TOPEKA, KS -- (Marketwire) -- 10/13/09 -- On Oct. 29, 2009, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) will release third-quarter 2009 earnings after market close. On Friday Oct. 30, 2009, Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer, will host a conference call and audio Webcast at 12 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Central) to discuss third quarter results and other matters related to the company.

Event:     Westar Energy Third Quarter 2009 Conference Call and Webcast
Date:      Oct. 30, 2009
Time:      12 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Central)
Location:  1) Phone conference call at 888-679-8038, participant code
              26742216 or
           2) Log on to the Webcast at http://www.WestarEnergy.com

In conjunction with the earnings release the company plans to post on its Web site supplemental financial information related to the third quarter performance. The materials will be available under Investor Presentations in the Investors section of the company Web site at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available from about 3 p.m. Eastern Oct. 30 through Nov. 11 at 888-286-8010, conference ID #28962754. The replay also will be available on the Westar Energy Web site at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest consolidated electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to more than 684,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,800 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 35,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.