KANSAS CITY, MO, October 21, 2005 - Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy (NYSE: GXP), announced today a series of initiatives to help customers cope with dramatically increasing winter heating bills.
As part of the plan announced today, KCP&L will temporarily waive reconnection fees and deposit requirements for any customer who is qualified and has applied for or is actually receiving benefits through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during this winter season (November 1, 2005-March 31, 2006).
"We are delighted to announce that we are also accelerating implementation of some efficiency and affordability programs included in our Comprehensive Energy Plan," said Mike Chesser, chairman and CEO of Great Plains Energy. "Partnering with customers to manage their energy usage, especially during formidable times, is one of our top priorities."
These programs include:
- Offering programmable energy saving thermostats, which allow customers to adjust their temperature while they are away helping them manage both their summer electric usage and winter gas bills.. These thermostats also provide KCP&L with the ability to "cycle" customers’ air conditioners in the summer to avoid expensive peak usage.
- Introducing online information about appliance energy usage and efficiency to help customers understand and manage their energy costs.
- Working to develop neighborhood "energy workshops" to educate customers on energy conservation and strengthening alliances with local governments and community agencies.
"This is going to be a demanding winter for all of us with the increasing cost of natural gas. We want to give customers the help they need to manage their utility costs through this difficult time. Utilities will be challenged to provide forward-thinking solutions to customers in both the short and long-term, as the volatility of natural-gas prices may continue through the winter of 2006-2007," said Bill Downey, president and CEO of KCP&L. "Our commitment to customers transcends the source of their soaring home heating bills."
KCP&L also announced it will double its match for contributions made by KCP&L employees and customers to assist those in need. KCP&L will increase the Dollar-Aide match from 50˘ to $1 for each dollar donated in anticipation of skyrocketing home heating costs this winter. The increased match will remain in effect from November 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. The Dollar-Aide Fund provides energy assistance to individuals in times of need, regardless of their home's fuel source.
"Our commitment is to double our contribution of funds available to assist customers in need of help in paying their energy bills," said John Marshall, Senior Vice President-Delivery. "Dollar-Aide is one of the cornerstone programs to help those with overdue utility bills of any source. Even though higher heating bills are primarily a natural-gas related issue, we want to be proactive in helping customers cope with the high cost of staying warm this season."
KCP&L was instrumental in the formation of the Dollar-Aide Program, which is administered by the Mid-American Assistance Coalition (MAAC). The program helps nearly 2,000 households yearly and has raised over $2.8 million since its inception. "It is an important resource for low-income residents," said Jan Marcason, Director of MAAC. "Through on-going contributions from KCP&L customers and matching funds from the Company, additional Dollar-Aide funds are available monthly."
Contributions to Dollar-Aide are tax deductible and may be made in the form of a year-round pledge or one-time donation. For information about how to donate, visit our website at www.kcpl.com
Headquartered in Kansas City, MO., KCP&L (www.kcpl.com) is a leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest. KCP&L is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the holding company for KCP&L and Strategic Energy LLC, a competitive electricity supplier..
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CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION -- Statements made in this release 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. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in the regional, national and international markets, including but not limited to regional and national wholesale electricity markets; market perception of the energy industry and the Company; changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry and constraints placed on the Company's actions by the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on the Company’s pension plan assets and costs; ability to maintain current credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts; increased competition including, but not limited to, retail choice in the electric utility industry and the entry of new competitors; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including weather-related damage; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; ability to achieve generation planning goals and the occurrence and duration of unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates of additional generating capacity; nuclear operations; ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities in non-regulated businesses; performance of projects undertaken by the Company’s non-regulated businesses and the success of efforts to invest in and develop new opportunities; and other risks and uncertainties. This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors.
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