.2)
2021 (65.4) (2.2) (8.1) (0.2)
2022 (65.1) (2.2) (8.1) (0.2)
2023-2027 (331.5) (10.8) (38.7) (0.9)

Savings Plans

We maintain a qualified 401(k) savings plan in which most of our employees participate. We match employees’ contributions in cash up to specified maximum limits. Our contributions to the plan are deposited with a trustee and invested at the direction of plan participants into one or more of the investment alternatives we provide under the plan. Our contributions totaled $8.3 million in 2017, $8.0 million in 2016 and $7.7 million in 2015.


Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have a long-term incentive and share award plan (LTISA Plan), which is a stock-based compensation plan in which employees and directors are eligible for awards. The LTISA Plan was implemented as a means to attract, retain and motivate employees and directors. Under the LTISA Plan, we may grant awards in the form of stock options, dividend equivalents, share appreciation rights, RSUs, performance shares and performance share units to plan participants. Up to 8.3 million shares of common stock may be granted under the LTISA Plan. As of December 31, 2017, awards of approximately 5.4 million shares of common stock had been made under the plan.

All stock-based compensation is measured at the grant datemeasurements based on the fair value hierarchy as discussed in Note 14. The following are descriptions of the awardvaluation methods of the primary fair value measurements disclosed below.
Domestic equities - consist of individually held domestic equity securities and domestic equity mutual funds. Securities and funds, which are publicly quoted, are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as Level 1. Funds that are valued by fund administrators using the net asset value (NAV) per fund

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share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
International equities - consist of individually held international equity securities and international equity mutual funds. Securities and funds, which are publicly quoted, are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as Level 1. Funds that are valued by fund administrators using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
Bond funds - consist of funds maintained by investment companies that invest in various types of fixed income securities consistent with the funds' stated objectives. Securities and funds, which are publicly quoted, are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as Level 1. Funds that are valued by fund administrators using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities, are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
Corporate bonds - consists of individually held, primarily domestic, corporate bonds that are traded in less than active markets or priced with models using highly observable inputs that are categorized as Level 2.
U.S. Treasury and agency bonds - consists of individually held U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency bonds. U.S. Treasury securities, which are publicly quoted, are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as a Level 1. U.S. agency bonds, which are publicly quoted, are traded in less than active markets or priced with models using highly observable inputs and are categorized as Level 2.
Mortgage and asset backed securities - consists of individually held securities that are traded in less than active markets or valued with models using highly observable inputs that are categorized as Level 2.
Real estate investments - consists of traded real estate investment trusts valued at the closing price reported on the major market on which the trusts are traded and are categorized as Level 1 and institutional trust funds valued at NAV per fund share and are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.
Combination debt/equity/other fund - consists of a fund that invests in various types of debt, equity and other asset classes consistent with the fund's stated objectives. The fund, which is publicly quoted, is valued based on quoted prices in active markets and is recognizedcategorized as Level 1.
Alternative investments - consists of investments in institutional trust and hedge funds that are valued by fund administrators using the NAV per fund share, derived from the underlying investments of the fund, and are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
Short-term investments - consists of fund investments in high-quality, short-term, U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with an expenseaverage maturity of 60 days that are valued at NAV per fund share and are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.
Cash and cash equivalents - consists of investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased that are traded in active markets and are categorized as Level 1.


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The fair values of the Evergy Companies' pension plan assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, by asset category are in the following tables.
    Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
Description
December 31
2019
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets measured at NAV
  (millions)
Evergy Kansas Central Pension Plans                 
Domestic equities $233.8
  $150.6
   $
   $
   $83.2
International equities 162.4
  101.5
   
   
   60.9
Bond funds 281.7
  233.0
   
   
   48.7
Real estate investments 46.5
  
   
   
   46.5
Combination debt/equity/other fund 30.1
  30.1
   
   
   
Alternative investment funds 78.5
  
   
   
   78.5
Short-term investments 9.1
  
   
   
   9.1
Total $842.1
  $515.2
   $
   $
  
$326.9
                  
Evergy Metro Pension Plans                 
Domestic equities $244.8
  $195.3
   $
   $
   $49.5
International equities 178.7
  117.7
   
   
   61.0
Bond funds 71.0
  15.6
   
   
   55.4
Corporate bonds 123.9
  
   123.9
   
   
U.S. Treasury and agency bonds 70.9
  53.5
   17.4
   
   
Mortgage and asset backed securities 5.7
  
   5.7
   
   
Real estate investments 50.8
  12.8
   
   
   38.0
Combination debt/equity/other fund 11.9
  11.9
   
   
   
Alternative investment funds 36.6
  
   
   
   36.6
Cash and cash equivalents 92.9
  92.9
   
   
   
Short-term investments 1.0
  
   
   
   1.0
Other 2.5
  
   2.5
   
   
Total $890.7
  $499.7
   $149.5
   $
  
$241.5


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    Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
Description
December 31
2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets measured at NAV
  (millions) 
Evergy Kansas Central Pension Plans                  
Domestic equities $215.0
  $144.7
   $
   $
   $70.3
 
International equities 138.7
  91.8
   
   
   46.9
 
Bond funds 296.4
  255.4
   
   
   41.0
 
Real estate investments 44.8
  
   
   
   44.8
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 30.1
  30.1
   
   
   
 
Alternative investment funds 73.6
  
   
   
   73.6
 
Short-term investments 6.0
  
   
   
   6.0
 
Total $804.6
  $522.0
   $
   $
   $282.6
 
                   
Evergy Metro Pension Plans                  
Domestic equities $238.1
  $198.6
   $
   $
   $39.5
 
International equities 150.9
  104.0
   
   
   46.9
 
Bond funds 67.4
  19.3
   
   
   48.1
 
Corporate bonds 123.6
  
   123.6
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury and agency bonds 69.9
  52.4
   17.5
   
   
 
Mortgage and asset backed securities 5.5
  
   5.5
   
   
 
Real estate investments 48.2
  12.6
   
   
   35.6
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 13.5
  13.5
   
   
   
 
Alternative investment funds 31.6
  
   
   
   31.6
 
Cash and cash equivalents 49.8
  49.8
   
   
   
 
Other 0.3
  
   0.3
   
   
 
Total $798.8
  $450.2
   $146.9
   $
   $201.7
 




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The fair values of the Evergy Companies' post-retirement plan assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, by asset category are in the following tables.
    Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
Description
December 31
2019
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets measured at NAV
  (millions) 
Evergy Kansas Central Post-Retirement Benefit Plans 
                
Domestic equities $40.5
  $
   $
   $
   $40.5
 
International equities 26.0
  
   
   
   26.0
 
Bond funds 52.9
  
   
   
   52.9
 
Cash and cash equivalents 1.1
  1.1
   
   
   
 
Total $120.5
  $1.1
   $
   $
   $119.4
 
                   
Evergy Metro Post-Retirement Benefit Plans    

   

   

     
Domestic equities $3.2
  $3.2
   $
   $
   $
 
International equities 1.1
  1.1
   
   
   
 
Bond funds 77.5
  0.1
   
   
   77.4
 
Corporate bonds 17.8
  
   17.8
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury and agency bonds 11.5
  4.1
   7.4
   
   
 
Mortgage and asset backed securities 1.3
  
   1.3
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents 6.7
  6.7
   
   
   
 
Other 0.3
  
   0.3
   
   
 
Total $119.4
  $15.2
   $26.8
   $
   $77.4
 

    Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
Description
December 31
2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets measured at NAV
  (millions) 
Evergy Kansas Central Post-Retirement Benefit Plans                  
Domestic equities $56.4
  $
   $
   $
   $56.4
 
International equities 14.0
  
   
   
   14.0
 
Bond funds 38.4
  
   
   
   38.4
 
Short-term investments 0.7
  
   
   
   0.7
 
Cash and cash equivalents 0.2
  0.2
   
   
   
 
Total $109.7
  $0.2
   $
   $
   $109.5
 
                   
Evergy Metro Post-Retirement Benefit Plans                  
Domestic equities $2.5
  $2.5
   $
   $
   $
 
International equities 0.9
  0.9
   
   
   
 
Bond funds 75.0
  0.2
   
   
   74.8
 
Corporate bonds 17.4
  
   17.4
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury and agency bonds 10.3
  2.6
   7.7
   
   
 
Mortgage and asset backed securities 2.5
  
   2.5
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents 4.7
  4.7
   
   
   
 
Other 0.3
  
   0.3
   
   
 
Total $113.6
  $10.9
   $27.9
   $
   $74.8
 



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Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. The cost trend assumptions are detailed in the following tables.
Assumed annual health care cost growth rates as of December 31, 2019 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year 6.3% 6.3% 6.3%
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) 4.5% 4.5% 4.5%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend 2027
 2027
 2027
       
Assumed annual health care cost growth rates as of December 31, 2018 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year 6.5% 6.5% 6.5%
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) 4.5% 4.5% 4.5%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend 2027
 2027
 2027

The effects of a one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates, holding all other assumptions constant, at December 31, 2019, are detailed in the following table.
  Evergy 
Evergy Kansas Central(a)
 Evergy Metro
Effect of 1% increase (millions)
Effect on total service and interest component $
 $
 $
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation 0.5
 (0.1) 0.6
Effect of 1% decrease      
Effect on total service and interest component $
 $
 $
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation (0.4) 0.1
 (0.5)

(a) Evergy Kansas Central includes only the effect of health care cost trend rates for Wolf Creek because the Evergy Kansas Central post-retirement benefit plan includes a fixed monthly stipend for health care and therefore is not affected by changes in health care costs.
Employee Savings Plans
Evergy has defined contribution savings plans (401(k)) that cover substantially all employees. Evergy matches employee contributions, subject to limits. The annual costs of the plans are detailed in the following table. Evergy Metro amounts are only included in consolidated statementEvergy from June 4, 2018, the date of income over the requisite service period. The requisite service periods range from one to four years. However, uponclosing of the merger, and thereafter.
  2019 2018 2017
  (millions)
Evergy $17.6
 $16.3
 $9.7
Evergy Kansas Central 9.6
 9.9
 9.7
Evergy Metro 8.0
 8.3
 7.7

11. EQUITY COMPENSATION
Upon the consummation of the merger, all unrecognizedEvergy assumed both Evergy Kansas Central's Long-Term Incentive and Share Award plan (LTISA) and Great Plains Energy's Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was renamed the Evergy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. All outstanding share-based payment awards under Evergy Kansas Central's LTISA vested at the closing of the merger transaction and were converted into a right to receive Evergy common stock with the exception of certain RSUs and deferred director share units issued prior to the closing of the merger to certain directors, officers and employees of Evergy Kansas Central. The vesting of these shares resulted

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in the recognition of $14.6 million of compensation costsexpense in Evergy's and Evergy Kansas Central's consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for 2018.
All of Great Plains Energy's outstanding RSUperformance shares, restricted stock, RSUs and director deferred share units under Great Plains Energy's Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan were converted into equivalent Evergy performance shares, restricted stock, RSUs and director deferred share units at Great Plains Energy's merger exchange ratio of 0.5981. The estimated fair value of these converted awards will be expensed on our income statement. that was allocated to the purchase price was $12.5 million, after-tax. See Note 2 for more information regarding the merger.
The following table below showssummarizes the Evergy Companies' equity compensation expense and the associated income tax benefits related tobenefit.
  2019 2018 2017
Evergy (millions)
Equity compensation expense $15.5
 $30.7
 $8.9
Income tax benefit 3.0
 1.4
 3.5
Evergy Kansas Central      
Equity compensation expense 6.7
 24.8
 8.9
Income tax benefit 1.9
 1.4
 3.5
Evergy Metro(a)
      
Equity compensation expense 5.7
 6.5
 4.2
Income tax benefit 0.3
 0.1
 1.6

(a) Evergy Metro amounts are only included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
Restricted Share Units
Evergy has utilized RSUs for new grants of stock-based compensation arrangements that are included in our net income.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 (In Thousands)
Compensation expense$8,869
 $9,237
 $8,250
Income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arrangements3,508
 3,653
 3,263

We use RSU awards for our stock-based compensation awards.subsequent to the merger. RSU awards are grants that entitle the holder to receive shares of common stock as the awards vest. These RSU awards are defined as nonvested shares and do not include restrictions once the awards have vested.

RSU awards These RSUs either take the form of RSUs with performance measures that vest upon expiration of the award term or RSUs with only service requirements that vest solely upon the passage of time. We measure
RSUs with Performance Measures
The payment of RSUs with performance measures is contingent upon achievement of specific performance goals over a stated period of time as approved by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Board. The numbers of RSUs with performances measures ultimately paid can vary from the numbers of RSUs with performance measures initially granted depending on Evergy's performance over stated performance periods. Compensation expense for RSUs with performance measures is calculated by recognizing the portion of the fair value for each reporting period for which the requisite service has been rendered. Dividends are accrued over the vesting period and paid in cash based on the number of RSUs with performance measures ultimately paid.
The fair value of RSUs with performance measures is estimated using the market value of Evergy's stock at the valuation date and a Monte Carlo simulation technique that incorporates assumptions for inputs of expected volatilities, dividend yield and risk-free rates. Expected volatility is based on daily stock price change during a historical period commensurate with the remaining term of the performance period of the grant. The risk-free rate is based upon the rate at the time of the evaluation for zero-coupon government bonds with a maturity consistent with the remaining performance period of the grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividends paid and the actual closing stock price on the valuation date. For shares granted in 2019, inputs for expected volatility, dividend yield and risk-free rates were 18%, 3.45% and 2.6%, respectively.

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RSU activity for awards with performance measures for 2019 is summarized in the following table.
 
Nonvested
Restricted Share Units
 
Grant Date
Fair Value*
Beginning balance January 1, 2019 
   $
 
Granted 202,107
   37.87
 
Forfeited (4,857)   37.87
 
Ending balance December 31, 2019 197,250
   37.87
 
* weighted-average
At December 31, 2019, the remaining weighted-average contractual term related to RSU awards with performance measures was 2.2 years.  The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted with performance measures was $37.87 in 2019. At December 31, 2019, there was $5.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs with performance measures. NaN RSUs with performance measures vested in 2019.
RSUs with Only Service Requirements
Evergy measures the fair value of these RSU awardsRSUs with only service requirements based on the fair market pricevalue of the underlying common stock as of the grant date. RSU awards with only service conditions that have a graded vesting schedule are recognized as anrecognize compensation expense inby multiplying shares by the consolidated statement of incomegrant-date fair value related to the RSU and recognizing it on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.award, including for those RSUs that have a graded vesting schedule. Nonforfeitable dividend equivalents, or the rights to receive cash equal to the value of dividends paid on Westar Energy’sEvergy's common stock, are paid on certain of these RSUs during the vesting period. Nonforfeitable dividend equivalents are recorded directly to retained earnings.

RSU awards with performance measures vest upon expiration of the award term. The number of shares of common stock awarded upon vesting will vary from 0% to 200% of the RSU award, with performance tied to our total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of our peer group. We measure the fair value of these RSU awards using a Monte Carlo simulation technique that uses the closing stock price at the valuation date and incorporates assumptions for inputs of the expected volatility and risk-free interest rates. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations. The risk-free interest rate is based on treasury constant maturity yields as reported by the Federal Reserve and the length of the performance period. For the 2017 valuation, inputs for expected volatility ranged from 17.6% to 22.7% and the risk-free interest rate was approximately 1.5%. For the 2016 valuation, inputs for expected volatility ranged from 16.9% to 22.4% and the risk-free interest rate was approximately 0.9%. For these RSU awards, dividend equivalents accumulate over the vesting period and are paid in cash based on the number of shares of common stock awarded upon vesting.


During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our RSU activity for awards with only service requirements was as follows.for 2019 is summarized in the following table.
As of December 31,
Nonvested
Restricted Share Units
 
Grant Date
Fair Value*
2017 2016 2015
Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(Shares In Thousands)
Nonvested balance, beginning of year289.4
 $40.11
 309.9
 $35.21
 342.2
 $31.38
Beginning balance January 1, 2019 217,256
 $54.07
 
Granted79.8
 53.25
 99.3
 46.35
 115.7
 39.50
 70,395
 54.47
 
Vested(109.4) 35.56
 (115.9) 32.33
 (115.4) 28.77
 (48,767) 54.20
 
Forfeited(3.8) 44.08
 (3.9) 40.95
 (32.6) 33.07
 (5,534)  54.23
 
Nonvested balance, end of year256.0
 46.09
 289.4
 40.11
 309.9
 35.21
Ending balance December 31, 2019 233,350
 54.16
 

* weighted-average
Total unrecognized compensation costAt December 31, 2019, the remaining weighted-average contractual term related to RSU awards with only service requirements was $4.7 million1.1 years.  The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted with only service requirements was $54.47, $52.16 and $5.0 million as of$53.25 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Absent the merger, we expect2019, there was $5.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to recognize these costs over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.7 years.unvested RSUs. The total fair value of RSUs with only service requirements that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016was $2.6 million, $16.0 million and2015, was $6.1 million $5.2 millionin 2019, 2018 and $4.7 million,2017, respectively.

Performance Shares
DuringEvergy's performance shares represent legacy Great Plains Energy performance shares that converted into equivalent Evergy performance shares at the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016closing of the merger transaction. The vesting of performance shares is contingent upon achievement of specific performance goals over a stated period of time as approved by the Compensation and 2015, our RSULeadership Development Committee of the Evergy Board. The number of performance shares ultimately vested can vary from the number of shares initially granted depending on Evergy's performance over stated performance periods. Compensation expense for performance shares is calculated by recognizing the portion of the grant date fair value for each reporting period for which the requisite service has been rendered. Dividends are accrued over the vesting period and paid in cash based on the number of performance shares ultimately paid.

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The fair value of performance share awards was estimated using the market value of Evergy Kansas Central's and Great Plains Energy's common stock at the valuation date upon conversion at the merger and a Monte Carlo simulation technique that incorporates assumptions for inputs of expected volatilities, dividend yield and risk-free rates. Expected volatility was based on daily stock price change based on historical common stock information during a historical period commensurate with the remaining term of the performance period of the grant. The risk-free rate was based upon the rate at the time of the evaluation for zero-coupon government bonds with a maturity consistent with the remaining performance period of the grant. The dividend yield was based on the most recent dividends paid by Evergy Kansas Central, as Evergy's stock price assumed Evergy Kansas Central's stock price on a forward basis, and the grant date stock price on the valuation date.
Performance share activity for awards with2019 is summarized in the following table. Performance adjustment represents the difference between the number of shares of common stock related to performance measures was as follows.shares ultimately issued from the number of performance shares initially granted which can vary depending on Evergy's performance over a stated period of time.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 (Shares In Thousands)
Nonvested balance, beginning of year297.7
 $40.79
 299.1
 $36.00
 345.1
 $32.31
Granted76.4
 37.08
 100.9
 46.03
 94.8
 40.26
Vested(106.7) 36.38
 (98.5) 31.59
 (109.0) 28.99
Forfeited(2.0) 42.16
 (3.8) 41.57
 (31.8) 34.03
Nonvested balance, end of year265.4
 41.48
 297.7
 40.79
 299.1
 36.00
 
Performance
Shares
 
Grant Date
Fair Value*
Beginning balance January 1, 2019 348,496
   $63.80
 
Vested (69,317)   46.11
 
Forfeited (6,481)   69.65
 
Performance adjustment (44,442)   42.97
 
Ending balance December 31, 2019 228,256
   73.06
 

* weighted-average
As ofAt December 31, 2017 and 2016,2019, the remaining weighted-average contractual term was 0.5 years.  There were no shares granted in 2019. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of shares granted was $63.79 in 2018. At December 31, 2019, there was $2.2 million of total unrecognized compensation costexpense, net of forfeiture rates, related to RSU awards with performance measures was $3.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Absentshares granted under the merger, we expect to recognize these costsEvergy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, which will be recognized over athe remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years.contractual term. The total fair value of RSUs with performance measuresshares vested was $3.2 million in 2019. There were 0 vested performance shares in 2018.
Restricted Stock
Evergy's restricted stock represents legacy Great Plains Energy restricted stock that vested duringconverted into equivalent Evergy restricted stock at the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, was $12.0 million, $7.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

Another componentclosing of the LTISA Plan ismerger transaction. Restricted stock cannot be sold or otherwise transferred by the Executive Stock for Compensation program under which, inrecipient prior to vesting and has a value equal to the past, eligible employees were entitled to receive deferred common stock in lieu of current cash compensation. Although this plan was discontinued in 2001, dividends will continue to be paid to plan participants on their outstanding plan balance until distribution. Plan participants were awarded 124 shares of common stock for dividends in 2017, 170 shares in 2016 and 296 shares in 2015. Participants received common stock distributions of 1,325 shares in 2017, 2,110 shares in 2016 and 2,024 shares in 2015.



