History of Evergy in Timeline
Evergy, Inc. is an investor-owned utility formed by the merger of Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy. Headquartered in Topeka, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, it's the largest electric company in Kansas, serving over 1.7 million customers across Kansas and Missouri. With a generating capacity of 16,000 megawatts from over 40 power plants, Evergy's service territory spans 28,130 square miles. The company owns extensive transmission (over 10,100 miles) and distribution (approximately 52,000 miles) lines.
May 14, 1900: Armour Packing Company purchased Edison Electric Light & Power Company
On May 14, 1900, J. Ogden Armour, heir to the Armour Packing Company, purchased the Edison Electric Light & Power Company to power the Metropolitan Street Railway Company and Kansas City Electric Light Company.
1903: New power plant built
In 1903, the company built a new power plant, providing steam heat to downtown businesses.
1909: KG&E Founded
In 1909, Kansas Gas and Electric (KG&E) was founded when the American Power and Light Company took over electric companies in Wichita, Pittsburg and Frontenac.
1911: Company went into receivership
In 1911, the company focused on the trolley company and went into receivership.
October 1917: Company emerged from bankruptcy as Kansas City Light & Power Company
In October 1917, the company spun off the trolley business and emerged from bankruptcy as Kansas City Light & Power Company. The company also began construction on the Northeast Power station in 1917.
June 1919: Company reincorporated as Kansas City Power and Light Company
In June 1919, the company reincorporated again, as Kansas City Power and Light Company.
July 29, 1922: Company acquired Carroll County Electric Company
On July 29, 1922, the company acquired the Carroll County Electric Company.
1924: Continental Gas & Electric Corporation purchased controlling interest
In 1924, Continental Gas & Electric Corporation purchased the controlling interest.
1924: KPL Founded
In 1924, Kansas Power and Light (KPL) was founded and expanded across northeastern Kansas.
1948: Hawthorn Station construction started
In 1948, construction of the Hawthorn Station started.
1950: Kansas City Power became independent
In 1950, Kansas City Power became independent, and United Light and Power dissolved.
1951: First unit of Hawthorn Station completed
In 1951, the first unit of the Hawthorn Station was completed.
1952: Acquisition of Eastern Kansas Utilities
In 1952, Kansas City Power acquired Eastern Kansas Utilities.
1956: Hawthorn Station fully operational
By 1956, the Hawthorn Station was fully operational.
1992: KPL and KG&E Merger to form Western Resources
In 1992, KPL merged with KG&E to become Western Resources, with KPL and KG&E as operating companies.
1992: Merger of KG&E and KPL to form Western Resources
In 1992, Western Resources was formed through the merger of Kansas Gas and Electric (KG&E) of Wichita and Kansas Power and Light (KPL) of Topeka.
1996: Western Resources sold natural gas business to ONEOK
In 1996, Western Resources sold its natural gas business to ONEOK as Kansas Gas Service and acquired a 45 percent stake in ONEOK.
1997: Restatement of financial statements
In 1997, Western Resources restated its consolidated financial statements related to the Westinghouse Security Systems (WSS) acquisition.
1998: Restatement of financial statements
In 1998, Western Resources restated its consolidated financial statements related to the Westinghouse Security Systems (WSS) acquisition.
1999: Restatement of financial statements
In 1999, Western Resources restated its consolidated financial statements related to the Westinghouse Security Systems (WSS) acquisition.
2000: Restatement of financial statements
In 2000, Western Resources restated its consolidated financial statements related to the Westinghouse Security Systems (WSS) acquisition.
October 1, 2001: Establishment of Great Plains Energy Incorporated
On October 1, 2001, Great Plains Energy Incorporated was established in Kansas City, Missouri. It owned electric utility Kansas City Power and Light Company and Strategic Energy, LLC.
November 1, 2002: Westar Energy announced restating of results
On November 1, 2002, Westar Energy announced the restating of results for its first and second quarter, to account for additional impairment at its Protection One Inc. (POI) unit.
2002: Western Resources changed name to Westar Energy
In 2002, Western Resources officially changed its name to Westar Energy, and all of its subsidiaries began doing business under that name.
January 14, 2003: Westar Energy Inc charged for transactions
On January 14, 2003, Westar Energy Inc was charged for transactions involving power sales from one Cleco Corporation affiliate to Westar and then back to another or the same Cleco affiliate, and paid $30,000,000 for the settlement.
2003: Westar Energy restated its 2003 annual financial results
In 2003, Westar Energy restated its 2003 annual financial results, after realizing that it might have understated its cash flow from operations for the year.
2003: Western Resources sold its stake in ONEOK
In 2003, Western Resources sold its 45 percent stake in ONEOK.
March 25, 2004: Westar Energy restated its 2003 annual financial results
On March 25, 2004, Westar Energy restated its 2003 annual financial results, after realizing that it might have understated its cash flow from operations for the year.
2008: Acquisition of Aquila, Inc.
In July 2008, Great Plains Energy acquired Aquila, Inc.
2014: Ranked on Fortune 1000 list
In 2014, Great Plains Energy ranked number 855 on the Fortune 1000 list.
2016: Merger plans announced
In 2016, Great Plains Energy and Westar announced merger plans, but this proposed merger was rejected by Kansas Corporation Commission utility regulators.
2017: New merger plan announced
In 2017, a new merger plan between Great Plains Energy and Westar was announced.
May 24, 2018: Merger approved and new company named Evergy
As of May 24, 2018, the merger between Great Plains Energy and Westar was approved by both the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Kansas Corporation Commission. The combined company was named Evergy, with KCP&L and Westar becoming the two operating companies of Evergy.
May 2019: Forbes named Evergy as one of America's "Best Top 500 Employers"
In May 2019, Forbes named Evergy as one of America's "Best Top 500 Employers".
October 7, 2019: Adoption of the Evergy brand
On October 7, 2019, the Westar and KCP&L brands were retired, and the company adopted the Evergy brand across its entire service territory.
2019: Evergy named one of the "Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America"
In 2019, Evergy was named one of the "Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America" by Springbuk.
December 28, 2022: Switched stock exchange listing to Nasdaq Global Select Market
On December 28, 2022, the company switched its stock exchange listing to the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
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