13. WOLF CREEK EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

As a co-owner of Wolf Creek, KGE is indirectly responsible for 47% of the liabilities and expenses associated with the Wolf Creek pension and post-retirement benefit plans. KGE accrues its 47% share of Wolf Creek’s cost of pension and post-retirement benefits during the years an employee provides service. The following tables summarize the status of KGE’s 47% share of the Wolf Creek pension and post-retirement benefit plans.
  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
As of December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016
  (In Thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:        
Benefit obligation, beginning of year $229,025
 $206,418
 $7,215
 $7,793
Service cost 7,800
 6,748
 146
 127
Interest cost 9,900
 9,655
 280
 325
Plan participants’ contributions 
 
 1,096
 989
Benefits paid (8,381) (6,974) (1,623) (1,531)
Actuarial losses (gains) 23,423
 13,178
 (99) (488)
Benefit obligation, end of year $261,767
 $229,025
 $7,015
 $7,215
         
Change in Plan Assets:        
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $138,688
 $121,622
 $17
 $105
Actual return on plan assets 25,053
 8,967
 46
 (4)
Employer contributions 12,047
 14,820
 466
 458
Plan participants’ contributions 
 
 1,096
 989
Benefits paid (8,128) (6,721) (1,623) (1,531)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year $167,660
 $138,688
 $2
 $17
         
Funded status, end of year $(94,107) $(90,337) $(7,013) $(7,198)
         
Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheets Consist of:        
Current liability $(271) $(248) $(552) $(538)
Noncurrent liability (93,836) (90,089) (6,461) (6,660)
Net amount recognized $(94,107) $(90,337) $(7,013) $(7,198)
         
Amounts Recognized in Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) Consist of:        
Net actuarial loss (gain) $69,895
 $66,324
 $(748) $(654)
Prior service cost 391
 446
 
 
Net amount recognized $70,286
 $66,770
 $(748) $(654)



  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
As of December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Pension Plans With a Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Projected benefit obligation $261,767
 $229,025
 $
 $
Fair value of plan assets 167,660
 138,688
 
 
         
Pension Plans With an Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Accumulated benefit obligation $229,883
 $201,963
 $
 $
Fair value of plan assets 167,660
 138,688
 
 
         
Post-retirement Plans With an Accumulated Post-retirement Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets:        
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation $
 $
 $7,015
 $7,215
Fair value of plan assets 
 
 2
 17
         
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Obligation:        
Discount rate 3.73% 4.26% 3.56% 3.95%
Compensation rate increase 4.00% 4.00% % %

Wolf Creek uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The discount rate used to determine the current year pension obligation and the following year’s pension expense is based on a bond selection-settlement portfolio approach. This approach develops a discount rate by selecting a portfolio of high quality, non-callable corporate bonds that generate sufficient cash flow to provide for the projected benefit payments of the plan. After the bond portfolio is selected, a single interest rate is determined that equates the present value of the plan’s projected benefit payments discounted at this rate with thefair market value of the bonds selected. The decrease inshares on the discount rates used asissue date. Restricted stock shares vest over a stated period of December 31, 2017, increased Wolf Creek’s pension and post-retirement benefit obligationstime with accruing reinvested dividends subject to the same restrictions. Compensation expense, calculated by approximately $19.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.



The prior service costmultiplying shares by the grant-date fair value related to restricted stock, is amortizedrecognized on a straight-line basis over the average futurerequisite service period of the active employees (plan participants) benefiting under the plan at the time of the amendment. The net actuarial gain or lossaward.
Restricted stock activity for 2019 is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average future service of active plan participants benefiting under the plan without application of an amortization corridor. Following is additional information regarding KGE’s 47% share of the Wolf Creek pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
  Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Components of Net Periodic Cost (Benefit):            
Service cost $7,800
 $6,748
 $7,595
 $146
 $127
 $138
Interest cost 9,900
 9,655
 9,016
 280
 325
 314
Expected return on plan assets (10,571) (9,722) (9,044) 
 
 
Amortization of unrecognized:            
Prior service costs 55
 55
 57
 
 
 
Actuarial loss (gain), net 4,979
 4,357
 5,930
 (50) (14) 3
Curtailments, settlements, and special termination benefits 390
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic cost before regulatory adjustment 12,553
 11,093
 13,554
 376
 438
 455
Regulatory adjustment (a) 1,083
 1,886
 (1,485) 
 
 
Net periodic cost $13,636
 $12,979
 $12,069
 $376
 $438
 $455
             
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities:            
Current year actuarial loss (gain) $8,550
 $13,934
 $(2,373) $(145) $(484) $(211)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (4,979) (4,357) (5,930) 50
 14
 (3)
Amortization of prior service cost (55) (55) (57) 
 
 
Total recognized in regulatory assets and liabilities $3,516
 $9,522
 $(8,360) $(95) $(470) $(214)
             
Total recognized in net periodic cost and regulatory assets and liabilities $17,152
 $22,501
 $3,709
 $281
 $(32) $241
             
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions used to Determine Net Periodic Cost:            
Discount rate 4.26% 4.61% 4.20% 3.95% 4.27% 3.89%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 7.25% 7.50% 7.50% % % %
Compensation rate increase 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% % % %
_______________
(a)The regulatory adjustment represents the difference between current period pension or post-retirement benefit expense and the amount of such expense recognized in setting our prices.

We estimate that we will amortize the following amounts from regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities into net periodic cost in 2018.
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 (In Thousands)
Actuarial loss (gain)$6,624
 $(58)
Prior service cost55
 
Total$6,679
 $(58)

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the plans’ investment portfolios. Assumed projected rates of return for each asset class were selected after analyzing long-term historical experience and future expectations of the volatility of the various asset classes. Based on target asset allocations for each asset class, the overall expected rate of return for the portfolios was developed, adjusted for historical and expected experience of active portfolio management results compared to benchmark returns and for the effect of expenses paid from plan assets.


For measurement purposes, the assumed annual health care cost growth rates were as follows.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year6.0% 6.5%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)5.0% 5.0%
    
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate2020
 2020

The health care cost trend rate affects the projected benefit obligation. A 1% change in assumed health care cost growth rates would have effects shownsummarized in the following table.
 
One-Percentage-
Point Increase
 
One-Percentage-
Point Decrease
 (In Thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost$(9) $10
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation(133) 142
 
Nonvested
Restricted Stock
 
Grant Date
Fair Value*
Beginning balance January 1, 2019 116,675
   $54.03
 
Vested (38,404)   54.35
 
Forfeited (2,161)   53.88
 
Ending balance December 31, 2019 76,110
   53.87
 

* weighted-average
At December 31, 2019, the remaining weighted-average contractual term was 0.7 years.  There were 0 shares granted in 2019. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of shares granted was $54.05 in 2018. At December 31, 2019, there was $0.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense, net of forfeiture rates, related to nonvested restricted stock granted under the Evergy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, Assetswhich will be


Wolf Creek’s pension
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recognized over the remaining weighted-average contractual term. The total fair value of shares vested was $2.1 million and post-retirement plan investment strategy$0.3 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively.
12. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND SHORT-TERM BANK LINES OF CREDIT
Evergy's $2.5 billion master credit facility expires in 2023. Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have borrowing capacity under the master credit facility with specific sublimits for each borrower. These sublimits can be unilaterally adjusted by Evergy for each borrower provided the sublimits remain within minimum and maximum sublimits as specified in the facility. A default by any borrower under the facility or one of their significant subsidiaries on other indebtedness totaling more than $100.0 million constitutes a default by that borrower under the facility. Under the terms of this facility, each of Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West is required to manage assetsmaintain a total indebtedness to total capitalization ratio, as defined in the facility, of not greater than 0.65 to 1.00 at all times. As of December 31, 2019, Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West were in compliance with this covenant.
The following table summarizes the committed credit facilities (excluding receivable sale facilities discussed in Note 4) available to the Evergy Companies as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
  Amounts Drawn   
 Credit FacilityCommercial PaperLetters of CreditCash BorrowingsAvailable Borrowings Weighted Average Interest Rate on Short-Term Borrowings
December 31, 2019(millions)  
Evergy, Inc.$450.0
n/a$0.7
$20.0
$429.3
 2.99%
Evergy Kansas Central1,000.0
249.2
14.2

736.6
 2.07%
Evergy Metro600.0
199.3


400.7
 2.02%
Evergy Missouri West450.0
93.4
2.1

354.5
 2.02%
Evergy$2,500.0
$541.9
$17.0
$20.0
$1,921.1
  
        
December 31, 2018       
Evergy, Inc.$450.0
n/a$1.0
$
$449.0
 —%
Evergy Kansas Central1,000.0
411.7
18.3

570.0
 3.08%
Evergy Metro600.0
176.9
2.7

420.4
 2.95%
Evergy Missouri West450.0
150.0
2.1

297.9
 3.00%
Evergy$2,500.0
$738.6
$24.1
$
$1,737.3
 
In March 2019, Evergy entered into a $1.0 billion, 6-month term loan credit agreement with a group of banks to provide short-term financing for its common stock repurchase program. The agreement allowed for 2 term loans during the 6-month term of the agreement, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the credit limit of the agreement. At closing, Evergy borrowed $500.0 million under the agreement, allowing for 1 additional term loan borrowing in a prudent mannerprincipal amount up to $500.0 million, which was subsequently utilized in June 2019. In September 2019, Evergy repaid its $1.0 billion of borrowings under the term loan credit agreement with regardproceeds from its issuance of $1.6 billion of senior notes in September 2019.

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13. LONG-TERM DEBT
The Evergy Companies' long-term debt is detailed in the following tables.
December 31, 2019Issuing Entity Year Due Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Mortgage Bonds    (millions)
5.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2020 $250.0
 $250.0
 $
3.25% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2025 250.0
 250.0
 
2.55% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2026 350.0
 350.0
 
3.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2027 300.0
 300.0
 
4.125% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2042 550.0
 550.0
 
4.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2043 430.0
 430.0
 
4.625% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2043 250.0
 250.0
 
4.25% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2045 300.0
 300.0
 
3.25% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2049 300.0
 300.0
 


6.15% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2023 50.0
 50.0
 
6.53% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2037 175.0
 175.0
 
6.64% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2038 100.0
 100.0
 
4.30% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2044 250.0
 250.0
 
2.95% EIRR bondsEvergy Metro, Inc. 2023 79.5
 
 79.5
4.125% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2049 400.0
 
 400.0
9.44% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2020-2021 2.3
 
 
Pollution Control Bonds         
1.39% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2032 45.0
 45.0
 
1.39% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2032 30.5
 30.5
 
1.39% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2027 21.9
 21.9
 
2.50% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2031 50.0
 50.0
 
1.39% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2032 14.5
 14.5
 
1.39% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2032 10.0
 10.0
 
1.432% Series 2007A and 2007B(b)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2035 146.5
 
 146.5
2.75% Series 2008Evergy Metro, Inc. 2038 23.4
 
 23.4
Senior Notes         
3.15% Series(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2023 300.0
 
 300.0
3.65% Series(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2025 350.0
 
 350.0
6.05% Series (5.78% rate)(a)(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2035 250.0
 
 250.0
5.30% Series(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2041 400.0
 
 400.0
4.20% Series(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2047 300.0
 
 300.0
4.20% Series(g)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2048 300.0
 
 300.0
8.27% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2021 80.9
 
 
3.49% Series AEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2025 36.0
 
 
4.06% Series BEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2033 60.0
 
 
4.74% Series CEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2043 150.0
 
 
3.74% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2022 100.0
 
 
4.85% Series
Evergy, Inc.(f)
 2021 350.0
 
 
5.292% Series
Evergy, Inc.(f)
 2022 287.5
 
 
2.45% SeriesEvergy, Inc. 2024 800.0
 
 
2.90% Series (3.77% rate)(a)
Evergy, Inc. 2029 800.0
 
 
Medium Term Notes     
    
7.33% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2023 3.0
 
 
7.17% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2023 7.0
 
 
Fair value adjustment(e)
    125.5
 
 
Current maturities    (251.1) (250.0) 
Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs   (80.7) (40.8) (24.4)
Total excluding current maturities(d)
    $8,746.7
 $3,436.1
 $2,525.0


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December 31, 2018Issuing Entity Year Due Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Mortgage Bonds    (millions)
5.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2020 $250.0
 $250.0
 $
3.25% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2025 250.0
 250.0
 
2.55% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2026 350.0
 350.0
 
3.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2027 300.0
 300.0
 
4.125% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2042 550.0
 550.0
 
4.10% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2043 430.0
 430.0
 
4.625% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2043 250.0
 250.0
 
4.25% SeriesEvergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2045 300.0
 300.0
 
6.70% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2019 300.0
 300.0
 
6.15% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2023 50.0
 50.0
 
6.53% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2037 175.0
 175.0
 
6.64% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2038 100.0
 100.0
 
4.30% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2044 250.0
 250.0
 
2.95% EIRR bondsEvergy Metro, Inc. 2023 79.5
 
 79.5
7.15% Series 2009A (8.59% rate)(a)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2019 400.0
 
 400.0
9.44% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2019-2021 3.4
 
 
Pollution Control Bonds         
2.46% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2032 45.0
 45.0
 
2.46% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 2032 30.5
 30.5
 
2.46% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2027 21.9
 21.9
 
2.50% SeriesEvergy Kansas South, Inc. 2031 50.0
 50.0
 
2.46% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2032 14.5
 14.5
 
2.46% Series(b)
Evergy Kansas South, Inc. 2032 10.0
 10.0
 
1.865% Series 2007A and 2007B(b)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2035 146.5
 
 146.5
2.75% Series 2008Evergy Metro, Inc. 2038 23.4
 
 23.4
Senior Notes         
3.15% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2023 300.0
 
 300.0
3.65% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2025 350.0
 
 350.0
6.05% Series (5.78% rate)(a)
Evergy Metro, Inc. 2035 250.0
 
 250.0
5.30% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2041 400.0
 
 400.0
4.20% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2047 300.0
 
 300.0
4.20% SeriesEvergy Metro, Inc. 2048 300.0
 
 300.0
8.27% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2021 80.9
 
 
3.49% Series AEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2025 36.0
 
 
4.06% Series BEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2033 60.0
 
 
4.74% Series CEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2043 150.0
 
 
4.85% Series
Evergy, Inc.(f)
 2021 350.0
 
 
5.292% Series
Evergy, Inc.(f)
 2022 287.5
 
 
Medium Term Notes         
7.33% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2023 3.0
 
 
7.17% SeriesEvergy Missouri West, Inc. 2023 7.0
 
 
Fair value adjustment(e)
    144.8
 
 
Current maturities (c)
    (705.4) (300.0) (400.0)
Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs   (57.2) (37.1) (19.3)
Total excluding current maturities(d)
    $6,636.3
 $3,389.8
 $2,130.1

(a)
Rate after amortizing gains/losses recognized in OCI on settlements of interest rate hedging instruments.
(b)
Variable rate.
(c)
Evergy's current maturities total as of December 31, 2018, includes $4.3 million of fair value adjustments recorded in connection with purchase accounting for the merger transaction.
(d)
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, does not include $50.0 million and $21.9 million of secured Series 2005 Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding (EIRR) bonds because the bonds were repurchased in September 2015 and are held by Evergy Metro.
(e)
Represents the fair value adjustments recorded at Evergy consolidated related to the long-term debt of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West in connection with purchase accounting for the merger transaction. This amount is not part of future principal payments and will amortize over the remaining life of the associated debt instruments.
(f)
Originally issued by Great Plains Energy but assumed by Evergy, Inc. as part of the merger transaction.
(g)
Effectively secured pursuant to the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated as of December 1, 1986, as supplemented (Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture) through the issuance of collateral mortgage bonds issued to the trustee for the unsecured senior notes in March 2019.

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The following table summarizes Evergy's and Evergy Kansas Central's long-term debt of VIEs.
   December 31 
  2019 2018
   (millions) 
2.398% due 2021  $51.1
   $81.4
 
Current maturities  (32.3)   (30.3) 
Total excluding current maturities  $18.8
   $51.1
 


Mortgage Bonds
The Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Kansas South mortgages each contain provisions restricting the amount of first mortgage bonds (FMBs) that could be issued by each entity. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Kansas South must be in compliance with such restrictions prior to preservingthe issuance of additional first mortgage bonds or other secured indebtedness. The amount of Evergy Kansas Central FMBs authorized by its Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated July 1, 1939, as supplemented, is subject to certain limitations as described below. The amount of Evergy Kansas South FMBs authorized by the Evergy Kansas South Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated April 1, 1940, as supplemented and amended, is limited to a maximum of $3.5 billion, unless amended further. FMBs are secured by utility assets. Amounts of additional FMBs that may be issued are subject to property, earnings and certain restrictive provisions, except in connection with certain refundings, of each mortgage. As of December 31, 2019, approximately $305.4 million and $2,828.6 million principal while providing reasonable returns. Itamounts of additional Evergy Kansas Central FMBs or Evergy Kansas South FMBs, respectively, could be issued under the most restrictive provisions of their mortgages.
Evergy Metro has adoptedissued mortgage bonds under the Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture, which creates a mortgage lien on substantially all of Evergy Metro's utility plant. Additional Evergy Metro bonds may be issued on the basis of 75% of property additions or retired bonds. As of December 31, 2019, approximately $4,923.3 million principal amount of additional Evergy Metro mortgage bonds could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage.
Evergy Missouri West has issued mortgage bonds under the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated April 1, 1946, as supplemented, which creates a mortgage lien on a portion of Evergy Missouri West's utility plant.
In March 2019, Evergy Metro issued collateral mortgage bonds secured by the Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture to serve as collateral for Evergy Metro's obligations under the following outstanding unsecured senior notes:
$300.0 million of 3.15% Series, maturing in 2023;
$350.0 million of 3.65% Series, maturing in 2025;
$250.0 million of 6.05% Series, maturing in 2035;
$400.0 million of 5.30% Series, maturing in 2041;
$300.0 million of 4.20% Series, maturing in 2047; and
$300.0 million of 4.20% Series, maturing in 2048.
The collateral mortgage bonds were issued to the applicable trustee for the unsecured senior notes, are only payable if Evergy Metro defaults on the underlying unsecured senior notes and do not increase the amount of outstanding debt for Evergy Metro.
As a result of the above transactions, Evergy Metro's outstanding senior notes have effectively become secured by the mortgage lien of the Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture and rank equally and ratably with all of Evergy Metro's mortgage bonds, regardless of series, from time to time issued and outstanding under the Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture.    
Also in March 2019, Evergy Metro issued, at a discount, $400.0 million of 4.125% Mortgage Bonds, maturing in 2049. Evergy Metro also repaid its $400.0 million of 7.15% Mortgage Bonds at maturity in April 2019.

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In June 2019, Evergy Kansas South repaid its $300.0 million of 6.70% FMBs at maturity.
In August 2019, Evergy Kansas Central issued, at a discount, $300.0 million of 3.25% FMBs, maturing in 2049.
Senior Notes
Under the terms of the note purchase agreement for Evergy Missouri West's Series A, B and C Senior Notes, Evergy Missouri West is required to maintain a consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreement, not greater than 0.65 to 1.00. In addition, Evergy Missouri West's priority debt, as defined in the agreement, cannot exceed 15% of consolidated tangible net worth, as defined in the agreement. At December 31, 2019, Evergy Missouri West was in compliance with these covenants.
In March 2019, Evergy Missouri West issued $100.0 million of 3.74% Senior Notes, maturing in 2022, under a note purchase agreement.
In September 2019, Evergy issued, at a discount, $800.0 million of 2.45% Senior Notes, maturing in 2024 and $800.0 million of 2.90% Senior Notes, maturing in 2029.
Scheduled Maturities
Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's long-term investment horizon such that the chancesdebt maturities and duration of investment losses are weighed against the long-term potentialdebt maturities of VIEs for appreciationthe next five years are detailed in the following table.
  2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
  (millions)
Evergy(a)
 $251.1
 $432.0
 $387.5
 $439.5
 $800.0
Evergy Kansas Central(a)
 250.0
 
 
 50.0
 
Evergy Metro 
 
 
 379.5
 
VIEs 32.3
 18.8
 
 
 
(a) Excludes long-term debt maturities of assets. PartVIEs.
14. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Values of its strategy includes managing interest rate sensitivity of plan assets relative to the associated liabilities. The primary objective of the pension plan is to provide a source of retirement income for its participants and beneficiaries, and the primary financial objective of the plan is to improve its funded status. The primary objective of the post-retirement benefit plan is growth in assets and preservation of principal, while minimizing interim volatility, to meet anticipated claims of plan participants. Wolf Creek delegates the management of its pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets to independent investment advisors who hire and dismiss investment managers based upon various factors. The investment advisors are instructed to diversify investments across asset classes, sectors and manager styles to minimize the risk of large losses, based upon objectives and risk tolerance specified by Wolf Creek, which include allowable and/or prohibited investment types. It measures and monitors investment risk on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews and annual liability measurements.Financial Instruments

The target allocations for Wolf Creek’s pension plan assets are 31% to international equity securities, 25% to domestic equity securities, 25% to debt securities, 10% to real estate securities, 5% to commodity investments and 4% to other investments. The investments in both international and domestic equity include investments in large-, mid- and small-cap companies and investment funds with underlying investments similar to those previously mentioned. The investments in debt include core and high-yield bonds. Core bonds include funds invested in investment grade debt securities of corporate entities, obligations of U.S. and foreign governments and their agencies and private debt securities. High-yield bonds include a fund with underlying investments in non-investment grade debt securities of corporate entities, private placements and bank debt. Real estate securities include funds invested in commercial and residential real estate properties while commodity investments include funds invested in commodity-related instruments.

Similar to other assets measured at fair value, GAAP establishes a hierarchalhierarchical framework for disclosing the transparency of the inputs utilized in measuring pensionassets and post-retirement benefit plan assetsliabilities at fair value. Management's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. In addition, the Evergy Companies measure certain investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value at NAV, which are not included in the fair value hierarchy. Further explanation of these levels and NAV is summarized below.
Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are highly liquid and actively traded instruments with quoted prices, such as equities listed on public exchanges.
Level 2 –  Pricing inputs are not quoted prices in active markets but are either directly or indirectly observable. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are certain marketable debt securities, financial instruments traded in less than active markets or other financial instruments priced with models using highly observable inputs.
Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing have little or no transparency. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation.
NAV - Investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured at NAV. These investments do not consider the observability of inputs and, therefore, they are not included within the fair value hierarchy. The Evergy Companies include in this category investments in private equity, real estate and alternative investment

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funds that do not have a readily determinable fair value. The underlying alternative investments include collateralized debt obligations, mezzanine debt and a variety of other investments.
The Evergy Companies record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and short-term borrowings on their consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Evergy Companies are exposed to market risks arising from changes in interest rates and may use derivative instruments to manage these risks. From time to time, risk management activities may include entering into interest rate swap agreements to protect against unfavorable interest rate changes relating to forecasted debt transactions. These interest rate swap agreements can be designated as cash flow hedges, in which case gains and losses on the Wolf Creek pension trust may buyinterest rate swaps are deferred in other comprehensive income to be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the same period that the hedged interest payments affect earnings. The Evergy Companies classify all cash inflows and sell investments resultingoutflows for interest rate swap agreements accounted for as cash flow hedges of forecasted debt transactions as financing activities on their consolidated statements of cash flows.

In September 2019, Evergy issued $800.0 million of 2.90% Senior Notes maturing in changes within2029 and paid $69.8 million to settle an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $500.0 million that was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest payments on the hierarchy. See Note 5, “Financial Instrumentsdebt issuance. Evergy entered into the interest rate swap agreement in December 2018. The $69.8 million pre-tax loss was recorded in other comprehensive loss on Evergy's consolidated statements of comprehensive income and Trading Securities,” for a descriptionis being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense over the ten-year term of the hierarchal framework.debt. For 2019, $2.0 million and ($0.5) million were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense and income tax expense, respectively, on Evergy's consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2019, Evergy expects to amortize $5.2 million to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss over the next twelve months.

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

The Evergy Companies measure the fair value of long-term debt using Level 2 measurements available as of the measurement date. The book value and fair value of the Evergy Companies' long-term debt and long-term debt of variable interest entities is summarized in the following table.
  December 31
  2019 2018
  Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value
Long-term debt(a)
 (millions)
Evergy(b)
 $8,997.8
 $9,750.2
 $7,341.7
 $7,412.1
Evergy Kansas Central 3,686.1
 4,078.8
 3,689.8
 3,771.3
Evergy Metro 2,525.0
 2,932.2
 2,530.1
 2,637.5
Long-term debt of variable interest entities(a)
        
Evergy $51.1
 $51.5
 $81.4
 $81.3
Evergy Kansas Central 51.1
 51.5
 81.4
 81.3
(a) Includes current maturities.
(b) Book value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, includes $125.5 million and $144.8 million, respectively, of fair value adjustments recorded in connection with purchase accounting for the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger, which are not part of future principal payments and will amortize over the remaining life of the associated debt instrument.


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Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The following tables include the Evergy Companies' balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
DescriptionDecember 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2Level 3NAV
Evergy Kansas Central (millions)
Assets               
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
               
Domestic equity funds $86.1
  $78.6
  $
  $
  $7.5
 
International equity funds 52.0
  52.0
  
  
  
 
Core bond fund 39.3
  39.3
  
  
  
 
High-yield bond fund 22.3
  22.3
  
  
  
 
Emerging markets bond fund 19.4
  19.4
  
  
  
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 16.4
  16.4
  
  
  
 
Alternative investments fund 23.9
  
  
  
  23.9
 
Real estate securities fund 12.6
  
  
  
  12.6
 
Cash equivalents 0.5
  0.5
  
  
  
 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust 272.5
  228.5
  
  
  44.0
 
Rabbi trust               
Core bond fund 25.3
  
  
  
  25.3
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 6.3
  
  
  
  6.3
 
Cash equivalents 0.1
  0.1
  
  
  
 
Total rabbi trust 31.7
  0.1
  
  
  31.6
 
Total $304.2
  $228.6
  $
  $
  $75.6
 
Evergy Metro               
Assets               
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
               
Equity securities $211.1
  $211.1
  $
  $
  $
 
Debt securities 

             
U.S. Treasury 50.3
  50.3
  
  
  
 
U.S. Agency 0.4
  
  0.4
  
  
 
State and local obligations 2.2
  
  2.2
  
  
 
Corporate bonds 33.2
  
  33.2
  
  
 
Foreign governments 0.1
  
  0.1
  
  
 
Cash equivalents 3.1
  3.1
  
  
  
 
Other 0.3
  
  0.3
  
  
 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust 300.7
  264.5
  36.2
  
  
 
Self-insured health plan trust(b)
               
Equity securities 0.5
  0.5
  
  
  
 
Debt securities 6.7
  1.4
  5.3
  
  
 
Cash and cash equivalents 2.7
  2.7
  
  
  
 
Total self-insured health plan trust 9.9
  4.6
  5.3
  
  
 
Total $310.6
  $269.1
  $41.5
  $
  $
 
Other Evergy               
Assets               
Rabbi trusts               
Fixed income fund $13.3
  $
  $
  $
  $13.3
 
Cash and cash equivalents 0.5
  0.5
  
  
  
 
Total rabbi trusts $13.8
  $0.5
  $
  $
  $13.3
 
Evergy  
   
   
   
    
Assets  
   
   
   
    
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
 $573.2
  $493.0
  $36.2
  $
  $44.0
 
Rabbi trusts 45.5
  0.6
  
  
  44.9
 
Self-insured health plan trust(b)
 9.9
  4.6
  5.3
  
  
 
Total $628.6
  $498.2
  $41.5
  $
  $88.9
 

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DescriptionDecember 31, 2018Level 1Level 2Level 3NAV
Evergy Kansas Central (millions)
Assets               
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
               
Domestic equity funds $70.6
  $63.9
  $
  $
  $6.7
 
International equity funds 36.2
  36.2
  
  
  
 
Core bond fund 37.5
  37.5
  
  
  
 
High-yield bond fund 18.9
  18.9
  
  
  
 
Emerging markets bond fund 15.4
  15.4
  
  
  
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 12.9
  12.9
  
  
  
 
Alternative investments fund 24.1
  
  
  
  24.1
 
Real estate securities fund 11.8
  
  
  
  11.8
 
Cash equivalents 0.1
  0.1
  
  
  
 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust 227.5
  184.9
  
  
  42.6
 
Rabbi trust               
Core bond fund 24.8
  
  
  
  24.8
 
Combination debt/equity/other fund 5.6
  
  
  
  5.6
 
Cash equivalents 0.2
  0.2
  
  
  
 
Total rabbi trust 30.6
  0.2
  
  
  30.4
 
Total $258.1
  $185.1
  $
  $
  $73.0
 
Evergy Metro               
Assets               
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
               
Equity securities $166.6
  $166.6
  $
  $
  $
 
Debt securities  
   
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury 42.1
  42.1
  
  
  
 
U.S. Agency 0.4
  
  0.4
  
  
 
State and local obligations 2.1
  
  2.1
  
  
 
Corporate bonds 30.9
  
  30.9
  
  
 
Foreign governments 0.1
  
  0.1
  
  
 
Cash equivalents 1.7
  1.7
  
  
  
 
Other 0.7
  0.7
  
  
  
 
Total nuclear decommissioning trust 244.6
  211.1
  33.5
  
  
 
Self-insured health plan trust(b)
               
Equity securities 0.5
  0.5
  
  
  
 
Debt securities 3.9
  0.3
  3.6
  
  
 
Cash and cash equivalents 8.0
  8.0
  
  
  
 
Total self-insured health plan trust 12.4
  8.8
  3.6
  
  
 
Total $257.0
  $219.9
  $37.1
  $
  $
 
Other Evergy               
Assets               
Rabbi trusts               
Fixed income fund $13.2
  $
  $
  $
  $13.2
 
Total rabbi trusts $13.2
  $
  $
  $
  $13.2
 
Liabilities               
Interest rate swaps(c)
 $5.4
  $
  $5.4
  $
  $
 
Total $5.4
  $
  $5.4
  $
  $
 
Evergy  
   
   
   
    
Assets  
   
   
   
    
Nuclear decommissioning trust(a)
 $472.1
  $396.0
  $33.5
  $
  $42.6
 
Rabbi trust 43.8
  0.2
  



  43.6
 
Self-insured health plan trust(b)
 12.4
  8.8
  3.6
  
  
 
Total $528.3
  $405.0
  $37.1
  $
  $86.2
 
Liabilities               
Interest rate swaps(c)
 $5.4
  $
  $5.4
  $
  $
 
Total $5.4
  $
  $5.4
  $
  $
 

(a)
Fair value is based on quoted market prices of the investments held by the trust and/or valuation models.  
(b)
Fair value is based on quoted market prices of the investments held by the trust. Debt securities classified as Level 1 are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities. Debt securities classified as Level 2 are comprised of corporate bonds, U.S. Agency, state and local obligations, and other asset-backed securities.
(c)
The fair value of interest rate swaps are determined by calculating the net present value of expected payments and receipts under the interest rate swaps using observable market inputs including interest rates and London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap rates.

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Certain Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central investments included in the table above are measured at NAV as they do not have readily determinable fair values. In certain situations, these investments may have redemption restrictions.
The following table provides the fair value of KGE’s 47% share of Wolf Creek’s pension plan assetsadditional information on these Evergy and the corresponding level of hierarchy as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.Evergy Kansas Central investments.
As of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Assets:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $43,396
 $
 $
 $43,396
International equity funds 
 52,485
 
 
 52,485
Core bond funds 
 42,304
 
 
 42,304
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 7,415
 7,415
Alternative investment fund 
 16,988
 
 4,369
 21,357
Cash equivalents 
 703
 
 
 703
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $155,876
 $
 $11,784
 $167,660
           
As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2��Level 3 NAV Total
  (In Thousands)
Assets:          
Domestic equity funds $
 $34,586
 $
 $
 $34,586
International equity funds 
 43,269
 
 
 43,269
Core bond funds 
 35,048
 
 
 35,048
Real estate securities fund 
 
 
 6,948
 6,948
Alternative investment fund 
 14,073
 
 4,164
 18,237
Cash equivalents 
 600
 
 
 600
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $
 $127,576
 $
 $11,112
 $138,688
 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019
 Fair Unfunded Fair Unfunded Redemption Length of
 Value Commitments Value Commitments Frequency Settlement
Evergy Kansas Central(millions)    
Nuclear decommissioning trust:     
Domestic equity funds$7.5
 $3.3
 $6.7
 $4.3
 (a) (a)
Alternative investments fund(b)
23.9
 
 24.1
 
 Quarterly 65 days
Real estate securities fund(b)
12.6
 
 11.8
 
 Quarterly 65 days
Total$44.0
 $3.3
 $42.6
 $4.3
    
Rabbi trust:           
Core bond fund$25.3
 $
 $24.8
 $
 (c) (c)
Combination debt/equity/other fund6.3
 
 5.6
 
 (c) (c)
Total$31.6
 $
 $30.4
 $
    
Other Evergy           
Rabbi trusts:           
Fixed income fund$13.3
 $
 $13.2
 $
 (c) (c)
Total Evergy investments at NAV$88.9
 $3.3
 $86.2
 $4.3
    
(a)
This investment is in 5 long-term private equity funds that do not permit early withdrawal. Investments in these funds cannot be distributed until the underlying investments have been liquidated, which may take years from the date of initial liquidation. NaN funds have begun to make distributions. The initial investment in the fourth and fifth fund occurred in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The fourth fund's term is 15 years, subject to the general partner's right to extend the term for up to 3 additional one-year periods.  The fifth fund's term will be 15 years after the initial closing date, subject to additional extensions approved by a fund advisory committee to provide for an orderly liquidation of fund investments and dissolution of the fund.
(b)
There is a holdback on final redemptions.
(c)
This investment can be redeemed immediately and is not subject to any restrictions on redemptions.


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Cash Flows




The Evergy Companies hold equity and debt investments classified as securities in various trusts including for the purposes of funding the decommissioning of Wolf Creek and for the benefit of certain retired executive officers of Evergy Kansas Central. The Evergy Companies record net realized and unrealized gains and losses on the nuclear decommissioning trusts in regulatory liabilities on their consolidated balance sheets and record net realized and unrealized gains and losses on the Evergy Companies' rabbi trusts in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
The following table shows our expected cash flowssummarizes the net unrealized gains (losses) for KGE’s 47% share of Wolf Creek’s pensionthe Evergy Companies' nuclear decommissioning trusts and post-retirement benefit plans for future years.rabbi trusts.
Expected Cash Flows Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits
  To/(From) Trust 
(From)
Company Assets
 To/(From) Trust 
(From)
Company Assets
  (In Millions)
Expected contributions:        
2018 $8.9
   $0.6
  
         
Expected benefit payments:        
2018 $(8.0) $(0.3) $(2.0) $
2019 (9.0) (0.3) (2.3) 
2020 (9.9) (0.3) (2.6) 
2021 (10.8) (0.3) (2.9) 
2022 (11.7) (0.3) (3.2) 
2023 - 2027 (70.7) (1.9) (19.7) 
  2019 2018 2017
Evergy Kansas Central(millions)
Nuclear decommissioning trust - equity securities $33.3
 $(31.8) 15.7
Rabbi trust - equity securities 3.2
 1.0
 (14.3)
Total $36.5
 $(30.8) $1.4
Evergy Metro(a)
      
Nuclear decommissioning trust - equity securities $40.7
 $(20.7) 26.7
Nuclear decommissioning trust - debt securities 5.1
 (2.5) 0.5
Total $45.8
 $(23.2) $27.2
Evergy      
Nuclear decommissioning trust - equity securities $74.0
 $(54.1) 15.7
Nuclear decommissioning trust - debt securities 5.1
 (0.5) 
Rabbi trusts - equity securities 3.1
 1.0
 (14.3)
Total $82.2
 $(53.6) $1.4

Savings Plan

Wolf Creek maintains a qualified 401(k) savings plan(a) Evergy Metro amounts are included in which most of its employees participate. Wolf Creek matches employees’ contributions in cash up to specified maximum limits. Wolf Creek’s contributions toconsolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the plan are deposited with a trustee and invested at the direction of plan participants into one or moredate of the investment alternatives provided under the plan. KGE’s portionclosing of the expense associated with Wolf Creek’s matching contributions was $1.4 million in 2017, $1.6 million in 2016merger, and $1.6 million in 2015.thereafter.



14.15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Orders and Contracts

As part of our ongoing operations and capital expenditure program, we have purchase orders and contracts, excluding fuel and transmission, which are discussed below under “—Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments.” These commitments relate to purchase obligations issued and outstanding at year-end.

The yearly detail of the aggregate amount of required payments as of December 31, 2017, was as follows.
 
Committed
Amount
 (In Thousands)
2018$257,544
201917,787
20204,842
Thereafter3,172
Total amount committed$283,345
Environmental Matters

Set forth below are descriptions of contingencies related to environmental matters that may impact usthe Evergy Companies' operations or ourtheir financial results. OurManagement's assessment of these contingencies, which are based on federal and state statutes and regulations, and regulatory agency and judicial interpretations and actions, has evolved over time. These laws and regulations can also change, restrict or otherwise impact the Evergy Companies' operations or financial results in many ways, including the handling or disposal of waste material and the planning for future construction activities. The failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties and/or the imposition of remedial requirements. The Evergy Companies believe that all of their operations are in substantial compliance with current federal, state and local environmental standards.
There are a variety of final and proposed laws and regulations that could have a material adverse effect on ourthe Evergy Companies' operations and consolidated financial results. Due in part to the complex nature of environmental laws and regulations, wethe Evergy Companies are unable to assess the impact of potential changes that may develop with respect to the environmental contingencies described below.

Federal Clean Air Act

We must comply with the federal Clean Air Act (CAA), state laws and implementing federal and state regulations that impose, among other things, limitations on emissions generated from our operations, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), mercury and acid gases.

Emissions from our generating facilities, including PM, SO2 and NOx, have been determined by regulation to reduce visibility by causing or contributing to regional haze. Under federal laws, such as the Clean Air Visibility Rule, and pursuant to an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we are required to install, operate and maintain controls to reduce emissions found to cause or contribute to regional haze.

Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide

Through the combustion of fossil fuels at our generating facilities, we emit SO2 and NOx. Federal and state laws and regulations, including those noted above, and permits issued to us limit the amount of these substances we can emit. If we exceed these limits, we could be subject to fines and penalties. In order to meet SO2 and NOx regulations applicable to our generating facilities, we use low-sulfur coal and natural gas and have equipped the majority of our fossil fuel generating facilities with equipment to control such emissions.

We are subject to the SO2 allowance and trading program under the federal Clean Air Act Acid Rain Program. Under this program, each unit must have enough allowances to cover its SO2 emissions for that year. In 2017, we had adequate SO2 allowances to meet generation and we expect to have enough to cover emissions under this program in 2018.


Cross-State Air Pollution Update Rule

In September 2016, the EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Cross-State Air Pollution (CSAPR) Update Rule. The final rule addresses interstate transport of NOxnitrogen oxides emissions in 22 states including Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma during the ozone season and the impact from the formation of ozone on downwind states with respect to the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Starting withIn December 2018, the 2017EPA finalized a determination, known as the CSAPR Close-Out Rule, demonstrating the CSAPR Update Rule fully addressed certain upwind states' 2008 ozone season, the final rule revised the existing ozone season allowance budgets for Missouri and Oklahoma and established an ozone season budget for Kansas.NAAQS interstate transport obligations. Various states and others are challenginghave challenged both the ruleCSAPR Update Rule and the CSAPR Close-Out Rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the

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D.C. Circuit but(D.C. Circuit). In the rule remains in effect. We do not believe this rule will have a material impact on our operations and consolidated financial results.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Under the federal CAA, the EPA sets NAAQS for certain emissions known as the “criteria pollutants” considered harmful to public health and the environment, including two classesfourth quarter of PM, ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (a precursor to ozone), CO and SO2, which result from fossil fuel combustion. Areas meeting the NAAQS are designated attainment areas while those that do not meet the NAAQS are considered nonattainment areas. Each state must develop a plan to bring nonattainment areas into compliance with the NAAQS. NAAQS must be reviewed by the EPA at five-year intervals.

In October 2015, the EPA strengthened the ozone NAAQS by lowering the standards from 75 ppb to 70 ppb. In September 2016, the KDHE recommended to the EPA that they designate eight counties in the state of Kansas as in attainment with the standard, and each remaining county in Kansas as attainment/unclassifiable. In November 2017, EPA designated all counties in the State of Kansas as attainment/unclassifiable. We do not believe this will have a material impact on our consolidated financial results.

Various states and others are challenging the revised 2015 ozone NAAQS in2019, the D.C. Circuit. In April 2017, at the request of the EPA, the court issued an order holding the case in abeyance because the new administration is planning to review the 2015 ozone NAAQSCircuit granted these petitions and will determine whether to reconsider all orremanded a portion of the rule. In December 2017, environmental groups filed suit againstCSAPR Update Rule back to the EPA for failureand vacated the CSAPR Close-Out Rule in its entirety. Due to make all the required area designations by an October 2017 deadline. Alsouncertainty in December 2017,what the EPA issued a notice of availability of their intent to issuefuture CSAPR Update Rule will include, the remainder ofEvergy Companies cannot determine the area designations by April 2018. This will not affect the area designations for Kansas issued in November 2017.

In December 2012, the EPA strengthened an existing NAAQS for one class of PM. In December 2014, the EPA designated the entire state of Kansas as attainment/unclassifiable with the standard. We do not believe this will have a material impact on ourtheir operations or consolidated financial results.

In 2010, the EPA revised the NAAQS for SO2. In March 2015, a federal court approved a consent decree between the EPA and environmental groups. The decree includes specific SO2 emissions criteria for certain electric generating plants that, if met, required the EPA to promulgate attainment/nonattainment designations for areas surrounding these plants.  Tecumseh Energy Center is our only generating station that meets these criteria. In June 2016, the EPA accepted the State of Kansas recommendation to designate the areas surrounding the facility as unclassifiable. In addition, in January 2017, KDHE formally recommended to the EPA a 2,000 ton per year limit for Tecumseh Energy Center Unit 7 in order to satisfy the requirements of the 1-hour SO2 Data Requirements Rule that governs the next round of the designations. Also in January 2017, KDHE recommended the EPA change the designation of the area surrounding the facility from unclassifiable to attainment/unclassifiable. In August 2017, the EPA indicated they would address this area redesignation request in a separate action. By agreeing to the 2,000 ton per year limitation, no further characterization of the area surrounding the plant is required.

We continue to communicate with our regulatory agencies regarding these standards and evaluate what impact the revised NAAQS could have on our operations and consolidated financial results. If areas surrounding our facilities are designated in the future as nonattainment and/or we are required to install additional equipment to control emissions at our facilities,results, but it could have a material impact on our operations and consolidated financial results.

be material.
Greenhouse Gases

Burning coal and other fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases referred to as greenhouse gasgases (GHG).  Various regulations under the federal CAAClean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA) limit CO2 and other GHG emissions, and in addition, other measures are being imposed or offered by individual states, municipalities and regional agreements with the goal of reducing GHG emissions.


In October 2015, the EPA published a rule establishing new source performance standards (NSPS) for GHGs that limit CO2 emissions for new, modified and reconstructed coal and natural gas fueled electric generating units to various levels per Megawatt hour (MWh) depending on various characteristics of the units. Legal challenges to the GHG NSPS have been filed in the D.C. Circuit by various states and industry members. Also in October 2015, the EPA published a rule establishing guidelines for states to regulate CO2 emissions from existing power plants. The standards for existing plants are known as the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Under the CPP, interim emissions performance rates must be achieved beginning in 2022 and final emissions performance rates must be achieved by 2030. Legal challenges to the CPP were filed by groups of states and industry members, including us, in the D.C. Circuit.

In April 2017,August 2018, the EPA published in the Federal Register a notice of withdrawal ofproposed regulations, which contained (1) emission guidelines for GHG emissions from existing electric utility generating units (EGUs), (2) revisions to emission guideline implementing regulations and (3) revisions to the proposed CPP federal plan, proposed model trading rules and proposednew source review (NSR) program. These emission guidelines are better known as the Affordable Clean Energy Incentive Program design details. Also in April 2017,(ACE) Rule. In July 2019, the EPA published a notice in the Federal Register the final ACE Rule with one significant change from the proposal. The NSR program revisions were not included in the final version and are expected to be addressed in a future rulemaking. The ACE Rule establishes emission guidelines for states to use in the development of plans to reduce GHG emissions from existing coal-fired EGUs. This rule defines the "best system of emission reduction" (BSER) for GHG emissions from existing coal-fired EGUs as on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements. The final rule also provides states with a list of candidate technologies that itcan be used to establish standards of performance and incorporate these performance standards into state plans. In order for the states to be able to effectively implement the emission guidelines contained in the ACE Rule, the EPA is initiating administrative reviewsfinalizing new regulations under Section 111(d) of the CAA to help clarify this process. The ACE Rule became effective in September 2019. In conjunction with the finalization of the ACE Rule, the EPA repealed its previously adopted Clean Power Plan (CPP). Also in September 2019, the D.C. Circuit granted motions to dismiss challenges to the CPP and the GHG NSPS.

In October 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rulechallenges to repealEPA's denial of reconsideration of the CPP. The proposed rule indicates the CPP exceeds EPA’s authority and the EPA has not determined whether or not they will issue a replacement rule. The EPA is soliciting comments on the legal interpretations contained in this rulemaking.

In December 2017, the EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. This proposed rulemaking was issued by the EPA because it is considering the possibility of changing certain aspects of the CPP and the EPA is soliciting feedback on specific areas that could be changed. Comments on these proposed areas of change are due to the EPA in February 2018.

Due to uncertainty regarding what future state implementation plans will require for compliance with the future uncertainty ofACE Rule as well as legal challenges that have been filed, the CPP, weEvergy Companies cannot determine the impact on ourtheir operations or consolidated financial results, but we believe the cost to comply with the CPP,ACE Rule, should it be upheld and implemented in its current or a substantially similar form, could be material.

Water
Water

WeThe Evergy Companies discharge some of the water used in our operations. This water may containgeneration and other operations containing substances deemed to be pollutants. Revised rules governing such discharges from coal-fired power plants were issued inA November 2015. The final2015 EPA rule establishes effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) and standards for wastewater discharges, including limits on the amount of toxic metals and other pollutants that can be discharged. Implementation timelines for these requirementsthis 2015 rule vary from 20192018 to 2023. In April 2017,On November 22, 2019, the EPA announced it is reconsideringpublished a proposed modification to the ELG rule. The proposed rule modifies numeric limits for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater and court challenges have been placed in abeyance pending the EPA’s review. In September 2017, the EPA finalizedadds a rule to postpone the compliance dates for the new, more stringent, effluent limitations and pretreatment standards10% volumetric purge limit for bottom ash transport water and flue gas desulfurization wastewater. Thesewater. The timeline for final FGD wastewater compliance dates have been postponed foris also delayed by two years whileto December 31, 2025. The Evergy Companies are in the EPA completes its administrative reconsiderationprocess of reviewing the ELG rule. We are evaluating the finalproposed rule and related developments and cannot predict the resulting impact on our operations or consolidated financial results, but believe costs to comply with these changes could be material ifmaterial.
In April 2019, the rule is implemented in its current or substantially similar form. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (5th Circuit) issued a ruling that vacates and remands portions of the original ELG rule. Due to this ruling, future ELG modifications for the best available technology economically achievable for legacy waste water and leachate are likely.

In October 2014, the EPA’sEPA's final standards for cooling water intake structures at power plants to protect aquatic life took effect. The standards, based on Section 316(b) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), require subject facilities to choose among seven best available technology options to reduce fish impingement. In addition, some facilities must conduct studies to assist permitting authorities to determine whether and what site-specific controls, if any, would be required to reduce entrainment of aquatic organisms. OurThe Evergy Companies' current analysis indicates this rule will not have a significant impact on ourtheir coal plants that employ cooling towers or cooling lakes that can

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be classified as closed cycle cooling. Wecooling and do not expect the impact from this rule to be material. Plants without closed cycle cooling are under evaluation for compliance with these standards and may require additional controls that could be material.

In June 2015,Evergy Metro holds a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) covering water discharge from its Hawthorn Station.  The permit authorizes Evergy Metro to, among other things, withdraw water from the Missouri River for cooling purposes and return the heated water to the Missouri River.  Evergy Metro has applied for a renewal of this permit and the EPA along withhas submitted an interim objection letter regarding the U.S. Army Corpsallowable amount of Engineers issued a final rule, effective August 2015, defining the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) for purposes of the CWA. This rulemaking has the potential to impact all programs under the CWA. Expansion of regulated waterways is possible under the rule depending on regulating authority interpretation, which could impact several permitting programs. Various states and others have filed lawsuits challenging the WOTUS rule. In July 2017, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishedheat that can be contained in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would, if implemented, reinstate the definition of WOTUS that existed priorreturned water.  Until this matter is resolved, Evergy Metro continues to the June 2015 expansion of the definition. Final action on the proposed rule is expected in early 2018. We are currently evaluating the WOTUS rule and related developments. We do not believe the rule, if upheld and implemented inoperate under its current permit. Evergy and Evergy Metro cannot predict the outcome of this matter; however, while less significant outcomes are possible, this matter may require a reduction in generation, installation of cooling towers or substantially similar form, willother technology to cool the water, or both, any of which could have a material impact on ourEvergy's and Evergy Metro's operations orand consolidated financial results.  


Regulation of Coal Combustion Residuals

In the course of operating ourtheir coal generation plants, wethe Evergy Companies produce coal combustion residuals (CCRs),CCRs, including fly ash, gypsum and bottom ash. We recycle some of our ash production, principally by selling to the aggregate industry. The EPA published a rule to regulate CCRs in April 2015, which we believe will requirethat requires additional CCR handling, processing and storage equipment and closure of certain ash disposal ponds. Impactsunits.
In March 2019, the D.C. Circuit issued a ruling to operations will be dependent ongrant the developmentEPA's request to remand the Phase I, Part I CCR rule. This was in response to a prior court ruling requiring the EPA to address un-lined surface impoundment closure requirements. On December 2, 2019, the EPA published a proposed rule called the Part A CCR Rule. This proposal reclassifies clay-lined surface impoundments from "lined" to "unlined" and establishes a deadline of August 31, 2020 to initiate closure. The prior rule included a deadline of October 31, 2020 for unlined impoundments to initiate closure. In February 2020, the EPA released a pre-publication version of a proposed rule called the Part B CCR Rule. This proposal includes a process to allow unlined impoundments to continue to operate if a demonstration is made to prove that they are not adversely impacting groundwater, monitoringhuman health or the environment. The proposal also includes clarification regarding ash used in the closure of CCR units being completedlandfills and surface impoundments. The Evergy Companies are in 2017 and 2018. The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act allows states to achieve delegated authority for CCRprocess of reviewing these proposed rules from the EPA. This has the potential to impact compliance options. Electric generation industry participants requested and the EPA has granted a requestcosts to reconsider portions of the final CCR regulation. comply with these changes could be material.
The EPA has stated its intent to propose a rule in early 2018 to modify portions of the 2015 rulemaking. WeEvergy Companies have recorded an AROAROs for ourtheir current estimateestimates for the closure of ash disposal ponds, but wethe revision of these AROs may be required to record additional AROs in the future due to changes in existing CCR regulations, the results of groundwater monitoring of CCR units or changes in interpretation of existing CCR regulations or changes in the timing or cost to close ash disposal ponds. If additionalrevisions to these AROs are necessary, we believe the impact on ourthe Evergy Companies' operations or consolidated financial results could be material. See Note 15, “Asset Retirement Obligations,” for additional information.

SPP Revenue Crediting

We are a member of the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) RTO, which coordinates the operation of a multi-state interconnected transmission system. In 2016, the SPP completed a process of allocating revenue credits under its Open Access Transmission Tariff to sponsors of certain transmission system upgrades. Qualifying upgrades are generation interconnection or transmission service projects that benefit SPP members and that are paid for directly by a sponsor without customer support. The SPP determined sponsors are entitled to revenue credits for previously completed upgrades, and members are obligated to pay for revenue credits attributable to these historical upgrades. As a result, in November 2016 we paid the SPP $7.6 million related to revenue credits attributable to historical upgrades from March 2008 to August 2016. The SPP issued revised allocations and we received a small refund in November 2017.

Nuclear Decommissioning

Nuclear decommissioning is a nuclear industry term for the permanent shutdown of a nuclear power plant and the removal of radioactive components in accordance with NRC requirements. The NRC will terminate a plant’s license and release the property for unrestricted use when a company has reduced the residual radioactivity of a nuclear plant to a level mandated by the NRC. The NRC requires companies with nuclear plants to prepare formal financial plans to fund nuclear decommissioning. These plans are designed so that sufficient funds required for nuclear decommissioning will be accumulated prior to the expiration of the license of the related nuclear power plant. Wolf Creek files a nuclear decommissioning site study with the KCC every three years.

The KCC reviews nuclear decommissioning plans in two phases. Phase one is the approval of the updated nuclear decommissioning study including the estimated costs to decommission the plant. Phase two involves the review and approval of a funding schedule prepared by the owner of the plant detailing how it plans to fund the future-year dollar amount of its pro rata share of the decommissioning costs.

In 2017, Wolf Creek updated the nuclear decommissioning cost study. Based on the study, our share of decommissioning costs, including decontamination, dismantling and site restoration, is estimated to be approximately $380.0 million. This amount compares to the prior site study estimate of $360.0 million. The site study cost estimate represents the estimate to decommission Wolf Creek as of the site study year. The actual nuclear decommissioning costs may vary from the estimates because of changes in regulations and technologies as well as changes in costs for labor, materials and equipment.

We are allowed to recover nuclear decommissioning costs in our prices over a period equal to the operating license of Wolf Creek, which is through 2045. The NRC requires that funds sufficient to meet nuclear decommissioning obligations be held in a trust. We believe that the KCC approved funding level will also be sufficient to meet the NRC requirement. Our consolidated financial results would be materially affected if we were not allowed to recover in our prices the full amount of the funding requirement.

We recovered in our prices and deposited in an external trust fund for nuclear decommissioning approximately $5.8 million in 2017, $5.0 million in 2016 and $2.8 million in 2015. We record our investment in the NDT fund at fair value, which approximated $237.1 million and $200.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. In 2010, the DOE filed a motion with the NRCNuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to withdraw its then pending application to construct a national repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. An NRC board denied the DOE’s motion to withdraw its application and the DOE appealed that decision to the full NRC. In 2011, the NRC issued an evenly split decision on the appeal and also ordered the licensing board to close out its work on the DOE’s application by the end of 2011 due to a lack of funding. These agency actions prompted the states of Washington and South Carolina, and a county in South Carolina, to file a lawsuit in a federal Court of Appeals asking the court to compel the NRC to resume its license review and to issue a decision on the license application. In August 2013, the court ordered the NRC to resume its review of the DOE’s application. The NRC has not yet issued its decision. a final decision on the matter.

Wolf Creek is currently evaluating alternatives for expandinghas elected to build a dry cask storage facility to expand its existing on-site spent nuclear fuel storage, which is expected to provide additional capacity prior to 2025. Wolf Creek has finalized a settlement agreement through 2019 with2022. The Evergy Companies expect that the DOE for reimbursementmajority of the costs to construct thisthe dry cask storage facility that would not have otherwise been incurred had the DOE begun accepting spent nuclear fuel. As a co-owner of Wolf Creek, we received $0.8 million offuel will be reimbursed by the settlement representing reimbursement of costs incurred through 2015 for project planning.  Wolf Creek submitted a settlement claim to the DOE in August 2017 for costs incurred between January 2016 and June 2017, with our share of the claim being approximately $0.5 million. WeDOE. The Evergy Companies cannot predict when, or if, an off-site storage site or alternative disposal site will be available to receive Wolf Creek’sCreek's spent nuclear fuel and will continue to monitor this activity.

Nuclear Insurance

We maintain nuclearNuclear liability, property and accidental outage insurance is maintained for Wolf Creek. These policies contain certain industry standard terms, conditions and exclusions, including, but not limited to, ordinary wear and tear and war. An industry aggregate limit of $3.2 billion for nuclear events ($1.8 billion of non-nuclear events) plus any

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reinsurance, indemnity or any other source recoverable by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), ourprovider of property and accidental outage insurance, provider, exists for acts of terrorism affecting Wolf Creek or any other NEIL insured plant within 12 months from the date of the first act. In addition, we areparticipation is required to participate in industry-wide retrospectiveretrospect assessment programs as discussed below.

Nuclear Liability Insurance

Pursuant to the Price-Anderson Act, we insureliability insurance includes coverage against public nuclear liability claims resulting from nuclear incidents to the required limit of public liability, which is approximately $13.4$13.9 billion. This limit of liability consists of the maximum available commercial insurance of $450.0 million$0.4 billion and the remaining $13.0$13.5 billion is provided through mandatory participation in an industry-wide retrospective assessment program. Under this retrospective assessment program, the owners of Wolf Creek are jointly and severally subject to an assessment of up to $127.3$137.6 million (our(Evergy's share is $59.8$129.2 million and each of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's is $64.6 million), payable at no more than $19.0$20.5 million (our(Evergy's share is $8.9$19.2 million and each of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's is $9.6 million) per incident per year per reactor for any commercial U.S. nuclear reactor qualifying incident. Both the total and yearly assessment is subject to an inflationary adjustment every five years withbased on the next adjustment in 2018.Consumer Price Index and applicable premium taxes. In addition, the U.S. Congress could impose additional revenue-raising measures to pay claims.

Nuclear Property and Accidental Outage Insurance

The owners of Wolf Creek carry decontamination liability, nuclear property damage and premature nuclear decommissioning liability insurance for Wolf Creek totaling approximately $2.8 billion. Insurance coverage for non-nuclear property damage accidents total approximately $2.3 billion. In the event of an extraordinary nuclear accident, insurance proceeds must first be used for reactor stabilization and site decontamination in accordance with a plan mandated by the NRC. OurThe Evergy Companies' share of any remaining proceeds can be used to pay for property damage or, if certain requirements are met, including decommissioning the plant, toward a shortfall in the NDTnuclear decommissioning trust fund. The owners also carry additional insurance with NEIL to help cover costs of replacement power and other extra expenses incurred during a prolonged outage resulting from accidental property damage at Wolf Creek. If significant losses were incurred at any of the nuclear plants insured under the NEIL policies, wethe owners of Wolf Creek may be subject to retrospective assessments under the current policies of approximately $37.4$33.2 million (our(Evergy's share is $17.6$31.2 million and each of Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's is $15.6 million).

Nuclear Insurance Considerations

Although wethe Evergy Companies maintain various insurance policies to provide coverage for potential losses and liabilities resulting from an accident or an extended outage, ourthe insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover the costs that could result from a catastrophic accident or extended outage at Wolf Creek. Any substantial losses not covered by insurance, to the extent not recoverable in our prices, would have a material effect on ourthe Evergy Companies' consolidated financial results.


Contractual Commitments - Fuel, Power and Other
The Evergy Companies' contractual commitments at December 31, 2019, excluding pensions, long-term debt and leases, are detailed in the following tables. See Notes 10, 13 and 21 for information regarding pension, long-term debt and lease commitments, respectively.
Evergy                    
  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024 After 2024Total
Purchase commitments (millions)
Fuel $486.9
  $137.0
  $83.2
  $84.7
  $17.1
  $94.1
  $903.0
Power 47.3
  47.4
  47.6
  47.8
  41.7
  325.2
  557.0
Other 147.7
  42.3
  30.0
  25.1
  19.4
  117.7
  382.2
Total contractual commitments $681.9
  $226.7
  $160.8
  $157.6
  $78.2
  $537.0
  $1,842.2

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Evergy Kansas Central                    
  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024 After 2024Total
Purchase commitments (millions)
Fuel $269.9
  $33.0
  $47.2
  $45.7
  $11.5
  $59.0
  $466.3
Other 76.5
  11.7
  4.7
  3.0
  0.2
  
  96.1
Total contractual commitments $346.4
  $44.7
  $51.9
  $48.7
  $11.7
  $59.0
  $562.4
Evergy Metro                    
  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024 After 2024Total
Purchase commitments (millions)
Fuel $180.2
  $92.5
  $36.0
  $39.0
  $5.6
  $35.1
  $388.4
Power 34.8
  34.9
  35.1
  35.3
  29.2
  225.4
  394.7
Other 58.4
  29.0
  24.2
  21.6
  18.7
  112.9
  264.8
Total contractual commitments $273.4
  $156.4
  $95.3
  $95.9
  $53.5
  $373.4
  $1,047.9

Fuel commitments consist of commitments for nuclear fuel, coal and Purchasedcoal transportation. Power Commitmentscommitments consist of certain commitments for renewable energy under power purchase agreements. Other represents individual commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business.

To supply16. GUARANTEES
In the ordinary course of business, Evergy and certain of its subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include, for example, guarantees and letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to a portionsubsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiary's intended business purposes. In connection with the closing of the fuel requirements for our power plants,merger, Evergy assumed the owners of Wolf Creek have entered into various contractsguarantees previously provided to obtain nuclear fuel and we have entered into various contracts to obtain coal and natural gas. SomeEvergy Missouri West by Great Plains Energy. The majority of these contracts contain provisionsagreements guarantee Evergy's own future performance, so a liability for price escalationthe fair value of the obligation is not recorded.
At December 31, 2019, Evergy has provided $110.2 million of credit support for Evergy Missouri West as follows:
Evergy direct guarantees to Evergy Missouri West counterparties totaling $17.0 million, which expire in 2020, and
Evergy's guarantee of Evergy Missouri West long-term debt totaling $93.2 million, which includes debt with maturity dates ranging from 2020 to 2023.
Evergy has also guaranteed Evergy Missouri West's commercial paper program. At December 31, 2019, Evergy Missouri West had $93.4 million of commercial paper outstanding. None of the guaranteed obligations are subject to default or prepayment if Evergy Missouri West's credit ratings were downgraded.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
In the normal course of business, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and minimum purchase commitments.Evergy Missouri West engage in related party transactions with one another. A summary of these transactions and the amounts associated with them is provided below. Transactions between Evergy Kansas Central and either Evergy Metro or Evergy Missouri West prior to June 4, 2018, the date of the merger, are not reflected below.
Jointly-Owned Plants and Shared Services
Evergy Metro employees manage Evergy Missouri West's business and operate its facilities at cost, including Evergy Missouri West's 18% ownership interest in Evergy Metro's Iatan Nos. 1 and 2.  The operating expenses and capital costs billed from Evergy Metro to Evergy Missouri West were $172.8 million for 2019, $183.2 million for 2018 and $196.3 million for 2017.

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Evergy Kansas Central employees manage JEC and operate its facilities at cost, including Evergy Missouri West's 8% ownership interest in JEC. The operating expenses and capital costs billed from Evergy Kansas Central to Evergy Missouri West for JEC and other various business activities were $24.9 million for 2019 and $12.3 million for 2018.
Evergy Metro employees manage La Cygne Station and operate its facilities at cost, including Evergy Kansas Central's 50% interest in La Cygne Station. Evergy Metro and Evergy Kansas Central employees also provide one another with shared service support, including costs related to human resources, information technology, accounting and legal services. The operating expenses and capital costs billed from Evergy Metro to Evergy Kansas Central were $154.9 million for 2019 and $82.9 million for 2018. The operating and capital costs billed from Evergy Kansas Central to Evergy Metro were $40.6 million for 2019 and $17.5 million for 2018.
Money Pool
Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are also authorized to participate in the Evergy, Inc. money pool, an internal financing arrangement in which funds may be lent on a short-term basis to Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West from Evergy, Inc. and between Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro had 0 outstanding receivables or payables under the money pool.
Related Party Net Receivables and Payables
The following table summarizes Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's related party net receivables and payables.
  December 31 
  2019  2018 
Evergy Kansas Central (millions) 
Net receivable from Evergy Missouri West $3.1
  $2.6
 
Net payable to Evergy Metro (14.9)  (13.5) 
Net receivable from (payable to) Evergy 6.9
  (1.4) 
       
Evergy Metro      
Net receivable from Evergy Missouri West $78.7
  $72.6
 
Net receivable from Evergy Kansas Central 14.9
  13.5
 
Net receivable from (payable to) Evergy (4.3)  15.7
 

Tax Allocation Agreement
Evergy files a consolidated federal income tax return as well as unitary and combined income tax returns in several state jurisdictions with Kansas and Missouri being the most significant. Income taxes for consolidated or combined subsidiaries are allocated to the subsidiaries based on separate company computations of income or loss. As of December 31, 2017, our2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central had income taxes receivable from Evergy of $37.9 million and $42.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro had income taxes payable to Evergy of $14.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Leases
Evergy Metro leases certain transmission equipment from Evergy Kansas Central. This lease was entered into prior to the merger in an arms-length transaction and is accounted for as an operating lease. As of December 31, 2019, Evergy Metro had a right-of-use asset of $29.5 million recorded within other long-term assets, $0.6 million of lease liability recorded in other current liabilities and $28.9 million of lease liability recorded in other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet related to this lease. The assets and liabilities related to this lease between Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro are eliminated at consolidated Evergy.

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18. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Evergy's authorized capital stock consists of 600 million shares of common stock, without par value, and 12 million shares of Preference Stock, without par value.
Evergy Registration Statements
In November 2018, Evergy filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of securities with the SEC, which expires in November 2021.
Evergy has registered shares of its common stock with the SEC for its Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. Shares issued under the plan may be either newly issued shares or shares purchased on the open market.
Evergy has registered shares of its common stock with the SEC for the Evergy, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan. Shares issued under the plans may be either newly issued shares or shares purchased on the open market.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In July 2018, the Evergy Board authorized the repurchase of up to 60 million shares of Evergy's common stock. Evergy has utilized various methods to effectuate the share repurchase program since its authorization, including the repurchase of Wolf Creek’s nuclear fuel commitmentsshares through accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreements and open market transactions. Evergy retires repurchased common stock shares in the period the shares are repurchased. For 2019, Evergy had total repurchases of common stock of $1,628.7 million and had repurchased 28.8 million shares under the repurchase program. Since the start of the repurchase program in August 2018, Evergy has made total repurchases of common stock of $2,671.0 million and has repurchased 45.2 million shares under the repurchase program. Evergy does not anticipate making additional repurchases of common stock under its share repurchase program while the Strategic Review & Operations Committee of the Evergy Board conducts its review of ways to enhance long-term shareholder value, which is expected to conclude in the first half of 2020.
The following table summarizes the ASRs completed as part of Evergy's common stock repurchase program.
Date ASR Entered Final Settlement Date Amount Shares Delivered
    (millions)
August 2018 October/November 2018 $450.0
 7.9
November 2018 February 2019 475.0
 8.3
March 2019 June 2019 450.0
 7.8
June 2019 September 2019 500.0
 8.1
September 2019 November/December 2019 500.0
 7.8

Under the ASR agreements entered into with various financial institutions, Evergy was approximately $13.4 milliondelivered a number of shares of its common stock based on the amount of the ASR agreement and the average daily volume-weighted average price of its common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a negotiated discount. Evergy reflects ASRs as a repurchase of common stock in the period the shares are delivered for uranium concentrates expiringpurposes of calculating earnings per share and as forward contracts indexed to its own common stock. Evergy's ASRs have met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification and therefore are not accounted for as derivative instruments.
Dividend Restrictions
Evergy depends on its subsidiaries to pay dividends on its common stock. The Evergy Companies have certain restrictions stemming from statutory requirements, corporate organizational documents, covenants and other conditions that could affect dividend levels or the ability to pay dividends.
The KCC order authorizing the merger transaction requires Evergy to maintain consolidated common equity of at least 35% of total consolidated capitalization.

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Under the Federal Power Act, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West generally can pay dividends only out of retained earnings. Certain conditions in 2024, $1.9 millionthe MPSC and KCC orders authorizing the merger transaction also require Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro to maintain consolidated common equity of at least 40% of total capitalization. Other conditions in the MPSC and KCC merger orders require Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West to maintain credit ratings of at least investment grade. If Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's or Evergy Missouri West's credit ratings are downgraded below the investment grade level as a result of their affiliation with Evergy or any of Evergy's affiliates, the impacted utility shall not pay a dividend to Evergy without KCC or MPSC approval or until the impacted utility's investment grade credit rating has been restored.
The master credit facility of Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and the note purchase agreements for conversion expiring in 2024, $83.2 million for uranium hexafluoride expiring in 2024, $69.9 million for enrichment expiring in 2027 and $31.4 million for fabrication expiring in 2025.

certain Evergy Missouri West senior notes contain covenants requiring the respective company to maintain a consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.65 to 1.00 at all times.
As of December 31, 2017, our coal2019, all of Evergy's and coal transportation contract commitments under the remaining termsEvergy Kansas Central's retained earnings and net income were free of the contracts wererestrictions and Evergy Metro had a retained earnings restriction of $152.0 million. Evergy's subsidiaries had restricted net assets of approximately $489.7 million. The contracts are for plants that we operate and expire at various times through 2020.

As$5.0 billion as of December 31, 2017, our natural gas transportation contract commitments under2019. These restrictions are not expected to affect the remaining terms ofEvergy Companies' ability to pay dividends at the contracts were approximately $92.6 million. The natural gas transportation contracts provide firm service to several of our natural gas burning facilities and expire at various times through 2030.

We have power purchase agreements withcurrent level for the owners of nine separate wind generation facilities with installed design capabilities of approximately 1,328 MW expiring in 2028 through 2036. Each of the agreements provide for our receipt and purchase of energy produced at a fixed price per unit of output. We estimate that our annual cost of energy purchased from these wind generation facilities will be approximately $140.0 million.


foreseeable future.
15. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Legal Liability

We have recognized legal obligations associated with the disposal of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of such assets. Concurrent with the recognition of the liability, the estimated cost of the ARO is capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the asset. We estimate our AROs based on the fair value of the AROs we incurred at the time the related long-lived assets were either acquired, placed in service or when regulations establishing the obligation became effective. The recording of AROs for regulated operations has no income statement impact due to the deferral of the adjustments through the establishment of a regulatory asset or an offset to a regulatory liability.

We initially recorded AROs at fair value for the estimated cost to decommission Wolf Creek (KGE’s 47% share), retire our wind generation facilities, dispose of asbestos insulating material at our power plants, remediate ash disposal ponds, close ash landfills and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated oil. ARO refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. In determining our AROs, we make assumptions regarding probable future disposal costs. A change in these assumptions could have significant impact on the AROs reflected on our consolidated balance sheet.


The following table summarizes our legal AROs included on our consolidated balance sheets.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Beginning balance$323,951
 $275,285
Increase in ARO liabilities13,471
 
Liabilities settled(16,026) (5,372)
Accretion expense16,940
 14,165
Revision to nuclear decommissioning ARO liability19,377
 
Revisions in estimated cash flows47,405
 39,873
Ending balance$405,118
 $323,951
Less: amount included in other current liabilities25,129
 
Long-term AROs$379,989
 $323,951

Wolf Creek filed a nuclear decommissioning cost study with the KCC in 2017. As a result of the study, we recorded a $19.4 million increase in our ARO to reflect revisions to the estimated costs to decommission Wolf Creek. In addition, we increased our AROs for asbestos by $28.8 million and recorded a new ARO liability of approximately $13.5 million related to Western Plains Wind Farm. In 2016, we increased our ARO by $39.9 million to recognize costs associated with closure and post-closure of ash disposal ponds in response to the EPAs rule to regulate CCRs. See Note 14, “Commitments and Contingencies - Regulation of Coal Combustion Residuals,” for additional information on the CCR rule.

We have an obligation to retire our wind generation facilities and remove the foundations. The ARO related to our owned wind generation facilities was determined based upon the date each wind generation facility was constructed.

The initial retirement obligation related to asbestos disposal was recorded in 1990, the date when the EPA published the “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Asbestos NESHAP Revision; Final Rule.”

We operate, as permitted by the state of Kansas, ash landfills and ash disposal ponds at several of our power plants. The retirement obligations for the ash landfills and ash disposal ponds were determined based upon the date each landfill was originally placed in service.

PCB-contaminated oil is contained within company electrical equipment, primarily transformers. The PCB retirement obligation was determined based upon the PCB regulations that originally became effective in 1978.

Non-Legal Liability - Cost of Removal

We collect in our prices the costs to dispose of plant assets that do not represent legal retirement obligations. As of December 31, 2017, we had $30.8 million in amounts spent, but not yet collected, for removal costs classified as a regulatory asset. As of December 31, 2016, we had $5.7 million in amounts collected, but not yet spent, for removal costs classified as a regulatory liability.



16. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We and our subsidiaries are involved in various legal, environmental and regulatory proceedings. We believe that adequate provisions have been made and accordingly believe that the ultimate disposition of such matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial results. See Notes 4 and 14, “Rate Matters and Regulation” and “Commitments and Contingencies,” for additional information.

Pending Merger

Following the announcement of the original merger agreement in May 2016, two putative class action petitions (which were consolidated and superseded by a consolidated class action petition) and one putative derivative petition challenging the original merger were filed in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas. In September 2016, the plaintiffs in both actions agreed in principle to dismiss the actions in exchange for our agreement to make supplemental disclosures to shareholders in connection with the original merger agreement and grant waivers of the prohibition on requesting a waiver of the standstill provisions in the confidentiality and standstill agreements executed by the bidders that participated in a sale process that was conducted as part of the original merger agreement. As described below, after the announcement of the revised merger agreement, the plaintiffs in the consolidated putative class action moved to amend their petition, and the plaintiff in the putative derivative case refiled his petition.

The consolidated putative class action petition, originally filed July 25, 2016, is captioned In re Westar Energy, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Case No. 2016-CV-000457. This petition named as defendants Westar Energy, the members of our board of directors and Great Plains Energy.

On September 25, 2017, the lead plaintiff filed a motion for leave to amend her class action petition and attached an amended petition. The petition as amended now includes an additional plaintiff. The petition challenges the revised proposed merger and alleges a claim of breach of fiduciary duty against our board of directors and a claim of aiding and abetting that alleged breach against us and Great Plains Energy. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief declaring the action maintainable as a class action and certifying that the plaintiffs are the class representatives; preliminarily and permanently enjoining the defendants from closing the merger unless we implement a procedure to obtain a merger agreement providing fair and reasonable terms and consideration to the plaintiffs and the class; rescinding the merger agreement or granting the plaintiffs and the class rescissory damages; directing our board of directors to account to the plaintiffs and the class for damages suffered as a result of the alleged breach of fiduciary duty; awarding the plaintiffs reasonable costs and disbursements of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expert fees; and granting other equitable relief as the court deems proper. The petition alleges inadequacies in our joint proxy statement concerning the revised proposed transaction and the degree to which our board of directors solicited or considered offers from prior bidders after the proposed original merger was denied by the KCC, and claims that the consideration our stockholders stand to receive in connection with the revised proposed transaction is unfair. Plaintiffs have added two new defendants, Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. and King Energy, Inc., whom they allege aided and abetted our board of directors in breaching their fiduciary duties.

On October 18, 2017, the putative derivative petition, captioned Braunstein v. Chandler et al., Case No. 2017-CV-000692, was re-filed in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas. This putative derivative action names as defendants the members of our board of directors, Great Plains Energy, and subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy, with Westar Energy named as a nominal defendant. The petition asserts that the members of our board of directors breached their fiduciary duties to our shareholders in connection with actions taken after the KCC rejected the proposed original merger. It also asserts that Great Plains Energy and subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The petition alleges, among other things, that the members of our board of directors failed to obtain the best possible price for our shareholders because of a flawed process that discouraged third parties from submitting potentially superior proposals, and that members of our board of directors committed waste by not collecting termination fees that may have been payable following the KCC’s rejection of the original merger agreement. The petition seeks, among other remedies, an order enjoining the merger on the terms proposed and directing that the director defendants exercise their fiduciary duties to obtain a transaction, which is in the best interests of us and our shareholders, a declaration that the proposed merger was entered into in breach of the fiduciary duties of the defendants and is therefore unlawful and unenforceable, rescission of the merger agreement if consummated, the imposition of a constructive trust in favor of the plaintiff, on behalf of us, upon any benefits improperly received by the named defendants as a result of their wrongful conduct, and an award for costs, including attorneys’ fees and experts’ fees.

In addition, on September 21, 2017, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, captioned David Pill v. Westar Energy, Inc. et al, Civil Action No. 17-4086. The federal class action complaint challenges the merger and alleges violations of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). The complaint seeks an order declaring that the action is maintainable as a class action and

certifying that the plaintiff is the class representative; preliminarily and permanently enjoining defendants from consummating the mergers or, if consummated, setting them aside and awarding rescissory damages; directing the defendants to file a registration statement on Form S-4 that corrects alleged misstatements; directing our board of directors to account to plaintiff and the class for their damages; awarding reasonable costs and disbursements of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expert fees; and granting other further relief as the court deems proper.

On October 6, 2017, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, captioned Robert L. Reese v. Westar Energy, Inc. et al, Civil Action No. 2:17-cv-02584. This federal class action complaint challenges the proposed merger and alleges violations of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint seeks an order enjoining the board and other parties from proceeding with, consummating, or closing the merger or, if consummated, setting it aside and awarding rescissory damages; directing the board to disseminate a registration statement that corrects alleged misstatements and includes all material facts the plaintiff asserts are missing; declaring that the defendants violated sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9; awarding reasonable costs and disbursements of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expert fees; and granting other equitable relief as the court deems proper.

On November 16, 2017, the parties in each of the actions independently agreed to withdraw requests for injunctive relief and otherwise agreed in principle to dismissing the actions with prejudice and to providing releases, in exchange for the supplemental disclosures that we filed in a Form 8-K on November 16, 2017. These agreements do not constitute any admission by any of the defendants as to the merits of any claims. In the future, the parties will prepare and present to the court for approval Stipulations of Settlement that will, if accepted by the court, settle the actions in their entirety. The outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the merger closes may adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition or results of operation.


17. COMMON STOCK

General

Westar Energy’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide for 275.0 million authorized shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Westar Energy had issued 142.1 million shares and 141.8 million shares, respectively.

Westar Energy has a direct stock purchase plan (DSPP). Shares of common stock sold pursuant to the DSPP may be either original issue shares or shares purchased in the open market. During 2017 and 2016, Westar Energy issued 0.4 million shares through the DSPP and other stock-based plans operated under the long-term incentive and share award plan. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, a total of 0.9 million shares and 1.0 million shares, respectively, were available under the DSPP registration statement.

Issuances

In March 2013, Westar Energy entered into a three-year sales agency financing agreement and master forward sale agreement with a bank. Both agreements expired in March 2016. The maximum amount that Westar Energy could have offered and sold under the master agreement was the lesser of an aggregate of $500.0 million or approximately 25.0 million shares, subject to adjustment for share splits, share combinations and share dividends. Under the terms of the sales agency financing agreement, Westar Energy could have offered and sold shares of its common stock from time to time. The agent received a commission equal to 1% of the sales price of all shares sold under the agreements. In 2015, we settled 9.2 million shares for a physical settlement of approximately $254.6 million.
The forward sale transactions were entered into at market prices; therefore, the forward sale agreements had no initial fair value. Westar Energy did not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock under the forward sale agreements until transactions were settled. Westar Energy settled the forward sale transactions through physical share settlement and recorded the forward sale agreements within equity. The shares under the forward sale agreements were initially priced when the transactions were entered into and were subject to certain fixed pricing adjustments during the term of the agreements. The net proceeds from the forward sale transactions represent the prices established by the forward sale agreements applicable to the time periods in which physical settlement occurred.

Westar Energy used the proceeds from the transactions described above to repay short-term borrowings, with such borrowed amounts principally used for investments in capital equipment, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

18.19. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

In determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE, wethe Evergy Companies assess the entity’sentity's purpose and design, including the nature of the entity’sentity's activities and the risks that the entity was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders. A reporting enterprise is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’sVIE's economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. The trust holding our 50% interest in La Cygne unit 2 is a VIE. The trust holding ouran 8% interest in Jeffrey Energy CenterJEC was a VIE until the expiration of a purchase option in July 2017. We remain2017 and then again during 2019 until the 8% interest was purchased by Evergy Kansas Central in August 2019. The trust holding Evergy Kansas Central's 50% interest in La Cygne Unit 2 is a VIE and Evergy Kansas Central remains the primary beneficiary of the trust holding our 50% interest in La Cygne unit 2.trust.

We assess allAll involvement with entities with which we become involvedby the Evergy Companies is assessed to determine whether such entities are VIEs and, if so, whether or not wethe Evergy Companies are the primary beneficiarybeneficiaries of the entities. WeThe Evergy Companies also continuously assess whether wethey are the primary beneficiary of the VIE with which wethey are involved. Prospective changes in facts and circumstances may cause us to reconsider our determination as it relates to the identification of the primary beneficiary.

beneficiary to be reconsidered.
8% Interest in Jeffrey Energy CenterJEC

Under an agreement that expiresexpired in JanuaryAugust 2019,, we lease Evergy Kansas Central leased an 8% interest in JEC from a trust. The trust was financed with an equity contribution from an owner participant and debt issued by the trust. The trust was created specifically to purchase the 8% interest in JEC and lease it to a third party and doesdid not hold any other assets. WeEvergy Kansas Central met the requirements to be considered the primary beneficiary of the trust until July 2017, when a contractual option to purchase the 8% interest in the plant covered by the lease expired. Accordingly, weEvergy Kansas Central deconsolidated the trust in the third quarter of 2017.

In determining the primary beneficiary of Evergy Kansas Central then reconsolidated the trust we concluded atas a VIE in the inceptionfirst quarter of 2019 following an agreement with the lease thatowner to purchase the activities of the trust that most significantly impacted its economic performance and that we had the power to direct included (1) the operation and maintenance of the 8% interest in JEC (2) our ability to exercise an option that expired in July 2017 to purchase the plant at the end of the agreement at the lesser of fair value or a fixed amount and (3) our option to require refinancing of the trust’s debt. We had the potential to receive benefits from the trust that could potentially be significant ifin August 2019. Evergy Kansas Central deconsolidated the fair valuetrust for the final time following the closing of the 8% interestthis purchase in JEC at the end of the agreement was greater than the fixed amount. The possibility of lower interest rates upon refinancing the debt also created the potential for us to receive significant benefits.August 2019.

50% Interest in La Cygne Unit 2

Under an agreement that expires in September 2029,, KGE Evergy Kansas Central entered into a sale-leaseback transaction with a trust under which the trust purchased KGE’s Evergy Kansas Central's 50% interest in La Cygne unitUnit 2 and subsequently leased it back to KGE.Evergy Kansas Central. The trust was financed with an equity contribution from an owner participant and debt issued by the trust. The trust was created specifically to purchase the 50% interest in

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La Cygne unitUnit 2 and lease it back to KGE,Evergy Kansas Central and does not hold any other assets. We meetEvergy Kansas Central meets the requirements to be considered the primary beneficiary of the trust. In determining the primary beneficiary of the trust, weEvergy Kansas Central concluded that the activities of the trust that most significantly impact its economic performance and that we haveEvergy Kansas Central has the power to direct include (1) the operation and maintenance of the 50% interest in La Cygne unitUnit 2 and (2) ourEvergy Kansas Central's ability to exercise a purchase option at the end of the agreement at the lesser of fair value or a fixed amount. We haveEvergy Kansas Central has the potential to receive benefits from the trust that could potentially be significant if the fair value of the 50% interest in La Cygne unitUnit 2 at the end of the agreement is greater than the fixed amount.


Financial Statement Impact

We have recordedThe following table summarizes the following assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets related to the VIEsVIE described above.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Assets:   
Property, plant and equipment of variable interest entities, net$176,279
 $257,904
Regulatory assets (a)
 10,396
    
Liabilities:   
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities$28,534
 $26,842
Accrued interest (b)659
 867
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net81,433
 111,209
_______________
(a) Included in long-term regulatory assetsabove that are recorded on ourEvergy's and Evergy Kansas Central's consolidated balance sheets.
(b) Included in accrued interest on our consolidated balance sheets.

  December 31
  2019 2018
Assets: (millions)
Property, plant and equipment of variable interest entities, net $162.0
 $169.2
Liabilities:    
Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities $32.3
 $30.3
Accrued interest(a)
 0.3
 0.5
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net 18.8
 51.1
(a)
Included in accrued interest on Evergy's and Evergy Kansas Central's consolidated balance sheets.
All of the liabilities noted in the table above relate to the purchase of the property, plant and equipment.equipment of the VIE. The assets of the VIEsVIE can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEsVIE and the VIEs’VIE's debt holders have no recourse to ourthe general credit. Wecredit of Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central. Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central have not provided financial or other support to the VIEsVIE and are not required to provide such support. WeEvergy and Evergy Kansas Central did not record any gain or loss upon the initial consolidation of the VIEs.


VIE.
19.20. TAXES
Components of income tax expense are detailed in the following tables.
Evergy2019 2018 2017
Current income taxes(millions)
Federal$(39.5) $(67.4) $0.1
State15.0
 2.2
 0.4
Total(24.5) (65.2) 0.5
Deferred income taxes 
  
  
Federal93.2
 160.1
 122.8
State27.5
 (32.3) 30.7
Total120.7
 127.8
 153.5
Investment tax credit     
Deferral5.2
 
 
Amortization(4.4) (3.6) (2.8)
Total0.8
 (3.6) (2.8)
Income tax expense$97.0
 $59.0
 $151.2

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Evergy Kansas Central2019 2018 2017
Current income taxes(millions)
Federal$37.9
 $(0.3) $0.1
State2.6
 (1.8) 0.4
Total40.5
 (2.1) 0.5
Deferred income taxes 
  
  
Federal(8.9) 43.5
 122.8
State18.4
 (42.9) 30.7
Total9.5
 0.6
 153.5
Investment tax credit     
Deferral5.2
 
 
Amortization(3.1) (2.8) (2.8)
Total2.1
 (2.8) (2.8)
Income tax expense (benefit)$52.1
 $(4.3) $151.2
Evergy Metro(a)
2019 2018 2017
Current income taxes(millions)
Federal$43.9
 $29.8
 $37.4
State22.4
 8.9
 8.3
Total66.3
 38.7
 45.7
Deferred income taxes 
  
  
Federal(24.5) (3.4) 74.7
State(5.0) 53.0
 8.8
Total(29.5) 49.6
 83.5
Investment tax credit     
Amortization(1.1) (1.0) (1.0)
Total(1.1) (1.0) (1.0)
Income tax expense$35.7
 $87.3
 $128.2

(a)Evergy Metro amounts are included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.
Effective Income Tax Rates
Effective income tax rates reflected in the financial statements and the reasons for their differences from the statutory federal rates are detailed in the following tables.
Evergy2019 2018 2017
Federal statutory income tax21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 %
COLI policies(1.8) (1.9) (3.1)
State income taxes5.0
 4.9
 4.1
Flow through depreciation for plant-related differences(4.5) 0.8
 2.3
Federal tax credits(4.9) (6.4) (6.9)
Non-controlling interest(0.4) (0.4) (0.9)
AFUDC equity(0.1) (0.1) (0.2)
Amortization of federal investment tax credits(0.5) (0.6) (0.6)
Changes in uncertain tax positions, net(0.2) 0.1
 
Federal or state tax rate change
 (8.7) 2.5
Valuation allowance(1.0) 0.4
 0.3
Stock compensation0.1
 (0.4) (0.9)
Officer compensation limitation0.1
 1.2
 0.2
Other(0.4) (0.2) (0.8)
Effective income tax rate12.4 % 9.7 % 31.0 %

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Evergy Kansas Central2019 2018 2017
Federal statutory income tax21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 %
COLI policies(3.3) (3.3) (3.1)
State income taxes5.3
 5.0
 4.1
Flow through depreciation for plant-related differences(0.1) 1.6
 2.3
Federal tax credits(7.4) (10.4) (6.9)
Non-controlling interest(0.8) (0.6) (0.9)
AFUDC equity(0.1) (0.2) (0.2)
Amortization of federal investment tax credits(0.7) (0.8) (0.6)
Changes in uncertain tax positions, net(0.4) 0.1
 
Federal or state tax rate change
 (15.3) 2.5
Valuation allowance(0.4) 0.5
 0.3
Stock compensation(0.1) (0.8) (0.9)
Officer compensation limitation
 1.8
 0.2
Other(0.3) 0.2
 (0.8)
Effective income tax rate12.7 % (1.2)% 31.0 %
Evergy Metro(a)
2019 2018 2017
Federal statutory income tax21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 %
COLI policies(0.2) (0.2) (0.3)
State income taxes4.7
 5.5
 3.8
Flow through depreciation for plant-related differences(9.4) (2.5) 0.5
Federal tax credits(2.5) (2.1) (2.4)
AFUDC equity(0.2) (0.1) (0.7)
Amortization of federal investment tax credits(0.4) (0.4) (0.3)
Federal or state tax rate change
 14.1
 5.3
Valuation allowance
 
 0.4
Stock compensation
 
 0.2
Officer compensation limitation0.3
 0.6
 0.1
Other(1.0) (1.0) 
Effective income tax rate12.3 % 34.9 % 41.6 %

(a)Evergy Metro amounts are included in consolidated Evergy from June 4, 2018, the date of the closing of the merger, and thereafter.

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Deferred Income Taxes
The tax effects of major temporary differences resulting in deferred income tax assets (liabilities) in the consolidated balance sheets is in the following table.
 December 31
 2019 2018
 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Deferred tax assets:(millions)
Tax credit carryforward$548.9
 $337.3
 $204.4
 $508.1
 $307.1
 $194.0
Income taxes refundable to customers, net466.3
 234.3
 176.2
 478.1
 233.1
 186.9
Deferred employee benefit costs197.0
 93.4
 120.4
 215.4
 89.6
 118.3
Net operating loss carryforward163.4
 23.1
 61.9
 383.3
 60.7
 119.2
Deferred state income taxes64.4
 64.4
 
 62.5
 62.5
 
Alternative minimum tax carryforward37.9
 13.4
 
 73.4
 26.7
 
Accrued liabilities80.4
 14.5
 29.1
 82.6
 13.6
 32.8
Other183.2
 99.1
 55.1
 193.5
 101.7
 46.7
Total deferred tax assets before valuation
   allowance
1,741.5
 879.5
 647.1
 1,996.9
 895.0
 697.9
Valuation allowances(17.5) 
 
 (27.3) (1.7) 
Total deferred tax assets, net1,724.0
 879.5
 647.1
 1,969.6
 893.3
 697.9
Deferred tax liabilities:           
Plant-related(3,107.1) (1,481.7) (1,157.0) (3,164.9) (1,491.6) (1,199.7)
Deferred employee benefit costs(173.3) (93.4) (79.5) (199.9) (89.6) (86.1)
Acquisition premium(68.2) (68.2) 
 (72.6) (72.6) 
Other(119.8) (53.9) (53.4) (131.4) (54.9) (43.9)
Total deferred tax liabilities(3,468.4) (1,697.2) (1,289.9) (3,568.8) (1,708.7) (1,329.7)
Net deferred income tax liabilities$(1,744.4) $(817.7) $(642.8) $(1,599.2) $(815.4) $(631.8)

Tax Credit Carryforwards
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy had $379.0 million and $333.8 million, respectively, of federal general business income tax credit carryforwards.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central had $168.8 million and $134.0 million, respectively, of federal general business income tax credit carryforwards. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro had $203.2 million and $192.8 million, respectively, of federal general business income tax credit carryforwards.  The carryforwards for Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro relate primarily to wind production tax credits and advanced coal investment tax credits and expire in the years 2020 to 2039. Approximately $0.4 million of Evergy's credits are related to Low Income Housing credits that were acquired in Great Plains Energy's acquisition of Evergy Missouri West.  Due to federal limitations on the utilization of income tax attributes acquired in the Evergy Missouri West acquisition, Evergy expects a portion of these credits to expire unutilized and has provided a valuation allowance against $0.3 million of the federal income tax benefit.

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The year of origin of Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's related tax benefit amounts for federal tax credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2019 are detailed in the following table.
  Amount of Benefit 
Year of Origin Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro 
  (millions) 
2000 $7.3
 $7.3
 $
 
2001 9.7
 9.7
 
 
2002 0.3
 0.2
 
 
2003 0.3
 0.2
 
 
2004 0.3
 0.2
 
 
2005 0.3
 0.2
 
 
2006 0.3
 0.2
 
 
2007 0.6
 0.6
 
 
2008 39.8
 0.5
 38.9
 
2009 47.7
 0.2
 47.4
 
2010 18.4
 
 18.2
 
2011 13.3
 
 13.2
 
2012 14.4
 3.6
 10.7
 
2013 24.3
 11.3
 12.9
 
2014 24.1
 10.7
 13.0
 
2015 24.7
 10.9
 13.2
 
2016 27.1
 11.0
 12.4
 
2017 43.9
 35.1
 8.2
 
2018 43.9
 36.3
 7.5
 
2019 38.3
 30.6
 7.6
 
  $379.0
 $168.8
 $203.2
 

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy had $169.9 million and $174.3 million, respectively, of tax benefits related to state income tax credit carryforwards. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central had $168.5 million and $173.1 million, respectively, of tax benefit related to state income tax credit carryforwards. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro had $1.2 million of tax benefits related to state income tax credit carryforwards. The state income tax credits relate primarily to the Kansas high performance incentive program tax credits and expire in the years 2024 to 2034.
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy had $132.4 million and $324.2 million, respectively, of tax benefits related to federal net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central had $12.3 million and $40.1 million, respectively, of tax benefits related to federal NOL carryforwards. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Metro had $56.2 million and $107.5 million, respectively, of tax benefits related to federal NOL carryforwards. Approximately $51.1 million at December 31, 2019are tax benefits related to NOLs that were acquired in the Evergy Missouri West acquisition. Due to federal limitations on the utilization of income tax attributes acquired in the Evergy Missouri West acquisition, Evergy expects a portion of these credits to expire unutilized and has provided a valuation allowance against $7.1 million of the federal income tax benefit. The federal NOL carryforwards expire in years 2023 to 2037.  

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The year of origin of Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's related tax benefit amounts for federal NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2019 are detailed in the following table.
  Amount of Benefit 
Year of Origin Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro 
  (millions) 
2005 $19.1
 $
 $
 
2006 32.0
 
 
 
2014 2.8
 0.2
 0.9
 
2015 58.8
 
 55.3
 
2016 4.6
 
 
 
2017 15.1
 12.1
 
 
  $132.4
 $12.3
 $56.2
 

In addition, Evergy also had deferred tax benefits of $31.0 millionand $59.1 million related to state NOLs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  Evergy Kansas Central had deferred tax benefits of $10.8 million and $20.6 million related to state NOLs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Evergy Metro had deferred tax benefits of $5.7 million and $11.7 million related to state NOLs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The state NOL carryforwards expire in years 2020 to 2038. Evergy does not expect to utilize $10.1 million of NOLs before the expiration date of the carryforwards of NOLs in certain states. Therefore, a valuation allowance has been provided against $10.1 million of state tax benefits.
Alternative Minimum Tax Carryforwards
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy had $37.9 million and $73.4 million, respectively, of federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, Evergy Kansas Central had $13.4 million and $26.7 million, respectively, of federal AMT carryforwards.  These credits do not expire and can be used to reduce taxes paid in the future or become refundable starting in 2018.
Valuation Allowances
Evergy is required to assess the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets using a "more likely than not" assessment threshold.  This assessment takes into consideration tax planning strategies within Evergy's control.  As a result of this assessment, Evergy has established a partial valuation allowance for federal and state tax NOL carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. During 2019, $9.8 million of tax benefit was recorded in continuing operations primarily related to AMT credits and the expiration of certain state NOL carryforwards.
Federal Tax Reform
In December 2017, the U.S. Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed Public Law No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the TCJA. The TCJA represents the first major reform in U.S. income tax law since 1986. Most notably, the TCJA reduces the current top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018, repeals the corporate AMT, makes existing AMT tax credit carryforwards refundable, and changes the deductibility and taxability of certain items, among other things. Prior to the change in tax rates that has been reflected in their 2018 rate cases, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West recovered the cost of income taxes in rates from their customers based on the 35% federal corporate income tax rate.
In January 2018, the KCC issued an order requiring certain regulated public utilities, including Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro, to begin recording a regulatory liability for the difference between the new federal corporate tax rate and amounts currently collected in rates. In the second quarter of 2018, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro entered into settlement agreements with KCC staff and other intervenors in which they further agreed to begin deferring any impacts of the TCJA on their excess accumulated deferred income taxes to a regulatory liability. The KCC approved these settlement agreements in June 2018. Evergy Metro and Evergy

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Missouri West had also recorded regulatory liabilities in 2018 due to the probability that they would also be required to make similar refunds to their Missouri customers.
The final regulatory treatment of these regulatory liabilities for the refund of tax reform benefits was determined in each of Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's rate cases with the KCC and MPSC. See Note 5 for more information and the amounts of the regulatory liabilities recorded by the Evergy Companies.

Missouri Tax Reform
On June 1, 2018, the Missouri governor signed Senate Bill (S.B.) 884 into law. Most notably, S.B. 884 reduces the corporate income tax rate from 6.25% to 4.0% beginning in 2020, provides for the mandatory use of the single sales factor formula and eliminates intercompany transactions between corporations that file a consolidated Missouri income tax return.
As a result of the change in the Missouri corporate income tax rate, Evergy Metro revalued and restated its deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of June 1, 2018. Evergy Metro decreased its net deferred income tax liabilities by $46.6 million, primarily consisting of a $28.8 million adjustment for the revaluation and restatement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities included in Missouri jurisdictional rate base and a $9.9 million tax gross-up adjustment for ratemaking purposes. The decrease to Evergy Metro's net deferred income tax liabilities included in Missouri jurisdictional rate base were offset by a corresponding increase in regulatory liabilities. The net regulatory liabilities will be amortized to customers over a period to be determined in a future rate case.
Evergy Metro recognized $15.5 million of income tax benefit primarily related to the difference between Evergy Metro's revaluation of its deferred income tax assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount of the revaluation pertaining to Evergy Metro's Missouri jurisdictional rate base.
21. LEASES

The Evergy Companies lease office buildings, computer equipment, vehicles, rail cars, generating plant and other property and equipment, including rail cars to serve jointly-owned generating units where Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro is the managing partner and is reimbursed by other joint-owners for the other owners' proportionate share of the costs. Under GAAP, a contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Evergy Companies assess a contract as being or containing a lease if the contract identifies property, plant and equipment, provides the lessee the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the property, plant and equipment and provides the lessee the right to direct the use of the property, plant and equipment.
The Evergy Companies have entered into several agreements to purchase energy through renewable purchase power agreements that are accounted for as leases that commenced prior to the application of Topic 842.Due to the intermittent nature of renewable generation, these leases have significant variable lease payments not included in the initial and subsequent measurement of the lease liability. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. In addition, certain other contracts contain payment for activity that transfers a separate good or service such as utilities or common area maintenance. The Evergy Companies have elected a practical expedient permitted by GAAP to not separate such components of the lease from other lease components for all leases.
The Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro leases have remaining terms ranging from 1 to 19 years, 1 to 19 years and 1 to 26 years, respectively. Leases that have original lease terms of twelve months or less are not recognized on the Evergy Companies’ balance sheets. Some leases have options to renew the lease or terminate early at the election of the Evergy Companies. Judgment is applied at lease commencement to determine the reasonably certain lease term based on then-current assumptions about use of the leased asset, market conditions and terms in the contract. The judgment applied to determine the lease term can significantly impact the measurement of the lease liability and right-of-use asset and lease classification.
The Evergy Companies typically discount lease payments over the term of the lease using their incremental borrowing rates at lease commencement to measure its initial and subsequent lease liability. For leases that existed

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at the initial application of Topic 842, the Evergy Companies used the incremental borrowing rates that corresponded to the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019.
Leases may be classified as either operating leases or finance leases. The lease classification is based on assumptions of the lease term and discount rate, as discussed above, and the fair market value and economic life of the leased asset. Operating leases recognize a consistent expense each period over the lease term, while finance leases will result in the separate presentation of interest expense on the lease liability and amortization of the right-of-use asset. Finance leases are treated as operating leases for rate-making purposes and as such, the Evergy Companies defer to a regulatory asset or liability any material differences between expense recognition and the timing of payments in order to match what is being recovered in customer rates.
The Evergy Companies’ lease expense is detailed in the following table.
Year Ended December 31, 2019 Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Finance lease costs (millions)
Amortization of right-of-use assets $5.2
 $5.0
 $0.1
Interest on lease liabilities 2.9
 2.7
 0.1
Operating lease costs 23.8
 13.2
 9.2
Short-term lease costs 4.0
 1.2
 2.6
Variable lease costs for renewable purchase power agreements 313.0
 130.8
 129.2
Total lease costs $348.9
 $152.9
 $141.2
Supplemental cash flow information related to the Evergy Companies' leases is detailed in the following table.
Year Ended December 31, 2019Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:(millions)
Operating cash flows from operating leases$21.7
 $13.7
 $9.9
Operating cash flows from finance leases2.8
 2.6
 0.1
Financing cash flows from finance leases5.0
 4.8
 0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities10.4
 6.1
 2.4
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities8.3
 8.3
 


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Finance Leases
Right-of-use assets for finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment on the Evergy Companies’ balance sheets. Lease liabilities for finance leases are included in other current and other long-term liabilities.Payments and other supplemental information for finance leases as of December 31, 2019, are detailed in the following table.
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
  (millions)
2020 $8.1
 $7.6
 $0.2
2021 7.4
 7.0
 0.2
2022 6.7
 6.2
 0.2
2023 5.8
 5.4
 0.2
2024 4.7
 4.3
 0.2
After 2024 46.2
 44.6
 0.9
Total finance lease payments 78.9
 75.1
 1.9
Amounts representing imputed interest (26.1) (25.0) (0.5)
Present value of lease payments 52.8
 50.1
 1.4
Less: current portion (4.9) (4.7) (0.1)
Total long-term obligations under finance leases $47.9
 $45.4
 $1.3
       
Right-of-use assets under finance leases included in property, plant and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets $302.8
 $43.5
 $1.4
       
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) 14.3
 14.6
 8.7
Weighted-average discount rate 5.6% 5.5% 7.6%


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Operating Leases

We lease office buildings, computer equipment, vehicles, railcars and other property and equipment. In determining lease expense, we recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term.

Rental expense and estimated future commitments underRight-of-use assets for operating leases are included in other long-term assets on the Evergy Companies’ balance sheets. Lease liabilities for operating leases are included in other current and other long-term liabilities.Lease payments and other supplemental information for operating leases as follows.of December 31, 2019, are detailed in the following table.
  Evergy Evergy Kansas Central Evergy Metro
  (millions)
2020 $20.5
 $11.6
 $10.7
2021 17.0
 8.6
 10.1
2022 14.1
 6.4
 9.3
2023 11.0
 3.8
 8.8
2024 9.2
 2.3
 8.5
After 2024 44.7
 1.5
 82.8
Total operating lease payments 116.5
 34.2
 130.2
Amounts representing imputed interest (18.5) (2.3) (35.4)
Present value of lease payments 98.0
 31.9
 94.8
Less: current portion (15.6) (9.1) (7.0)
Total long-term obligations under operating leases $82.4
 $22.8
 $87.8
       
Right-of-use assets under operating leases included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets $104.5
 $39.4
 $76.6
       
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) 8.8
 3.8
 15.8
Weighted-average discount rate 3.8% 3.4% 4.2%

22. QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
Year Ended December 31, 
Total
Operating
Leases
  (In Thousands)
Rental expense:  
2015 $14,035
2016 13,563
2017 15,661
   
Future commitments:  
2018 $18,132
2019 13,263
2020 9,411
2021 7,448
2022 4,505
Thereafter 5,900
Total future commitments $58,659
  Quarter
Evergy 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
2019 (millions, except per share amounts)
Operating revenue $1,216.9
 $1,221.7
 $1,577.6
 $1,131.6
Operating income 209.6
 271.7
 538.7
 165.8
Net income 103.4
 144.6
 370.9
 66.7
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. 99.5
 139.7
 366.8
 63.9
Basic and diluted earnings per common share 0.39
 0.57
 1.56
 0.28
2018        
Operating revenue $600.2
 $893.4
 $1,582.5
 $1,199.8
Operating income 123.5
 126.9
 533.1
 150.1
Net income 62.9
 104.4
 357.6
 21.1
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. 60.5
 101.8
 355.0
 18.5
Basic and diluted earnings per common share 0.42
 0.56
 1.32
 0.07



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Capital Leases


We identify capital leases based on defined criteria. For both vehicles and computer equipment, new leases are signed each month based on the terms of master lease agreements.

Assets recorded under capital leases are listed below.
 As of December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In Thousands)
Vehicles$19,679
 $15,595
Computer equipment924
 1,073
Generation plant40,048
 40,048
Accumulated amortization(17,091) (13,542)
Total capital leases$43,560
 $43,174

Capital leases are treated as operating leases for rate making purposes. Minimum annual rental payments, excluding administrative costs such as property taxes, insurance and maintenance, under capital leases are listed below.
  Quarter
Evergy Kansas Central 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
2019 (millions)
Operating revenue $596.8
 $585.5
 $749.0
 $576.1
Operating income 124.3
 127.6
 242.4
 102.2
Net income 68.3
 67.2
 168.2
 55.4
Net income attributable to Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 64.4
 62.3
 164.1
 52.6
2018        
Operating revenue $600.2
 $650.9
 $764.8
 $599.0
Operating income 123.5
 76.1
 256.9
 94.0
Net income 62.9
 77.6
 178.0
 30.6
Net income attributable to Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. 60.5
 75.0
 175.4
 28.0
  Quarter
Evergy Metro 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
2019 (millions)
Operating revenue $425.4
 $437.0
 $568.8
 $375.3
Operating income 56.9
 101.9
 215.5
 52.2
Net income 16.0
 59.4
 151.9
 27.9
2018        
Operating revenue $397.1
 $452.2
 $559.6
 $414.2
Operating income 61.0
 114.7
 189.4
 44.7
Net income (loss) 20.2
 24.6
 120.3
 (2.2)

Year Ended December 31, 
Total Capital
Leases
  (In Thousands)
2018 $6,433
2019 5,856
2020 5,213
2021 4,699
2022 4,092
Thereafter 49,811
  76,104
Amounts representing imputed interest (27,434)
Present value of net minimum lease payments under capital leases 48,670
Less: Current portion 3,809
Total long-term obligation under capital leases $44,861



20. QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

Our businessQuarterly data is subject to seasonal fluctuations with peak periods occurring in naturethe summer months. Evergy's results reflect the results of operations of Evergy Kansas Central for all periods in 2018 and in our opinion, comparisons betweenEvergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West beginning with the quarters of a year do not give a true indication of overall trends and changes in operations.
2017First Second Third Fourth
 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        
Revenues (a)$572,574
 $609,321
 $794,327
 $594,781
Net income (a)63,482
 76,039
 160,724
 36,306
Net income attributable to Westar Energy, Inc. (a)59,661
 72,065
 158,306
 33,888
        
Per Share Data (a):       
        
Basic:       
Earnings available$0.42
 $0.50
 $1.11
 $0.24
        
Diluted:       
Earnings available$0.42
 $0.50
 $1.11
 $0.24
        
Cash dividend declared per common share$0.40
 $0.40
 $0.40
 $0.40
Market price per common share:       
High$56.60
 $55.12
 $53.49
 $57.32
Low$52.16
 $50.35
 $49.20
 $49.95
_______________
(a)Items are computed independently for each of the periods presented and the sum of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total for the year.

2016First Second Third Fourth
 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        
Revenues (a)$569,450
 $621,448
 $764,654
 $606,535
Net income (a)68,708
 76,144
 158,553
 57,795
Net income attributable to Westar Energy, Inc. (a)65,585
 72,340
 154,720
 53,932
        
Per Share Data (a):       
        
Basic:       
Earnings available$0.46
 $0.51
 $1.09
 $0.38
        
Diluted:       
Earnings available$0.46
 $0.51
 $1.08
 $0.38
        
Cash dividend declared per common share$0.38
 $0.38
 $0.38
 $0.38
Market price per common share:       
High$50.38
 $57.25
 $56.95
 $57.50
Low$40.01
 $48.92
 $52.52
 $54.41
_______________
(a)Items are computed independently for each of the periods presented and the sum of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total for the year.


quarter ended June 30, 2018. See Note 1 for more information.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a setEVERGY
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evergy carried out an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed(as defined in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarizedRules 13a-15(e) and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act is accumulatedAct).  This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and communicated towith the participation, of Evergy's management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Asand Evergy's disclosure committee.  Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Evergy have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that the disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2019, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for Evergy.  Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.  Management used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.  Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K, has issued its attestation report on Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included below.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Evergy, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Evergy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated March 2, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedules.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Kansas City, Missouri  
March 2, 2020

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EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evergy Kansas Central carried out an evaluation carried outof its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).  This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and with the participation, of Evergy Kansas Central's management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of ourand Evergy Kansas Central's disclosure controls and procedures,committee.  Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Evergy Kansas Central have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that ourthe disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy Kansas Central were effective.effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There werehas been no changeschange in ourEvergy Kansas Central's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three monthsquarterly period ended December 31, 2017,2019, that has materially affected, or areis reasonably likely to materially affect, ourits internal control over financial reporting.

See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for Management’sManagement's Report Onon Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s reportExchange Act) for Evergy Kansas Central.  Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy Kansas Central’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy Kansas Central’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. Management used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO of the Treadway Commission.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, Evergy Kansas Central’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.  
EVERGY METRO
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Evergy Metro carried out an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).  This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and with the participation, of Evergy Metro's management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and Evergy Metro's disclosure committee.  Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Evergy Metro have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that the disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy Metro were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in Evergy Metro's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2019, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for Evergy Metro.  Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy Metro’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy Metro’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.  Management

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used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO of the Treadway Commission.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, Evergy Metro’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.  
ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Investors should note that wethe Evergy Companies announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. In accordance with SEC guidance, we mayguidelines, the Evergy Companies also use the Investor Relations section of ourtab on their website, (http://www.WestarEnergy.com, under “Investors”)www.evergy.com, to communicate with investors about our company.investors. It is possible that the financial and other information we postposted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on ourEvergy's website is not part of this document.



PART III
Information required by Items 10-14 of Part III of this Form 10-K with respect to Evergy will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K, or incorporated by reference to ourEvergy's definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2018its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (2018 Proxy(Proxy Statement), if such definitive proxy statement is filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2018. Due to the pending Merger with Great Plains Energy, we may not29, 2020.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Evergy
The information required by this item will be required to file the 2018 Proxy Statement,included in which case we will file an amendment to this Form 10-K on or before April 30, 2018, to include the information that is otherwise incorporated by reference.


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information concerning directors required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K will be included under the caption Election of Directors in our 2018 Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated by reference from the following sections of the Proxy Statement:
Information regarding the directors of Evergy will be contained in this Form 10-K. Information concerning executive officers required by Item 401the Proxy Statement section titled "Election of Regulation S-K is located under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K. TheDirectors."
If applicable, information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K concerningregarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be included undercontained in the caption Additional Information - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance in our 2018 Proxy Statement section titled "Security Ownership of Directors, Management and that informationBeneficial Owners."
Information regarding the Audit Committee of Evergy will be contained in the Proxy Statement section titled "Board Structure - Committees of the Board."
Information regarding Evergy's Code of Ethics will be contained in the Proxy Statement section titled "Corporate Governance - Code of Ethics."
Information required by this item regarding Evergy's executive officers is incorporated by referencecontained in this Form 10-K. Thereport in Part I, Item 1 in "Information About Evergy's Executive Officers."
Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro
Other information required by Item 406, 407(c)(3), (d)(4)this item regarding Evergy Kansas Central and (d)(5)Evergy Metro has been omitted in reliance on General Instruction (I) to Form 10-K.

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Table of Regulation S-K will be included under the captions Election of Directors - Corporate Governance Matters and - Board Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors in our 2018 Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.Contents





ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Evergy
The information required by Item 11this item will be set forthincluded in our 2018an amendment to this Form 10-K or will be incorporated by reference to the following sections of the Proxy Statement under the captions Statement: "Executive Compensation," "Director Compensation," "Compensation Discussion and Analysis,, Compensation" "Compensation Committee Report, Compensation of Executive Officers, Director CompensationReport" and "Director Independence - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,Participation."
Evergy Kansas Central and thatEvergy Metro
Other information is incorporatedrequired by referencethis item regarding Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro has been omitted in thisreliance on General Instruction (I) to Form 10-K.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Evergy
The information required by Item 12this item regarding security ownership of the directors and executive officers of Evergy will be set forthincluded in our 2018 Proxy Statement under the captions Beneficial Ownership of Voting Securities and Equity Compensation Plan Information, and that information isan amendment to this Form 10-K or will be incorporated by reference to the "Security Ownership of Directors, Management and Beneficial Owners" section of the Proxy Statement.
Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro
The information required by this item regarding Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro has been omitted in thisreliance on General Instruction (I) to Form 10-K.
Equity Compensation Plans

Upon the consummation of the merger, Evergy assumed both Evergy Kansas Central's LTISA and Great Plains Energy's Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was renamed the Evergy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. The renamed Evergy Long-Term Incentive Plan permits the grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units, bonus shares, stock options, stock appreciation rights, director shares, director deferred share units, performance shares and other stock-based awards to directors, officers and other employees of Evergy.
The following table provides information, as of December 31, 2019, regarding the number of common shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights, their weighted average exercise price, and the number of shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance. The table excludes shares issued or issuable under any defined contribution savings plans.
         Number of securities
 Number of     remaining available
 securities     for future issuance
 to be issued upon Weighted-average under equity
 exercise of exercise price of compensation plans
 outstanding options, outstanding options, (excluding securities
 warrants and rights warrants and rights reflected in column (a))
Plan Category(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
           
Evergy Long-Term Incentive Plan 673,320
(2) 
  $
(3) 
  1,937,404
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 
   
   
 
Total 673,320
(2) 
  $
(3) 
  1,937,404
 
(1)The Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan will not be used for future awards. As of December 31, 2019, there were approximately 87,126 RSUs with only service requirements outstanding under the plan, and approximately 360,368 units outstanding that were deferred pursuant to the Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. non-employee deferred compensation program. Deferred units will continue to receive deferred dividend equivalents in the form of additional deferred units until payouts pursuant to elections begin.

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(2)Includes 228,256 performance shares at target performance levels, 146,224 RSUs with only service requirements, 197,250 RSUs with performance measures and director deferred share units for 101,590 shares of Evergy common stock outstanding at December 31, 2019.
(3)The performance shares, RSUs and director deferred share units have no exercise price and therefore are not reflected in the weighted-average exercise price.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Evergy
The information required by Item 13this item will be set forthincluded in our 2018 Proxy Statement under the caption Election of Directors - Corporate Governance Matters, and that information isan amendment to this Form 10-K or will be incorporated by reference to the "Director Independence" and "Related Party Transactions" sections of the Proxy Statement.
Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro
The information required by this item regarding Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro has been omitted in thisreliance on General Instruction (I) to Form 10-K.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Evergy
The information required by Item 14this item regarding the independent auditors of Evergy and its subsidiaries will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K or will be incorporated by reference to the "Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors" section of the Proxy Statement.
Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro
The Audit Committee of the Evergy Board functions as the Audit Committee of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. The following tables set forth in our 2018 Proxy Statement under the caption of Ratification and Confirmation ofaggregate fees billed by Deloitte and& Touche LLP for audit services rendered in connection with the consolidated financial statements and reports for 2019 and 2018 and for other services rendered during 2019 and 2018 on behalf of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro, as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firmwell as all out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with these services:
Evergy Kansas Central20192018
Fee Category  
Audit Fees$2,044,100
$2,168,000
Audit-Related Fees24,000
40,000
Tax Fees

All Other Fees

Total Fees$2,068,100
$2,208,000
Evergy Metro20192018
Fee Category  
Audit Fees$1,503,000
$1,801,396
Audit-Related Fees24,000
23,000
Tax Fees
34,765
All Other Fees

Total Fees$1,527,000
$1,859,161
Audit Fees: Consists of fees billed for 2018 professional services rendered for the audits of the annual consolidated financial statements of Evergy Kansas Central and its subsections captioned Independent Registered Accounting Firm FeesEvergy Metro and reviews of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports. Audit fees also include: services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements; audit reports on audits of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and other attest services, except those not required by statute or

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regulation; services related to filings with the SEC, including comfort letters, consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC; and accounting research in support of the audit.
Audit-Related Fees: Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of consolidated financial statements of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro and are not reported under "Audit Fees." These services include consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
Tax Fees: Consists of fees billed for tax compliance and related support of tax returns and other tax services, including assistance with tax audits, and tax research and planning.
All Other Fees: Consists of fees for all other services other than those described above.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policiesof Audit and Procedures,Permissible Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of all audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm for Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. Under these policies and procedures, the Audit Committee may pre-approve certain types of services, up to the aggregate fee levels it sets. Any proposed service within a pre-approved type of service that informationwould cause the applicable fee level to be exceeded cannot be provided unless the Audit Committee either amends the applicable fee level or specifically approves the proposed service. The Audit Committee, as well, may specifically approve audit, audit-related, tax or other services on a case-by-case basis. Pre-approval is incorporatedgenerally provided for up to one year, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. Management provides quarterly updates to the Audit Committee regarding actual fees spent with respect to pre-approved services.  The Chair of the Audit Committee may pre-approve audit, audit-related, tax and other services provided by reference in this Form 10-K.the independent registered public accounting firm as required between meetings and report such pre-approval at the next Audit Committee meeting.


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED HEREIN

Westar Energy, Inc.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Evergy, Inc.Page No.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
g.
SCHEDULES

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Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts




h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Evergy Metro, Inc.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
Financial Statement Schedules omitted as not applicable or not required under the Rules
Evergy, Inc.
a.
b.
Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
c.
Evergy Metro, Inc.
d.

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Table of Regulation S-X: I, III, IV and V.Contents




EXHIBIT INDEX


All exhibits marked “I” are incorporated herein by reference. All exhibits marked with “*” are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be identified by Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K. All exhibits marked “#” are filed with this Form 10-K.

Description
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description of Document
Registrant
     
2.1*∆
(schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, and Westar Energy will furnish the omitted schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request)

I
 Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
2.2*∆


I
 Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
 I
3(b) 
3.1*Evergy
3.2*Evergy
3.3*I
 Evergy Metro
3.4*Evergy Metro
3.5*I
3(d)Certificate of Correction to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Westar Energy, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1991 filed on MarchSeptember 30, 1992)I
 
Evergy Kansas Central

3.6*I
 
Evergy Kansas Central

4.1* IEvergy
4.2* Evergy
 I
 I


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4.3*I
I
I
I
4(a)Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated July 1, 1939 between Westar Energy, Inc. and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)I
4(b)First and Second Supplemental Indentures dated July 1, 1939 and April 1, 1949, respectively (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)I
4(c)Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated October 4, 1951 (filedSeptember 25, 2007, between Evergy. Inc. (successor to Great Plains Energy Incorporated) and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Exhibit 4(b) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)I
4(d)Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated May 1, 1976 (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)I
4(e)Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated July 1, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 4(o) to the Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1992 filed on March 30, 1993)I
I
I
I
I
 IEvergy
 
4.4*I
 IEvergy
 
4.5* IEvergy
4.6* Evergy
4.7*

I
 Evergy
4.8* IEvergy
4.9* Evergy
4.10*Evergy
4.11*Evergy
4.12*I
 I

I
Instruments defining the rights of holders of other long-term debt not required to be filed as Exhibits will be furnished to the Commission upon request.
IEvergy


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4.13* Evergy
4.14*Evergy
4.15*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.16*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.17*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.18*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.19*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.20*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.21*Evergy
Evergy Metro

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4.22*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.23*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.24*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.25*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.26*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.27*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.28*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.29*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.30*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.31*Evergy
Evergy Metro

159

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4.32*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.33*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.34*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.35*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.36*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.37*Evergy
Evergy Metro
4.38*Evergy
4.39*Evergy
4.40*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central

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4.41
*

Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.42*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.43*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.44*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.45*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.46*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.47*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.48*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.49*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.50*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central

161

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4.51*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.52* IEvergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.53*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.54*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.55*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.56*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.57*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.58*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.59*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central

162

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4.60*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.61*Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
4.62
Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
Evergy Metro
10.1*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.2*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.3*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.4*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.5*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.6*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.7*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.8*+Evergy
Evergy Metro

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10.9*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.10*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.11*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.12*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.13*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.14*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.15*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.16*+ 
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.17*+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.18*+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.19+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central

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10.20+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.21*+

 IEvergy
Evergy Kansas Central
10.22*+Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
10.23*+ 
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.24+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.25*+
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.26*+Evergy
Evergy Metro
10.27*+

 IEvergy
Evergy Kansas Central
10.28*+ 
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.29*+

 IEvergy
10.30*+ 
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.31*+I
I
I

I
I
 IEvergy
Evergy Kansas Central
 

 I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
#
#


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10.32*+Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
10.33*+Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
10.34*+ 
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.35*+Evergy
10.36*
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.37*
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
10.38*Evergy
10.39*Evergy
21.1
Evergy
Evergy Kansas Central
23.1 #Evergy

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23.2 Evergy Metro
23.3 #Evergy Kansas Central
24.1 Evergy
24.2 #Evergy Kansas Central
24.3 Evergy Metro
31.1 #Evergy
31.2Evergy
31.3Evergy Metro
31.4Evergy Metro
31.5Evergy Kansas Central
31.6Evergy Kansas Central
32.1**Evergy
32.2**Evergy Metro
32.3**Evergy Kansas Central
101.INS***XBRL Instance DocumentDocument. #n/a
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentDocument. #
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentDocument. #
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentDocument. #
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension LabelLabels Linkbase DocumentDocument. #
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central

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101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentDocument. #
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
Evergy
Evergy Metro
Evergy Kansas Central

* Filed with the SEC as exhibits to prior SEC filings and are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.  The SEC filings and the exhibit number of the documents so filed, and incorporated herein by reference, are stated in parenthesis in the description of such exhibit.
** Furnished and shall not be deemed filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.  Such document shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless otherwise indicated in such registration statement or other document.
*** The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
+ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
∆ Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, and Evergy will furnish the omitted schedules to the SEC upon request.

Copies of any of the exhibits filed with the SEC in connection with this report may be obtained from the applicable registrant upon written request. The registrants agree to furnish to the SEC upon request any instrument with respect to long-term debt as to which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of total assets of such registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

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Schedule I - Parent Company Financial Statements

WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
EVERGY, INC.
Statements of Income of Parent Company
    
 2019 Period from June 4, 2018 through
December 31, 2018
OPERATING EXPENSES: (millions)
Operating and maintenance$19.4
 $54.6
Total Operating Expenses19.4
 54.6
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS(19.4) (54.6)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)   
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries698.2
 364.7
Investment earnings32.7
 26.3
Other expense(0.1) (2.6)
Total Other Income, Net730.8
 388.4
Interest expense60.7
 19.6
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES650.7
 314.2
Income tax benefit(13.7) (10.7)
NET INCOME$664.4
 $324.9
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   
NET INCOME$664.4
 $324.9
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Derivative hedging activity

 

Loss on derivative hedging instruments(64.4) (5.4)
Income tax benefit16.5
 1.4
Net loss on derivative hedging instruments(47.9) (4.0)
Reclassification to expenses, net of taxes1.5
 
Derivative hedging activity, net of tax(46.4) (4.0)
Other comprehensive income from subsidiaries, net(0.6) 1.0
Total other comprehensive loss(47.0) (3.0)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME$617.4
 $321.9
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTSThe accompanying Notes to Financial Statements of Parent Company are an integral part of these statements.

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Description 
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 Deductions (a) 
Balance
at End
of Period
  (In Thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2015        
Allowances deducted from assets for doubtful accounts $5,309
 $8,614
 $(8,629) $5,294
         
Year ended December 31, 2016        
Allowances deducted from assets for doubtful accounts $5,294
 $12,197
 $(10,824) $6,667
         
Year ended December 31, 2017        
Allowances deducted from assets for doubtful accounts $6,667
 $10,509
 $(10,460) $6,716
EVERGY, INC.
Balance Sheets of Parent Company
 December 31
 20192018
ASSETS(millions, except share amounts)
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$11.6
 $107.1
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries24.5
 35.2
Notes receivable from subsidiaries2.0
 2.0
Income taxes receivable8.0
 0.2
Prepaid expenses and other assets2.4
 2.0
Total Current Assets48.5
 146.5
OTHER ASSETS: 
  
Investment in subsidiaries10,023.1
 9,785.6
Note receivable from subsidiaries634.9
 634.9
Deferred income taxes34.2
 36.3
Other0.9
 1.1
Total Other Assets10,693.1
 10,457.9
TOTAL ASSETS$10,741.6
 $10,604.4
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Notes payable$20.0
 $
Accounts payable to subsidiaries13.1
 28.1
Accrued interest14.6
 2.1
Derivative instruments
 5.4
Other8.1
 6.3
Total Current Liabilities55.8
 41.9
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:   
Long-term debt, net2,223.7
 638.1
Other16.9
 17.6
Total Long-Term Liabilities2,240.6
 655.7
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)


 


EQUITY: 
  
Evergy, Inc. Shareholders' Equity: 
  
Common stock - 600,000,000 shares authorized, without par value, 226,641,443 shares issued7,053.7
 8,668.3
Retained earnings1,441.5
 1,241.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(50.0) (3.0)
Total shareholders' equity8,445.2
 9,906.8
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$10,741.6
 10,604.4
_______________
(a)Result from write-offs of accounts receivable.

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements of Parent Company are an integral part of these statements.


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EVERGY, INC.
Statements of Cash Flows of Parent Company
    
 2019 Period from June 4, 2018 through
December 31, 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:(millions)
Net income$664.4
 $324.9
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash from operating activities:   
Non-cash compensation16.3
 10.0
Net deferred income taxes and credits21.4
 (6.3)
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries(698.2) (364.7)
Other2.1
 
Changes in working capital items:   
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries8.9
 (8.5)
Income taxes receivable(7.8) (0.2)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(0.1) (1.0)
Accounts payable to subsidiaries(15.0) 4.7
Accrued taxes
 (35.2)
Accrued interest12.5
 (13.6)
Other current liabilities1.7
 2.4
Cash dividends from subsidiaries460.0
 236.0
Changes in other assets0.2
 0.1
Changes in other liabilities(3.5) 20.0
Cash Flows from Operating Activities462.9
 168.6
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Cash acquired from the merger with Great Plains Energy
 1,142.2
Proceeds from interest rate swap
 140.6
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 1,282.8
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Short term debt, net20.0
 (56.1)
Proceeds from long-term debt1,585.0
 
Payment for settlement of interest rate swap accounted for as a cash flow hedge(69.8) 
Cash dividends paid(462.5) (245.9)
Repurchase of common stock(1,628.7) (1,042.3)
Other financing activities(2.4) 
Cash Flows used in Financing Activities(558.4) (1,344.3)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(95.5) 107.1
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:   
Beginning of period107.1
 
End of period$11.6
 $107.1
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements of Parent Company are an integral part of these statements.

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EVERGY, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
The Evergy, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 should be read in conjunction with the Evergy, Inc. Parent Company Financial Statements.
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Evergy, Inc. Parent Company Financial Statements have been prepared to comply with Rule 12-04 of Regulation S-X.
Evergy, Inc. was incorporated in 2017 as Monarch Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy. Prior to the closing of the merger transactions, Monarch Energy changed its name to Evergy, Inc. and did not conduct any business activities other than those required for its formation and matters contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement. On June 4, 2018, in accordance with the Amended Merger Agreement, Great Plains Energy merged into Evergy, Inc., with Evergy, Inc. surviving the merger and King Energy merged into Evergy Kansas Central, with Evergy Kansas Central surviving the merger. These merger transactions resulted in Evergy, Inc. becoming the parent entity of Evergy Kansas Central and the direct subsidiaries of Great Plains Energy, including Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West.
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the merger.
Evergy, Inc. operates primarily through its wholly-owned direct subsidiaries. Evergy, Inc.'s investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method. Fair value adjustments and goodwill related to the acquired assets and liabilities of Great Plains Energy and its direct subsidiaries are only reflected on Evergy's consolidated financial statements and as such, are not included in Evergy, Inc.'s Parent Company Financial Statements. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statement for additional information.
2. LONG-TERM DEBT
See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on Evergy, Inc.'s long-term debt.
3. GUARANTEES
See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding Evergy, Inc.'s guarantees.
4. DIVIDENDS
Cash dividends paid to Evergy, Inc. by its subsidiaries were $460.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $236.0 million for the period from June 4, 2018 through December 31, 2018. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the dividend restrictions of Evergy, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

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Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
Evergy, Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
                
    Additions      
  Charged   
 Balance AtTo CostsCharged Balance
 BeginningAndTo Other At End
DescriptionOf PeriodExpensesAccountsDeductionsOf Period
Year Ended December 31, 2019(millions)
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $9.2
  $27.2
  $12.4
(a) 
 $38.3
(b) 
 $10.5
 
Tax valuation allowance 27.3
  0.6
  
  10.4
(c) 
 17.5
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018               
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $6.7
  $20.7
  $16.9
(e) 
 $35.1
(b) 
 $9.2
 
Tax valuation allowance 
  2.2
  26.8
(d) 
 1.7
(c) 
 27.3
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017               
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $6.7
  $10.5
  $7.0
(a) 
 $17.5
(b) 
 $6.7
 

(a) Recoveries.
(b) Uncollectible accounts charged off.
(c) Reversal of tax valuation allowance.
(d) Primarily represents the addition of Great Plains Energy's allowance as of the date of the merger.
(e) Recoveries and the addition of Great Plains Energy's allowance as of the date of the merger.
SIGNATURE

Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
                
    Additions      
  Charged   
 Balance AtTo CostsCharged Balance
 BeginningAndTo Other At End
DescriptionOf PeriodExpensesAccountsDeductionsOf Period
Year Ended December 31, 2019(millions)
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $3.9
  $7.2
  $3.4
(a) 
 $10.7
(b) 
 $3.8
 
Tax valuation allowance 1.7
  
  
  1.7
(c) 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018               
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $6.7
  $9.0
  $7.4
(a) 
 $19.2
(b)��
 $3.9
 
Tax valuation allowance 
  1.7
  
  
  1.7
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017               
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $6.7
  $10.5
  $7.0
(a) 
 $17.5
(b) 
 $6.7
 
(a) Recoveries.
(b) Uncollectible accounts charged off.
(c) Reversal of tax valuation allowance.

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Evergy Metro, Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
                
    Additions      
  Charged   
 Balance AtTo CostsCharged Balance
 BeginningAndTo Other At End
DescriptionOf PeriodExpensesAccountsDeductionsOf Period
Year Ended December 31, 2019(millions)
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $3.8
  $13.7
  $6.3
(a) 
 $19.2
(b) 
 $4.6
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018             
 
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $2.2
  $13.1
  $4.4
(a) 
 $15.9
(b) 
 $3.8
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017               
Allowance for uncollectible accounts $1.8
  $7.5
  $5.6
(a) 
 $12.7
(b) 
 $2.2
 
Tax valuation allowance 
  1.2
  
  1.2
(c) 
 
 
(a) Recoveries.
(b) Uncollectible accounts charged off.
(c) Reversal of tax valuation allowance.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of SectionsSection 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 EVERGY, INC. WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
   
Date: March 2, 2020
By: /s/ Terry Bassham
 February 21, 2018By:/s/ ANTHONY D. SOMMA
 Terry Bassham Anthony D. Somma
 President and Chief Executive Officer Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Terry BasshamDirector, President and Chief Executive Officer)March 2, 2020
Terry Bassham(Principal Executive Officer))
)
/s/ Anthony D. SommaExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)
Anthony D. Somma(Principal Financial Officer))
)
/s/ Steven P. BusserVice President - Risk Management and Controller)
Steven P. Busser(Principal Accounting Officer))
)
Mark A. Ruelle*Chairman of the Board of Directors)
)
Mollie Hale Carter*Director)
)
Charles Q. Chandler IV*Director)
)
Gary D. Forsee*Director)
)
Scott D. Grimes*Director)
)
Richard L. Hawley*Director)
)
Thomas D. Hyde*Director)
)
B. Anthony Isaac*Director)
)
Sandra A.J. Lawrence*Director)
)
Ann D. Murtlow*Director)
)
Sandra J. Price*Director)
)
John J. Sherman*Director)
)
S. Carl Soderstrom Jr.*Director)
)
John Arthur Stall*Director)
*By    /s/ Terry Bassham
Terry Bassham
Attorney-in-Fact*


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.                
EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.
Date: March 2, 2020
By: /s/ Terry Bassham
Terry Bassham
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitle Date
/S/ MARK A. RUELLE
s/ Terry Bassham
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
)March 2, 2020
Terry Bassham(Principal Executive Officer))
 February 21, 2018)
/s/ Anthony D. SommaExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)
Anthony D. Somma(Mark A. Ruelle)Principal Financial Officer))
 )
/s/ Steven P. BusserVice President - Risk Management and Controller)
Steven P. Busser(Principal Accounting Officer))
)
Mark A. Ruelle*Chairman of the Board of Directors)
)
Mollie Hale Carter*Director)
)
Charles Q. Chandler IV*Director)
)
Gary D. Forsee*Director)
)
Scott D. Grimes*Director)
)
Richard L. Hawley*Director)
)
Thomas D. Hyde*Director)
)
B. Anthony Isaac*Director)
)
Sandra A.J. Lawrence*Director)
)
Ann D. Murtlow*Director)
)
Sandra J. Price*Director)
)
John J. Sherman*Director)
)
S. Carl Soderstrom Jr.*Director)
)
John Arthur Stall*Director)
*By    /s/ Terry Bassham
Terry Bassham
Attorney-in-Fact*

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.                
EVERGY METRO, INC. 
   
/S/ ANTHONY D. SOMMA
Date: March 2, 2020
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)February 21, 2018
(Anthony D. Somma)
By: /s/ Terry Bassham
 
 
/S/ CHARLES Q. CHANDLER IV
Chairman of the BoardFebruary 21, 2018
(Charles Q. Chandler IV)Terry Bassham 
 President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitle Date
/S/ MOLLIE H. CARTER
s/ Terry BasshamDirector, President and Chief Executive Officer)February 21, 2018March 2, 2020
(Mollie H. Carter)Terry Bassham(Principal Executive Officer))
  )
/S/ R. A. EDWARDS III
s/ Anthony D. Somma
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerDirectorFebruary 21, 2018)
(R. A. Edwards III)Anthony D. Somma(Principal Financial Officer))
  )
/S/ JERRY B. FARLEY
s/ Steven P. Busser
Vice President - Risk Management and ControllerDirectorFebruary 21, 2018)
(Jerry B. Farley)Steven P. Busser(Principal Accounting Officer))
  )
/S/ RICHARD L. HAWLEY
Mark A. Ruelle*
Chairman of the Board of DirectorsDirectorFebruary 21, 2018
(Richard L. Hawley))
  )
/S/ B. ANTHONY ISAAC
Mollie Hale Carter*DirectorFebruary 21, 2018
(B. Anthony Isaac))
  )
/S/ SANDRA A. J. LAWRENCE
Charles Q. Chandler IV*DirectorFebruary 21, 2018
(Sandra A. J. Lawrence))
  )
Gary D. Forsee*Director)
  )
/S/ S. CARL SODERSTROM JR.
Scott D. Grimes*
Director)
 )
Richard L. Hawley*Director)
 February 21, 2018)
(Thomas D. Hyde*Director)
)
B. Anthony Isaac*Director)
)
Sandra A.J. Lawrence*Director)
)
Ann D. Murtlow*Director)
)
Sandra J. Price*Director)
)
John J. Sherman*Director)
)
S. Carl Soderstrom Jr.*Director)
  )
John Arthur Stall*Director)

*By    /s/ Terry Bassham

Terry Bassham
Attorney-in-Fact*


125177